Cligga Head Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Cligga Head Fishing Map

A rugged granite headland between Perranporth and St Agnes with high cliffs and a handful of low rock ledges giving quick access to deep, kelpy water. It’s a classic North Cornwall rock mark: best on a flooding tide with clear to lightly coloured water. Summer to early autumn is prime for lure and float fishing; autumn and winter nights suit bottom fishing for conger and pout/whiting. Expect Atlantic swell and a strong cross-tide around the point. Access is via the South West Coast Path and a steep, uneven descent to the ledges; attempt only in calm conditions, wear a PFD, use grippy footwear, and carry a drop-net for landing fish. Old mine workings and loose rock add to the hazard. Parking is available by clifftop lay-bys near Perranporth Airfield, followed by a 10–25 minute walk. Exposed to W–NW winds and swell; more comfortable in easterlies.

Ratings

⭐ 6.7/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 4/10

Fish You Can Catch at Cligga Head

🐟 Pollack 9/10
🎯 Tip: Spin soft plastics or metal jigs along kelp-fringed ledges at dawn/dusk on the flood; keep lures tight to rock faces. 20-40g heads, weedless helps in rough ground.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Float-fish crab or worm tight to kelp gullies over rough ground. Best on flooding tide, May-Oct. Use strong gear and rotten-bottom rigs.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Work shallow divers or surface lures in white water around points on a flooding tide at low light; or fish peeler crab in gullies after a blow.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer evenings on a flooding tide; small metals or sabikis cast into moving tide lines. Let lures sink then fast retrieve.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark around rough ground; small fish baits or worm-tipped hooks on 2-hook flappers. Cast short into gullies on the flood.
🐟 Bull Huss 6/10
🎯 Tip: Big fish or squid baits on 4/0-6/0 pennel, heavy gear. Best after dark over rough ground on the last of the flood and first ebb.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Dusk into dark in late summer/autumn; small metals or sabikis worked midwater. Keep retrieves steady; fish under a float if snaggy.
🐟 Conger Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Night fishing with big mackerel or squid baits dropped into deep holes below the ledges. Use heavy mono traces; expect snags in rough ground.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Clear summer seas; float-fish thin strips of mackerel high in the water on the flood. Long traces, small hooks, keep baits near surface.
🐟 Whiting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights; small fish or worm baits on 2-hook flappers. Cast slightly off to deeper water on the flood.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 5/10
🎯 Tip: Light float gear with rag or small crab around kelp edges on the flood, summer months. Keep baits just off bottom.
🐟 Long-spined Sea Scorpion 4/10
🎯 Tip: Micro-fish with small hooks and worm/shrimp baits in rock crevices at low to mid tide. Short casts around kelp.

Cligga Head Fishing

Summary

Cligga Head sits on Cornwall’s wild north coast between Perranporth and St Agnes, a granite headland with deep water and rugged, kelp‑strewn ground. It’s a classic rock mark for lure and bottom fishing, producing pollack, wrasse and bass in clear, moving water, with conger and huss after dark. If you like dramatic scenery and serious fishing, this spot rewards effort and careful timing.

Location and Access

Cligga Head is reached from Perranporth via the lane toward the old explosive works and cliff‑top parking; from there, the South West Coast Path leads to various ledges. Access ranges from straightforward path walking to steep, exposed scrambles—choose a ledge within your ability and carry only what you need.

Seasons

The headland fishes differently through the year; clear water and tide flow are key. Expect quality rather than quantity when the sea is settled and green/blue.

Methods

This is a versatile rock mark: lures excel around the kelp edges, while heavy ground tactics score after dark. Travel light, use abrasion-resistant leaders, and accept tackle losses as part of the game.

Tides and Conditions

Cligga fishes best with movement in the water but becomes dangerous in heavy Atlantic swell. Aim for flow, clarity, and low light when targeting predators.

Safety

This is a serious rock mark with high, exposed cliffs, loose ground and sudden swell surges. It is not suitable for children or those with limited mobility.

Facilities

Facilities are minimal on the headland itself; plan to be self‑sufficient and pack out all waste. Perranporth has everything you need before and after a session.

Tips

Cligga rewards stealth and watercraft—watch the tide lines and kelp edges before committing. Local anglers often carry both a lure rod and a compact bottom setup to adapt to conditions.

Regulations

Recreational sea angling is permitted from Cligga Head. The coastline forms part of the St Agnes Heritage Coast and sits within or adjacent to the Godrevy to St Agnes Marine Conservation Zone, where hook‑and‑line angling is allowed but sensitive habitats are protected.