Clodgy Point Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Clodgy Point Fishing Map

Clodgy Point is a rugged rocky headland just west of St Ives, offering ledges and kelp-filled gullies with quick access to relatively deep water. It fishes best on a flooding tide through high water, especially at dawn or dusk when predators push baitfish tight to the rocks. Summer and early autumn bring mackerel, garfish and active wrasse fishing; pollack are reliable much of the year when the water has some movement. Swell and wind can make it dangerous and unfishable—pick calm or moderate swell days, wear suitable footwear, and avoid spring tides or big surf. Access is via the coast path from St Ives with short scrambles onto uneven rock platforms.

Ratings

⭐ 6.9/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 5/10

Fish You Can Catch at Clodgy Point

🐟 Pollack 8/10
🎯 Tip: Dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; cast metal jigs or soft plastics along kelp gullies into deep water off the point.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Flood tide over rough kelp; lower hardback crab or ragworm straight down into holes; summer–autumn.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Rising tide and after dark; work surface or weedless soft plastics through white water in gullies; onshore swell, late spring–autumn.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals; small metals or feathers from high rock ledges on evening flood; watch swell.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Aug–Oct; small sabikis or size 6–8 hooks at dusk into deeper water; slow steady retrieve.
🐟 Conger Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark over rough ground; large fish baits dropped into kelp gullies on strong gear; top of flood into first of ebb.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn; float-fish mackerel strip or small spinners near surface on a clear, flooding tide.
🐟 Pouting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Mixed rough ground; small fish or worm baits just off bottom on the flood; often better after dark, year-round.
🐟 Tompot Blenny 5/10
🎯 Tip: Tight to rock holes; size 10–14 hooks with small crab or worm baits; best on a making tide, calm seas.
🐟 Long-spined Sea Scorpion 5/10
🎯 Tip: Close-in boulders and kelp; tiny hooks with worm or squid strips; fish the flood, year-round.

Clodgy Point Fishing

Summary

Clodgy Point is a wild granite headland on the west side of St Ives, Cornwall, facing straight into the Atlantic. It offers classic North Coast rock fishing: deep gullies, kelp beds, and fast tidal run with real potential for bass, pollack and hard-fighting wrasse. Expect spectacular scenery, a bit of a scramble, and rewarding fishing when the sea and swell align.

Location and Access

Getting there takes a coastal walk and a sure pair of feet. From St Ives, follow the South West Coast Path west from Porthmeor Beach to the Clodgy headland; the best ledges are below the path and require cautious descents.

Seasons

A mixed rough-ground mark with strong seasonality. Expect summer surface life and autumn predators, with winter better for the nocturnal specialists.

Methods

Rough-ground tactics shine here—fish strong and plan to lose some gear. Lures and float fishing cover ground by day; heavier bottom tactics come into their own at dusk and after dark.

Tides and Conditions

This headland fishes best with movement, but swell is the limiter. Aim for building water and edge times of day; avoid big Atlantic surf.

Safety

This is an exposed rock mark—treat it with full respect. There are no railings, and ledges can be cut off or swept by sets even on a small swell.

Facilities

You’re close to town but the headland itself is wild. Plan as if there are no services once you leave Porthmeor.

Tips

Small tweaks make a big difference at Clodgy. Treat it as a mobile, searching venue rather than a static chuck-and-wait mark.

Regulations

Clodgy Point is not a designated no-fishing zone, but standard sea angling rules apply. Always check current notices from the MMO and Cornwall IFCA before your trip.