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Cornwall

Crackington Haven

6.2 · Rocks · Cornwall

Crackington Haven is a small, dramatic north-coast cove between Bude and Boscastle. The fishing is mainly from rugged rock ledges on both sides of the beach, with kelp-filled gullies and mixed, snaggy ground dropping into relatively deep water. It’s a classic wrasse and pollack venue in summer, with mackerel and garfish passing close in clear conditions; dusk and a flooding tide often fish best. Night sessions can turn up pouting and conger from the rougher ground. The beach itself can throw bass in surf, but most marks here are rocky and exposed. Access is from the village car park with short but uneven scrambles onto the ledges; take great care with Atlantic swell, slippery weed, and fast-flooding tides that can cut off some platforms.

Should you fish Crackington Haven?

59 Fair

Today · Best window

Best window: 18:00-21:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Mackerel

Fair conditions. Best around 18:00-21:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Ballan Wrasse and Mackerel.

NW 4 mph Rain 2% High tide 11:24

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

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7-day fishing forecast for Crackington Haven — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

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· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Crackington Haven is a productive but exposed mixed-ground cove where the right choice is usually between the surf beach for bass and the rocky ledges for wrasse, pollack, mackerel, garfish and night rough-ground species. It is not a mark to force in heavy Atlantic swell: calm to moderate conditions, a manageable sea state and a planned exit from the rocks matter as much as tide choice. The most reliable pattern is a flooding tide into dusk, with clearer water favouring lures, floats and summer pelagics, while a settling sea after a blow can switch the beach on for bass.

  • Know when to choose the beach over the rock ledges.
  • Target wrasse gullies without donating tackle every cast.
  • Use the flood properly for bass, pollack and summer pelagics.
  • Spot the conditions that make the ledges a no-go.
  • Have a safer backup plan before the swell builds.

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Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

Boscastle 4.7 mi Widemouth Bay 5.0 mi Week St Mary 6.0 mi Marhamchurch 6.6 mi Bude 7.2 mi

Explore nearby towns: Boscastle · Widemouth Bay · Week St Mary · Marhamchurch · Bude

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.2 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 6/10

Bass 9/10
Tip: Surf beach on a flooding tide at dawn/dusk or after a blow; fish peeler crab, sandeel or plugs in the gutters.
Ballan Wrasse 8/10
Tip: Float fish or freelined crab/rag into kelp-lined gullies on the flood; summer to early autumn.
Pollack 7/10
Tip: From rock points toward Cambeak; cast soft plastics or metals at dusk into deeper water on the flood or ebb.
Mackerel 7/10
Tip: Summer shoals off the rocks in clear water; small metals or sabikis at dawn/evening on a flooding tide.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
Tip: Night sessions from beach or mixed ground; small fish/squid baits on the bottom, low to mid-flood.
Garfish 6/10
Tip: Late spring–autumn; float a small strip of mackerel or sandeel near the surface in clear, calm water on the flood.
Scad (Horse Mackerel) 5/10
Tip: Late summer nights; small jigs or sabikis worked midwater from the rocks, best on a flooding tide.
Corkwing Wrasse 5/10
Tip: Peeler crab or worm baits under a float tight to weeded rock faces on the flood; summer.
Long-spined Sea Scorpion 5/10
Tip: Lower small worm or fish baits into rock holes at low to mid tide; rough kelpy ledges.
Conger Eel 5/10
Tip: After dark in kelp gullies; big fish/squid baits on strong gear, fish low water up through the flood.
Three-bearded Rockling 4/10
Tip: Dusk/night around boulders in winter–spring; small worm/fish baits fished static on the flood.
Bull Huss 4/10
Tip: Mixed/rough ground at night; big fish or crab baits, neap tides help reduce swell and snags.

Local knowledge

Crackington Haven fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Crackington Haven is a small, dramatic cove on Cornwall’s wild north coast between Bude and Boscastle, flanked by towering cliffs and slate ledges. It’s a classic mixed-ground venue offering surf beaches and rock marks within a short walk, ideal for bass, wrasse, pollack and night-time rough-ground species. Pick your sea state carefully and it’s a rewarding, scenic mark with options for both bait and lures.

Crackington Haven sits at the end of a steep valley road off the A39 (Atlantic Highway), with parking right by the beach. Access to the beach is straightforward; reaching the best rock ledges involves short but uneven scrambles on the north and south sides of the cove.

  • Drive via the A39 and turn off at Wainhouse Corner for the signed road down to Crackington Haven.
  • Pay-and-display car park beside the beach (typical postcode: EX23 0JG). Spaces fill quickly in summer; arrive early.
  • Beach access is level from the car park; crossing the stream may be necessary depending on tide and stones.
  • Rock marks lie 2–10 minutes from the car park on both flanks of the cove; the South West Coast Path gives further reach but includes steep, exposed sections.
  • Terrain: shingle and cobbles over sand in the bay; slate reefs, gullies and weeded boulders around the points. Sturdy footwear essential.

This is a mixed ground mark with seasonal variety. Expect rough-ground specialists around the ledges and surf-oriented species on the beach.

  • Spring: school bass, early wrasse as water warms, pollack on lures, dogfish; occasional bull huss at dusk.
  • Summer: bass (surf and rocks), ballan and corkwing wrasse, pollack, mackerel, garfish, scad at dusk, mullet in the stream outflow, conger and huss at night.
  • Autumn: peak bass, better-sized pollack, continued wrasse until the first big blows, scad/mackerel tailing off, huss and conger, whiting after dark.
  • Winter: whiting, pouting, dogfish, conger on the rough ground; odd codling after prolonged onshore storms.

Both bait and lure tactics work here, with the ground dictating the approach. Use rotten-bottom links over rough reefs and step up gear for night sessions.

  • Surf bassing from the beach: 10–12 ft bass rod or 12–13 ft surf rod, 3–4 oz leads; baits include peeler crab, sandeel, squid or razor. Fish dusk into darkness on a building tide.
  • Rough-ground ledgering: pulley pennel or pulley dropper with a weak link; 4–6 oz leads; 40–60 lb leaders. Baits: mackerel or squid cocktail, crab, big worm baits for huss/conger.
  • Lure fishing the points: 7–9 ft rods, 20–40 g rating. Weedless soft plastics, metal jigs at range in calm spells, or shallow-diving minnows for bass/pollack when the water clears.
  • Float fishing: ragworm, prawn, or crab close to kelp edges for wrasse; sandeel strip for garfish and mackerel.
  • Mullet tactics: bread flake or crust freelined by the stream outflow on fine fluorocarbon and small hooks when the sea is calm.

Exposure to Atlantic weather means conditions swing quickly. Time your trips for manageable swell and match tactics to clarity and tide phase.

  • Bass: a gentle to moderate surf with some colour is ideal, especially on the flood into dusk and first of the ebb after a blow that’s just settled.
  • Wrasse: clear to lightly tinted water, a small rolling swell, and mid-tide over kelpy ledges; neaps make presentation easier.
  • Pollack: best at dawn/dusk on flooding tides, working lures along the points in clearer water.
  • Night species (huss/conger): fish two hours either side of high or low; fresh oily baits and minimal light on the water.
  • Wind: easterly/SE winds flatten and clear the sea; W–NW winds push in long-period swell that can make rock marks unfishable.
  • Springs expose more gullies at low but increase cut-off risk; neaps are kinder for rock hopping.

This is a serious Atlantic-facing venue. Treat swell, slippery slate and cliff terrain with respect, and have an exit plan before you start.

  • Wear a PFD, cleated boots and carry a headtorch with spares for any dawn/dusk or night session.
  • Rogue sets are common; keep well back from ledge edges and avoid low rock marks in long-period swell.
  • Recce at low water to understand gullies and potential cut-offs; only fish ledges with a clear, safe retreat.
  • Avoid standing beneath crumbly cliff faces; rockfall is possible after rain and freeze–thaw.
  • Mobile signal can be patchy in the valley; tell someone your plan and expected return time.
  • Accessibility: beach is near-level from the car park but of shingle/cobbles; rock marks are not suitable for limited mobility.
  • During lifeguard patrols, do not fish within flagged swim/surf zones; heed any local signage or requests.

There are handy amenities right by the beach, but tackle supplies require a short drive.

  • Public toilets adjacent to the car park (seasonal opening times may apply).
  • Beach cafés and the Coombe Barton Inn typically operate in season; hours vary by time of year.
  • RNLI lifeguard cover is usually provided in peak season on the bathing beach area; outside of this, there is no patrol.
  • Tackle and bait: head to Bude for shops and fresh supplies; check opening times before travelling.
  • Phone signal: often weak in the cove; generally better up on the coast path.
  • Bins are limited; plan to take all litter and line home.

Small choices make a big difference at this exposed cove. Fish light and stealthy when it’s clear, and robust when it’s lively.

  • In very clear water, scale down leaders and use natural-colour soft plastics; add fluorocarbon for wary bass and pollack.
  • After a blow, fish the first twilight session as the sea drops from chocolate to green—classic surf-bass timing.
  • Mark productive wrasse gullies at very low spring tides for future higher-water float sessions.
  • Use a single small sabiki or a float rig for mackerel/garfish near swimmers; avoid multi-feather sets in busy periods.
  • Crab baits can be pivotal from late spring; a couple of prime peeler baits often outfish big fish baits on rough ground.
  • Roads are narrow with tight passing places; arrive early, park considerately and don’t block the turning circle by the stream.

There is no general ban on recreational sea angling at Crackington Haven, but some practical and legal rules apply. Always verify current rules before your trip.

  • Do not fish within the flagged bathing/surf zones when lifeguards are on duty; follow RNLI and council signage on the beach.
  • Bass: England has seasonal bag limits and a 42 cm minimum size for recreationally retained bass, which can change year to year. Check the latest MMO guidance before retaining any bass.
  • Cornwall IFCA byelaws apply locally, including minimum conservation reference sizes for many species and protection for berried/V-notched lobsters and crawfish. Consult Cornwall IFCA for current sizes and shellfish rules.
  • Some species (e.g., shad, allis/twaite) are protected and must be released if caught; spurdog and tope are commonly released as best practice even when not legally mandated. Check current national rules.
  • If targeting mullet near the stream, be aware of inland fishery laws regarding salmonids and methods close to river mouths; never intentionally target salmon or sea trout and release any encountered.
  • No fires or camping on the beach; respect the SSSI coastline—leave no trace and avoid damaging flora/fauna.
  • Carry a waste bag and take all line and litter home; discarded hooks/line risk wildlife and public safety.