Summary
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.
Location and Access
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.
Seasons
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.
Methods
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.
Tides and Conditions
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.
Safety
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.
Facilities
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.
Tips
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.
Regulations
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.
