Godrevy Lighthouse Rocks Fishing

Summary

Godrevy Lighthouse Rocks sit on the mainland headland opposite the famous lighthouse at the northeastern corner of St Ives Bay, Cornwall. Rugged granite ledges, deep kelp-filled gullies and fast-running tide lines create a classic North Coast rock mark with real variety. It’s a rewarding spot for lure and bait anglers alike, from summer wrasse and pollack to autumn bass and night-time huss.

Location and Access

This mark refers to the rocky ledges on Godrevy Head (mainland), facing the lighthouse, not the island itself. Access is via the National Trust site at Godrevy; expect a scenic walk and some steep, uneven paths down to fishing ledges.

• Parking: National Trust Godrevy car parks near the headland (pay-and-display; NT members typically free). Postcode: TR27 5ED.
• Approach: From the main car park, follow the South West Coast Path toward the lighthouse viewpoint, then pick discrete paths down to ledges on both the western and eastern flanks of the headland; allow 10–25 minutes depending on your chosen platform.
• Terrain: Granite slabs, boulder fields and weeded gullies. Footing can be awkward and slippery—sturdy boots essential.
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous—short scrambles in places; not suitable for prams or wheelchairs.
• Public transport: Limited bus services to Gwithian; the headland still requires a coastal walk.
• Important: Godrevy Island (the lighthouse rock) is not a public landing spot—fish only from the mainland. Obey any National Trust signage, seasonal path diversions, or wildlife exclusion zones.

Seasons

Godrevy’s mixed rough ground and tide rips hold a wide spread of species through the year. Expect classic North Coast rock fish with a few pleasant surprises on settled summer evenings.

• Spring (April–June):
  • Pollack on lures and float-fished sandeel
  • Ballan and corkwing wrasse as the water warms (best from May)
  • Early mackerel and garfish shoals late spring
  • Bass along colour lines on a building sea
• Summer (July–August):
  • Wrasse in numbers (ballan dominant; occasional corkwing)
  • Pollack, mackerel, garfish, and scad at dusk
  • Bass around bait shoals and in rougher, foamy water
  • Night species: conger eels and bull huss from the gullies; dogfish on cleaner patches
  • Occasional warm-year visitors like triggerfish
• Autumn (September–November):
  • Prime time for better pollack and bass
  • Scad and mackerel at dusk into dark on small metals/feathers
  • Conger and huss continue after dark; increasing whiting on calmer nights
• Winter (December–March):
  • Pollack on settled days; dogfish and conger at night
  • Whiting in the bay, occasional shore-caught huss
  • Stormy windows can still throw up a bass for the brave and experienced

Methods

Both lure and bait tactics score here. The ground is snaggy in places, so rig for abrasion and plan to lose some end tackle when fishing the bottom.

• Lure fishing (pollack, bass, mackerel, wrasse):
  • Medium lure rods (9–10 ft, 20–40 g) with 20–30 lb braid and 30–40 lb fluorocarbon leaders
  • Soft shads on 15–30 g jig heads; weedless paddletails/creatures for wrasse
  • Metals/spoons 20–40 g for mackerel/scad; work the tide lines and gullies, count down for pollack
  • Dawn/dusk best; clear to lightly tinged water is ideal
• Float fishing:
  • Sliding float with 10–20 ft stop, size 1–2/0 hooks
  • Baits: sandeel, mackerel strip, ragworm
  • Drift along reef edges and kelp lines; great for pollack/garfish
• Bottom fishing (conger, huss, wrasse, bass):
  • 11–13 ft rock rod, robust reel, 30–50 lb braid, 60–80 lb abrasion leader
  • Pulley pennel or running ledger, strong 2/0–4/0 hooks; always use a rotten-bottom/weak-link to the lead
  • Baits: peeler crab or hardback (wrasse), ragworm, sandeel, squid or mackerel heads/flappers (huss/conger), crab/sandeel cocktail (bass)
  • Fish into deeper gullies on the flood and first of the ebb; after dark for eels/huss
• General rigging:
  • Long-handled forceps and heavy gloves for conger
  • Carry spare leads and pre-tied snoods; expect snags

Tides and Conditions

Tide flow is pronounced around the headland, and Atlantic swell can transform the mark from sublime to dangerous quickly. Time your sessions to favourable windows rather than forcing it.

• Tide states:
  • Productive from mid-flood through high and into the first of the ebb
  • Neaps give safer access to lower ledges; springs increase run and white water
• Sea conditions:
  • Lures excel in clear to lightly coloured water with a gentle swell
  • Bass prefer more fizz—broken water and a bit of colour after a blow
  • Avoid big long-period swells; rogue waves are a real hazard here
• Wind:
  • E/SE winds often flatten the sea; W/NW winds build swell and drift
• Time of day/season:
  • Dawn and dusk are prime, with autumn often the standout for bass/pollack
  • Warm, settled summer evenings bring garfish, mackerel and scad tight to the rocks

Safety

This is an exposed Atlantic rock mark with real consequences if conditions are misread. Treat every session as a mountain day by the sea.

• Always wear an inflatable lifejacket and grippy footwear; never turn your back on the swell
• Assess from high ground for 10–15 minutes before committing to a ledge; have an escape route
• Weed and barnacle growth make ledges slick; avoid hopping boulders with hands-in-pockets
• Tide cut-off is possible on some platforms at high water—know your exit
• Night sessions: go as a pair, carry spare lights, and mark your access points in daylight
• Mutton Cove hosts a well-known seal haul-out: keep well back from cliff edges above it and avoid disturbing wildlife
• Seasonal bird nesting can prompt path diversions—obey all fencing/signage
• Not suitable for those with limited mobility; ledges can be high above the water
• Mobile signal is generally fair on the headland but can be patchy in hollows; tell someone your plan

Facilities

Godrevy is a managed National Trust site with basic seasonal amenities near the parking. There are no facilities on the rocks themselves.

• Toilets: Usually available at/near the main car park in season (check NT site for off-season status)
• Food/coffee: Godrevy Café near the car park (seasonal hours); pubs and shops in Gwithian and Hayle
• Tackle/bait: Shops in Hayle and Camborne/Redruth areas; fresh bait availability varies by season
• Lifeguards: RNLI patrols on Godrevy/Gwithian beaches in season; no lifeguards on the rocks
• Parking: Pay-and-display; car parks can fill quickly on sunny days—arrive early
• Phone signal: Generally decent on the headland; variable in coves
• Bins: Limited—plan to take all litter and line home

Tips

Little tweaks make a big difference at Godrevy. Fish smart, travel light, and be ready to move with the tide lines.

• Use a short snood and strong hooks for wrasse, and a rotten-bottom link for every bottom rig
• Weedless soft plastics fished slowly through kelp gullies are deadly for wrasse and ambush pollack
• For pollack, count your lure down and vary retrieve speed; bites often come mid-water on the pause
• White or natural sandeel-pattern shads shine at dusk; add a dab of scent when the water’s just coloured
• Scad and garfish stack up at last light—downsizing to small metals or a float with tiny slivers of mackerel helps
• If the west side is too rough, the east flank can offer shelter and cleaner water
• Polarised glasses help read gullies and spotting wrasse follows
• A drop-net can be handy on some higher ledges, but many platforms are awkward—plan how you’ll land fish before you hook them
• Summer parking is busy and gates may have set opening/closing times—check ahead on the National Trust page
• Respect the seal colony and keep dogs on leads near cliff edges

Regulations

Regulations can change; always check current rules with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Cornwall IFCA before you go. Godrevy sits within sensitive wildlife designations (e.g., SSSI nearby), but recreational sea angling from the shore is generally permitted if you avoid disturbance.

• Bass: Rules are reviewed annually. As of 2024, a recreational open season and a daily bag limit with a 42 cm minimum size applied—check the current year’s dates and limits before retaining any bass
• Tope: It is illegal for recreational anglers in England to retain tope; release alive if caught
• Shellfish: Minimum landing sizes and protections (e.g., no taking berried lobsters/crabs) apply—consult Cornwall IFCA size charts
• Wildlife: Disturbing seals and nesting seabirds can constitute an offence; keep clear of haul-outs and obey any seasonal restrictions
• Bait collection: Follow local byelaws and environmental guidance; do not pry up boulders or damage intertidal habitat
• General: No fishing license is needed for saltwater rod-and-line in England, but estuary/harbour areas may have local rules—observe any on-site signage