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Cornwall

Godrevy Point

7.0 · Rocks · Cornwall

An exposed rocky headland at the northeast side of St Ives Bay facing Godrevy Lighthouse. The mark offers deep kelp-filled gullies, ledges and rough ground dropping into clean sand, giving year-round options. Prime times are the flood tide and dusk, with summer–autumn best for wrasse, pollack, mackerel and garfish, and occasional night conger in settled seas. Access is via the National Trust car parks at Godrevy with a walk over uneven paths and short scrambles. Swell can wrap the point and surge up ledges—fish only in safe conditions.

Should you fish Godrevy Point?

56 Fair

Today · Best window

Best window: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Pollack

Fair conditions. Best around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Ballan Wrasse and Pollack.

NW 4 mph Rain 24% High tide 10:59

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Godrevy Point — 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.

Wednesday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· 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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Godrevy Point is an exposed Cornish rock mark that rewards anglers who match the tactic to the sea state. In settled, clear conditions it is strongest for lure fishing over kelp gullies for pollack, bass, mackerel and garfish; with colour and safe swell, bait fishing the gullies and rough-to-sand edges becomes a better option. The flood tide, dusk, and mid-to-high water are the key windows, but the mark should be avoided when swell is surging up ledges or long-period sets are wrapping the point.

  • Know when to fish the kelp gullies and when to aim for cleaner sand.
  • Time the flood properly for pollack, wrasse, bass and night species.
  • Pick lure or bait tactics based on water clarity and swell, not guesswork.
  • Avoid wasting a session on ledges that become dangerous in wrapped swell.
  • Use a clear backup plan if Godrevy Point is too exposed.

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

Connor Downs 2.7 mi The Towans 3.4 mi Hayle 4.1 mi St Ives (Cornwall) 4.3 mi Reawla 4.3 mi

Explore nearby towns: Connor Downs · The Towans · Hayle · St Ives (Cornwall) · Reawla

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

Overall rating

7.0 /10

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

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 6/10

Pollack 9/10
Tip: Cast soft plastics or metals along kelp-lined gullies; best at dusk on a flooding tide with a little swell. Keep lures high to avoid kelp and use 20–30 lb leaders.
Bass 8/10
Tip: Work surface lures or shallow divers into white water on a flooding tide; SW swell and overcast days best. Peeler crab or sandeel baits in gullies.
Mackerel 8/10
Tip: Summer shoals hit the point; small metals or 2–4 hook sabikis. Best at dawn/dusk on the flood when tide lines form. Keep numbers sensible.
Ballan Wrasse 8/10
Tip: Float or light ledger hard crab or rag near kelp-covered ledges; mid-flood to high. Strong gear and rotten-bottoms to beat snags; unhook quickly and release larger fish.
Scad (Horse Mackerel) 7/10
Tip: After dark in late summer/autumn; small sabikis or single size 6–8 hooks tipped with fish strip. Work mid-water over deep water from the point on the flood.
Garfish 7/10
Tip: Clear, calm summer evenings; float-fish a mackerel strip shallow or small spinners. Work tide edges near the point on the last of the flood/first of the ebb.
Pouting 6/10
Tip: Regular at night over rough ground; small fish/squid baits on size 2–4 hooks. Fish downtide into gullies an hour either side of high.
Conger Eel 6/10
Tip: Night over rough ground; big fish baits on heavy gear with a rotten-bottom. Best around slack into first of the flood. Expect snags and powerful fish—use abrasion-resistant leaders.
Three-bearded Rockling 5/10
Tip: After dark with ragworm or small fish strips in rocky gullies; fish the first half of the flood. Keep rigs simple to reduce losses.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 5/10
Tip: Bottom baits of mackerel or squid over adjacent sand patches; best on a neap flood after dark. Use long snoods to keep baits moving.
Long-spined Sea Scorpion 5/10
Tip: Close-in around rock pools and kelp; tiny hooks baited with worm or prawn. Fish static or slow retrieve under the rod tip at mid to high water.
Whiting 4/10
Tip: Winter nights on small fish/squid baits; cast slightly off the point to find cleaner water. Best on the flood around high.

Local knowledge

Godrevy Point fishing guide

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

Godrevy Point sits on the northern tip of St Ives Bay, staring straight into the Atlantic with the lighthouse off to your right and miles of surf beaches to your left. It’s a classic Cornish headland mark: dramatic ground, deep kelp-fringed water, and surf-washed coves that hold bass, pollack and wrasse in season. If you respect the sea and the cliffs, it’s a rewarding venue for both lure and bait anglers.

Getting to Godrevy Point is straightforward, with National Trust parking and the South West Coast Path delivering you onto the headland. The final approach to any rock mark is exposed and uneven, so dress for rough granite and wind.

  • Drive via the A30 and follow signs for Hayle, then the B3301 to Gwithian/Godrevy; use the National Trust Godrevy car parks (postcode TR27 5ED). Charges apply; NT members usually park free.
  • From the main headland car park, it’s 10–20 minutes on the coast path to the point; allow extra time for scouting safe platforms.
  • Terrain is classic north-coast granite: uneven rock, boulders and short, steep sections. Some ledges involve scrambles and are not suitable for novices.
  • Public transport reaches Gwithian in season; expect an additional walk. Night-time access is possible on foot, but car park gates may be locked seasonally—check onsite signage.

The headland and adjacent surf beaches produce a mix of rough-ground and open-beach species. Bass and pollack headline the sport, with wrasse in the kelp and summer mackerel shoals under the birds.

  • Spring (Mar–May): bass building in the surf and along the rocks; pollack on the flood at dusk; wrasse switch on as water warms; occasional garfish late spring; chance of small-eyed ray and turbot from the beaches.
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): mackerel and scad, wrasse (ballan/corkwing), pollack, garfish; bass at dawn/dusk and in onshore surf; occasional gurnard/turbot on the sands; conger and bull huss after dark from rough ground.
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): peak bass, better pollack, lingering mackerel early; whiting start late; small-eyed ray on settled nights; the odd codling in prolonged northerlies.
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): whiting, dogfish, rockling on the beaches; conger from the rocks on big baits; codling are possible but uncommon on this coast.

Godrevy fishes well with both lures and baits; choose tactics to match the ground and sea state. Lure work shines in clear water; baits come into their own in colour and after a blow.

  • Lure fishing (rocks): 20–40 g metals and shore jigs for mackerel/pollack; 10–28 g shads or paddletails on weedless hooks for pollack/bass across kelp gullies; diving and surface plugs for bass at first/last light.
  • Float fishing (rocks): ragworm or hardback/peeler crab for wrasse down the face; slivers of mackerel on size 6–8 for garfish; set depth to just above the kelp.
  • Bottom fishing (rocks): strong gear, 30–40 lb leaders; pulley/pulley-dropper with 4/0 pennel for bass/huss/conger; big mackerel or squid baits after dark. Expect snags—rotten-bottom links help.
  • Surf/beach tactics: 2–3 hook flappers with worm/sandeel for whiting/flatfish; clipped-down pulley or up-and-over with sandeel/razor/squid for bass, small-eyed ray, and turbot. Use 5–6 oz grip leads in a pushy surf.
  • Times: dawn/dusk for bass/pollack; mackerel under working birds whenever they show; conger/huss after dark; beaches often fish best on the flooding tide into darkness.

This is an Atlantic-facing mark: swell and long-period sets matter more than wind speed alone. Pick your windows; safety comes first.

  • Tide state: mid-to-high water fishes well for pollack and wrasse off the rocks; bass can show at any state with moving water, with a notable push on the flood.
  • Swell: light-to-moderate swell with a bit of colour is excellent for bass; too much swell makes the ledges dangerous and unfishable. Clear, calm days suit lures for pollack/wrasse.
  • Wind: light W–NW creates surf on the beaches; E–SE flattens the bay and improves water clarity for lures.
  • Seasonality: summer–autumn for consistent lure sport; winter baiting for conger/whiting on settled nights.
  • Tidal pull: expect strong cross-tides and back-eddies around the point—step up leads and keep contact with the gear.

Godrevy is beautiful but unforgiving: sheer drops, barnacled rock, and surging swell. Choose conservative perches and fish within your limits.

  • Sheer cliffs and slippy ledges: avoid the edge, wear grippy boots/cleats, and use a personal flotation device. Never climb down unstable faces.
  • Swell and surges: long-period sets can wash platforms in calm-looking weather—watch the sea for 10–15 minutes before committing, and relocate if waves are licking your spot.
  • Cut-off risk: some boulder coves and lower shelves become isolated on a rising tide; plan an escape route and time your session.
  • Tackle up well back from the edge; keep kit leashed/organised; headtorch with spare batteries for night sessions.
  • Wildlife sensitivity: Mutton Cove is a seal haul-out—disturbance is an offence. Keep at least 100 m, no shouting, dogs on leads, no lights or drones over seals, especially during the pupping season.
  • Accessibility: the main coast path is good but undulating; rock marks are not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Safer, flatter alternatives are the nearby beaches in fair conditions.
  • Fish with a partner when possible and let someone know your finish time.

Facilities are decent by Cornish headland standards, with seasonal services close to the car park and full amenities a short drive away.

  • Parking: National Trust car parks at Godrevy (charges apply; check seasonal opening and potential evening gate closures).
  • Toilets: seasonal toilets near the main car park; none at the marks themselves.
  • Food/drink: a café/kiosk typically operates near the car park in season; bring water and warm layers year-round.
  • Tackle/bait: nearest options are in Hayle and Camborne; check opening times and stock (fresh sandeel/rag can sell out in summer).
  • Mobile signal: generally good atop the headland, patchy in coves.
  • No lighting on paths or ledges—bring reliable torches.
  • No camping or fires on the headland; follow National Trust signage.

A bit of watercraft goes a long way here. Read the gullies, watch the birds, and cover ground until you find fish.

  • Work lures tight to the kelp but stay snag-savvy: use weedless hooks and slow, controlled retrieves; count metals down and sweep them up through the water column.
  • After a blow, fish the first safe, settling sea for bass with big sandeel or crab baits; lures can shine as the colour drops out.
  • On mackerel days, try a single small jig or Sabiki under a bomb for selective fishing and fewer tangles in crosswinds.
  • For wrasse, crab outfishes worm once spider crabs arrive; keep traces short to reduce reefing.
  • Beaches: look for outer bars and rip gutters at low water, then return to fish the flood as the features start to fill.
  • Seals are common—expect them to patrol hooked fish; a firm retrieve and barbless or semi-barbed hooks help with quick releases.
  • Keep noise and headtorch beams low at dawn/dusk on calm days—nervy bass and garfish stay tighter for longer.

Regulations change, so always check current rules before you go. Godrevy lies within a Marine Conservation Zone, and wildlife protections are actively enforced.

  • Marine Conservation Zone: Godrevy sits within the St Ives Bay to St Agnes MCZ. Recreational rod-and-line fishing is generally permitted, but do not disturb protected habitats or wildlife. Commercial-style netting has separate restrictions—rod anglers should not be affected.
  • Bass rules: recreational bass retention is subject to an annual seasonal window, daily bag limit, and a 42 cm minimum size in this area. These dates and limits can change year to year—check the latest MMO/DEFRA notice before retaining fish.
  • Minimum sizes: observe Cornwall IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes for common species (e.g., bass 42 cm; others vary). When in doubt, measure and release.
  • Pollack: retention rules have been reviewed recently—check current government guidance for recreational limits before keeping pollack.
  • Protected species: allis/twaite shad, seahorses, and marine mammals are strictly protected—release immediately if encountered and avoid disturbance.
  • Bait collection: follow local byelaws and site guidance; avoid damaging rockpools or SSSI dune systems (Towans). Collect only what you need.
  • Access and signage: National Trust and wildlife wardens may impose temporary area restrictions for nesting birds or seals—comply with any closures or advice on-site.