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Cornwall

Gurnard’s Head

6.4 · Rocks · Cornwall

A rugged Atlantic headland of steep, kelpy rock ledges with quick access to deep water. Reached via the coast path from near the Gurnard’s Head, the mark fishes best on a flooding tide, at dawn/dusk, and in settled clear conditions for pelagics and pollack; a bit of lift and colour can bring bass tight to the rocks. Summer to early autumn sees peak activity (mackerel, garfish, scad), while wrasse and pollack are reliable whenever the swell allows. Night sessions can turn up conger. The approach is exposed with sheer drops and swell rebound—pick stable ledges, wear appropriate footwear, and avoid big seas.

Should you fish Gurnard’s Head?

60 Fair

Today · Best window

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

Most likely species: Ballan Wrasse and Pollack

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

W 3 mph Rain 28% High tide 10:59

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Gurnard’s Head — 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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A productive but serious rough-ground Atlantic rock mark where the decision is less about distance casting and more about choosing a safe ledge with deep kelpy water in front of you. In settled conditions the western and seaward faces are the main draw for pollack, mackerel, garfish and wrasse; when there is safe lift and slight colour, bass can move tight around points and gullies. Flooding water is the key general trigger, with night bait sessions possible for huss and conger only in stable seas.

  • Know when the seaward face is worth it — and when to switch sides.
  • Target pollack tight to kelp without donating every lure.
  • Use the flood properly for wrasse, pollack, bass and pelagics.
  • Pick the right night window for huss and conger, not just any darkness.
  • Avoid the swell setups that make this headland unfishable.

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Pendeen 4.0 mi Madron 4.4 mi St Ives (Cornwall) 5.4 mi Longrock 5.5 mi Penzance 5.8 mi

Explore nearby towns: Pendeen · Madron · St Ives (Cornwall) · Longrock · Penzance

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

Overall rating

6.4 /10

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

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 4/10

Pollack 9/10
Tip: Spin or float sandeels from kelpy ledges; best at dawn/dusk on a flooding tide. Work lures deep along the rock face. Summer–autumn; beware swell.
Mackerel 8/10
Tip: Feathers or tiny metals in clear, calm weather; shoals push tight to the headland on the flood. Evenings best. Summer.
Ballan Wrasse 8/10
Tip: Crab or rag baits on strong gear, short casts into kelp/rock. Fish mid–low water on the flood; summer–autumn. Avoid slack water.
Scad (Horse Mackerel) 7/10
Tip: LRF metals or small sabikis after dark tight to the headland; autumn nights on the flood/early ebb. Add a glow bead; keep fish high to avoid kelp.
Conger Eel 7/10
Tip: Night ledger big fish/squid baits into deep gullies; heavy abrasion‑resistant gear. Best neap tides on last of ebb into first flood. Year‑round, peak summer.
Bass 6/10
Tip: Work weedless soft plastics or shallow divers through white water around points/gullies on a rising tide. Best after a blow at dawn/dusk, late spring–autumn.
Pouting 6/10
Tip: Small fish or worm baits on paternoster into rough ground at dusk/night. Fish over slack to early flood. Year‑round, peak autumn–winter.
Bull Huss 6/10
Tip: Big crab or fish baits at night into rough gullies; use heavy traces and a rotten-bottom. Best on the flood, late spring–autumn.
Corkwing Wrasse 6/10
Tip: Small crab or rag on size 4–2 hooks tight to kelp; short casts. Fish the flooding tide around mid-water; summer.
Garfish 6/10
Tip: Float-fish mackerel strip or small spinners near the surface along the headland; bright calm days on a flooding tide, late spring–autumn.
Three-bearded Rockling 5/10
Tip: Small rag or fish strip in kelpy gullies at night; neaps and slack water reduce snags. Late autumn–spring.
Long-spined Sea Scorpion 5/10
Tip: LRF with small worms/isome tight to rocks at low water marks; short drops. All year; calm seas help.

Local knowledge

Gurnard’s Head fishing guide

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

Gurnard’s Head is a dramatic granite headland between Zennor and Pendeen on Cornwall’s wild north coast. Steep, kelp-fringed gullies and deep water close in make it a classic rough-ground rock mark for lure and bait anglers alike. It rewards effort with quality pollack, wrasse, bass and nocturnal huss and conger, but demands respect for swell and footing.

Set off the scenic B3306, access is via public footpaths across farmland to the South West Coast Path and then down to the headland. The approach is beautiful but strenuous in places, with a final rocky descent to any fishable ledge.

  • Nearest access is from the hamlet around The Gurnard’s Head inn (approx. postcode TR26 3DE) on the B3306; limited roadside lay-bys and informal parking nearby—arrive early in peak season.
  • Follow signed public footpaths across fields to the coast; allow 15–25 minutes’ walk to reach the headland, longer if scouting ledges.
  • Terrain is uneven with stiles, mud after rain, livestock in fields, and exposed cliff sections; stout boots essential.
  • The headland has multiple ledges: the western and seaward faces are most productive in calm conditions; the eastern side toward Treen Cove offers a little shelter in light easterlies.
  • No lighting on paths—carry a headtorch if returning in the dark and mark your route in daylight.

This is a mixed rough-ground venue with year-round possibilities, peaking late spring to autumn. Expect kelp-loving species by day and predators after dark.

  • Common (in season):
    • Pollack (spring–late autumn; best at dawn/dusk and into darkness)
    • Ballan and corkwing wrasse (late spring–autumn; daylight over kelp)
    • Mackerel (June–September) and scad/horse mackerel (late summer–autumn nights)
    • Bass (May–November, especially around lively water and gullies)
    • Bull huss/greater spotted dogfish (year-round; best at night)
    • Conger eel (year-round; nocturnal over rough ground)
    • Garfish (late spring–autumn, clear water)
    • Pouting and poor cod (mostly at night)
  • Occasional/bonus:
    • Coalfish (winter oddities), whiting (winter), ling (deeper ledges), red gurnard, triggerfish (late-summer warm spells), rockling (winter), rare codling in hard winters.

Both lure and bait tactics work well; gear up for snags, kelp and powerful fish. Fish light and mobile by day, and settle on safe, known ledges for night bait sessions.

  • Lure fishing:
    • Medium lure outfit (8–9 ft, 20–40 g) with 20–30 lb braid and 30–40 lb fluoro/mono leader for pollack and bass.
    • Metals and sandeel-style soft plastics (20–40 g); count down to different depths. Black/silver at low light; natural sandeel in clear sun.
    • Weedless soft plastics/Texas rigs shine over kelp; work the gully lips and drop-offs.
  • Float fishing:
    • 15–25 g floats with size 1–2/0 hooks; set depth 8–20 ft for wrasse, mackerel and gar.
    • Baits: ragworm, peeler or hardback crab (wrasse); mackerel strip/sandeel (mackerel/gar).
  • Bottom fishing (rough-ground):
    • Pulley or pulley-pennel with rotten-bottom link; 4/0–5/0 for huss/conger, 3/0 for bass.
    • 60–80 lb mono trace for abrasion; 4–6 oz grip leads depending on tide run.
    • Baits: whole/half mackerel, squid, squid/mackerel cocktail, sandeel, or large crab baits; rag/lug for mixed fishing on 1–2 hook flappers (size 1–2).
  • Timing:
    • First and last light for pollack/bass on lures; daylight flood for wrasse; full dark for huss, conger and scad.
    • Keep mobile with lures; for bait, pre-select a safe platform well above any swell run.

The mark is exposed to Atlantic swell; plan around safe sea states first, then target tide stages.

  • Tides:
    • Flood tide often sparks wrasse and pollack activity over kelp; the last of the flood and first of the ebb are prime for predators along gully mouths.
    • Springs increase flow and bring fish close but also amplify swell and snags; neaps are easier for presenting baits.
  • Conditions:
    • Best with a low to moderate swell and clear-to-moderate water; light easterly or southerly winds give calmer seas here.
    • After a blow, as the sea drops and colours slightly, bass prospects improve—only if ledges are safely clear of surge.
    • Night sessions in stable weather bring huss, conger and scad tight in.
  • Time of year:
    • May–October is peak mixed fishing; winter can still produce pollack on lures in calmer spells and nocturnal mixed species on bait.

This is a serious rock mark with cliffs, surging swell and snaggy ground. Only attempt if you are confident on steep, uneven terrain.

  • Access and footing:
    • Final approaches to fishable ledges involve steep, rocky descents and occasional scrambles; not suitable for limited mobility or young children.
    • Ledges can be wet with algae and spray—wear grippy/studded boots; avoid waders on rocks.
  • Sea state:
    • Groundswell can wrap around the headland unpredictably; observe for a full tidal cycle if unfamiliar and keep several metres above the highest observed wash line.
    • Do not fish here in big westerly/north-westerly swells or strong onshore winds.
  • General precautions:
    • Wear a personal flotation device; carry a headtorch, spare light and a fully charged phone (signal can be patchy).
    • Fish with a partner, tell someone your plan, and have an exit route that remains safe on the flood.
    • Use rotten-bottom links to reduce time near the edge retrieving snags; keep gear tidy to avoid trip hazards.
    • Rock climbers also use nearby cliffs—avoid dislodging rocks and communicate if sharing approaches.
  • Restrictions:
    • No formal shore-angling ban is posted at time of writing, but respect National Trust/landowner signage, stay on rights of way, and heed any seasonal access notices (e.g., nesting seabirds, path maintenance).

Remote and undeveloped at the mark—plan to be self-sufficient.

  • Parking: limited lay-bys near The Gurnard’s Head inn on the B3306; no official car park on the headland itself.
  • Toilets: none at the coast; nearest facilities are at local pubs/cafés in Zennor/Treen area or in St Ives/Pendeen.
  • Food and drink: The Gurnard’s Head inn and other pubs/cafés along the B3306 (check opening hours, seasonal variations).
  • Tackle and bait: head to St Ives, Hayle or Penzance for tackle shops and fresh/frozen bait; none at the mark.
  • Mobile signal: intermittent; download forecasts/charts before you go.
  • Waste: no bins—pack out all litter and line.

Local knowledge pays dividends here—read the water and work the structure methodically.

  • On lures, cast along gully lines and count down to just above the kelp; a slow, steady retrieve with occasional lifts often beats ripping it back.
  • Wrasse love crab—hardback or peeler baits fished tight to the rock face under a float are deadly; expect brutal fights and keep them out of the weed.
  • For huss/conger, a big, smelly fish bait after dark and patience win; set drags properly and keep a low rod angle to turn fish.
  • In clear summer evenings, scad and mackerel gather under any light—small metals or size 6–8 sabikis with a slow lift-and-drop score well.
  • A short safety cord/rope can help on the final scramble to certain ledges; only use what you are competent with and never descend anything you can’t re-climb on the flood.
  • Watch for seals working the gullies; when they’re busy, move along—your catch rate will thank you.
  • Arrive on a dropping sea the day after a blow for bass, but only if swell has genuinely eased; if in doubt, don’t go down.

There is no known site-specific ban on shore angling at Gurnard’s Head; standard UK and Cornwall regional rules apply. Always check for the latest updates before fishing.

  • Bass (recreational): rules are set annually. As of 2024 guidance, retention was time-limited with a minimum size of 42 cm and a daily bag limit; confirm current season dates and limits with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) before you keep any bass.
  • Minimum sizes and closed seasons: Cornwall Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority (IFCA) publishes local minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) for finfish and shellfish—check Cornwall IFCA for current values.
  • Berried or V-notched lobsters and berried crabs must not be taken; observe pot markers and avoid interfering with fishing gear.
  • Marine protected areas: shore angling is generally permitted, but some activities (e.g., collecting certain species) may be restricted—consult Natural England/IFCA maps for any designations near West Penwith.
  • Access and land: respect National Trust/landowner signage, stick to public rights of way, and avoid disturbing nesting seabirds.
  • General good practice: only keep what you will eat, dispatch fish humanely, and leave no litter or discarded line.