Gurnard’s Head Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Gurnard’s Head Fishing Map

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.

Ratings

⭐ 6.4/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 4/10

Fish You Can Catch at Gurnard’s Head

🐟 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.

Gurnard’s Head Fishing

Summary

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.

Location and Access

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.

Seasons

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.

Methods

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.

Tides and Conditions

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

Safety

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

Facilities

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

Tips

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

Regulations

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.