Summary
Higher Sharpnose Point sits on Cornwall’s far north coast near Morwenstow, a dramatic fin of rock jutting into the Atlantic. It’s a serious rock mark for experienced sea anglers, offering deep water close in, clear tides, and classic North Coast species. Come for bass, pollack, wrasse and summer pelagics—but only in settled seas and with full respect for the cliffs.
Location and Access
This mark is reached via the South West Coast Path from Morwenstow and involves a committing walk with steep, exposed sections. Allow extra time in wet or windy weather, and plan your route in daylight on a first visit.
- Parking: National Trust car park by St Morwenna & St John Church/Rectory Farm area, Morwenstow (approx. postcode EX23 9SR). Pay-and-display/donation; arrive early in summer.
- Approach: From the car park, follow signed paths to the SW Coast Path and head north-west towards Higher Sharpnose Point; 25–40 minutes on uneven ground with ascents/descents and steps.
- Alternative: Limited parking near Stanbury Mouth via narrow lanes; climb to the Coast Path then head north to the point; similar time/difficulty.
- Terrain: Exposed cliff path, slate/culm underfoot, can be greasy after rain. The very tip is a knife-edge ridge—do not attempt to fish from the crest. Safer ledges exist on flanks/approach spurs, but all are committing.
Seasons
This headland fishes best from late spring to autumn, with winter options for the hardy. Expect classic rough-ground species with pelagic visitors in settled weather.
- Spring (Apr–Jun): Pollack, ballan wrasse, early bass; occasional mackerel and garfish as waters warm.
- Summer (Jul–Aug): Mackerel, garfish, scad, pollack, ballan/corkwing wrasse, bass (dawn/dusk/on a lift of swell); night huss and conger from rough patches.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Peak bass and pollack, mackerel/scad shoals, wrasse while the kelp still stands; increasing pouting/whiting later.
- Winter (Dec–Mar): Whiting, pouting, rockling, huss; very occasional codling after prolonged heavy seas.
- Occasional visitors (warm calm spells): Triggerfish close to kelp lines; odd launce/sandeel shoals drawing predators.
Methods
Think rough ground, abrupt depth and tide seams: lure work shines in clear water; bait tactics score at dusk and after dark. Robust tackle is essential.
- Lure fishing: 9–10 ft rods rated ~10–40 g, 20–30 lb braid, 20–30 lb fluoro leader.
- Soft plastics: 15–40 g weedless paddletails/slug lures for pollack and wrasse; work parallel to the rock face and along kelp edges.
- Metals/sandeels: 20–40 g jigs or metal lures for mackerel/scad and searching for pollack on the flood; add assist hooks for secure hookups.
- Surface/sub-surface plugs: Bass at dawn/dusk in a modest onshore lift; walk-the-dog and slim minnows excel around white water lanes.
- Float fishing: Set 10–20 ft for pollack/wrasse with ragworm, crab, or mackerel strip; adjust depth to avoid kelp.
- Bottom fishing: Strong rods, 0.70 mm (60–80 lb) rubbing leaders, pulley or pulley-dropper rigs with rotten-bottom links; 4–6 oz leads typically. Big mackerel/squid cocktails for huss/conger after dark.
- General: Use abrasion-resistant leaders, single hooks where possible, and plan a landing method before casting; from height, prioritize lure methods to avoid deep-hooking fish you cannot safely lift.
Tides and Conditions
This west/north-west facing point needs the right sea. Choose settled spells with a manageable swell; the best sessions often align with low light and moving water.
- Tide: Flooding tide is productive, especially the middle to late flood; first of the ebb can also fish. Avoid extreme spring surges when swell wraps heavily.
- Swell: 0.5–1.5 m long-period swell creates lovely bass water; anything bigger is usually unsafe/unfishable.
- Wind: Light W–NW gives movement; E/SE winds flatten and clear the sea for pollack/wrasse/lure work. Strong westerlies are a red flag.
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk for bass and pollack; wrasse roam best in daylight with some colour in the water; huss/conger after dark in settled seas.
- Seasonality: Late spring to late autumn is prime. Winter fishing is possible for experienced anglers only, in calm windows.
Safety
This is an exposed cliff mark with serious consequences for slips or swell surges. If you are unsure, choose an easier venue.
- Cliffs: Sheer drops and crumbly edges—stay well back from the crest of the ridge; never fish from the knife-edge point.
- Footing: Slate/culm can be slick; wear grippy boots or rock spikes and avoid wet weeded rock faces.
- Sea state: Do not attempt in heavy swell or strong onshore winds. Rogue sets regularly overtop lower ledges.
- Cut-off risk: Some lower spots become hazardous with swell/tide—keep an exit route and retreat early.
- Night fishing: Only for those who know the paths; take headlamps, spare lights, and fish with a partner. Tell someone your plan.
- PPE: Wear a certified personal flotation device; carry a knife for snag emergencies and a first-aid kit.
- Accessibility: Not suitable for children, dogs near cliff edges, or anyone with limited mobility.
- Wildlife/birds: Expect nesting seabirds in season—avoid ledges beneath colonies and keep noise to a minimum to prevent disturbance.
Facilities
Facilities are minimal at the mark; plan to be self-sufficient. The nearest conveniences are back at Morwenstow or in Bude.
- On-site: No toilets, water, shelter, or bins—pack out all litter and line.
- Nearby: Rectory Farm Tea Rooms (seasonal) and church area at Morwenstow for parking and toilets when open.
- Tackle/bait: Available in Bude (approx. 20–30 minutes by car); buy bait in town and keep it cool.
- Mobile signal: Patchy on the cliffs; some networks fade in the combe bottoms—don’t rely on data/voice coverage.
Tips
Treat this as a lure-led venue unless you already know a safe, sensible landing plan for bait-caught fish. Small changes in swell height make a big difference here.
- Rotten-bottom links save gear in the kelp; keep leads cheap and hooks strong.
- Work lures along the face rather than straight out—predators patrol the contour lines and tide seams.
- A faint push of colour after a blow often beats gin-clear water for bass; ultra-clear suits pollack/garfish at range.
- Step up leaders (30–40 lb) if you intend to swing up mackerel/scad; do not attempt to hoist heavy fish from height.
- Bird life tells the story: gannets and terns pin down mackerel/scad shoals on flood tides.
- Landmarks: Hawker’s Hut is a short detour south—good orientation point and a reminder you’re near big drops.
- Respect the path: stay on waymarked trails; spring/summer growth hides holes and loose edges.
Regulations
This coastline falls within the Cornwall IFCA district and includes sensitive cliff and bird habitats managed by the National Trust. Rules can change—check official sources before you go.
- Access: No known blanket ban on angling here; keep to signed paths, no fires or camping on the headlands, and avoid disturbing nesting birds.
- Bass (recreational): As of 2024, a 42 cm minimum size with a closed retention period in winter and a limited retention season/bag; always check current MMO/DEFRA updates before retaining fish.
- Minimum sizes/bags: Observe UK/Cornwall IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes for common species (e.g., mackerel, wrasse, pollack, whiting, crabs/lobsters). Berried lobsters/crabs must not be taken.
- Marine protected features: The cliffs and slopes are designated for geology and seabirds—do not access fenced areas or scramble onto nesting ledges.
- Ethical practice: Many local anglers release wrasse from rocky headlands and keep modest numbers of mackerel; take only what you can use.
- Emergencies: Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard; provide a clear description via the South West Coast Path and nearest access (Morwenstow/Stanbury Mouth).
