Summary
Lizard Point is the most southerly tip of mainland Britain, a dramatic National Trust headland of sheer green serpentine cliffs and fast, clear water. It’s a classic Cornish rock mark offering depth close in, powerful tidal flow, and year‑round potential for lure and rough‑ground fishing. Expect pollack, wrasse, summer mackerel and garfish, with bass on the right sea and conger after dark for those who know the ledges.
Location and Access
Perched at the end of the Lizard peninsula, the point is reached through Lizard village and the lighthouse complex. Access is straightforward to the viewpoints, but reaching fishable rock platforms involves steep paths and, in places, exposed steps. Plan your approach in daylight if it’s your first visit.
- Drive to Lizard village and follow signs for the Lighthouse/Point; paid National Trust parking near the lighthouse and pay‑and‑display in the village (postcode area TR12 7NT/TR12 7NQ).
- From the car parks, well‑made coastal paths lead to the headland; allow 10–20 minutes on foot depending on the chosen sector.
- Descents to Polpeor Cove (west side of the point) and towards Housel Bay/Kilcobben (east side, near the lifeboat station) are steep with uneven steps and exposed sections.
- Terrain is hard serpentine rock with kelp‑filled gullies and barnacle‑covered ledges; grippy footwear essential.
- No vehicular access to the rocks; not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs beyond the main paths and viewpoints.
Seasons
The Point fishes like a deep-water rock mark: summer variety on top, resident rough-ground species year-round. Expect fast tides and clear water influencing what shows and when.
- Common (late spring to autumn): pollack (dawn/dusk), ballan wrasse, mackerel, garfish, scad (night), pouting.
- In the right sea (May–Nov): bass, especially after a blow when the water has some fizz/colour.
- After dark (all year, best summer–autumn): conger eel, bull huss; pout and poor cod as by‑catch.
- Winter possibilities: pollack on lures, rockling and pout; whiting on coloured seas during onshore blows (less consistent here than on open beaches).
- Occasional/odd years: ling from very rough, deep ledges; triggerfish in warm late summers; squid sporadically in very clear, calm spells.
Methods
Lizard Point rewards mobile lure work in clear water and stout rough‑ground tactics with bait. Tackle up for snags and surge, and carry a drop net for safe landing.
- Lure fishing
- 9–10 ft lure rod (10–40 g), 20–30 lb braid, 20–30 lb fluorocarbon/nylon leader.
- Metals (20–40 g), sandeel‑pattern soft plastics (weedless/texas), and slim minnows for pollack and mackerel; surface/sub‑surface lures for bass in a gentle swell.
- Work edges, gullies and the race at first/last light; count lures down and retrieve up the contour to avoid kelp.
- Float fishing
- Sliding float set 3–12 ft depending on ledge; 12–15 lb mainline, 1/0–2/0 hooks.
- Baits: ragworm, prawn, sandeel, mackerel strip. Feed small slivers to draw garfish/scad in summer evenings.
- Bottom fishing (rough ground)
- 12–13 ft rod with 25 lb mono or 30–50 lb braid; strong 60–80 lb shockleader.
- Pulley/pulley‑dropper rigs with 3/0–5/0 hooks; always use a rotten‑bottom/weak link to the lead.
- Baits: peeler crab, squid or squid/mackerel cocktails, whole sandeel; fish into gutters and drop‑offs rather than maximum range.
- Livebaiting
- Live sandeel/joey mackerel for bass or pollack under a float or free‑lined into the race at dusk.
- Handling/landing
- Use a 4–5 m drop net; avoid gaffs, especially for bass and fish to be released.
- Long‑nose pliers and barbless or crushed‑barb hooks help quick releases over high ledges.
Tides and Conditions
This is a tide‑ripped headland: plan around flow, swell and light. Clarity is often excellent, which suits lures but can make bait fishing tougher at midday.
- Tide state
- Flood tide into dusk is prime for pollack and mackerel; bass often on the last of the flood and first of the ebb if there’s fizz.
- Slack water windows are handy for setting baits in rough ground; springs create heavy lateral sweep—neaps are easier for bait placement.
- Sea and wind
- Light northerly/easterly winds leave it more sheltered; any south‑west to south swell can be dangerous and will close many ledges.
- A slight swell and touch of colour lifts bass and wrasse; gin‑clear flat seas favour lures and float tactics.
- Time of day/season
- Dawn and last light are consistently best; night fishing brings conger/huss but requires intimate knowledge of exits.
- May–October offers the broadest species range; winter is specialist territory for pollack and eels on settled, safe days.
Safety
The Point is spectacular but unforgiving. Treat it as serious rock fishing: plan exits, watch the sea for a long time, and be prepared to walk away.
- Sheer cliffs, surge and kelp make slips and wash‑offs a real risk; wear a lifejacket and grippy boots/spikes.
- Many ledges are cut off or wave‑washed at mid to high tide—know your retreat route and never let the sea get behind you.
- Swell from S–W quarters is the main hazard; avoid during big seas or strong onshore winds.
- Steep, exposed paths and step‑downs; not suitable for those with limited mobility. Consider a rope only if competent and with partners.
- Fish with a partner, carry headtorch(s), spare light and first aid; tell someone your plan.
- Mobile signal is generally good on the headland but can drop in coves; a whistle or VHF adds resilience.
- Respect seasonal nesting bird diversions and any temporary path closures on the cliffs.
- Do not fish from, block or leave gear on lifeboat slips or structures—launches can occur at any time and signage must be obeyed.
Facilities
You’re close to a busy village and a lighthouse visitor site, but there’s nothing on the rocks themselves. Stock up before committing to a ledge.
- Parking: National Trust car park by the lighthouse and village car parks (charges apply; seasonal attendants in peak months).
- Toilets: Public toilets in Lizard village; facilities at the Lighthouse/visitor centre operate seasonally.
- Food/drink: Seasonal cafés near the point and multiple pubs/pasty shops in Lizard village.
- Bait/tackle: Limited basics sometimes in village shops; full tackle/bait options in Helston, Falmouth or Penzance.
- Phone/data: Generally fair on the headland; patchy or absent once you drop into coves.
- Water/rescue: RNLI Lizard lifeboat station is to the east at Kilcobben—keep well clear of the slip and approaches.
Tips
Think ‘clear, deep, fast’. Travel light, keep moving with lures, and anchor baits only where you can actually land fish.
- Watch the water for 10–15 minutes before committing—identify gullies, back‑eddies and safe landing spots.
- Metals and slim softs out‑fish chunky lures in the clear water; go darker/silhouette at dawn/dusk, natural/flash in bright sun.
- For wrasse, weedless crab imitations or float‑fished prawn keep you fishing longer in the kelp.
- A small sabiki above a 30–40 g jig covers mackerel/scad while still reaching depth in the race.
- Grey seals patrol the point; expect ‘tax’—move ledge if one dogs you.
- Use a long drop net and keep leaders long to hand‑line fish the last metre; plan before you hook up, not after.
- After a short blow that adds fizz but not heavy swell, bass often show tight to rock edges on the flood.
- Pack light but robust: spare weak links, leader material, and a cutting tool for emergency snag release.
Regulations
Lizard Point is on National Trust coast and within The Lizard Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ). Shore angling is allowed, but you must follow national and local byelaws and any on‑site signage.
- Access and site rules
- Shore fishing is generally permitted; obey any temporary cliff‑path closures (nesting birds/landslips) and do not obstruct RNLI lifeboat facilities.
- National Trust requests apply (no fires, no camping, leave no trace); follow any on‑site safety notices.
- Fishery rules (check for updates before you go)
- European seabass: recreational anglers have a minimum size of 42 cm and a seasonal daily bag limit; the open retention season typically runs March–November with catch‑and‑release only in winter. Always verify current dates on the UK government site.
- Cornwall IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes and byelaws apply to all species; measure fish and release undersized specimens promptly.
- Some shark species (e.g., tope) are release‑only for recreational anglers—handle carefully and release unharmed.
- Protected places and wildlife
- The MCZ/SSSI status protects habitats and certain species; do not damage reefs or remove protected features. Avoid disturbing seals and nesting seabirds (it is an offence to harass wildlife).
- Structures and private property
- Do not fish from or leave gear on lifeboat slips, platforms or any fenced/posted areas; follow all local signage.
- Always consult Cornwall IFCA and the UK Government fisheries pages for the latest sizes, bag limits and seasonal restrictions before your session.