Stanbury Mouth Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Stanbury Mouth Fishing Map

Remote, rugged cove on the north Cornwall coast between Sandymouth and Duckpool near Morwenstow. Access is via the South West Coast Path and a steep, sometimes slippery descent to a boulder-and-sand pocket beach flanked by kelp-grown rock ledges. The ground is mixed rough with gullies, ledges and patches of sand that form surf channels on a swell. It fishes best on a flooding tide into dusk, with summer clarity bringing pollack, wrasse, mackerel and scad tight to the rocks, while surf and coloured water suit bass. Night sessions over the rough ground can turn up pouting and the odd conger. Atlantic swell, backwash and cliff hazards are significant—pick calm windows, watch the tide to avoid cut-off, and choose higher ledges if any swell is running. Parking is typically at Sandymouth or Duckpool (National Trust) followed by a 20–30 minute walk.

Ratings

⭐ 5.9/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 3/10

Fish You Can Catch at Stanbury Mouth

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Surf beach; fish the flood into dusk with peeler crab or sandeel, or metal/surface lures in white water. Work gutters and rips; avoid heavy swell.
🐟 Pollack 7/10
🎯 Tip: Lures at dawn/dusk along kelp gullies from the points on a flooding tide; cast parallel to rock lines. Use soft shads or slim metals.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 7/10
🎯 Tip: Rocky ledges either side; fish flood to high with crab or prawn, or weedless soft plastics. Strong tackle; use rotten-bottom over kelp.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Night on the sandy patch with squid or fish baits on pulley rigs; best around first of the flood. Use gripper leads in surf.
🐟 Bull Huss 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark over rough ground with big fish/crab baits; mid-flood to high. Heavy gear and rubbing leaders; expect snags.
🐟 Mackerel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Summer, calm seas; feathering or small metals from rock points on the rise to high. Watch swell and ledge access.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer/autumn at dusk into dark; small sabikis or float-fished strips from deeper edges over the flood/high water.
🐟 Rock Goby 5/10
🎯 Tip: Tiny hooks baited with worm/shrimp in rockpools and gullies on the flood; keep baits tight to structure.
🐟 Conger Eel 5/10
🎯 Tip: Night from kelpy gullies with large fish baits; slack to first of the flood. 30–50 lb gear and strong leaders.
🐟 Long-spined Sea Scorpion 4/10
🎯 Tip: Small static baits among boulders at low to mid tide; slow lift-and-drop along kelp edges.

Stanbury Mouth Fishing

Summary

Stanbury Mouth is a wild, seldom-visited cove on North Cornwall’s Atlantic coast where the River Tidna meets the sea, between Duckpool and Morwenstow. It rewards the fit and prepared angler with proper surf-bass conditions, rough-ground species off the flanking ledges, and glorious solitude.

Location and Access

This is a remote mark reached on foot via the South West Coast Path or public footpaths down the Tidna valley. Allow time for a strenuous approach and be ready for steep ground and uneven surfaces.

Seasons

This is classic mixed, rough-ground and surf territory with seasonal variety. Expect bass and wrasse as headliners, with predators patrolling the ledges and summer visitors on calm evenings.

Methods

Treat Stanbury Mouth as two marks in one: a surf beach around the river mouth and rough-ground ledges either side. Tailor gear to snaggy ground and surge.

Tides and Conditions

Tide and sea state are everything here. The stream adds colour and structure, often making marginal days into bass days.

Safety

This is a committing, exposed Atlantic mark with serious cliff and surf hazards. It is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility.

Facilities

Come self-sufficient—there are no facilities at the mark itself. Nearby National Trust sites and Bude provide services.

Tips

Subtle reading of the river seam and ground changes pays off here. Think stealth, timing, and snag-proofing.

Regulations

Recreational sea angling is generally permitted here, but rules change and local byelaws apply. Always check the latest guidance before you go.