The Rumps Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

The Rumps Fishing Map

A dramatic twin-headed rock promontory on the Pentire Peninsula with very deep water close in and powerful tidal flow around The Mouls. Best fished in calm conditions with minimal swell. Productive for lure and float fishing along kelp-fringed ledges for wrasse and pollack, with mackerel and garfish in summer and conger/bull huss after dark. Long, uneven walk-in from the National Trust parking and exposed, committing ledges mean it’s for experienced rock anglers only; wear a PFD and avoid big seas.

Ratings

⭐ 6.8/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 8/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 4/10

Fish You Can Catch at The Rumps

🐟 Pollack 9/10
🎯 Tip: Work soft plastics or 20–60g metals along kelp edges from the points at dawn/dusk on the flood. Keep lures deep; watch the swell.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Fish crab or rag on strong gear into kelp/rock gullies over the flood, late spring–autumn. Avoid slack water; steady swell helps. Lift fish before they dive.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Surface or subsurface lures in white water around the points on a rising tide with some surf. Best at first light, dusk or after a blow.
🐟 Mackerel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer shoals pass close; cast feathers/sabikis or 20–40g metals from the outer points. Evenings and the flooding tide are most consistent.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Dusk into dark late summer–autumn; small sabikis or 10–20g metals worked midwater. Try the flood from the deeper side of the headland.
🐟 Conger Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Night sessions with big mackerel/squid baits lowered tight to rock faces and kelp gullies. Heavy tackle and rotten-bottom leads. Best on the first of the flood.
🐟 Garfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Float-fish slivers or worm 1–3 m deep over clear water on calm days, late spring to autumn. Cast from higher ledges on the flood.
🐟 Pouting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Small strips or worm baits into kelp gullies at night; keep baits just off bottom to reduce snags. More numerous in autumn–winter.
🐟 Bull Huss 5/10
🎯 Tip: Large fish or squid baits on 4/0s over rough ground at night; use strong traces and rotten-bottoms. Best on neaps and the first half of the flood.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 5/10
🎯 Tip: Small hooks baited with rag or prawn into kelp fringes; short casts on the flood in summer. Strike quickly to keep them out of snags.

The Rumps Fishing

Summary

The Rumps is a dramatic twin‐headed promontory on Cornwall’s north coast, just east of Pentire Point and north of Polzeath. Sheer cliffs, deep water close in, and powerful tide rips around The Mouls (Puffin Island) create classic rock fishing for lure and bait anglers alike. It’s a wild, exposed venue that rewards good planning with quality pollack, bass, wrasse, and summer pelagics.

Location and Access

Access is via the South West Coast Path across National Trust land; expect a fair hike and exposed cliff scenery. The final descent to fishing ledges involves uneven, sometimes steep ground and light scrambling in places.

Seasons

This is a classic north-coast rock mark with seasonal variety and some resident species year-round.

Methods

The ground is rough and the tide runs hard. Fish strong but balanced gear, present baits cleanly, and use lure methods that cut through tide and kelp.

Tides and Conditions

The headland funnels tide and swell; choose windows that balance movement and safety.

Safety

This is an exposed cliff mark with committing ledges and no easy exits in a swell. Treat it as a serious rock session, not a casual cast.

Facilities

There are no facilities at the mark itself—this is a wild headland. Plan to be self-sufficient.

Tips

Small details and reading the water make a big difference at this exposed mark.

Regulations

Angling is generally permitted from the shore here, but the headland sits within protected landscapes and sensitive wildlife areas.