Summary
Tintagel Head is a dramatic, high-cliff rock mark on Cornwall’s wild north coast, beside the village of Tintagel and its famous castle ruins. Deep, kelp-filled water, ripping tides and Atlantic swell make it a serious but rewarding venue for experienced rock anglers targeting pollack, wrasse, bass and night-time conger and huss.
Location and Access
Tintagel Head sits on the South West Coast Path, with parking and amenities in Tintagel village. Access involves steep paths and steps, exposed clifftops and occasional scrambles to small rock platforms. The English Heritage castle and island have controlled entry and restricted areas—only fish where public access is permitted and it is safe to do so.
- Drive via the A39, then the B3263 into Tintagel; pay-and-display parking is available in village car parks and the English Heritage car park (commonly signed for Tintagel Castle, postcode PL34 0HE).
- From the village, follow the South West Coast Path towards the headland; expect 10–25 minutes’ walk, with steep gradients, uneven ground and very exposed sections.
- Do not cross fences, climb barriers or descend unstable goat tracks; several ledges are only used by local specialists and may require rope safety—if in doubt, don’t go down.
- The castle/island is a ticketed English Heritage site with fixed opening hours; access gates/footbridge close in the evening. Obey any on-site signage; fishing is not permitted within closed or restricted heritage areas.
- Parking fills quickly in peak season—arrive early or late. In winter, paths can be slippery and muddy.
Seasons
The headland’s deep, rough ground and tide run draw classic North Coast species. Seasonality is marked, with summer–autumn best for lure work and calmer winter windows for bottom fishing.
- Spring (Mar–May): Pollack, ballan and corkwing wrasse, early garfish, occasional bass on calmer, clear-water days; pouting and rockling in poor visibility.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Mackerel and scad shoals, pollack, wrasse, garfish, bass in white water; conger and bull huss after dark; odd triggerfish in warm late summers.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Peak pollack on lures at dusk, bass around surfy edges, scad at night, late mackerel; increasing conger/huss activity.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Often blown out; brief settled spells produce strap conger, bull huss, pouting/whiting and rockling. Very occasional codling in heavy, coloured seas, but rare here.
Methods
Steep ground, kelp and depth favour lure and float tactics by day, with beefed-up bottom fishing after dark. Keep tackle strong and streamlined, and always plan how you’ll land or release fish from height.
- Lure fishing (daylight/dusk):
- 20–40 g metal jigs, slim spoons and casting jigs for mackerel, scad and garfish; vary retrieve speed and add pauses.
- 15–30 g weedless soft plastics (paddle/sandeel patterns) on 20–30 lb fluorocarbon for pollack and bass; count down to avoid midwater and work above kelp.
- Long rods (9–10 ft) help steer fish clear of ledges; braid 20–30 lb with tough leader.
- Float fishing (daylight):
- Sliding float with ragworm, sandeel or mackerel belly for wrasse, garfish and pollack; set depth 10–25 ft and adjust to avoid kelp snags.
- Use size 2–1/0 strong hooks; wrasse respond to crab, mussel and limpet baits.
- Bottom fishing (dusk/night, only in calm to moderate swell):
- Pulley or pulley-dropper rigs with 4–6 oz leads on a weak-link (rotten-bottom) to sacrificially shed snagged weights.
- Strong mono rubbing leader (60–80 lb) and 4/0–6/0 pattern hooks for huss/conger; mackerel, squid or fish cocktails as baits.
- A long drop-net is advisable if you intend to retain fish; otherwise prioritise lure/float methods to facilitate safe release from height.
- Bass tactics:
- Work soft plastics or shallow divers through foamy edges on the flood, especially at first/last light. Peeler crab or sandeel can score when the water is coloured.
- General kit:
- Cleated boots, PFD, headlamp with spare batteries, and a clear plan for extraction; carry spare weak-links and travel light.
Tides and Conditions
Big tides and Atlantic swell rule this venue. Choose windows of moderate swell and wind in the eastern quarter for safer access and clearer water.
- Tide state: Productive from mid-flood through high water and the first hour of ebb; wrasse often switch on as water pushes over kelp. Lure fishing for pollack is good 2 hours either side of high.
- Swell/wind: Best in light northerly to easterly winds that flatten the sea; on strong W–SW winds the mark is commonly unfishable and dangerous.
- Water clarity: Clear water suits wrasse, garfish and lure fishing for pollack; a little colour and white water improves bass prospects.
- Time of day: Dawn and dusk are standout for pollack, bass and mackerel; conger and huss feed best after dark on settled nights.
- Tides size: Neaps to mid-range are easier and safer in the surge; springs increase run and risk—pick ledges with more elevation and space if attempting springs.
Safety
Tintagel Head is an extreme rock mark with sheer drops, loose ground and powerful swell—only attempt it in safe conditions and within your limits. If you’re new to the area, consider hiring a local guide or choose a safer venue.
- Not suitable for beginners, children, dogs or anyone with mobility issues. Many spots involve exposed paths and awkward steps; some traditional ledges are rope-access only—do not attempt without proper training and equipment.
- Wear a modern fishing lifejacket (PFD), grippy footwear and a helmet if scrambling; carry a charged phone, torch, and tell someone your plan and return time.
- Never fish alone; avoid all edges during long-period swell. If a ledge is wet with surge, do not fish it.
- Use weak-link (rotten-bottom) leads and cut free promptly to avoid being pulled off balance by snags.
- Landing and releasing fish from height is difficult—prefer methods that minimise deep hooking; use barbless or pinched barbs where appropriate.
- Keep to public rights of way; do not cross English Heritage fences or barriers. The castle footbridge and gates close at set times—do not rely on them for exit after hours.
- The cliffs host nesting seabirds in spring; keep noise down, stick to paths and avoid disturbing wildlife.
- In an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Facilities
All amenities are in Tintagel village; there are no facilities on the headland itself. Stock up before you set off and expect fully exposed conditions.
- Public toilets in village and at the English Heritage visitor area (seasonal opening hours).
- Multiple pay-and-display car parks; summer gets very busy—arrive early or late.
- Cafés, pubs and shops in the village; drinking water available at venues in town, not on the headland.
- Tackle/bait: Limited in the immediate area; most anglers source bait in Bude/Wadebridge/Camelford or bring frozen bait. Check opening times before travelling.
- Mobile signal can be patchy around cliff faces; it improves on higher ground but don’t rely on it.
- No lighting, shelter or benches; bring everything you need and pack out all waste.
Tips
Small adjustments make a big difference on this headland. Think stealth, safe footing and snag management.
- Count your lure down and map the kelp line; many pollack hits come just above the canopy. If you snag twice in a row at 10-count, fish a 7–8 count next cast.
- Dark soft plastics at dusk (black/blue, cola) and silver metals at first light cover most scenarios.
- For wrasse, rotate baits—hardback crab, mussel and limpet—and move if you miss bites; they wise up quickly.
- Use a 10–15 lb weak-link to the lead on bottom rigs to save gear and reduce risk when snagged.
- Fish early or late in summer to avoid crowds and to reduce seabird interest in baits.
- Seals patrol the base of the cliffs—expect sudden “bite-offs” or spooked shoals when they appear.
- After a two-day easterly with small swell, water clarity can be exceptional—perfect for float and LRF tactics for garfish and scad at dusk.
Regulations
Tintagel falls under Cornwall IFCA and national sea fisheries rules. Regulations change—always check the latest Cornwall IFCA and UK GOV/MMO guidance before you go.
- Bass: Recreational bass rules (seasonal open periods, daily bag limits, 42 cm minimum size) are updated periodically—check current dates and limits before retaining any fish.
- Protected species: Release immediately if encountered—angel shark, allis/twaite shad, sturgeon, spurdog (recreational catch-and-release), and bluefin tuna (no targeting, immediate release).
- Tope: It is illegal to sell tope; boat anglers must not land whole tope—best practice from shore is careful release.
- Shellfish: Do not take berried lobsters or crabs; observe local minimum sizes and any potting/collection byelaws.
- English Heritage site: Within ticketed/managed areas of the castle and island, access is controlled and fishing is generally not permitted—obey all on-site signage and staff directions.
- General: No recreational catch may be sold. Respect private property, keep to public rights of way, and leave no litter or discarded tackle.
