Summary
Widemouth Bay sits just south of Bude on Cornwall’s Atlantic coast, a wide sweep of sand framed by rugged rock ledges at either end. It’s a versatile mark: classic surf fishing over the central sands and more mixed, kelpy ground around Black Rock (north) and the south-end reefs.
- Big draw for bass in surf, plus wrasse and pollack off the rocks in settled water.
- Night sessions can turn up dogfish, bull huss and the odd surprise on the edges of the rough ground.
Location and Access
Reaching Widemouth is straightforward from the A39; it’s well signed and has two main car parks at either end of the bay. The central beach is a flat walk, while the rocky points require care over uneven, weeded ground.
- Parking: Pay-and-display at Black Rock (north end) and Widemouth Bay (south end). Typical postcodes: EX23 0AH (north) and EX23 0AW (south).
- Access: Easy beach access via ramps/paths; 2–5 minutes onto the sand. Allow 5–15 minutes to reach rocky ledges either end.
- Terrain: Central beach is clean sand; both ends have reefs, gullies, and kelp. Good for learning the layout at a big low tide before fishing.
- Public transport: Limited; most anglers drive. Taxis from Bude are feasible.
- Night access: Gates usually remain open, but check local car park signage for seasonal closing times.
Seasons
Widemouth produces classic North Cornwall species with a strong bass focus. The sandy middle and rougher corners fish differently through the year.
- Spring (Mar–May):
- Bass building from April, especially in mild, surfy spells.
- Wrasse from the rocks as water warms; pollack possible in clearer water.
- Turbot occasional from the surf line on clean ground.
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Bass top billing on lures and surf baits, dawn/dusk best.
- Ballan wrasse regular off the reefs; pollack in clearer, settled seas.
- Garfish and mackerel around rock points on calm, bright days.
- Dogfish common at night; occasional small smoothhound and small-eyed/spotted ray over sand.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Peak bass time; bigger fish on blowy, coloured seas.
- Whiting arrive at night; huss from reef edges on big baits.
- Turbot/gurnard possible on the sand in September.
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Whiting and dogfish the mainstay on the beach after dark.
- Bull huss and conger (from rough ground) on heavy gear in calmer windows.
- Rare codling in major winter storms.
Methods
Treat the bay as two marks in one: surf tactics for the middle and rough-ground/lure tactics around the ends. Travel light, read the water, and rotate spots as the tide moves.
- Surf fishing (sandy middle):
- Rigs: 1–2 hook clipped-down or pulley dropper; 4–5 oz grip leads to hold in lively surf.
- Baits: Fresh peeler/crab wraps, lugworm, rag, razor clam, whole sandeel or sandeel/squid cocktails for bass and rays; fish strips for whiting.
- Casting: Fish the first and second banks; sometimes a 40–60 m lob into the gutter beats blasting long.
- Rough-ground/reef edges (north and south ends):
- Rigs: Pulley pennel or pulley dropper with a weak/rotten-bottom link; 60–80 lb abrasion-resistant snoods for huss/conger.
- Baits: Crab, limpet, worm cocktails for wrasse; mackerel/squid/bluey for huss and conger after dark.
- Lure fishing:
- Bass: Soft plastics (paddle tails, weedless slugs), metal spoons, and surface lures over white water at dawn/dusk; weedless rigging is key in kelp.
- Pollack/gar: Small metals or floats with mackerel strip around headlands in clear water.
- Tackle notes:
- Surf rods 11–13 ft rated to 4–6 oz; 0.35–0.40 mm mainline with 60 lb shockleader.
- For rocks, consider a shorter 9–10 ft lure rod (20–40 g) or a stout 12 ft rough-ground rod for bait work.
Tides and Conditions
Widemouth responds to moving water and manageable surf. Plan around the tide to access features safely and to hit the best feeding windows.
- Tide: Flood and first of the ebb often best on the beach; LW springs reveal reef structure for wrasse and later lure passes.
- Surf height: 1–3 ft with some colour is prime for bass. Over 4–5 ft quickly becomes difficult/dangerous.
- Wind: Light–moderate W–SW winds build helpful surf; E/NE winds flatten the bay and can suit wrasse/pollack and finesse luring.
- Water clarity: Slight colour for bait bassing; clearer for wrasse/pollack and surface lures.
- Time of day: Dawn/dusk are standout. Night sessions good for huss/whiting/dogs; avoid lifeguarded bathing zones when flags are up.
- After storms: 12–48 hours after a big blow, as the sea drops and holds a tinge of colour, can be a red-letter bass window.
Safety
This is a powerful Atlantic beach with shifting banks and rips; both ends have wave-washed, slippery rock. Treat it with respect and plan exits.
- Rips and surf: Strong currents common—never wade deep in swell, and never turn your back on the sea.
- Rock platforms: Slippery kelp and sudden wash-ups; wear grippy boots and consider a PFD. Use a headlamp and keep three points of contact at night.
- Cut-off risk: The reefs at both ends can flood behind you on the push—identify escape routes at low water.
- Swell: If long-period swell is running, avoid the rocks entirely.
- Lifeguard zones: Do not fish inside the flagged bathing/surfing areas when lifeguards are on duty; move well away from water users.
- Mobility: Beach access is ramped/step-based, but soft sand and slopes make wheelchair access challenging; rocks are unsuitable for reduced mobility.
- Comms: Mobile signal generally good on the beach but can drop near cliff bases—tell someone your plan and carry a charged phone.
Facilities
Facilities are good by North Cornwall standards, with seasonal amenities clustered at each car park. Expect it to be busy with surfers in peak season.
- Toilets: Public toilets by both main car parks (seasonal opening hours).
- Food/drink: Cafés and seasonal kiosks at north (Black Rock) and south ends; more options in Bude town.
- Lifeguards: RNLI patrols typically late spring to early autumn—observe flags and zones.
- Bins: Litter and recycling points by car parks; take all line and bait waste home.
- Tackle/bait: Tackle shops in Bude (short drive) for fresh/frozen bait, end tackle and lures.
- Parking: Pay-and-display; height barriers possible on some smaller car parks—check signage.
- Signal: Generally good 4G on open beach; weaker near cliffs.
Tips
Success here comes from reading banks, gutters and reef edges, then matching tactics to sea state. Keep mobile and let the tide tell you where to fish.
- Scout at low: Map gutters and rock tongues at LW; return to fish them as water pushes over.
- Bass timing: A building surf late afternoon into dusk is prime—keep baits rolling naturally across the inside bar.
- Lure colour: Whites and sandeel hues in clear water; darker/olive patterns when there’s a tea-stain.
- Weed watch: After blows, rafts of kelp can push through on the flood—step 50–100 m to find a clear lane.
- Minimal splashdown: Use aerodynamic, clipped rigs and short drop lengths to punch into onshore wind.
- Rod rest: Bury the spike deep; a low, nose-into-wind setup reduces surf drag and wind wobble.
- Night edges: For huss, sit just off the reef-to-sand line with a big, fresh fish bait on a pulley and a weak link.
- Etiquette: Give wide berth to surfers/swimmers and dog walkers; set up well away from flagged zones and access points.
Regulations
Recreational sea angling is generally permitted at Widemouth Bay, but beach management and seasonal lifeguard rules apply. Regulations can change—always check the latest official sources before your trip.
- Beach rules: Do not fish within RNLI-flagged bathing/surfing areas during patrol hours; obey any local signage from the council or RNLI.
- Conservation designations: Parts of the North Cornwall coast have protected features; rod-and-line angling is typically allowed, but avoid damaging the intertidal reef (no hammering limpets, no chipping rock).
- Bass and other species: Recreational bass fishing is subject to national/seasonal measures (bag limits/size rules). Check current guidance from the MMO and Cornwall IFCA before retaining fish.
- Minimum sizes: Various species have legal minimum sizes; consult the current Cornwall IFCA size charts before keeping any catch.
- Bait collection: Intertidal gathering may be restricted in some areas and methods. Only collect where permitted and within byelaws; leave rocks as found.
- Protected wildlife: Do not disturb seals or nesting birds on the headlands; keep dogs under control where seasonal restrictions apply.
- Leave no trace: It is an offence to litter—take all line, hooks and bait packaging home.
