Blegberry Fishing

Last updated: 5 days ago

Blegberry Fishing Map

Exposed Atlantic rock ledges on the Hartland Peninsula with fast-running tides and deep, kelp-lined gullies. Access is via the South West Coast Path with a steep, rough descent to the ledges. Best in settled seas with a light to moderate swell; dusk and dawn are prime. Flood and first of the ebb produce for pollack and bass, while evenings into night bring pouting, conger and bull huss. Summer months see mackerel, scad and garfish; wrasse fishing can be excellent around kelp and rock fingers. Always assess swell and surge before committing to a ledge.

Ratings

⭐ 6.3/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 3/10

Fish You Can Catch at Blegberry

🐟 Pollack 9/10
🎯 Tip: Work soft plastics or metal jigs along kelp-fringed drop-offs at dawn/dusk on the flood; keep lures high to avoid snags.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 8/10
🎯 Tip: Crab or ragworm into kelp gullies on the flooding tide in daylight; strong tackle and rotten-bottom essential over rough ground.
🐟 Conger Eel 8/10
🎯 Tip: After dark, lower big mackerel/squid baits tight to the rock face; slack to first of flood best; heavy gear and rotten-bottom.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Work white water in gullies on the flood at dawn/dusk; surface plugs/paddle tails or peeler crab tight in. Avoid big swell.
🐟 Bull Huss 7/10
🎯 Tip: Large fish or peeler baits cast short into rough ground at dusk/night on a rising tide; pulley pennel and thick rubbing leader.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Small strips of mackerel or squid at night close to structure; short casts; handy as livebait.
🐟 Mackerel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Summer to early autumn on calm evenings; feathers or small metals from the ledges into deeper water on the flood.
🐟 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Late summer nights; tiny metals or sabikis worked midwater; bites around dusk into first of the flood; keep line high to avoid kelp.
🐟 Corkwing Wrasse 5/10
🎯 Tip: Size 2–4 hooks with rag or small crab under a float into kelp; mid-flood in daylight; lift out promptly to beat snags.
🐟 Garfish 5/10
🎯 Tip: Warm months in clear water; float-fished mackerel strip or small metals near the surface at dawn/dusk on neap floods.
🐟 Three-bearded Rockling 4/10
🎯 Tip: After dark on neaps; small worm baits dropped into crevices at your feet with minimal lead to feel bites.

Blegberry Fishing

Summary

Blegberry is a rugged rock-mark stretch on the Hartland Peninsula of North Devon, between Hartland Quay and Speke’s Mill Mouth. It’s classic Atlantic-facing ground with deep, kelpy gullies, slate ledges and fast-running tides that draw in quality wrasse, pollack, bass and powerful night-time predators. Experienced rock anglers rate it for its dramatic scenery, proper rough-ground challenges and the real chance of specimen bull huss and conger.

Location and Access

This is wild-coast fishing on the South West Coast Path, reached by a hike and a steep descent to the ledges. Expect a serious walk, uneven ground and a final scramble; it’s not a venue for first-timers or those with limited mobility.

Seasons

The Hartland coast is productive but patchy: hit the right window and it can be superb. Here’s what commonly turns up by season.

Methods

Treat Blegberry as proper rough-ground rock fishing: robust gear, short rigs, and baits that stand up to tide and kelp. Lure and float tactics also shine in the right water.

Tides and Conditions

The Atlantic sets the rules here; reading swell and colour is paramount. The ground is deep and kelpy, so choose states that give movement without chaos.

Safety

This is a serious rock venue with real hazards. If you’re in doubt, don’t go down—there are safer options nearby.

Facilities

This is a wild stretch with minimal amenities at the mark itself. Plan to be self-sufficient.

Tips

Blegberry rewards tidy, disciplined fishing and good sea-reading. Little tweaks make a big difference here.

Regulations

Recreational shore angling is generally permitted at Blegberry; there are no widely publicised local byelaws prohibiting fishing from the rocks. However, rules do change—always check the latest official sources before you go.