Summary
Hurlstone Point sits on the wild Exmoor coast between Bossington and Porlock Weir, overlooking the fast‑moving tides of the Bristol Channel. Steep shingle, kelp‑covered rock and deep water close in make it a challenging, rewarding mark for experienced shore anglers. Expect powerful tide run, snaggy ground, and the chance of quality rays, huss, smoothhound, bass and conger after dark.
Location and Access
Reaching Hurlstone Point involves a scenic but strenuous walk on the South West Coast Path. Most anglers approach from Bossington, crossing the shingle and climbing the coastal path towards the old coastguard lookout on the Point.
- Parking: National Trust car park at Bossington (signed from the A39 via Porlock/Bossington). Pay‑and‑display; arrive early in summer. Postcodes in this area vary—search for Bossington National Trust car park if using sat nav.
- Walk-in: 25–45 minutes with tackle depending on fitness and chosen stance. Expect steep, uneven paths, steps, and sections of loose shingle.
- Alternative approach: From Porlock Weir along the coast path (longer, more ascent/descents). Both routes are exposed in bad weather.
- Terrain at the mark: Kelp‑fringed rock ledges and boulder gullies beneath the Point; steep shingle/sand further back towards Bossington. Very snaggy ground close in.
Seasons
This coastline fishes best from late spring through autumn, with winter options after storms. Expect tide‑driven windows rather than all‑day sport.
- Spring (Apr–Jun):
- Smoothhound (builds late spring on peeler crab)
- Thornback ray; occasional small‑eyed ray on the adjacent shingle
- Bass on coloured water and in surf lines
- Pollack and ballan wrasse around kelp on calmer days
- Summer (Jul–Aug):
- Smoothhound, bass, bull huss, conger after dark
- Dogfish common; chance of mackerel or garfish on very settled evenings
- Wrasse and pollack on lures/float along the ledges
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Thornback ray, bull huss, bass (dusk into dark best)
- Whiting appear on neaps/at range; occasional codling after rough seas
- Conger on big baits at night
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Whiting, dogfish; sporadic codling after strong westerlies
- Thornback ray on calmer, mild spells
- Conger still possible on neap tides at night
Methods
The ground is rough and the tide savage; fish strong tackle, grip leads and rotten‑bottoms. Darkness usually out‑fishes daylight.
- Bottom fishing:
- Rigs: Pulley pennel with rotten‑bottom (weak link) for rays/bass/huss; up‑and‑over for rays; long pulley/dropper when casting at range from the shingle.
- Leads: 5–7 oz wired/grip leads; step up on springs. Bait clip everything to keep rigs aerodynamic.
- Baits: Peeler crab (prime for hounds/bass), fresh/frozen sandeel or squid for rays, mackerel/squid cocktails for huss/rays, big mackerel or squid heads for conger, rag/lug for whiting and mixed bags.
- Lure/float (settled neaps, clearish water):
- Weedless soft plastics and metal jigs for pollack along the kelp fringes at dusk.
- Float‑fished rag or sandeel for wrasse/garfish where swell allows.
- Tackle notes:
- 13–15 ft beach rod or sturdy rock rod, 7000–8000 size reel, 30 lb mono or 50–60 lb braid with heavy rubbing leader (60–80 lb). Hooks 2/0–5/0 (strong patterns).
Tides and Conditions
The Bristol Channel’s range and flow dominate this mark. Plan around manageable run and safe swell.
- Tide size: Neaps are far easier to fish; on big springs the mid‑tide run can be unfishable from the Point.
- Tide stage: Often best the last 2 hours of the flood and first 1–2 of the ebb; brief lulls around slack are windows to reposition and re‑rig.
- Time of day: Dusk into dark transforms the mark—rays, huss, conger and better bass show.
- Sea state: A light to moderate swell can switch on bass but avoid heavy swell—dumping waves on the shingle and wash over the ledges are dangerous. Westerlies raise swell; easterlies flatten it but can reduce colour.
- Water clarity: Usually coloured; quick clear spells on settled neaps can favour lures.
- After storms: Short windows for codling are most likely as the sea starts to drop and colour remains.
Safety
This is an exposed, committing rock mark with a serious shingle approach. It is not suitable for those with limited mobility or inexperience on rough ground.
- Footing: Slippery weeded rock and loose shingle; wear studded boots or rock spikes. Consider a personal flotation device.
- Swell: The ledges get washed by sets—keep well back, never turn your back on the sea, and don’t fish the Point in big swell.
- Tide: Powerful lateral run; use rotten‑bottoms to prevent being anchored in snags. No safe wading. Be aware of cut‑off potential on lower ledges.
- Rockfall/cliffs: Occasional rockfall from the slopes; avoid standing under crumbling faces.
- Night fishing: Essential headtorch/spare batteries; mark safe exit routes in daylight.
- Communication: Phone signal can be patchy; tell someone your plan and ETA. Avoid fishing alone on the Point.
- Access: Steep paths and steps; carry modest loads and allow extra time in wet conditions.
Facilities
You’re in Exmoor National Park—beautiful but sparse on amenities right at the mark. Plan to be self‑sufficient.
- Parking/toilets: National Trust car park at Bossington; seasonal toilets are usually available when the car park is staffed.
- Food/drink: Cafés in Bossington village (seasonal) and pubs/food at Porlock and Porlock Weir.
- Tackle/bait: Bait and tackle available in Minehead and Porlock area; hours can be seasonal—phone ahead.
- Mobile signal: Intermittent on the Point and in some coombes; better on higher ground.
- Lighting/bins: No lighting, few bins—pack out all litter and line.
Tips
Hurlstone rewards tidy rigs, strong gear and timing your session to the conditions. Small adjustments make big differences here.
- Use a weak link (15–25 lb mono) below your lead; expect to lose gear if you don’t.
- Clip baits tight and cast beyond the worst kelp lines where possible; on neaps you can hold a line more easily.
- Crab is king for smoothhound and a great bass bait—fresh peelers or hardbacks lightly cracked.
- For rays, try squid/sandeel cocktails and leave baits fishing—don’t over‑tighten into the tide, let the lead dig in.
- Conger and huss roam the fringes after dark—big, oily baits, strong traces (80 lb+) and keep the first lift steady to turn fish from the rough.
- Lures: Work soft plastics just above the kelp canopy on settled evenings; first and last light are prime for pollack.
- Keep a low profile and reduce headtorch use at night for bass close in on the shingle.
- Seals and porpoises are regular—great to see but can kill the bite; if they move through, take a brew and wait them out.
Regulations
Sea angling is permitted here on National Trust/Exmoor coast, but you must follow national and regional rules and respect protected habitats.
- Bass: England frequently operates a minimum size and seasonal daily bag limit for recreational bass (commonly 42 cm min with a limited daily take in season). These measures are reviewed—check the current rules with the MMO before retaining bass.
- Sizes/bag limits: Observe national Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS) for species you intend to keep. When in doubt, return fish.
- Local authority: This coastline falls under the Devon & Severn IFCA—review any current shore angling or bait collection byelaws before your trip.
- Protected sites: The Bossington–Porlock coast includes sensitive SSSI features (shingle ridge/saltmarsh). Keep to established paths, avoid digging in vegetated shingle/saltmarsh, and minimise bait collection impact.
- National Trust land: No fires, no camping, take litter home, and keep dogs under close control during bird nesting season.
- Licensing: No rod licence is required for sea fishing in England, but a licence is needed for migratory species in certain estuaries—check if targeting salmonids (not typical here).
