Rock mark guide
Rock / Cliff Fishing
Rock and cliff marks put you right on the edge of deep, fish-holding water, and that is exactly why they can be so rewarding. With a spinning or float setup you can target hard-fighting pollock, bass and summer mackerel as they hunt close to the structure. This is more adventurous ground, so safety comes first: rock and cliff fishing is best approached carefully, with the right footwear and a life jacket. Get the basics right and these marks will quickly become some of your favourites.
At a glance
Look for gullies, ledges and deeper holes close in where fish hunt around the structure, and fish a rising or falling tide rather than a big, angry sea.
- Best for
- Confident anglers fishing rough ground, kelp gullies and deeper water for wrasse, pollack, bass and the occasional conger.
- How it fishes
- Rugged and conditions-led: the swell, the state of the tide and your footing decide the day far more than your tackle does.
- Tackle
- A sturdy rod, strong mainline with a heavier leader, rotten-bottom rigs and grip or bomb leads you can afford to lose to snaggy ground.
- Bait & rigs
- Hard crab, ragworm and mackerel work well on the bottom, while soft lures and float-fished baits tempt wrasse and pollack around the rocks.
- Safety
- Wear a flotation aid and studded boots, watch the swell for ten minutes before committing, and never turn your back on the sea on a rising tide.
- Good to know
- There's no shame in walking away from a rock mark — the safest decision is always the right one, and the fish will be there another day.
Cornwall's rocky points can fish brilliantly, but we'd always rather you came home with a story than a soaking.
Stay safe: Wear a flotation aid and studded boots, watch the swell for ten minutes before committing, and never turn your back on the sea on a rising tide.
Our Beginners Guide to Buying Fishing Gear....
FISHING FROM ROCKS / CLIFFS
Please note that we do not recommend rock fishing for beginners - it is far better to stick to harbour walls and beaches when starting to fish as these are much safer locations. However, we will detail below the rods suitable for this type of fishing.
The best methods of fishing from the rocks are spinning or float fishing, both of these can be enjoyed using a spinning rod.
If you would like to target mackerel or bass please see our specific guides for these species...
Our Recommendations
Our recommended fishing methods for rock fishing are spinning and float fishing. More information can be found on both of these methods by following the links to our guides.
Both spinning and float fishing can be enjoyed using the same fishing rod and reel so please follow our links to browse the options available.
Safety First! - when rock fishing we recommend wearing a life jacket. Always avoid the rocks in bad weather, a wave can suddenly wash you off the rocks without warning. Whatever fishing you are planning to do, make sure you stay safe around the coast. We have some tips to help you on our coastal safety page.
