Full rock / cliff fishing guide
The original fishing notes continue below, kept for readers who want the deeper detail after the quick confidence guide.
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...
Rock mark guide
A practical starting point for reading the mark: where to stand, what to try first, and how to keep the session respectful, safe and enjoyable.
The original fishing notes continue below, kept for readers who want the deeper detail after the quick confidence guide.
Local mark note
Rough-ground fishing can be rewarding, but the coast sets the rules. A good session starts with knowing when not to fish.
Rock and cliff fishing is about reading structure, depth and swell while keeping safety ahead of the catch.
Use tackle suited to rough ground: stronger line, suitable weights, simple rigs and footwear that gives secure footing.
Ragworm, lugworm, mackerel, squid, crab and lures can all suit rougher ground depending on species and tide.
Avoid slippery edges, big swell and cut-off routes. Fish with someone, tell people where you are going and keep back from cliff edges.
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 arespinningorfloat fishing, both of these can be enjoyed using aspinning rod.
If you would like to target mackerel or bass please see our specific guides for these species...
Our recommendedfishing methodsfor rock fishing arespinningandfloat 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 ourcoastal safetypage.
Friendly tackle picks chosen to make the guide easier to put into practice.
