Fishing at Bude Breakwater
Bude's classic all-rounder: a stone breakwater at the mouth of the River Neet producing mackerel, bass and mullet up top and rays, flatfish and whiting on the bottom.
📍 View on the mapWhat you can catch
| Species | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Mackerel | May–Sep | Feathers or casting jigs over high water |
| Bass | Apr–Nov | Spinning small lures; schoolies common, 42cm minimum |
| Pollack | All year | Float-fished strip or small soft plastics |
| Mullet | May–Oct | Freelined bread near the river mouth |
| Thornback ray | Apr–Oct | Sandeel or fish baits at range |
| Flounder | All year | Lug/rag on 2-hook flapper |
| Whiting | Oct–Feb | Lug tipped with squid after dark |
Tactics
Lugworm on a two-hook flapper with 12-inch-plus traces and a grip lead — the tide runs hard — cast towards Barrel Rock onto clean sand. Float-fish or spin off the wall for mackerel, pollack and school bass over high water.
Best tide: Two hours either side of high water · Best time: Summer evenings; after dark for whiting in winter
Dogs
Access & parking
Park at Summerleaze Beach car park, 5-minute walk. Waterfront Fishing tackle shop nearby for fresh bait. Sat-nav: EX23 8HJ.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — Fine for supervised kids in calm conditions; never fish the wall in big surf — it gets washed by swell.
FAQs
Do I need a licence to fish Bude Breakwater?
No. Sea fishing from shore, piers and breakwaters in the UK requires no licence. Only the freshwater canal and River Neet need a rod licence, and those are catch-and-release.
Is Bude Breakwater dog friendly?
Yes — dogs are welcome on the breakwater itself. On the adjoining Summerleaze sand they must be on a lead between 10am and 6pm from late May to the end of September.
When is the best time to catch mackerel at Bude?
May to September, over high water, ideally at dawn or dusk. Cast feathers or a casting jig, let it sink, and retrieve with an up-and-down jigging motion.
Nearby marks
Crooklets Beach · Widemouth Bay
Last updated 7 July 2026 — sources & disclaimer
Compiled from angling guides, forums and the relevant council's dog byelaws, cross-checked where possible.
Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.