The rocky sandstone outcrop of St Bees Head is the sum total of sea cliffs for Cumbria and as such offers a very different type of fishing to most other areas.
Access to the cliff marks can be rugged and difficult. Although it is possible to descend in one or two places this is ill advised – St Bees has been the scene of numerous accidents in this respect. Far better to traverse around the base at low water leaving more than ample time for retreat. In heavy seas don’t even think about it.
Fishing at St Bees is mainly over rough ground with plenty of snags although it is possible to reach cleaner ground at distance. You can expect a greater range of species than from other areas and the chance of some larger codling. Some good conger eels are pulled out of here every year but probably more are lost due to the snaggy ground. Pollack, wrasse, dogfish, dabs, whiting, pouting, rockling, bass and coalies are among the other species that can turn up along with mackerel during July and August.
The beach itself is probably as good as most beach marks along the coast, although it can get busy. There is a quieter option a little further south at Sea Mill Lane where the beach here can be good for school bass during the summer months.