Fancy a days fishing in the Bristol Channel? Listed below are a few of the popular local marks with details of how to get there and what you may catch.
The Bristol Channel is subject to the second highest tidal range in the world and therefore a degree of care is needed on some marks. Fishing at high tide is normally fine but if you fish some of the low tide marks you must be fully aware of the rising tide and ensure that you exit is not cut off by the incoming tide.
The upper channel marks are particularly dangerous and we would not recommend venturing out on to any of the mud banks and sand bars without expert local guidance
>> GREAT LOCAL FISHING SPOTS
SPOT:
Aust
ACCESS:
Exit the M48 at Junction 1. Take the A403 (Severn Beach) and after approx 1/4 of a mile turn right. This minor road takes you towards the sea before bending to the left and running parallel to the shore. The easiest place to park is just as the road turns back in-land. Access to the foreshore is through the gate and then walk across the fields to the sea. Fishing is anywhere between the bridges but be prepared to get a bit muddy!
IMPORTANT - There are some low water spots in the Aust area but these can be extremely dangerous and we would advice leaving well alone unless you are fishing with a local who has considerable experience of the area.
TIDES:
Springs offer the best fishing but very large tides are best avoided as they push too far up the grass. Best times are 1 1/2 hours either side of high water.
SPECIES:
Codling, flounder, sole, eels, whiting, conger, mullet and occassional bass.
SPOT:
Severn Beach
ACCESS:
From the motorway take Junction 1 on the M48. Take the A403 (Severn Beach). Follow signs to the Sea Front, approx. 4 miles from junction 1. Alternatively follow the coast road northwards from Avonmouth. Reasonably comfortable fishing from the sea wall means that this is a popular mark especially on autumn evening tides when some good bags of codling can be taken.
TIDES:
Fish on spring tides 2 hours either side of high water.
SPECIES:
Codling, flounder, eels, whiting, conger, mullet and bass.
SPOT:
Portishead
ACCESS:
The most famous mark in Portishead is Battery point which is noted for the big cod which have often been caught here. Access to Battery Point is as follows. Leave the M5 at Junction 19 and follow signs to Portishead and Sea Front, Parking is available along the sea front near to the open air swimming pool. The Point is clearly visible to the left (light) and fishing is possible from a number of spots from the Point back towards Bristol where a large sandbank uncovers at low water on Springs.
There are a number of other possible spots along the coast between Portishead and Clevedon and a walk along the coast path can lead to some quieter fishing marks.
TIDES:
Battery Point is best on neaps while the Sandbanks should be tackled on springs.
SPECIES:
Cod, codling, thornbacks, whiting, conger, sole and dogfish.
SPOT:
Clevedon Pier
ACCESS:
Leave the M5 at junction 20 and follow the signs for the sea front. Once you get to the sea front you cannot miss the pier, it is the long metal thing pointing out to sea! Parking is available along the sea front or in one of the many side roads. Access to the pier is restricted but day tickets can be bought at a quite reasonable price and as you would expect access is very good. Clevedon Pier has it's own club and their website www.cpsac.co.uk/ is very imformative.
TIDES:
Can be fished at most times but 3 hours either side of high water on a neap to mid range tide would be the most popular time to fish and the ebb is often the best time for codling
SPECIES:
Noted for whiting, codling and dabs but allsorts can turn up with conger, sole and dogfish reasonably common. Bass and smoothhounds can at times be present during the summer (Picture courtesy of TSF)
Another famous Bristol Channel mark noted for its good cod fishing. Access is as for the pier but carry on northwards From the Pier following the coast road towards Portishead, turn left at the Portishead sign into Bay Road, parking as far down the road as possible. Take the coastal footpath towards Portishead This mark is very popular and you may have to walk some distance.
TIDES:
Can be fished any tide any time but the tide run on big springs can make fishing difficult. Best times are 1 hour up, 3 hours down, or 3 hours down and 1 hour up.
Leave the M5 at junction 21 and head north on A370 towards Bristol. In Congresbury turn left on to the B3133 and drive straight through Yatton. About 1mile outside the village take the left hand turn to Kingston Seymour and look for middle road. Drive along here until you reach Channel Farm where you need to park on the side of the road. The track besides the farm leads to the sea wall which is about a 1/2 mile walk.
TIDES:
Springs best but try to avoid tides much higher than 12.5m Fished 2 hours either side of high water.
SPECIES:
Cod, codling, whiting, bass, flatties, conger, thornbacks, eels and the occasional sole.
SPOT:
Sand Point
ACCESS:
Leave the M5 at J21 (Weston Super Mare). Follow signs for Kew Stoke/Sand Bay/Sand Point. Drive to the end of the road, park in National Trust car park. Take the steps to the right of the public loo onto the point. Fishing is on the North (Clevedon) side, anywhere from the seaward end of the Point eastwards to Middle Hope bay. Access down the cliffs can be difficult so take great care.
TIDES:
Can be fished on most tides but neaps are prefered by most locals as springs run very hard. Fish 2 hours either side of low water.
SPECIES:
Cod, codling, whiting, bass, conger, and thornbacks.
As for Sand Point. Sand Bay is the beach you drive beside on the way to the point. Easy fishing and lugworm can be dug here
TIDES:
Best fished on spring tides for 2 hours in and 1.5 hours out
SPECIES:
Mainly Flounders and silver eels with odd codling in winter and bass in the summer
SPOT:
Kewstoke Rocks
ACCESS:
From Weston take the toll road towards Sand bay. Park in one of the small lay-bys and access the rocks down the well definded but sometimes steep paths. Fishing is from rock ledges on to clean sand.
TIDES:
Best 2 hours either side of high tide on spring tides
SPECIES:
Good for Whiting plus some flounders, codling, congers and odd rays
SPOT:
Weston Town Beach
ACCESS:
Once in Weston just follow the signs for the sea front. Pay and display parking is available all along the front. The road is closed at 9pm each night but provided you have parked before 9pm you can still get out. Best fishing area is between the pier and the southern beach access point.
TIDES:
Fish 2.5 hours in and 1 hour back on any tide but medium springs generally more productive.
SPECIES:
Good for flounders and eels but codling bass and conger can also show
![[ VIEW FISHING SPOT ]](/pop/?i=/media/swap/386226021184235738751596.jpg&t=Clevedon Pier){kind=link}
 - Can be fished at most times but 3 hours either side of high water on a neap to mid range tide would be the most popular time to fish and the ebb is often the best time for codling){kind=link}
![[ VIEW FISHING SPOT ]](/pop/?i=/media/swap/205034263950233020391983.jpg&t=Clevedon - Layde Bay){kind=link}
![[ VIEW FISHING SPOT ]](/pop/?i=/media/swap/216736903216291210563177.jpg&t=Sand Point){kind=link}
![[ VIEW FISHING SPOT ]](/pop/?i=/media/swap/164120051220313327861207.jpg&t=Weston Town Beach){kind=link}
