A new coastline to explore
5 coastal counties now covered: Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight.
Shanny Fishing in Bristol
Bristol has 10 shore marks rated for shanny. They're ranked below by how strongly shanny show at each spot, with today's live conditions beside every mark — so you can pick a spot that's worth fishing right now, not just on paper.
When to go
In season now
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months: Apr–Oct · green months are prime, the outlined box is this month.
Tide Fish the low
Time of day Daylight sessions fish best
Best shanny marks in Bristol
Ranked by how strongly shanny show at each mark. The chip on the right is today's live fish forecast.
Spike Island
Reliable for shanny
Size 14-18 hooks with rag or mussel lowered tight to harbour walls/steps at low water. Best in warmer months around weeded structure.
Hotwells
Reliable for shanny
Small rag/prawn pieces dropped tight to steps, ladders and rubble. Fish straight down the wall on the flood. Short snoods and quick bites.
The Pump House, Hotwells
Worth a try for shanny
Micro hooks with rag scraps; drop straight down the wall among crevices at low to mid tide; year-round; fast bites close in.
Portway River Wall
Worth a try for shanny
Tiny worm pieces on small hooks dropped straight down the wall around crevices at mid to low water. Fast bites; lift, don’t strike hard.
Sea Mills
Worth a try for shanny
Around rocks/sea wall at low to mid tide. Tiny hooks baited with worm/prawn; drop tight to structure. Best in summer.
Nova Scotia Steps
Worth a try for shanny
Drop tiny pieces of rag/isome down the wall at low to mid tide; poke baits into crevices around the steps in warmer months.
Sea Mills Harbour
Worth a try for shanny
Around stone walls mid to high; tiny bits of rag or prawn on size 12–14, drop down tight to structure; short stiff trace to avoid snags.
Cumberland Basin
Worth a try for shanny
LRF near rocks/weed on the walls at mid tide. Tiny worm or crab baits; drop-shot or split shot just off the bottom.
Bath Bridge
Worth a try for shanny
Dab small worm or prawn pieces around steps and rockwork at very low water; summer–early autumn. Keep the bait static tight to structure.
Gaol Ferry Bridge
Worth a try for shanny
Tiny worm bits on size 12–16 dropped straight down the wall over stones at low water; neaps, daytime, summer.
Planning ahead? The live fish forecast map compares these marks across the week.
Tactics for shanny
Top baits, best first
- Harbour Rag (Maddies)
- Mussel
- Limpet
- Soft Crab
Rigs that work, best first
- Split Shot Rig
- Dropshot
- Float Paternoster
Full tactics, seasonal detail and more baits are on the Shanny species guide.