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Thornback Ray Fishing in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire has 11 shore marks rated for thornback ray. They're ranked below by how strongly thornback ray 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

Out of season — best Mar–Jul, Sep–Oct
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Best months: Mar–Jul, Sep–Oct · green months are prime, the outlined box is this month.

Tide Fish the flood

Time of day Night sessions clearly outfish daylight

Best thornback ray marks in Gloucestershire

Ranked by how strongly thornback ray show at each mark. The chip on the right is today's live fish forecast.

Northwick Warth Reliable for thornback ray
Today 60 Fair

Spring–autumn on crab or squid/crab wraps. Target sand–mud seams near top of tide; keep baits pinned with 5–6oz grippers.
The Noose Reliable for thornback ray
Today 52 Fair

Apr-Sep; squid or mackerel strip, or crab, on pulley pennel. Aim for HW slack and first of ebb; target drop-offs beyond rough ground.
Oldbury Naite Reliable for thornback ray
Today 60 Fair

Squid or bluey wraps on a pulley; last 2 hrs of flood and first of ebb on springs, after dark. Aim for channel edge beyond mud.
New Passage Reliable for thornback ray
Today 65 Good

Squid/crab cocktail on a pulley dropper. Neap to mid tides, last hour of flood into slack. Cast to deeper flow lanes; 6-8oz grippers and rotten bottoms help with snags.
Beachley Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 63 Fair

Apr–Jul and Sept; sandeel/squid on pulley rigs to sand/mud seams at 40–70 m. Fish the flood near slack with strong grip leads.
Oldbury-on-Severn Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 60 Fair

Crab, squid or sandeel on pulley rigs; cast to channel edge 60–90m; best Apr–Jun and Sept on neap tides; fish 2h either side of slack.
Aust Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 60 Fair

Peeler, sandeel or squid on pulley rigs; aim at channel edges; fish the flood on neaps; late spring–autumn; use strong leaders.
Severn Beach Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 65 Good

Spring–autumn on neaps; sandeel or bluey on pulley rigs to cleaner patches beyond the boulders. First of the ebb can fish well. Use 6oz+ grips.
Shepperdine Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 60 Fair

Late spring-summer on neaps. Squid or bluey wraps over any firmer sand patches; cast to channels and leave baits static. Last 2 hrs of the flood.
Littleton-upon-Severn Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 60 Fair

Late spring-early autumn, occasional. Sandeel or bluey/squid on pulley rigs; try neaps, 1-2hrs before HW over cleaner patches.
Oldbury Power Station Outfall Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 60 Fair

Squid or herring strip on pulley rigs, cast to deeper run on mid-flood. Best Apr–Jun and again in autumn; strong grip leads required.

Planning ahead? The live fish forecast map compares these marks across the week.

Tactics for thornback ray

Top baits, best first

  1. Sandeel
  2. Mackerel Strip
  3. Bluey (Pacific Saury)
  4. Squid

Rigs that work, best first

  1. Pulley Pennel Dropper
  2. Up and Over
  3. Long & Low

Full tactics, seasonal detail and more baits are on the Thornback Ray species guide.

Thornback Ray fishing elsewhere

Thornback Ray in Bridgend Thornback Ray in Carmarthenshire Thornback Ray in Ceredigion Thornback Ray in Conwy Thornback Ray in Cornwall Thornback Ray in Denbighshire Thornback Ray in Devon Thornback Ray in Dorset Thornback Ray in East Sussex Thornback Ray in Flintshire Thornback Ray in Gwynedd Thornback Ray in Hampshire Thornback Ray in Isle of Anglesey Thornback Ray in Isle of Wight Thornback Ray in Kent Thornback Ray in Monmouthshire Thornback Ray in Neath Port Talbot Thornback Ray in Newport Thornback Ray in Pembrokeshire Thornback Ray in Somerset Thornback Ray in Swansea Thornback Ray in Vale of Glamorgan Thornback Ray in West Sussex