Avonmouth Bridge Fishing

Last updated: 6 days ago

Avonmouth Bridge Fishing Map

Classic Severn–Avon estuary mark directly beneath the M5 Avonmouth Bridge with a deep, fast tidal channel, muddy margins and scattered rubble. Fished from firm ground on both the Shirehampton and Avonmouth sides, it excels on bigger tides around high water: summer/autumn bring bass, flounder and silver eels, while winter produces codling and whiting; occasional rays, smoothhound and conger show after dark. Use strong tackle and gripper leads to cope with extreme flow and debris, and avoid the soft mud—fish from safe, solid footing only.

Ratings

⭐ 6.6/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 4/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 7/10

Fish You Can Catch at Avonmouth Bridge

🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 8/10
🎯 Tip: Very common after dark. Fish 2-hook flappers with squid or mackerel on cleaner patches. Big tides—use 6–8oz grip leads. Best on the flooding tide.
🐟 Whiting 7/10
🎯 Tip: Winter evenings. 2–3 hook rigs with worm/squid cocktails. Cast into main flow on the flood; switch to edges on the ebb. Small luminous beads help.
🐟 Thornback Ray 7/10
🎯 Tip: Peaks spring–early summer. Crab, squid or sandeel on pulley rigs; aim at channels on mid-flood. Expect snags around rubble—use rotten-bottoms.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: May–Sep on peeler crab. Cast uptide with 6–8oz grips to hold in flow; best mid-flood over cleaner mud/sand runnels. Release quickly.
🐟 Bass 6/10
🎯 Tip: Works after rough weather and in coloured water. Big crab or lug baits close in around eddies at dusk on the flood and first of the ebb.
🐟 Cod 6/10
🎯 Tip: Nov–Feb. Large lug/squid cocktails on pulley pennels; fish the flood into dark. 7–8oz grip leads needed to hold; be ready for snags.
🐟 Conger Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: After dark near bridge structure. Whole squid/mackerel on 100lb trace; use rotten-bottom leads. Best around slack into first of the flood.
🐟 Flounder 5/10
🎯 Tip: Autumn–winter in slower edges. Light rigs with rag or lug; short casts to muddy margins on neap tides fish best.
🐟 Smoothhound 5/10
🎯 Tip: Summer evenings with peeler crab on strong running ledger. Cast to mid-channel gullies on the flood; release promptly.
🐟 Pouting 4/10
🎯 Tip: After dark over rough ground. Small fish/squid strips on 2-hook paternoster; keep baits just off bottom to beat crabs.
🐟 Three-bearded Rockling 4/10
🎯 Tip: After dark on rough patches. Small worm or fish strips on short snoods; last of the ebb into first flood.
🐟 European Eel 3/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional summer catches on worm baits in slack margins after dark. Handle carefully and release—protected species.

Avonmouth Bridge Fishing

Summary

Avonmouth Bridge is the big M5 crossing at the mouth of the River Avon where it meets the Bristol Channel. The banks immediately upstream and downstream of the bridge, particularly on the Shirehampton side, offer classic estuary fishing with fierce tides, deep scours and rough ground. It’s a productive, urban mark for codling in winter, bass and conger through the warmer months, and the odd thornback ray on the right tides.

Location and Access

Set on the lower River Avon between Avonmouth and Shirehampton, the mark is fished from the riverbank beneath and close to the bridge, not from the bridge itself. Access is easiest from the Shirehampton (north) bank via public footpaths on the River Avon Trail; the Pill (south) bank also has access but includes private stretches—respect signage.

Seasons

This is a classic, coloured-water estuary mark with seasonal movement of fish. Expect rough ground residents plus migratory visitors on springs and at night.

Methods

Heavy, snag-resistant shore tactics are the norm due to brutal tide run and rough ground. Keep rigs simple, strong and pinned hard to the bottom.

Tides and Conditions

The Bristol Channel’s vast range and the Avon’s flow make tide choice critical. Avonmouth tide tables are the ones to use; expect savage flow on springs.

Safety

This is a powerful estuary with industrial edges—treat it with respect. Choose stable perches, keep high on the bank, and never step onto exposed mud.

Facilities

You’re in an urban, industrial setting with basic on-bank amenities. Plan to be self-sufficient at the mark.

Tips

Treat the bridge as two different swims depending on tide direction. Use the structure to your advantage rather than fighting the full run.

Regulations

General recreational sea angling is permitted from public access along the riverbank here, but parts of the port estate are off-limits. Always comply with local signage and security instructions.