Avonmouth Bridge

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.

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.

• Approach from Shirehampton and use the River Avon Trail to reach the bank just upstream or downstream of the bridge; expect a short walk on a firm path before clambering onto rock armour or sloped concrete.
• Sensible roadside parking is usually found around Hung Road/industrial estate edges in Shirehampton (BS11); check for new restrictions and avoid blocking gates or residents.
• Alternative access from the Pill/Ham Green side involves parking in the village (BS20 area) and walking the riverside path to the bridge; some sections are private—obey any ‘No Access/No Fishing’ notices.
• Ground is uneven rock armour, rubble and mud-fringed edges; not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

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.

• Spring (Mar–May): bass (schoolies building), thornback ray (late spring), flounder, silver eels (must release), occasional conger.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): bass, conger eel, mullet (around eddies and structure), flounder, thornback ray, occasional smoothhound or dogfish on bigger tides.
• Autumn (Sep–Nov): bass (often best Sep–Oct), conger, codling start to show from late Oct, pouting; odd ray persists in mild spells.
• Winter (Dec–Feb): codling (peak Nov–Jan), whiting, pouting, conger, flounder; bonus early-hours bass on mild, coloured nights.

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.

• Rigs: pulley pennel (3/0–5/0) for codling/rays/bass; up-and-over or long-snood pulley for rays; 2-hook loop/clip-down for whiting/pout; all with rotten-bottom links.
• Leads: 6–8 oz fixed-wire or tight-tension breakout grips; expect to lose gear—carry spares.
• Lines: 15–20 lb mono mainline with 60–80 lb shockleader; abrasion-resistant snoods (30–40 lb mono) for conger and cod.
• Baits: crab (peeler/hardback) in spring/summer for bass/codling; lug/rag cocktails for codling/whiting/flounder; squid or squid/bluey for codling and ray; mackerel/herring heads and flappers for conger; sandeel works for rays but is less consistent in this muddy estuary.
• Lures: generally poor in the chocolate-coloured water, but heavy soft plastics or paddletails can score for bass right on slack water around bridge eddies.
• Timing: fish 2 hours either side of high water; after dark is often best for codling, conger and better bass.

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.

• Best states: last 2 hours of the flood and the first of the ebb around high water; neaps are easier to hold bottom, springs can be hectic but productive.
• Seasonality: winter codling on coloured, lively seas; bass and rays prefer settled spells from late spring to early autumn.
• Conditions: prolonged rain can push freshwater down the Avon and stall fishing; a slight SW airflow is fine, but strong winds plus springs can bring weed and debris that ruin presentation.
• Water clarity is nearly always murky—favour scent-heavy baits and big profiles.

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.

• Tidal hazards: extremely fast flood/ebb, big range and deep scours—do not get cut off; set a retreat line and keep headtorches handy at night.
• Ground: rock armour and sloped concrete can be slick with algae; sturdy boots, gloves and a throwing line are sensible; a lifejacket is strongly recommended.
• Snaggy bottom: expect to lose gear; use rotten-bottoms and avoid over-reaching on the edge.
• Access limits: parts of the Avonmouth/port estate are private with security patrols and ‘No Fishing’ signage—stay on public rights of way.
• Not suitable for young children or those with limited mobility; constant traffic noise from the M5.

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

• No toilets or fresh water on the bank; facilities available in Avonmouth/Shirehampton or Pill (pubs, supermarkets, petrol stations).
• Tackle/bait: several shops in Bristol (e.g., Veals, Bristol Angling Centre) and further down-channel (Portishead/Clevedon); ring ahead for fresh lug/rag/crab.
• Mobile signal is generally strong; some lighting spill from the bridge helps, but bring good headlamps.
• Food/coffee options in Avonmouth and Shirehampton; nothing right on the mark.

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

• On the flood, fish just upstream of a bridge pier or rock spur and let baits settle in the slack seam; on the ebb, step slightly downstream to find the next lee.
• Shorter casts often outfish hero chucks—fish hug the scours tight to the bank.
• Big, elastic-bound cocktails (lug/squid or bluey/squid) pick out codling; save peeler crab for warmer months and bass.
• Crabs are relentless in summer—use tougher baits, bait shields, and rebait often.
• Carry plenty of spare leads/rigs and a long-handled disgorger for conger/pouting tangles.
• Keep the area tidy and quiet at night; you’re close to residential spots and patrolled industrial premises.

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.

• Access: do not enter Port of Bristol/Avonmouth private land or fenced areas; where signed ‘No Fishing/No Public Access’, move on.
• IFCA/Byelaws: this coastline falls under Devon & Severn IFCA—check their website for current minimum sizes, netting restrictions and any spatial protections.
• Bass rules: England-wide recreational bass measures apply (size and seasonal bag/retention limits); check GOV.UK for the latest year’s dates and limits before you go.
• Eels and protected species: it is illegal to retain European eel; shad and some lampreys are protected—release immediately if encountered.
• Salmon/sea trout: targeting these migratory species requires an Environment Agency licence and compliance with local byelaws; do not target them in the estuary.
• Bait collection: the Severn Estuary has protected habitats (SSSI/EMS); avoid digging on saltmarsh/banks and observe any local council or Natural England restrictions.
• As always, return undersized fish and consider returning large breeding females (e.g., big rays, bass).