Bath Bridge Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Bath Bridge Fishing Map

Inner-city tidal River Avon mark at the A4 Bath Road (Bath Bridge). Fish from the paved quayside/railings and bridge approaches. Classic thin‑lipped mullet venue in late spring through early autumn; also holds thick‑lipped mullet, schoolie bass, flounder and eels. Best around mid-to-top of the flood and first of the ebb when fish patrol the walls and bridge eddies. Water clarity matters—mullet action is far better in settled, clearer conditions. Use light tackle and stealth. Strong tidal flow, vertical walls and urban snags (debris, shopping trolleys) mean carry a drop net if you plan to land bigger fish and avoid climbing down. Check local bylaws/permits and be considerate to pedestrians and cyclists. Evenings and early mornings are most productive; winter sport is limited.

Ratings

⭐ 5.5/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 4/10
Scenery & Comfort 4/10
Safety 6/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at Bath Bridge

🐟 European Eel 8/10
🎯 Tip: Ledger ragworm or fish strip into the margins at dusk on the flood; summer–autumn. Keep rigs simple and tight to reduce snags in the fast New Cut.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Peeler crab or ragworm into creases/eddies on a flooding spring tide at dawn/dusk. Short casts tight to walls and bridge pilings work in the coloured water.
🐟 Mullet (Thin-lipped) 7/10
🎯 Tip: Small Mepps-style spinner tipped with rag/Isome in slack water below the bridge on neap tides; clear summer days. Long leaders and stealth.
🐟 Flounder 6/10
🎯 Tip: Running ledger with worm baits; cast uptide and let it trundle along the mud. Best late autumn–spring on the flood and first of the ebb. Small hooks; mind crabs.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Bread flake under a light float; feed mashed bread and fish slack water near the bridge. Late spring to early autumn, clearer neap tides.
🐟 Common Goby 5/10
🎯 Tip: Micro hooks (16–20) with tiny rag pieces dropped straight down the wall at low water; summer. Keep baits on the bottom among stones and silt.
🐟 Sand Goby 4/10
🎯 Tip: Tiny worm baits on size 18–20 hooks in the margins over sand/mud patches at low to mid tide; best in summer.
🐟 Shanny 4/10
🎯 Tip: Dab small worm or prawn pieces around steps and rockwork at very low water; summer–early autumn. Keep the bait static tight to structure.
🐟 European Smelt 3/10
🎯 Tip: Winter evenings on a flooding tide; small sabikis or size 8 hooks with tiny fish slivers, worked midwater under bridge lights.

Bath Bridge Fishing

Summary

Bath Bridge sits at the eastern edge of central Bristol where the A4 Bath Road crosses the tidal River Avon (the New Cut). It’s an urban, brackish-water mark that consistently turns up mullet, flounder and school bass when fished thoughtfully. The flows are fierce on springs, but the bridge seams and nearby walls create reliable holding and feeding lines for migratory sea fish pushing well into the city.

Location and Access

This is a city-centre venue around Bath Bridge Roundabout on the A4, a short walk from Bristol Temple Meads station. You are not permitted to fish from the bridge deck itself; instead, use the riverbank paths and railings adjacent to the New Cut on either side of the bridge.

Seasons

This stretch is classic Bristol brackish water, holding migratory sea fish for much of the year. Expect species to shift with temperature, rainfall and salinity.

Methods

Keep it simple and tidy. Fish the seams, slack pockets and walls created by the bridge and adjacent banks. A long-handled landing net or drop-net is mandatory.

Tides and Conditions

The Bristol Channel’s huge tide drives powerful currents through the New Cut. Success here is about timing windows when fish can feed without expending too much energy.

Safety

Urban tidal venues demand respect. The drops are sheer, the flow is fast, and there’s plenty of steel and concrete to contend with.

Facilities

Being central, Bath Bridge is well served, though immediate riverside amenities are limited.

Tips

Small tweaks make a big difference in the cut. Think stealth, line control and precise presentation.

Regulations

Rules here are a mix of tidal river, harbour byelaws and national sea fisheries measures—check signage on the day. Do not fish from the bridge itself.