Summary
Bedminster Bridge spans the tidal River Avon (the New Cut) on the edge of Bedminster and Redcliffe, a very urban but surprisingly fishy stretch of estuary. Strong tides, structure, and food washing through make this a credible venue for flounder, mullet, school bass and eels in season. It’s a convenient after‑work mark with proper city‑centre amenities nearby.
Location and Access
This mark refers to the public walkways and railings immediately upstream and downstream of Bedminster Bridge on both banks of the New Cut. You do not fish from the bridge deck itself—choose the riverside paths where fishing is permitted and safe.
- Nearest areas: Bedminster Parade/Coronation Road (south bank, BS3) and Clarence Road/Commercial Road (north bank, BS1). Pay‑and‑display and short‑stay street parking nearby; large supermarkets and multi‑storeys within a short walk.
- Approach on foot from the pavements along Coronation Road (south side) or Clarence Road (north side). Access is flat and paved with continuous railings.
- The ground is hardstanding with high walls above deep, fast water; there is no shoreline to stand on and no safe access to the foreshore.
- Public transport is excellent (city buses serve Bedminster Parade and Redcliffe). Bikes can be wheeled along the shared paths—keep rods tight to the railings to avoid blocking others.
Seasons
Expect estuary species that tolerate brackish, silty water. Peak fishing is late spring to autumn for mullet and bass, and late summer into winter for flounder.
- Common in season:
- Thick‑lipped and thin‑lipped grey mullet (May–Oct, sometimes into Nov)
- School bass (May–Oct, best on warmer neaps and at dusk)
- Flounder (Aug–Jan, with a useful autumn peak)
- European eel (Jun–Sep; release required)
- Occasional/bonus:
- Smelt in colder months, often after dark near light and outfalls
- Estuary whiting or small codling are rare this far upriver but can appear in late autumn on big tides
- Migratory salmon/sea trout pass through—do not target
Methods
Tackle light and tidy—flow is fierce, walls are high, and space can be tight. Present small, natural baits close to the deck or fish subtle lures near eddies and shadow lines.
- Flounder:
- Light running ledger or 2‑hook flapper with size 2–4 fine‑wire Aberdeens; 2–3 oz watch/pearl leads to roll and search.
- Baits: small ragworm (harbour rag/maddies), lugworm, slivers of peeler or fish strip. Keep baits modest to avoid eels.
- Cast across and let the gear trot and settle; recast regularly to search lanes.
- Mullet:
- Thick‑lips: bread flake on size 8–10 below a light waggler or freelined; feed bread mash little and often.
- Thin‑lips: small Mepps‑style spinner with a short red tag tipped with a tiny ragworm strip, worked slowly with the tide.
- Stealth matters—stand back from the edge and keep noise down.
- Bass:
- Small soft plastics (2–4 in paddletails) on 5–10 g jigheads or weedless weighted hooks; work eddies and seams at first light/last light.
- Simple running ledger with crab or worm baits around slack water.
- General:
- 9–10 ft lure/estuary rods or light 11–12 ft quiver/estuary rods; 10–15 lb braid with 12–15 lb fluoro/mono leader to resist brickwork.
- Essential: long‑handled landing net or drop‑net—walls are high and fish should not be swung.
Tides and Conditions
The Bristol Channel’s huge range drives a fierce flow here. Plan around manageable tides and the brief windows of slower water.
- Best states: last 2 hours of flood through the first hour of ebb; top‑of‑tide slack can be excellent for mullet and opportunist bass.
- Neaps are friendlier for presentation and mullet; springs push hard—use heavier leads or fish the softer edges/eddies.
- Water is usually coloured; clarity improves after a few settled, dry days and helps lure fishing.
- Time of day: early morning and dusk are productive, with night sessions drawing eels and the odd smelt around lights.
- Seasonality: May–Oct for mullet/bass; Aug–Jan for flounder. After heavy rain, expect debris and strong outflow—often better to wait 24–48 hours.
Safety
This is a high‑walled, fast‑flowing urban estuary. Respect the drop, the current, and other path users.
- Do not fish from the bridge deck; use the riverside paths only and obey any local signage.
- Wear a waist or auto‑inflating lifejacket—there is deep water immediately below the walls and railings.
- Never attempt to climb down to the foreshore: the New Cut’s mud is soft and dangerous, and the tide rises rapidly.
- Use a drop‑net/long‑handled net; never hand‑line fish up the wall.
- Keep gear compact to avoid blocking pedestrians and cyclists; fish barbless or micro‑barbed where practical for easy unhooking.
- Urban common sense: go with a mate after dark, mind valuables, and watch for broken glass or litter when setting down gear.
- Many sections are flat and paved, with decent railings; wheelchair users can access long stretches, though casting space varies.
Facilities
City‑centre fishing means plenty of conveniences within a short walk.
- Toilets/food: supermarkets, cafés and pubs around Bedminster Parade (BS3) and Redcliffe (BS1).
- Tackle shops: Bristol Angling Centre (Brislington), Premier Angling (Keynsham/Saltford), and other city shops—check opening times before travelling.
- Parking: street pay‑and‑display and short‑stay bays on Coronation/Clarence Roads; supermarket/multi‑storey options nearby (time limits/enforcement apply).
- Mobile signal and street lighting are generally good along both banks.
Tips
Think small, tidy, and mobile—cover water and let the tide work for you.
- Mullet often sit in the bridge shade and in the slack behind piers—drip in bread mash for 15–20 minutes before presenting a flake.
- For flounder, let watch leads slowly walk with the tide; bites can be shy—use supple snoods and don’t strike too early.
- Bass show on the first push and last trickle of tide; work soft plastics along seam lines rather than fan‑casting blindly.
- A short wire or abrasion‑resistant leader helps against brickwork when fish kite under the wall.
- Keep hooks small and baits neat; big offerings attract eels which must be released and can tangle gear.
- Carry a litter bag—this is a public walkway and tidy anglers help keep access hassle‑free.
Regulations
Rules are a mix of national fisheries law and local byelaws—check signage on the day and consult official sources before your trip.
- Do not fish from the bridge deck; only from safe riverside positions where permitted. Heed any local “No Fishing” signs.
- The New Cut is tidal river, not the Floating Harbour. Fishing inside the Bristol Harbour estate (Floating Harbour/Feeder Canal) is restricted by Bristol Harbour byelaws unless expressly permitted.
- Environment Agency rod licence: required when targeting freshwater species on rivers. Enforcement in mixed estuaries can be strict—many anglers carry a valid licence as standard.
- Coarse close season (15 March–15 June inclusive) applies on rivers, including tidal sections. If you fish for sea species during this period, avoid methods/baits that indicate targeting coarse fish.
- Bass measures and seasons change periodically; check current MMO/IFCA guidance (Severn IFCA district). Minimum size commonly 42 cm with seasonal bag limits—verify before retaining any fish.
- European eel: byelaws prohibit retention—release immediately.
- Salmon/sea trout: protected migratory species—do not target; special licences and strict byelaws apply.
- General: observe local minimum sizes, no‑littering rules, and be considerate to other path users and wildlife.
