Hotwells Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Hotwells Fishing Map

Urban estuary mark on the Hotwells side of the Cumberland Basin and River Avon, offering deep, fast, highly tidal water alongside vertical quay walls and railings. Access is easy from pavements along Hotwell Road near the swing bridges/locks, but expect powerful currents, big tide range, coloured water and changing levels. Best sessions are the last couple of hours of the flood and first of the ebb, when fish move in from the Avon and work the eddies and seams. Warm months see prolific thin- and thick‑lipped mullet; winter can produce flounder; bass show on flooding tides around features and outflows; eels are a reliable dusk/night option. Float fishing bread or trotting works for mullet (use mashed bread as feed); for thin‑lips, small spinners tipped with isome/maddies retrieved tight to the wall are effective. For bass, present peeler crab or rag on a running rig into current seams, or try small soft plastics when the flow eases. For flounder, fish small rag/maddies on light flappers allowed to trundle. A long-handled landing net is essential due to the wall height. Check harbour/lock signage and bylaws, keep clear of lock operations and moorings, and wear a lifejacket—there is a vertical drop, strong flow and slippery surfaces.

Ratings

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

Fish You Can Catch at Hotwells

🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 9/10
🎯 Tip: Bread flake under a float or freelined along harbour walls and lock gates. Summer–autumn, calm bright days. Feed little-and-often. Best on the flood into the Basin.
🐟 Flounder 8/10
🎯 Tip: Rag/lug or peeler on a light running ledger. Cast to channel edges and eddies by the locks. Late autumn–spring, fish the flood and first of the ebb. Keep gear light to read bites.
🐟 European Eel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Night sessions with worm or fish strip tight to the wall or slack pockets. Warm months. Simple running rig, abrasion-resistant hooklength. Neaps make presentation easier.
🐟 Mullet (Thin-lipped) 7/10
🎯 Tip: Tiny spinner (Mepps 0–1) tipped with isome/rag in clear water along the wall. Work outflows and surface slicks on the flood. Summer best.
🐟 Bass 6/10
🎯 Tip: Shallow-diving lures or peeler/crab baits around lock mouths and eddies at dusk/dawn on spring tides. After rain they push in. Fish the first of the flood.
🐟 Shanny 6/10
🎯 Tip: Small rag/prawn pieces dropped tight to steps, ladders and rubble. Fish straight down the wall on the flood. Short snoods and quick bites.
🐟 Common Goby 5/10
🎯 Tip: Size 16–20 hook with tiny worm or isopod baits flicked to the wall base and silt margins. Calm neaps; short dropshot or paternoster.
🐟 Conger Eel 5/10
🎯 Tip: Big fish/squid baits at night near lock structures and moorings. Use heavy gear and tough traces. Neap tides reduce flow and help presentation.
🐟 Sand Goby 4/10
🎯 Tip: Tiny worm pieces on size 18–20 over sandy patches inside the Basin on neaps. Keep baits static and close to the bottom.

Hotwells Fishing

Summary

Hotwells sits at the western end of Bristol’s Floating Harbour, beside the River Avon as it powers toward the Severn Estuary. It’s an urban estuary mark with fierce tides, deep water off quay walls, and convenient access. Expect bass, flounder, mullet and nighttime conger when conditions and seasons align.

Location and Access

This mark covers the public quayside and railings around Hotwells/Cumberland Basin at the mouth of the Floating Harbour. Access is straightforward on foot with mostly level pavements, but always respect any Harbour Master signage indicating no fishing zones.

Seasons

This is a brackish, high-energy estuary-edge with seasonal sea species and resident minis. Expect coloured water most of the year.

Methods

Strong currents dictate tackle choice on the river edge; inside the basin/slacker eddies you can scale down. Night sessions are productive for bass and conger; daylight is prime for mullet.

Tides and Conditions

The Bristol Channel’s huge range means pacey water and big height swings. Treat the moving water as your bite trigger and plan sessions around it.

Safety

This is a working harbour/river edge: deep water, sudden surges, and vertical drops. Fish conservatively and stay behind the railings.

Facilities

Urban and convenient, with pubs, cafés and shops within a short walk. Facilities can be limited late at night.

Tips

Treat this like a powerful estuary mark: short, efficient sessions around the best tide windows pay off. Little tweaks make a big difference here.

Regulations

Hotwells spans Bristol Harbour estate and the tidal River Avon; multiple rules can apply. When in doubt, obey on-site signage and any Harbour staff instructions.