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Bristol

New Cut

5.1 · Estuary · Bristol

The New Cut is a fast-flowing tidal channel of the River Avon running through south-central Bristol, with steep stone/concrete embankments, mud margins at low water, and strong currents on spring tides. It fishes like an urban estuary: mullet are the headline quarry, with flounder, eels and the odd bass. Access is via paths along Coronation Road and the north bank opposite Wapping Wharf, with railings and occasional low platforms by bridges. Best windows are the last two hours of the flood and first of the ebb when fish push tight to the walls and eddies form around bridge buttresses. Water clarity and runoff matter—sport is better after a few dry days. Use a long-handled landing net or drop net from higher sections, and never venture onto exposed mud. Expect an urban setting (traffic, cyclists), limited seating, and fast tidal flow that makes light end-tackle and tidy presentation important.

Should you fish New Cut?

55 Fair

Today · Best available

Best available: 03:00-06:00

Most likely species: European Eel and Bass

Fair conditions. Best available around 03:00-06:00, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of European Eel and Bass.

W 3 mph Rain 0% High tide 00:42

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for New Cut — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

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· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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The New Cut fishes as a technical urban estuary rather than a distance-casting venue. Success is usually about timing the softer water: last flood, high-water slack and the first of the ebb, especially on neaps and after a short dry spell. Fish push tight to the walls, mud edges and bridge-formed eddies, so mobile, light, accurate tactics usually beat sitting in the strongest flow.

  • Time the last-flood and first-ebb window before the Cut gets too fast.
  • Know which wall seams and bridge eddies deserve your first casts.
  • Avoid the rain and spring-tide combinations that kill presentation.
  • Match bread, baited spinners or soft plastics to the right species window.
  • Build a safer fallback plan around nearby Avon marks.

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

5.1 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 5/10
Species Variety 5/10
Scenery & Comfort 5/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 7/10

Mullet (Thick-lipped) 8/10
Tip: Bread flake under a float or freelined along the quay walls; groundbait with bread mash. Best May–Oct, neap tides, at slack or first of the flood. Stealth matters.
Bass 7/10
Tip: Work soft plastics or shallow plugs through eddies and near outfalls on the flood; peeler crab or worm baits tight to structure. Dusk into dark, late spring–autumn.
European Eel 7/10
Tip: After dark, ledger small worm or fish strips in the margins. Aim for last of the flood or first of the ebb to ease the flow. Peak June–Sept.
Mullet (Thin-lipped) 7/10
Tip: Baited spinner (small Mepps + rag/Isome) trotted in the flow on the flood; target clearer water and sunlit runs. Late spring to autumn.
Common Goby 6/10
Tip: Tiny size 14–18 hooks with small rag/Isome pieces dropped tight to steps and walls; fish at HW slack in summer.
Sand Goby 6/10
Tip: Light paternoster with tiny slivers of rag on size 16 hooks; target sandy/mud edges at HW slack or first of the ebb. Spring–autumn.
Two-spotted Goby 5/10
Tip: Sight-fish tiny baits or micro-lures around weed, bridge abutments and eddies; brightest days in summer; fish slack water.
Flounder 4/10
Tip: Long-snood running ledger with rag/peeler over mud tongues; winter–early spring. Best on last of the flood or first of the ebb when flow eases.

Local knowledge

New Cut fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

The New Cut is the tidal channel of the River Avon that skirts Bristol city centre between Cumberland Basin and Totterdown. It’s an urban, fast-flowing stretch with huge tidal swings, coloured water and tricky access—but it rewards patient anglers with mullet, school bass and the odd flounder. Expect a technical, timing‑dependent venue that fishes best on neaps and around slack water.

Running parallel to Coronation Road (BS3) and Clarence Road/Temple Gate (BS1/BS2), the New Cut is bordered by continuous paths and railings with several footbridges. Access is straightforward on foot, but safe, practical fishing spots are limited due to high walls and steep, muddy banks.

  • Main access points: Gaol Ferry Bridge, Vauxhall Bridge, Langton Street Bridge, Bedminster Bridge and Bath Bridge; short, level approaches from both sides
  • Parking: on-street along Coronation Road and side roads in Southville/Bedminster (check resident bays/times), short-stay options near Wapping Wharf/Harbourside, large supermarket car parks in Bedminster for customers only and time-limited
  • Public transport: multiple city bus routes along Coronation Road/Bedminster Parade and Temple Meads within walking distance from the eastern end
  • Terrain: hard paths, railings and high quay walls; very limited low, safe platforms; do not descend the banks—mud is deep and the tide rises quickly
  • Note: Areas close to lock gates, swing bridges and dock infrastructure near Cumberland Basin/Netham may carry no‑fishing signage—follow local notices

This is a brackish, estuarine river reach with migratory and marine visitors. Species presence changes with season, freshwater flow and temperature.

  • Spring (Apr–Jun): thin‑lipped and thick‑lipped mullet arrive; school bass on warmer neaps; occasional flounder lingering; eels present (must be released)
  • Summer (Jul–Sep): peak mullet time; school bass and occasional better fish on dusk tides; sporadic flounder; gobies/blennies for LRF
  • Autumn (Oct–Nov): bass remain until the first big fresh; mullet still possible into early autumn; odd late flounder
  • Winter (Dec–Mar): a handful of flounder on neaps during calmer spells; smelt occasionally show in late winter (do not target—licensing and byelaws apply); eels overwintering (must be released)
  • Protected migratory fish: salmon and sea trout pass through—accidental captures must be returned immediately; targeting them is unlawful

Presentation and timing matter more than distance here. Work the slacks and seams, travel light and be ready to move.

  • Mullet (thick‑lip): pole or waggler with bread flake/paste; groundbait with bread mash sparingly; size 8–12 fine‑wire hooks, 4–6 lb fluorocarbon
  • Mullet (thin‑lip): baited spinner—small Mepps‑style blade with treble removed, 10–20 cm mono link to size 6–10 single hook tipped with harbour rag/Isome; slow retrieve across tide seams
  • Bass: simple running ledger or pulley with peeler crab/rag; or 3–4" soft plastics on 7–14 g jigheads worked through eddies at first flood/early ebb
  • Flounder: 1–2 hook flappers with beads/spoons; size 2–1 hooks; rag/maddies/peeler strips; long snoods to flutter in the flow
  • Leads: 2–5 oz depending on tide; watch leads help the bait track naturally; use rotten‑bottom/weak links—snags are common
  • Tackle: 10–11 ft estuary/spinning rods for mullet/LRF; 11–12 ft estuary or light beach rods for ledgering; long‑handled drop net is invaluable from high walls
  • Best times: first and last hour of daylight, especially around neap high water slack; avoid peak springs when debris and flow are brutal

Bristol’s extreme tidal range drives fierce currents. Plan around neaps and slack windows rather than chasing maximum depth.

  • Tide state: last hour of flood, high water slack and first hour of ebb are prime; neap tides are generally more manageable than springs
  • Flow and colour: after heavy rain the Cut runs very fresh and turbid—bass fade, mullet become picky; best after 24–48 hours of settling
  • Wind: strong westerlies push debris upstream; light winds and overcast conditions suit mullet and LRF
  • Seasonality: May–October is the main window; winter fishing is scratchy and flow‑dependent
  • Visibility: even slight clarity helps mullet; carry both natural and smelly baits to adapt

This is a hazardous urban tidal river with deep, fast water, vertical walls and soft mud. Treat the edge like a cliff.

  • Keep behind railings and fish only from safe, level paths; never attempt the banks or mud—entrapment risk is severe
  • Wear a personal flotation device, especially when solo; use non‑slip footwear and carry a throw line
  • Use a drop net or long‑handled landing net; do not hand‑line fish up walls
  • Debris risk: at peak flows expect logs/weed; keep lines high and be ready to break out
  • Tidal rise is rapid; identify escape routes and avoid low spots that can become cut off
  • Avoid fishing from bridges or near lock gates/swing bridges; observe any harbour or council signage
  • Urban awareness: keep valuables out of sight, consider daylight sessions if unfamiliar; paths are shared—be courteous to runners/cyclists
  • Accessibility: paths are wide and level, but barrier rails and height make it challenging for wheelchair users to fish comfortably

The New Cut runs through the heart of the city, so amenities are close by, though not always right on the bank.

  • Toilets/refreshments: cafés, pubs and takeaways around Wapping Wharf, North Street (Bedminster) and city centre; supermarkets in Bedminster for facilities
  • Tackle/bait: Bristol Angling Centre (BS5) and Premier Angling (Keynsham) stock sea bait; ring ahead for rag/lug/peeler availability
  • Mobile signal: generally strong across the stretch
  • Seating/shelter: limited; bring a compact chair and wet‑weather layers
  • Waste: few bins on the path—pack out all litter and line

Success here often hinges on mobility and finesse—fish where the water looks easiest, not deepest.

  • Hunt the slacks: inside bends, behind bridge abutments and along gentle eddies are the key lanes
  • Pre‑bait sparingly for mullet with crumbed bread; too much feed draws crabs and kills the swim
  • Thin‑lip spinners: change blade size and retrieve speed until you ‘tick’ the right pace against the flow
  • Bring a drop net; it saves fish and tackle on high walls
  • Use tough baits (crab, salted lug) or bait elastic—crabs are relentless
  • Rotten‑bottoms save leads; light mainline with stronger snoods helps pull free of snags
  • Night sessions can be productive for bass on warm evenings, but pick well‑lit, familiar spots and avoid fishing alone
  • Keep notes on tide height at Cumberland Basin vs. your chosen mark—small changes make big differences here

Regulations can vary across this mixed harbour/river environment—always obey on‑site signage and current national byelaws.

  • Access: some areas near locks, bridges and harbour infrastructure may be signed ‘No Fishing’; these restrictions are enforceable—move on if requested
  • EA rod licence: required if fishing for salmon, sea trout, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eels; not required when solely fishing for sea fish (e.g., bass, mullet, flounder) in tidal waters
  • Coarse close season: applies on the River Avon (15 Mar–15 Jun inclusive); avoid methods/baits that target coarse species during this period
  • Eels: European eel (and elver) are fully protected—do not target; release any eel immediately
  • Salmon/sea trout: do not intentionally fish for them; any accidental capture must be released at once
  • Bass (2025, check updates): recreational limit typically catch‑and‑release Jan–Mar; Apr–Dec up to 2 fish/day at minimum size 42 cm; verify current MMO/IFCA notices before keeping fish
  • Mullet: no national size/bag limits—practice restraint; large breeders are valuable
  • Minimum sizes: follow current UK/IFCA minimum sizes for any retained sea fish
  • Nature reserve: parts of the New Cut corridor are a Local Nature Reserve—respect wildlife, no netting or set lines, and no bait digging on fragile banks
  • General: no littering; do not block paths; use barbless or de‑barbed hooks where practical for safer release