Sea Mills Harbour Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Sea Mills Harbour Fishing Map

Tidal harbour basin at the confluence of the River Trym and the River Avon in northwest Bristol. Very muddy, shallow margins with a stronger main channel; fast Severn-range tides and thick silt mean you should fish only from firm ground (harbour wall/paths) and never step onto the mud. Best two hours either side of high water, especially on larger springs after a settled spell. Flounder and school bass are the main targets on worm or crab baits; thin-lipped mullet appear in season and take rag-tipped spinners worked along the wall and outflow. After dark, expect eels and occasional winter whiting/codling. Use light to medium leads with long snoods to present small baits in the flow; watch floating weed and debris on the flood.

Ratings

⭐ 5.6/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 5/10
Scenery & Comfort 6/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 7/10

Fish You Can Catch at Sea Mills Harbour

🐟 Mullet (Thin-lipped) 8/10
🎯 Tip: Summer–autumn; neap floods. Small Mepps/spoon with 1–2 cm rag strip worked along harbour mouth and channel edges; 6–8 lb fluoro, size 6–8 hooks.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Flood to high, esp. springs; peeler crab, lug or soft crab at the channel seam with 3–4 oz grip lead. Best at dusk; keep casts short to the drop-off.
🐟 European Eel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Dusk into night in warmer months; small fish strip or worm on size 2–4 ledgered in the channel; leave baits static. Expect weed/debris on big ebbs.
🐟 Flounder 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late autumn–spring; small rag or lug on size 4–6, long snood. Cast to channel edge and inch back on neaps. Short casts often best last 2 hrs of flood.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Warm months on neaps; bread flake under a float along walls/eddies. Travel light and sight-fish near top of tide.
🐟 Common Goby 5/10
🎯 Tip: Species-hunt with size 14–16 and small rag/maggot in the margins on the flood; tiny leads, keep baits static on the mud.
🐟 Shanny 5/10
🎯 Tip: Around stone walls mid to high; tiny bits of rag or prawn on size 12–14, drop down tight to structure; short stiff trace to avoid snags.
🐟 Sand Goby 4/10
🎯 Tip: Small rag on micro hooks; fish muddy shallows on first push of the flood; very short casts.

Sea Mills Harbour Fishing

Summary

Sea Mills Harbour sits on the tidal River Avon in Bristol, where the River Trym meets the estuary. It’s a classic inner-estuary mark for flounder, schoolie bass, mullet and eels, with fierce tides and big spring ranges. If you time it right around the slacker water, it can be very rewarding without needing long casts.

Location and Access

Access is straightforward from the A4 Portway or via Sea Mills train station on the Severn Beach Line. The harbour area is compact, with options to fish from the outer wall, adjacent railings and firm foreshore areas at lower water.

Seasons

This is a brackish, fast-flowing estuary mark with a seasonal mix. Expect turbidity, huge tides and fish that move with the flow.

Methods

Short-to-medium range fishing is the norm, working the near-channel and eddies as the tide eases. Present baits tidily and keep rigs streamlined to cope with flow and debris.

Tides and Conditions

The Bristol Channel’s range is immense here; Sea Mills sees brutal flow on springs and a short but productive window around slack water. Plan around the state of tide first, then wind and clarity.

Safety

This is a fast, tidal river with mud flats and slippery structures. A cautious approach and sensible footwear are essential.

Facilities

Facilities are limited at the harbour itself, but you’re in a residential suburb with essentials a short walk away.

Tips

The mark rewards tide timing, neat rigs and not overcasting. Treat it like an estuary river swim rather than an open shore.

Regulations

Regulations can change; always check the latest from the MMO, your local IFCA and the Environment Agency before you go.