Summary
Sea Mills Promenade sits on the tidal River Avon in north-west Bristol, where the River Trym meets the estuary. It’s a classic upper-estuary mark: big tidal range, powerful flow, deep mud margins and a genuine chance of flounder, school bass and summer mullet. Anglers come for easy, level access and productive short sessions around high water.
Location and Access
This mark runs along the riverside path at Sea Mills, upstream from Avonmouth and opposite the Portway side of the gorge. Access is straightforward and mostly level, making it popular for short, opportunistic tides.
- Approach via the A4162/Sylvan Way or Shirehampton Road into Sea Mills, then drop down Sea Mills Lane towards the old dock/harbour area.
- Nearest rail: Sea Mills station (Severn Beach Line), a few minutes’ walk to the promenade; handy if travelling light (postcode approx. BS9 2JG).
- Parking: limited on-street near Sea Mills Square/Sea Mills Lane; small free parking by the station; be considerate of residents and any restrictions.
- The promenade itself is a wide, tarmac path with a parapet/railings in places. You fish from the walkway down into deep tidal water; do not attempt to access the foreshore.
- Walk-in: 2–5 minutes on the level depending on your chosen spot. Terrain is urban, clean underfoot, and suitable for a barrow.
- Expect occasional joggers and cyclists; pick a wider section so your tripod isn’t in the way.
Seasons
This is brackish, fast-flowing estuary water with a strongly seasonal species mix. Expect fewer but often better-timed bites around neaps and the top of the tide.
- Common targets
- Flounder: late autumn through early spring; best on neaps and the flood/first of the ebb.
- European bass (schoolies with the odd better fish): May–October, dusk and night especially.
- Thin-lipped mullet: May–September in clearer, warmer spells; often near the Trym outflow.
- Thick-lipped mullet: summer, calmer/slacker water windows.
- European eel: warmer months, mainly after dark (release only).
- Occasional/accidental
- Smelt (late winter) and twaite/allis shad (late spring): strictly protected; return immediately.
- Sea trout may pass through; do not target and release at once if encountered.
- Stray coarse fish (roach, dace) in fresher pushes; return promptly.
Methods
Heavy tide and deep mud margins shape tactics here. Keep things simple, secure, and tuned to short, high-water sessions.
- Bottom fishing for flounder/bass
- 1–2 hook flappers or clipped-down rigs; size 2–1 hooks for flounder, size 1/0–2/0 circles or J hooks for bass.
- 4–6 oz Breakaway-style grippers; step up on big springs. Consider a rotten-bottom link if casting near snags.
- Baits: ragworm, lugworm, peeler/soft crab (deadly in late spring), mussel, and small mackerel/squid strips for bass.
- Mainline 20–30 lb braid (or 15–18 lb mono) with 50–60 lb shock leader; a firm tripod is essential.
- Mullet tactics (summer)
- Thin-lip: small Mepps-style spinner or wedge with a short ragworm tip; slow retrieve in steadier water.
- Thick-lip: bread flake under a clear float; free-feed tiny bread mash sparingly.
- Long-handled drop net strongly advised for safe landing.
- Eels after dark
- Worm baits on size 4–2 circle hooks to minimize deep hooking; quick unhook and release.
- Lures for bass
- Usually limited by turbidity, but small dark paddle-tails or shallow divers can score on clearer neaps at dusk along the edge and in current seams.
Tides and Conditions
The Bristol Channel’s huge range drives this mark. Plan around flow and debris, and treat neaps as your friend for control and presentation.
- Tide timing
- Best windows: roughly 2 hours before high water to 1–2 hours after; first of the ebb can be excellent before the tow cranks up.
- Neap tides are easier to fish; big springs often mean unfishable tow and drifting debris.
- Conditions
- After heavy rain the strong freshwater push can slow sport; give it 24–48 hours if you’re targeting mullet.
- Light winds and settled weather lift mullet prospects; dusk/night brings bass and eels closer.
- Use Avonmouth tide times as a reliable reference for planning.
Safety
This is a civilised, level promenade beside very uncivilised water. The mud is dangerously soft and the tide rips through like a river in spate.
- Do not go onto the foreshore: it’s deep, glutinous mud with real sinking risk.
- Powerful currents, rapid rise/fall and debris (logs, weed) on springs; keep well back from the edge as the water comes up.
- Surfaces can be slick in rain/algae; use grippy footwear and secure your tripod.
- A personal flotation device is strongly recommended; use a headtorch and keep your area tidy at night.
- Public path shared with cyclists/dogs; keep hooks covered and rods out of the walkway.
- Accessibility: flat, tarmac approach suitable for trolleys and many wheelchairs; some sections have railings. A long-handled drop net helps avoid leaning over.
Facilities
You’re in a suburban location with basic amenities nearby, but few right on the water.
- Toilets: none on the promenade; limited facilities around Sea Mills Square during shop/café hours.
- Food/drink: small local cafés/shops in Sea Mills; The Lamplighters pub is further west toward Shirehampton.
- Tackle/bait: Veals Fishing Tackle (Brislington) and Bristol Angling Centre (east Bristol) stock sea gear and bait; call ahead for peeler/crab.
- Mobile signal: generally good; lighting is minimal after dark—bring a headtorch and spare batteries.
- Bins: a few along the path; always take all litter and line home.
Tips
Think estuary craft: short sessions, tight windows, and tidy, crab-proof baits.
- Fish close: many bites come within 15–30 yards along the crease; no need to blast every cast.
- Elastic your baits—crabs are relentless; peeler and tough worm baits last longer.
- Use a rotten-bottom link around rough patches to save leads.
- Peeler crab in late spring/early summer is a reliable bass trigger on the flood.
- Thin-lipped mullet show best on warm neaps with a slight push; work small spinners across current lanes.
- Carry a drop net; the wall can be awkward and the mud precludes safe clambering.
- Check for any temporary signage near the Sea Mills harbour/moorings and give boats and lines generous space.
Regulations
This is a tidal estuary setting; marine rules and Environment Agency byelaws intersect. Always check the latest official guidance before you go.
- Access: There is no general ban on angling along the promenade, but obey any local "No Fishing" signs near moorings, slipways or wildlife-sensitive sections.
- Bass (Area 7): Recent rules have been 42 cm minimum size and a limited retention season (often 2 fish per angler per day from 1 March–30 November, with January–February catch-and-release only). Regulations can change annually—check the current UK government and IFCA notices before retaining any bass.
- Eels and smelt: European eels must be released; do not retain. Smelt are protected in many tidal rivers—return immediately if caught.
- Shad, salmon, sea trout: protected/migratory species—do not target; release at once if accidentally hooked.
- Rod licence: You do not need an EA rod licence to fish for sea species (bass, mullet, flounder). A valid licence is required if you fish for or catch salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel. The river coarse close season (15 March–15 June) applies on rivers and some tidal reaches—if in doubt, avoid coarse-style tactics in that period or fish clearly for sea species below any seaward boundary.
- Local byelaws: Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws apply in this area of the estuary; check their site for netting/retention and species protections, and observe any seasonal bird/wildlife restrictions within the SSSI/SPA.
- Size/bag limits: Follow national and IFCA size/bag limits where specified. When not certain, adopt catch-and-release, especially for mullet and flounder.
- Bait collection: Avoid digging or disturbing sensitive foreshore—this bank is SSSI/SPA; source bait commercially or from permitted open beaches.
