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Bristol

Shirehampton Ferry Steps

5.8 · Estuary · Bristol

Tidal steps on the River Avon at the former Shirehampton–Pill ferry. Deep, fast-flowing estuarine channel with extreme tidal range and strong lateral pull; best fished the last two hours of the flood and the first of the ebb around high water. Muddy margins and scattered snags; use strong grip leads (6–7 oz) and a weak-link/rotten-bottom. Access via the riverside path near The Lamplighters; the steps can be slippery, and the flow is hazardous—no wading. Summer into early autumn sees bass and mullet with reliable flounder; late autumn–winter can produce whiting and the odd codling. Night fishing improves bites. Check large spring tides and avoid low-water springs when mud is exposed.

Should you fish Shirehampton Ferry Steps?

60 Fair

Today · Best available

Best available: 21:00-00:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Bass and European Eel

Fair conditions. Best available around 21:00-00:00 around the rising tide, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Bass and European Eel.

W 3 mph Rain 0% High tide 00:32

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Shirehampton Ferry Steps — 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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Shirehampton Ferry Steps is a deep, fast tidal River Avon mark where timing matters more than distance. The most reliable plan is to fish the last two hours of the flood into high water, then the first hour or two of the ebb, using heavy grip leads, short snoods and rotten-bottom links to cope with the lateral pull, mud edges and snags. It is a strong estuary venue for flounder, with seasonal bass, mullet, winter whiting and occasional cold-weather codling.

  • Know when the Ferry Steps are fishable — and when the tide is too much.
  • Target the channel edge, wall eddies and slack creases instead of casting blind.
  • Time bass, flounder and whiting around the strongest bite windows.
  • Use the right grip leads, snood lengths and rotten-bottom setup for this snaggy flow.
  • Plan a nearby Avon backup before the mud and tide ruin the session.

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Pill 0.1 mi Pill 0.4 mi Avonmouth 1.5 mi Abbots Leigh 1.9 mi Avonmouth 1.9 mi

Explore nearby towns: Pill · Pill · Avonmouth · Abbots Leigh · Avonmouth

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

Overall rating

5.8 /10

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

Category scores

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

Flounder 8/10
Tip: Fish channel edges over mud; lugworm or rag on long snoods. Best last 2hrs flood and first of ebb. Use 5–7oz grip leads in strong tide.
Bass 7/10
Tip: Peeler crab or lug; fish the flood into dusk around eddies by the steps. Cast uptide with 6–7oz grips and a rotten-bottom to beat snags.
European Eel 6/10
Tip: Warm nights; small fish or squid strips ledgered in margins and creases on last ebb/first flood. Use a weak-link to avoid losing gear.
Mullet (Thin-lipped) 6/10
Tip: Summer neaps; baited Mepps or small spinners worked through slack margins and creases. Stealthy approach pays.
Whiting 5/10
Tip: Winter nights on small lug/squid cocktails at range on the flood. 2–3 hook flappers with small hooks.
Mullet (Thick-lipped) 5/10
Tip: Summer neaps; bread flake under a small float in slack water by structure. Early morning is best.
Cod 4/10
Tip: Occasional in cold winters; big lug/crab baits into main flow after dark on spring tides. Heavy gear with 6–7oz grips.
Pouting 3/10
Tip: Odd fish at night near structure on rag or squid strips during the flood. Keep baits small.
Dover Sole 3/10
Tip: Late summer nights; ragworm or black lug cast short onto mud/sand seams on neap tides. Keep rigs static.
European Smelt 2/10
Tip: Late winter neaps; tiny spinners or small fish slivers on size 8–10 hooks in midwater near surface at dusk. Rare bycatch.

Local knowledge

Shirehampton Ferry Steps fishing guide

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

Shirehampton Ferry Steps sit on the tidal River Avon at Shirehampton, just inside the upper reaches of the Bristol Channel. It’s a classic estuary wall mark with fierce tides, deep coloured water and genuine chance fish in season. Expect bass on the flood in warmer months and winter codling/estuary species when the weather turns, with conger always a possibility after dark.

This mark is reached from Shirehampton village and the riverside path by The Lamplighters area (BS11). Access is straightforward and urban, but you’ll be fishing from a high wall and old ferry steps, so plan how you will safely land fish.

  • Parking: On-street around Station Road/Lamplighters area (BS11). Be considerate, do not block gates or emergency access steps to the river.
  • Public transport: Shirehampton railway station is a short walk; several local bus services run to Shirehampton High Street.
  • Approach: Follow the riverside path toward the former ferry steps opposite Pill. The footing is firm (paved/concrete), but expect slime on lower steps.
  • Terrain: Vertical wall and stone/ concrete steps; muddy intertidal margins at low water. Do not go onto the mud.
  • Note: This is an active tidal navigation—keep clear of ladders, steps, and any signed landing points.

Fishing here follows an estuary calendar, with bass and mullet in the warmer months and traditional winter targets as the water cools. The ever-present conger eel loves the structure and coloured water.

  • Common (in season)
    • Bass: Apr–Oct (peaks May–Sep); flood tide, especially at dusk into dark.
    • Codling: Nov–Feb after blows and in heavier colour; best in darkness.
    • Whiting: Late Oct–Feb on bigger tides and at night.
    • Flounder: Sep–Mar, often close in on worm baits.
    • Pouting/Poor cod: Autumn–winter, mixed in with whiting.
    • Conger eel: Year-round, best at night around HW; loves rough ground/edges.
  • Occasional/possible
    • Thick/Thin-lipped mullet: May–Sep, neap tides and clearer spells along the walls.
    • Schoolie bass: Can show in numbers on small crabs in late spring.
  • Protected/do not target
    • European eel (silver/yellow): Must be released.
    • Migratory salmonids (salmon/sea trout): Accidental captures to be returned immediately.

Strong tide work and a high wall call for robust gear, short snoods, and gripper leads. Fish baits confidently—this is classic Bristol Channel estuary fishing.

  • Tackle
    • 12–13 ft beachcaster or powerful estuary rod; 6500–8000 size reel.
    • 0.35–0.40 mm mainline with 60–80 lb shock leader; 5–7 oz wired grippers.
    • Long drop net for landing fish from the wall; headtorch for night sessions.
  • Rigs
    • Pulley pennel (3/0–5/0) for bass/codling with squid, crab or lug/squid cocktails.
    • 2-hook flapper or up-and-over (size 1–2/0) for whiting/flounder.
    • Heavy mono (60–80 lb) trace for conger with large squid/mackerel sections.
    • Use short snoods (10–18 cm) to reduce spin in the tide; include rotten-bottom links if snags are about.
  • Baits
    • Peeler crab (spring–summer bass), lugworm/black lug, ragworm, squid, and mackerel/bluey.
    • For flounder: ragworm or lug tipped with a small sliver of squid.
    • For conger: tough baits (whole squid, mackerel flapper).
  • Presentation and range
    • Don’t overcast—bass and flounder often patrol tight to the wall on the flood.
    • Cast uptide and allow the gripper to dig in; recast as the tide eases or pulls free.

The River Avon here is dominated by one of the world’s biggest tidal ranges. Plan your session around manageable flows and safe water levels.

  • Tide state
    • Productive windows are typically 2 hours up to HW and the first 1–2 hours of the ebb.
    • Low-water slack can fish for flounder/whiting on smaller tides.
    • Neap tides are easier and safer for learning the mark; big springs are powerful but can fish well for codling/whiting at night if you’re experienced.
  • Conditions
    • After a westerly blow, coloured water and debris often bring codling/whiting into range.
    • Summer evenings with a gentle SW and overcast skies favour bass; mullet prefer neaps and clearer spells.
    • Darkness generally outfishes daylight for codling, conger and whiting.
  • Seasonal notes
    • Apr–Oct: Bass/mullet focus, with schoolies on crabs and worms.
    • Nov–Feb: Codling/whiting prime time; pick settled gaps after storms.

This is a high, hard estuary wall with steep, often slimy steps and very fast tides. Treat it with full respect and plan how you will land fish before you start.

  • Key hazards
    • Rapidly rising water: the lower steps submerge quickly—keep clear as the tide floods.
    • Slippery algae on steps and ledges; firm boots with good grip essential.
    • Strong currents and boat wash: keep tackle well back from the edge; never descend to the lowest steps on a making tide.
    • Mud flats at low water: do not step onto the mud—risk of entrapment.
  • Good practice
    • Wear a personal flotation device and headtorch if fishing near the edge or at night.
    • Use a drop net; avoid hand-lining fish up the wall.
    • Fish with a partner where possible; tell someone your plan and return time.
    • Keep access ladders/steps clear for emergency use and observe any No Fishing signage.
  • Accessibility
    • The path is level, but actual fishing spots are from a high wall/steps; not suitable for wheelchairs or many mobility aids.

You’re in an urban setting with amenities close by, but there are no dedicated angling facilities on the wall itself.

  • Nearby
    • Pub and shops in Shirehampton (The Lamplighters area) for food, drinks and toilets for customers.
    • General convenience stores on Shirehampton High Street within walking distance.
  • Angling support
    • Major tackle outlets are in greater Bristol; check opening hours before travelling.
  • Practicalities
    • Mobile signal is generally strong (4G/5G). Lighting on the river path is limited—bring headtorches.
    • No shelters or seating on-site; bring what you need and pack out all litter.

This stretch rewards tidy presentations and working with the tide rather than against it. Small adjustments often make the difference in the coloured water.

  • Keep snoods short and leads gripped; rebait and recast regularly to maintain a scent trail.
  • For bass on the flood, try crab or lug/squid cocktails dropped short along the wall and eddies.
  • Codling at night respond well to big, fresh worm baits bulked with squid—fish a pulley pennel and let it sit.
  • Carry spare gripper leads and a few rotten-bottom clips; bits of debris can trap gear on the ebb.
  • A drop net is a game-changer here—don’t lose good fish at the wall.
  • Neaps are friendlier for learning the mark; save the big springs for when you’ve got it dialled in.

This is tidal water within the Port of Bristol/Avon navigation. Normal public shore angling is generally tolerated, but you must observe any local signage and byelaws.

  • Access and byelaws
    • Keep clear of ladders, landing steps and any signed no-fishing or emergency access points.
    • Be aware of vessel movements; do not impede navigation or cast across the channel when boats are passing.
  • Species protections
    • European eel: do not target; release immediately if caught.
    • Migratory salmonids (salmon/sea trout): require an EA migratory fish licence to target; accidental captures must be returned.
  • Bass rules
    • Recreational bass measures change; check the latest UK guidance (gov.uk/MMO) for current bag limits, seasons and the 42 cm minimum size.
  • General
    • Follow national and any local minimum sizes/bag limits; when in doubt, release.
    • No rod licence is required for normal sea angling in England, but freshwater/migratory species rules apply in estuaries.
    • Respect private property, keep the path clear, and take all litter home.