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Arlingham is a classic upper Severn estuary mark on the Arlingham Peninsula, with a long floodbank overlooking broad mudflats and a fast, powerful main channel that comes within casting range on bigger tides. Expect very soft mud, rapidly flooding/ebbing tides and the Severn Bore; always fish from the firm bank...
A classic upper Bristol Channel estuary mark beneath Aust Cliff by the old Severn Bridge. Expect huge tidal range, fierce run and deep, muddy gutters with scattered rock. Most sessions are short and focused around the flood, high water and first of the ebb; distance casting is rarely essential. Heavy...
A powerful upper Bristol Channel rock-and-mud foreshore beneath the red Aust Cliff by the M48 Severn Bridge. Huge tides and fast flow carve deep gutters; most action comes on the first push of the flood and around dusk. Expect summer/autumn bass and mullet, with flounder, eels and winter whiting/cod. Heavy...
A classic upper Severn estuary bank mark on the west (Forest of Dean) side by the hamlet of Awre. Expect fast tides, heavy silt and mud, and powerful currents with the Severn Bore periodically surging through. Fish from firm ground beside the floodbank rather than the foreshore. Best results come...
A powerful estuary mark on the Beachley peninsula beneath the Severn Bridge, where the Severn and Wye meet. Expect fierce tidal flow, deep fast channels and mixed mud, shingle and rough ground with snags. Best results come on neap tides, especially the final two hours of the flood and first...
A powerful estuary point at the tip of the Beachley peninsula (Gloucestershire) where the Rivers Wye and Severn meet beneath the M48 Severn Bridge. The ground is mixed rock, shale and scoured mud with fierce tidal runs, overfalls and deep channels close in. Best fished on neap tides and around...
Gloucestershire doesn’t have open coast, but it does front the mighty Severn Estuary — a broad, fast-flowing tidal river-scape of sea walls, saltmarsh and deep channels. The world-class tidal range, famous Severn Bore, and chocolate-coloured water make it a challenging but rewarding venue for estuary specialists. Expect flounder, school bass and mullet around docks and harbours, with occasional codling in cold winters toward the lower estuary.
| Season | Likely Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–Jun) | Bass (schoolies), Flounder, Mullet (thin-/thick-lipped) | Bass arrive with warmer temps; mullet show in harbours/docks on neaps and calm days. Crab baits excel for bass and flounder. |
| Summer (Jul–Sep) | Bass, Flounder, Mullet, Eel (release only) | Best consistent sport. Evenings into dark are prime. Eels are common by-catch — retention prohibited; handle carefully and release. |
| Autumn (Oct–Nov) | Flounder (peak), Bass (tail-end), Occasional Codling | Big flounder in coloured water; odd codling may appear lower down (Sharpness/Purton) in colder snaps. |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | Flounder, Rare Codling | Reduced options; target flounder on smaller tides. Codling only in some years and mostly toward the lower estuary. |
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| Area | Access & Character | Best Species | Best Methods | Prime Season | Key Safety Notes | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Severn (Sharpness, Purton, Lydney) | Sea walls, working docks, mudflats; some restricted zones | Bass, Flounder, Mullet; odd Smoothhound/Codling | Short-range ledger with crab/worm; mullet float/bread in harbours | May–Oct (bass/mullet), Oct–Feb (flounder) | Strong run on springs; Bore risk; shipping wash; deep mud | Parking at Lydney Harbour; limited around Purton; no facilities on walls |
| Middle Severn (Frampton, Arlingham, Newnham) | Rural sea walls, saltmarsh; footpath access via stiles | Flounder, Bass (schoolies), Mullet (slacks) | Simple ledgering, weak-link leads; occasional mullet tactics | Jun–Oct (bass), Sep–Jan (flounder) | Cut-off hazard on flood; treacherous mud; livestock fields | Very limited parking; no toilets; use Severn Way rights of way |
| Upper Tidal (Minsterworth to Gloucester) | Narrower, powerful tide; Bore country | Flounder, occasional Bass | Short lob ledgering on neaps | Sep–Dec (flounder), Jun–Sep (bass) | Avoid Bore times; extreme surge; unstable banks | Minimal facilities; village parking only |