Aust Cliff Fishing

Summary

Aust Cliff sits on the English bank of the Severn Estuary beside the old Severn Bridge (M48), famous for its colossal tidal range and chocolate‑brown, fast water. It’s a challenging but rewarding mark for experienced estuary anglers, with seasonal runs of bass, codling and whiting, plus the chance of smoothhound and rays on the right tides. Approach with respect: the mud and tide here can be unforgiving, but fished safely it’s a classic Severn venue.

Location and Access

Access is from the Aust/Severn View side of the M48, with parking either at the motorway services or down in the Old Passage hamlet by the former ferry slip. Terrain is a mix of firm ground, rough stone, and lethal estuary mud—never step onto the mudflats.

• Parking: Severn View Services (M48; postcode BS35 4BH) offers time‑limited ANPR parking—check signage for charges/time limits.
• Alternative parking: limited on‑street parking around Old Passage, Aust (approx. BS35 4AX). Be considerate—narrow lanes, residents only in places.
• Approach: from Severn View, follow the signed viewpoint path towards the bridge and coastal path sections; from Old Passage, short walks lead to the old ferry slip and firmer foreshore.
• Ground: fractured rock, clay, and silt; there are short, fishable patches of firmer surface near the slip/concrete and some higher gravelly shelves. Avoid the open mud at all times.
• Note: Aust Cliff is an SSSI for geology—keep to established paths and do not disturb the cliff face.

Seasons

This is a highly seasonal estuary mark; fish move with temperature and salinity. Expect dirty water species and migratory visitors.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  • Flounder (late winter into spring, then thinning)
  • Bass (from late spring, building into summer)
  • Smoothhound (May into June on peeler crab; more likely on neaps)
  • Twaite/allis shad (protected; incidental in May—return immediately)
• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  • Bass (best June–Oct, dusk/night often best)
  • Smoothhound (Jun–Jul peaks on crab)
  • Thornback ray (occasional; more common slightly further down‑estuary but possible here on small tides)
  • Silver eel (European eel—must be returned)
• Autumn (Sep–Nov):
  • Bass (peak Sep–Oct on crab or worm/squid cocktails)
  • Codling (arrive late Oct/Nov; numbers vary year to year)
  • Early whiting (building into winter)
• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  • Codling (best Nov–Jan on lug/crab)
  • Whiting (Dec–Feb)
  • Occasional thornback rays in milder spells
  • Pouting/poor cod as by‑catch

Methods

Strong tides dictate simple, robust tactics: bottom fishing with heavy grippers and short snoods. Scent wins in coloured water.

• Rigs:
  • Pulley pennel (4/0–5/0) for codling/bass/ray with lug + squid or crab baits
  • 1‑up 1‑down or short 2‑hook flapper (1/0–2/0) for whiting and mixed fishing
  • Short snoods (15–25 cm) to reduce twist in heavy flow; use bait elastic liberally
• Leads & tackle:
  • 6–8 oz wired gripper leads are standard; carry 5–7 oz for neaps and 7–8 oz for mids
  • 60–80 lb shockleader; 0.35–0.40 mono or 30–40 lb braid mainline (beware braid in debris)
  • Rotten‑bottom (weak link) on rougher patches to save leads
• Baits:
  • Fresh lugworm (ideally black lug) and peeler crab are prime; ragworm works for flounder/bass
  • Lug/squid cocktail for codling/whiting; crab for bass/smoothhound; bluey strips as scent booster
  • Do not use eel for bait (illegal for European eel)
• Timing:
  • Dusk into dark is consistently better; fish shorter casts on the flood as fish push in along the edges
  • Cast uptide to anchor and create a scent trail, or hold down‑tide with maximum grip on neaps/mids

Tides and Conditions

The Severn has one of the world’s biggest tidal ranges; flow is extreme on springs and can be unfishable. Neaps and mid‑range tides are usually most productive and safer.

• Best states:
  • Typically 2 hours before to 1 hour after HW on neaps/mids; also first of the ebb as flow eases
  • Avoid the biggest springs if you’re new to the venue—grip is difficult, debris can be heavy
• Bore & surge:
  • When a large Severn Bore is forecast, do not fish the foreshore; the leading surge and backwash are hazardous
• Conditions:
  • Colour is nearly always chocolatey—ideal for codling/whiting; clarity rarely helps here
  • SW–W winds push debris and weed; after big rain the fresh water can push fish down‑estuary
  • Night tides consistently out‑fish daylight, especially for bass and codling
• Seasonality:
  • May–Oct best for bass/smoothhound; Nov–Feb for codling/whiting, with overlaps in shoulder months

Safety

This is a serious estuary venue with soft mud, rapid flooding, and unstable cliffs. If in doubt, don’t go—fish with a partner and stay on firm ground only.

• Do not step onto the mudflats—people and dogs have become stuck; rescue is difficult
• Plan your exit: identify safe, firm routes and never allow the flood to cut you off
• Check Severn Bore times and tide heights; leave well before any forecast bore
• Wear a PFD/lifejacket, headlamp with spare batteries, and non‑slip boots; consider a throw line
• Keep clear of the cliff base—rock falls occur; Aust Cliff is actively eroding
• Not suitable for limited mobility: steep, uneven paths and no rails; tripods needed for rod stability
• Mobile signal is generally good by the bridge, but don’t rely on it—carry a charged phone and let someone know your plan

Facilities

You’re close to a motorway services, which is as convenient as it gets on the Severn. Local amenities improve comfort but not safety.

• Severn View Services (BS35 4BH): toilets, food, hot drinks, and shelter; time‑limited parking—check signs
• No facilities on the shore itself; no lighting beyond the bridge glow—bring everything you need
• Tackle/bait: shops in Thornbury and North Bristol (ring ahead for fresh lug/peeler)
• Bins are limited—take all litter and line home
• Generally good phone signal near the M48

Tips

This mark rewards preparation and tide knowledge. Keep things simple, smelly, and secure.

• Prep fresh lug at home; wrap cocktail baits with elastic so they survive the cast and run
• Short snoods and big wired grippers beat the tide; don’t over‑complicate rigs
• Fish in the eddies: small shelves and bends that slacken flow often hold bass on the flood
• On neaps, a well‑presented peeler on a 4/0 pennel can find surprise smoothhound
• Expect floating debris on spates—keep lines high on the tripod, use line guards, and clear weed regularly
• A small selection of leads (5–8 oz) saves the day as flow changes through the tide
• Keep a fish measure; whiting and bass can run borderline—measure and release if unsure
• Head home before the bore time on big tides; it’s not worth the risk
• Respect the SSSI: no hammering for fossils, no bait digging in sensitive areas

Regulations

Rules here are a mix of national sea fishing law, local byelaws, and site protections. Always verify current rules before you go.

• Bass: recreational rules change annually; commonly a 42 cm minimum with a limited open season and daily bag. Check the latest MMO/UK Government notice before fishing
• European eel: it is illegal in England and Wales to take or use European eel (including elvers) as bait—release any eels caught immediately
• Shad (twaite/allis): fully protected; any captured by‑catch must be returned at once
• Migratory salmonids: salmon and sea trout run the estuary—do not target them without the appropriate Environment Agency migratory fish licence; release any caught incidentally
• Minimum sizes and closed seasons: observe national MLS and any Devon & Severn IFCA byelaws applicable in this part of the estuary
• SSSI/Conservation: Aust Cliff and the Severn Estuary are designated sites—keep to paths, avoid damaging the cliff/foreshore, and do not bait‑dig where restricted
• Private property and access: respect residents’ parking/land; obey any local signage at the Old Passage slip and viewpoints