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
