Where’s The Fish? Logo for Where's The Fish?
Gloucestershire

Bullo Pill

5.6 · Estuary · Gloucestershire

A tidal creek and foreshore on the west bank of the River Severn just south of Newnham. Bullo Pill has very strong tides, pronounced tidal bore effects and extensive soft mud. Fish from firm ground near the creek mouth and any remaining hard edges/old quay stonework rather than the mud. Neap tides are far more manageable; aim for roughly two hours either side of high water. In summer and early autumn the mark is noted for thin-lipped mullet, with flounder present much of the year, school bass in warmer months and eels after dark. Water is usually coloured; clarity improves on neaps and after settled weather. Access is via footpaths with limited parking nearby; no facilities on site. Always keep an escape route, retreat well before the flood, and be aware of the Severn Bore.

Should you fish Bullo Pill?

59 Fair

Today · Forecast window

Forecast window: Forecast window unavailable

Most likely species: Bass and European Eel

Fair conditions. Forecast window unavailable. Good chance of Bass and European Eel.

NW 3 mph Rain 0% High tide 01:13

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Bullo Pill — 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.

Stop guessing when to fish this mark. Unlock the week to see every score and exact window.

· 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.

Now

Tide curve will appear once tide data is available.

All windows will appear once the forecast is loaded.

Premium forecast

Unlock exact best windows, tactics and backup options for this mark.

Trip planner

Find the best time to fish Bullo Pill

Choose when you're free and what you want to catch. We'll show the best tide, weather window and method for this mark.

Premium unlocks exact windows, tactics and alerts.

Premium Mark Insight

Locked

Bullo Pill is a high-energy upper Severn estuary mark where timing and safe positioning matter more than distance. Fish from firm ground near the pill mouth, old quay stonework or remaining hard edges, not the mud. Neap tides and the two hours either side of high water are the most manageable, while bigger tides can move fish but bring brutal flow, debris and bore risk.

  • Know when to fish the pill mouth rather than the inner creek.
  • Pick the neap-tide window that makes Bullo Pill manageable.
  • Target bass, flounder, mullet and eels with mark-specific tactics.
  • Avoid the mud, bore surge and debris-heavy spring tide traps.
  • Use the right grip leads and simple rigs for the Severn flow.

Included with Premium

Cancel anytime · Stripe

Unlock this mark's plan

Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

Newnham (Forest of Dean) 1.3 mi Pope's Hill 2.5 mi Littledean 2.6 mi Ruspidge 2.7 mi Blakeney (Forest of Dean) 3.3 mi

Explore nearby towns: Newnham (Forest of Dean) · Pope's Hill · Littledean · Ruspidge · Blakeney (Forest of Dean)

Zoom and pan to explore access points and nearby marks.

Jump to guide

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

Overall rating

5.6 /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 3/10
Accessibility 5/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Peeler crab or rag baits into eddies at the pill mouth on the flood; fish dusk to high on big springs, May–Oct. Use 5–6oz grip leads in the flow.
European Eel 7/10
Tip: Best after dark in warm months; rag/lug or small fish baits dropped into slack edges of the pill. Last of flood and first of ebb produce.
Flounder 6/10
Tip: Oct–Mar; rag/maddies on long snoods, cast uptide and let settle over mud flats. Last 2 hrs of flood and first of ebb.
Mullet (Thin-lipped) 6/10
Tip: Jun–Sep in calm water inside the pill; Mepps-style spoon with red rag tip, slow-trolled with the tide on neaps.
Common Goby 5/10
Tip: Size 16–20 hooks with tiny rag strips tight to the margins at slack water, especially on neap tides; ultra-light gear.
Mullet (Thick-lipped) 5/10
Tip: Chum bread and present small bread paste or crust in quiet water within the pill on neaps; stealth and light line, Jun–Sep.
Whiting 4/10
Tip: Nov–Feb after dark; small fish or worm baits over the channel edge on the flood; 4–5oz grips.
Cod 3/10
Tip: Odd codling in cold snaps Dec–Jan; big lug/crab baits out to the channel on the flood and at dusk. Heavy grips needed.
European Smelt 3/10
Tip: Dec–Mar; tiny silver spinners or small fish strips on size 10s worked midwater in flow seams at dusk on neap tides.

Local knowledge

Bullo Pill fishing guide

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

Bullo Pill is a classic upper Severn estuary mark on the west bank between Newnham-on-Severn and Westbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire. It’s a tidal, muddy venue with fierce currents, renowned for autumn bass, winter codling/whiting (in the right years), and spring flounder. The huge tidal range and the Severn Bore make it exciting but demand serious respect and tidy tactics.

Set on the west side of the River Severn, Bullo Pill is reached off the A48 via minor lanes towards the river and flood bank. Access is generally via the Severn Way public footpath atop the bank; parts of the old wharf and any fenced/posted structures can be private, so stick to signed paths.

  • Drive via A48 to Newnham-on-Severn/Westbury-on-Severn and follow signs for Bullo Pill/Bullo Pill Road; expect narrow lanes and limited verge parking
  • Park considerately without blocking gates or farm access; alternative parking in Newnham village car park (GL14 area) and walk the Severn Way 15–30 minutes to the pill
  • Approach is an easy, mostly flat walk along the flood bank; final footing is grassy bank with patches of broken concrete and stone near the old dock remains
  • Terrain is soft estuary edge with deep mud below the bank—fish from firm ground only and avoid any bare mud or silt
  • No coordinates given; use local maps and the Severn Way footpath waymarks to locate the pill and adjacent bank

The upper estuary is turbid and brackish, favouring hardy estuary species. Expect seasonal shifts and year-to-year variability depending on freshwater flow and temperature.

  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • Flounder on the flood and at the top of the tide
    • School bass as temperatures rise
    • European eel (bycatch; release required)
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Bass (better on building springs and at dusk into dark)
    • Occasional thin‑lipped/thick‑lipped mullet nosing around the pill on calm, warm evenings
    • Silver eel bycatch (release)
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Peak bass in September–October
    • Whiting arriving on bigger tides as temps drop
    • First codling on late-autumn springs (variable year to year)
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Codling and whiting in cold snaps on springs
    • Flounder still possible in milder spells
    • Occasional pouting

This is a heavy-tide, muddy ground venue: strong leads, simple rigs, and fresh estuary baits win. Keep rigs streamlined and rods high to ride out debris and tide pull.

  • Bottom fishing dominates; cast 20–60 yards to the channel edge or any visible gutter outside the pill
  • Leads: 6–8 oz breakout grip leads are standard; use a weak link to the sinker for snag insurance
  • Rigs: pulley pennel (3/0–5/0) for bass/codling; 2-hook clipped flapper (size 1–2) for flounder/whiting; simple running ledger when flow eases
  • Baits: fresh black/blow lug, ragworm, peeler crab (prime in late spring/summer), mussel; squid or mackerel cocktail with lug for codling/whiting
  • Lines: 20–30 lb mono or 30–50 lb braid with 60–80 lb shock leader; long 12–14 ft beach rods help keep line clear of the bank
  • Presentation: clip-down rigs for aerodynamic casting; fish the flood and last hour of ebb, re-baiting frequently as crabs and silt strip hooks
  • Mullet (if present): tiny bread or isome-baited hooks under a light float in slack water within the pill; stealth and patience essential

The Severn’s tidal range is vast and the current brutal; timing is everything. Expect strong flow, heavy silt, and rafts of weed/debris on big springs.

  • Best windows: 2 hours before high water through the top, and the first hour of the ebb
  • Springs bring more fish movement but more debris; neaps are kinder for learning the mark
  • Dusk into dark often outperforms daylight for bass, whiting, and codling
  • A light to moderate southwesterly is fine; prolonged easterlies can slow sport and chill the water
  • Water is nearly always coloured—ideal for bass/codling; clarity rarely matters here
  • Severn Bore: on notable spring tides the bore surges upriver; the water level and current change suddenly—plan around published bore times and clear low fringes well beforehand

This is a high-risk estuary mark: fast tides, deep soft mud, and the bore. Fish conservatively, from firm, elevated ground, and keep well clear of the edge.

  • Never step onto exposed mud/silt; you can sink dangerously fast
  • The Severn Bore arrives quickly—know the time, listen for it, and move rods/stands early
  • Strong currents and debris (logs/weed) can yank gear—secure tripods and keep drags sensible
  • Waders are not advised; studded boots help on wet grass and old concrete
  • Wear a PFD/lifejacket, carry a headtorch, and fish with a partner after dark
  • Accessibility: the flood bank path is generally level but grassy/uneven; no railings; wheelchair access is limited and depends on gate styles and ground conditions
  • Respect private land and any signage around old wharf structures; stick to the Severn Way and obvious public areas

There are no facilities at the mark itself—come self‑sufficient. Nearby villages cover basics before/after a session.

  • Nearest amenities: Newnham-on-Severn (shops, pubs, limited parking); Lydney for supermarkets and fuel
  • Public toilets: typically in Newnham village (check current opening hours)
  • Bait/tackle: options in Lydney, Gloucester or Chepstow—call ahead for fresh lug/peeler crab
  • Mobile signal: usually fair on the flood bank, weaker lower down; data can be patchy in places
  • No lighting, shelter, or bins on site—take all litter and line home

Bullo Pill rewards tidy, timed sessions and fresh bait. Local tides and the bore rule the day—fish them, don’t fight them.

  • Keep rod tips high on a sturdy tripod to lift line over the flood bank edge and reduce weed pickup
  • Use a weak-link (lighter snood) to your lead; the bottom can be snaggy around the old structures
  • Fresh lug and peeler crab outfish frozen most days; tip with a sliver of squid to resist crab attention
  • Recast little and often—baits get stripped quickly by crabs on the flood
  • Mark your safe standing line on the grass at low water; as the tide races in, don’t step forward of it
  • On big springs with a bore, wind in and step back well before the bore arrives; reset after the surge passes and flow settles
  • Don’t overlook small neaps at dusk for bass mooching tight to the bank
  • Bring a long disgorger/forceps—eels and deep-hooked whiting are common; release eels promptly

Bullo Pill falls within the tidal River Severn/Severn Estuary, which has protected features and some species-specific rules. Shore angling is generally permitted from public rights of way, but individual structures may be private—obey any local signage.

  • Bass: recreational bass rules change periodically (bag limits/closed periods); check the latest on GOV.UK before keeping any fish
  • European eel: protect species—do not retain; release immediately
  • Shad (allis/twaite), lampreys, salmon and sea trout: protected/migratory—do not target; any accidental captures must be released at once
  • Minimum sizes: while many MCRS figures apply to commercial fishing, many anglers follow common conservation sizes—check current guidance and release undersized fish
  • Netting and estuary byelaws: local IFCA byelaws apply in the Severn Estuary (check the relevant IFCA—Devon & Severn IFCA publishes netting/estuarine rules; rod-and-line anglers should still review local restrictions)
  • Designations: the Severn Estuary is an internationally designated site (SAC/SPA/Ramsar)—avoid disturbing birds and seals, especially at roosts on high tides
  • Licensing: no EA rod licence is needed to fish for sea species with rod and line in tidal waters; a licence is required to target salmon/sea trout (do not target them here)
  • Always check tide tables and the official Severn Bore timetable; safety-related closures or temporary notices may be posted locally