Bullo Pill Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Bullo Pill Fishing Map

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.

Ratings

⭐ 5.6/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 6/10
Scenery & Comfort 6/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 5/10

Fish You Can Catch at Bullo Pill

🐟 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.

Bullo Pill Fishing

Summary

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.

Location and Access

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.

Seasons

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.

Methods

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.

Tides and Conditions

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.

Safety

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.

Facilities

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

Tips

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

Regulations

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.