New Passage Fishing

Last updated: 1 month ago

New Passage Fishing Map

New Passage sits on the upper Bristol Channel/Severn Estuary shoreline in South Gloucestershire. You fish from the sea wall and rock armour onto a very rough, muddy/stone foreshore with fierce tidal flow and a huge range. Expect strong currents, fast-flooding water and soft mud beyond the rocks—stay on firm ground. Most sessions are built around the flood, with the last two hours of the rise and first hour of the ebb the most productive. Use 6–8 oz grip leads, strong abrasion-resistant rigs and a rotten-bottom to cope with snags. Classic estuary baits (lug, rag, peeler crab, squid and fish strips) score well. Summer brings bass, thin-lipped mullet and silver eels; winter produces whiting and the odd codling; flounder and small estuary species feature year-round. Parking is limited on residential roads; access is via the coastal path to the sea wall. Big spring tides can be hazardous—check tide times and be aware of the Severn Bore on very large springs.

Ratings

⭐ 5.7/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 6/10
Scenery & Comfort 6/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at New Passage

🐟 Bass 9/10
🎯 Tip: Peeler crab or lug on pulley rigs; fish the flood 2 hrs up to high. Cast to the channel edge from the wall. Coloured, rough water fishes best. Use 6-8oz grip leads.
🐟 Flounder 7/10
🎯 Tip: Lug/rag or crab pieces on a 2-hook flapper. Target muddy gullies on the first of the flood and last of the ebb. Short casts from the slipway or wall.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: Evenings May-Sep on fresh peeler crab. Fish the last 2 hrs of flood from the steps; hold bottom with strong grippers and present baits along the tide seam.
🐟 Thornback Ray 6/10
🎯 Tip: Squid/crab cocktail on a pulley dropper. Neap to mid tides, last hour of flood into slack. Cast to deeper flow lanes; 6-8oz grippers and rotten bottoms help with snags.
🐟 Smoothhound 6/10
🎯 Tip: Less numerous than starry. Fresh crab on a pulley pennel; dusk on spring tides around high water. Keep baits nailed down in the main run.
🐟 Whiting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Nov-Feb after dark; 2-hook flapper with lug or mackerel strips. Fish 2 hrs either side of high water in the main run. Expect small but frequent bites.
🐟 European Eel 5/10
🎯 Tip: Warm nights Jun-Sep; small worm baits in edge eddies an hour either side of high. Single hooks for easy release. Keep gear pinned; they like the slack margins.
🐟 Cod 4/10
🎯 Tip: Late Oct-Jan in a blow; big lug/squid wraps on a pulley. Flood into high, after dark. Few fish but worth a chuck; heavy grip leads needed.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 4/10
🎯 Tip: Summer neaps at slack high around the slipway; present bread or small rag on light float gear along the wall. Clearer water days fish best; be stealthy.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 3/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional in warmer months; squid or mackerel baits hold scent in the murk. Night sessions over high water. Keep hooks just off the mud to dodge shore crabs.

New Passage Fishing

Summary

New Passage sits on the English side of the upper Severn Estuary between Severn Beach and Aust, in South Gloucestershire. It’s a classic Bristol Channel wall mark: fast tides, deep mud, coloured water and fish that hunt tight to the edge. When timed right, it produces bass, codling in colder months, and a mix of estuary species without needing big casts.

Location and Access

Access is straightforward via Pilning onto New Passage Road, which runs to the sea wall and the old ferry/slip area. The ground is paved/compacted with a level sea defence path, making the walk easy, though parking is limited.

  • Approach via Pilning; follow signs for Severn Beach, then New Passage Road (BS35 area).
  • Small, informal parking by the end of New Passage Road; do not block gates or farm access. If full, park at Severn Beach and walk 15–25 minutes along the sea wall.
  • Footing is generally good on the top path; the lower revetment and foreshore are treacherous silt/mud—stay on the wall.
  • Trolley-friendly from Severn Beach promenade; minimal gradients.
  • No need for long hikes; most anglers fish within a few metres of the path where there’s space for a tripod.

Seasons

This is an estuarine, high-energy venue with very coloured water and big tidal movement. Fish feed close to the wall on the push and early ebb.

  • Spring–early autumn (Apr–Oct):
    • Bass (schoolies common; better fish after freshets and in summer evenings)
    • Flounder and eels (especially on neaps and with worm baits)
    • Occasional thornback ray (more likely late spring–summer, not a numbers mark)
  • Late autumn–winter (Nov–Feb):
    • Codling in cold snaps (variable year to year), often with whiting making up the numbers
    • Whiting (after dark on bigger tides)
    • Conger eels possible after dark, usually strap-size from rougher edges/structures
  • Year-round:
    • Silver eels, odd rockling, and estuary odds and ends in the slackest windows
    • Migratory fish (salmon/sea trout/shad) pass through—do not target; release if encountered

Methods

Heavy tides and soft ground dictate robust end-tackle and baits that pump out scent. Casting long is rarely required; most fish come within 10–40 yards.

  • Rigs:
    • 2-hook flapper for whiting/flounder/eels (size 2–1 hooks)
    • Pulley pennel or up-and-over for bass/codling (1/0–3/0, strong patterns)
    • Use 5–7 oz breakout (grip) leads; add a weak/rotten-bottom link if debris is common
  • Baits:
    • Lugworm is king (blow/black), single or cocktail with squid strip for durability
    • Peeler or soft crab (late spring–summer) for bass
    • Ragworm for flounder/eels; mackerel/squid for whiting and nighttime scent trails
    • Mussel/razor can score after fresh-water spates
  • Tackle/approach:
    • 12–13 ft beach rods with 5500–6500 reels, 15–20 lb mainline and 60 lb shockleader
    • Keep rod tips high on a sturdy tripod to ride the tide; use bait elastic to bind soft baits
    • Short, accurate casts into the gutter and any scours/eddies alongside the wall
    • After dark often outfishes daylight—bring headlamp and spare batteries

Tides and Conditions

The Severn’s tidal range is among the largest in the world. Plan around the last two hours of flood and the first hour of ebb, when fish push tight to the structure.

  • Best states:
    • Flood tide from mid to high water; first of the ebb can be excellent
    • Medium to big springs for movement; neat to mid-neaps for flounder/eels and easier fishing
  • Conditions:
    • Coloured water is normal; a slight SW airflow is fine, but gale-force winds can overtop the wall
    • After river freshets, bigger scent baits (lug/squid, mussel) often score for bass/codling
  • Time of day/seasonality:
    • Dusk into dark improves whiting/codling odds in winter
    • Warm, muggy evenings with a hint of colour suit summer bass
  • Practicalities:
    • Expect heavy tide pull at peak springs; step up to 6–7 oz leads
    • Weed and floating debris can be significant—fish slightly shorter and check lines frequently

Safety

It’s a safe, level wall mark if you respect the tide and keep off the mud. The main hazards are fast-moving water, overtopping in strong onshore winds, and soft silt below the defences.

  • Stay on the sea wall; do not venture onto the foreshore or attempt to wade—deep, glutinous mud
  • Keep well back during big springs and in storms; waves can overtop the parapet
  • Beware floating debris (logs, branches) on the flood; keep lines high
  • Use a lifejacket if fishing close to the edge, especially at night
  • A drop-net helps land better fish from the wall; do not hand-line heavy fish
  • Mostly accessible to those with limited mobility via the level path; choose wide spots for tripod stability
  • Headtorch, cleated boots, and warm, waterproof layers recommended in winter

Facilities

This is a quiet hamlet with minimal on-site amenities; Severn Beach covers most needs a short drive or walk away.

  • Parking: very limited at the end of New Passage Road; additional parking and promenade access at Severn Beach
  • Toilets: public conveniences typically available at Severn Beach (check seasonal opening times)
  • Food/drink: cafés and convenience store(s) in Severn Beach; more options in Avonmouth and Patchway
  • Tackle/bait: several tackle shops in the Bristol/Avonmouth area—call ahead for fresh lug/peeler availability
  • Phone signal: generally good, though can be patchy in poor weather; carry power bank for night sessions

Tips

Treat it like a close-range, high-scent estuary venue and you’ll do well. Local tide knowledge and presentation consistency beat hero casts here.

  • Fish short: many bites come within 20–30 yards—put baits in the gutter
  • Carry spare grip leads and rigs; tide pull and debris claim gear on springs
  • Use big, elastic-bound worm cocktails for winter codling chances; scale down for whiting bites
  • Walk a little to find scours/eddies where the wall bends—these hold fish
  • On heavy-weed days, switch to shorter snoods and keep lines high to ride over the drag
  • After spates, try mussel/razor or crab for bass mooching the colour line
  • Keep noise/light modest on calm nights; bites often come in flurries around tide turns

Regulations

You can sea fish here from the public sea wall, but the estuary is a protected site (SSSI/SPA/SAC), so avoid disturbing wildlife and do not access saltmarsh/mudflats. Always check current national and local byelaws before you go.

  • No rod licence is needed for general sea angling in England; a migratory salmonid licence is required if intentionally targeting salmon/sea trout (do not target them here; release immediately if foul-hooked)
  • Bass regulations change—observe current minimum size and daily bag/season rules published by the UK government/MMO
  • Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS) apply to many species; measure and release undersized fish
  • Local IFCA and council byelaws may restrict netting, set lines, bait collection and access on sensitive foreshore—respect signage and closures
  • No fires, littering, or blocking farm gates; take all line and bait waste home
  • If using a drop-net, avoid obstructing the path and give space to other users on the sea wall