New Passage Fishing

Last updated: 1 week 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Facilities

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

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.

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.