Northwick Warth Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Northwick Warth Fishing Map

Northwick Warth is an exposed stretch of Severn estuary sea wall and saltmarsh north of Severn Beach. You fish from the concrete/rock-armoured bank over deep, fast tidal channels and extensive mudflats. The tidal range is huge and currents are fierce; 6–8 oz grippers are standard. Best results are typically on medium-to-big spring tides, especially the mid-to-late flood into dusk, with the first of the ebb also productive. Access is via the sea wall path from Severn Beach/New Passage with a fair walk; parking is limited. Do not venture onto the mud. Summer brings smoothhounds and bass on crab, while winter delivers whiting with a chance of codling; flounder and the odd ray show on the right tides. Thin‑lipped mullet can be found around slack-water edges and outfalls in settled weather.

Ratings

⭐ 6.1/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 6/10
Scenery & Comfort 5/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 5/10

Fish You Can Catch at Northwick Warth

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Best on the flood at dawn/dusk; short casts into gutters along the marsh edge. Peeler crab or lug. Use strong gripper leads in the tide.
🐟 Thornback Ray 7/10
🎯 Tip: Spring–autumn on crab or squid/crab wraps. Target sand–mud seams near top of tide; keep baits pinned with 5–6oz grippers.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: Late May–Sep on peeler or hardback crab. Fish 2 hrs before to 1 hr after HW. Gripper leads and a rotten-bottom help in rough patches.
🐟 Flounder 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late autumn–spring. Lug or rag tipped with crab, short casts into gutters on last of flood and first of ebb.
🐟 European Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Warm evenings into dark on worm or fish strip. Fish the flood; keep rigs simple and use circles for easy unhooking.
🐟 Whiting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Winter evenings on the flood with small lug/squid cocktails. Expect flurries around high water.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 5/10
🎯 Tip: After dark on neap tides; squid or fish baits. Keep baits anchored with firm grippers; bites often close in.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Summer around outfalls/eddies on neaps. Bread flake under a float or small fish baits; look for clearer water windows.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 4/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional in summer; sandeel or crab on cleaner patches. Best on neap tides, last hour of flood.
🐟 Cod 3/10
🎯 Tip: Now only odd winter codling after dark on lug and crab cocktails on the flood.
🐟 Mullet (Thin-lipped) 3/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional on neaps in clearer water; small spinners baited with ragworm worked through creeks on the flood.

Northwick Warth Fishing

Summary

Northwick Warth is a classic upper Bristol Channel/Severn Estuary mark between Severn Beach and Aust in Gloucestershire. It’s a tidal wall-and-warth venue with huge tides, coloured water, and powerful flow—perfect for bait anglers targeting estuary codling in winter and bass and thornback rays in warmer months.

Location and Access

This is a long stretch of flood bank and saltmarsh (warth) on the English side of the Severn, most easily reached on foot from Severn Beach or from the Old Passage/Aust side. Access is straightforward along the sea wall path, but the foreshore is dangerous mud—fish from the wall, not the flats.

Seasons

The Severn here is brackish and very tidal, so expect hardy estuary species with strong seasonal peaks. Winter brings codling and whiting; summer sees bass and thornback rays.

Methods

It’s predominantly a bottom‑fishing venue with heavy leads to hold bottom in fierce tide. Keep rigs streamlined and baits fresh to cut through the flow.

Tides and Conditions

The Severn’s tidal range is vast; plan your session around the top of the tide and be prepared for fast movement. Neaps are easier to fish; springs can be savage but often productive.

Safety

This is a serious tidal venue—treat it with respect. Fish from the flood bank and never venture onto the foreshore mud.

Facilities

There are no facilities on the warth itself, so come self‑sufficient. Nearby villages cover the basics before and after a session.

Tips

Think estuary: big scents, tidy rigs, and just enough distance to sit in the tide run. Keep mobile until you find a line that holds bait.

Regulations

This stretch lies within the Severn Estuary SSSI/SPA/SAC; access is along the public flood bank and disturbance to wildlife is an offence—follow on‑site signage. Standard sea angling rules apply, with a few key points to note.