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Gloucestershire

Northwick Warth

6.1 · Estuary · Gloucestershire

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.

Should you fish Northwick Warth?

57 Fair

Today · Best available

Best available: 21:00-00:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Bass and Thornback Ray

Fair conditions. Best available around 21:00-00:00 around the rising tide, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Bass and Thornback Ray.

W 4 mph Rain 0% High tide 00:42

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Northwick Warth — 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.

Wednesday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its 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.

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Northwick Warth is a heavy-estuary bait mark, not a distance-casting venue. The key decision is whether you can hold bottom safely from the flood bank as the Severn tide builds. Fish the wall, aim short-to-medium casts into gutters, runnels and sand–mud seams, and plan around the top of the tide. The best sessions are usually medium-to-big floods into dusk, with the first of the ebb worth staying for if weed and debris allow.

  • Know when to fish the flood bank — and when the tide is too fierce.
  • Target close gutters instead of wasting casts into unfishable flow.
  • Pick the right tide size for bass, rays, hounds or winter whiting.
  • Avoid the low-water mud and the worst weed/debris windows.
  • Use the right heavy rigs before the Severn tide beats your presentation.

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Pilning 1.8 mi Beachley 2.3 mi Olveston 3.0 mi Sudbrook 3.2 mi Severn Beach 3.3 mi

Explore nearby towns: Pilning · Beachley · Olveston · Sudbrook · Severn Beach

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

Overall rating

6.1 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

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

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.

Local knowledge

Northwick Warth fishing guide

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

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.

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.

  • Approach from Severn Beach: park considerately in the village and follow the sea wall path north to the warth; allow 10–30 minutes depending on your chosen peg.
  • Approach from Aust/Old Passage: limited parking near the viewpoint/old ferry area, then walk south on the flood bank 15–30 minutes.
  • Terrain is a firm tarmac/grass flood bank with stiles and gates; the seaward side is soft saltmarsh and mud—do not descend.
  • Wear stout boots; the bank can be greasy after rain and the grass slope is slippery.
  • This is an SSSI/SPA coastline: keep to the public path, close gates, don’t disturb livestock, and respect any seasonal notices.

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.

  • Spring (Mar–May): thornback ray, school bass, flounder; occasional early smoothhound on crab in late May.
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): bass (schoolies to decent fish), thornback ray, occasional smoothhound, flounder; thick‑lipped mullet possible in calm neaps along the wall.
  • Autumn (Sep–Oct): bass, thornback ray tailing off, flounder improving; early whiting runs in cold snaps.
  • Winter (Nov–Feb): codling (size varies by year), whiting, flounder; odd pout. Silver eel turn up year‑round and must be returned.
  • Migratory fish: salmon/sea trout and shad pass through—do not target; release immediately if foul‑hooked.

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.

  • Tackle: 12–13 ft beachcasters with 6–8 oz capability; robust reel (6500–8000 size) with 25–30 lb mainline and 60–80 lb shock leader.
  • Leads: 170–200 g breakout grippers are standard; carry 6–8 oz. A weak‑link (rotten‑bottom) to the lead helps if you snag debris.
  • Rigs: pulley pennel (4/0–3/0) or up‑and‑over for codling/ray; two‑hook flapper (size 1–2) for flounder/whiting; long single hook snood (2/0) for bass.
  • Baits: peeler crab (prime for bass/ray/smoothhound), ragworm and lugworm cocktails, squid/mackerel wraps for codling/whiting; sandeel strips for rays in clearer spells.
  • Casting: you rarely need range—20–60 yards finds the runnels; focus on presentation and holding bottom rather than distance.
  • Rod positioning: keep rods high on a tall rest to lift line over the marsh edge and reduce drag; clip‑down rigs help with aerodynamics in the cast.

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.

  • Best states: typically 2 hours before high water through the top and the first hour of ebb; low water leaves vast mud—avoid.
  • Tide size: small to mid‑range neaps for general comfort; big springs for codling and rays if you have the leads and line control.
  • Time of day: dusk into night for codling and whiting in winter; evening floods for bass and rays in summer.
  • Wind/colour: the water is usually chocolate‑coloured; a steady SW helps push fish in, but strong westerlies bring weed and debris. Prolonged heavy rain can push fresher water down and slow sport.

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

  • Do not descend the bank: the warth and mudflats are soft and can swallow you quickly; incoming tide advances fast.
  • Lifejacket and headtorch strongly recommended, especially after dark; carry a whistle and fish with a partner if possible.
  • Slips/trips: wet grass is slick; use studded boots if you have them. Avoid the bank edge in the dark.
  • Tidal surge/bore: spring tides can send a pronounced surge—secure tripods and be alert to a sudden rise.
  • Livestock and fences: expect cattle and occasional electric fencing—keep dogs leashed and give stock plenty of space.
  • Accessibility: the path is level but long; not ideal for those with limited mobility due to distance and lack of railings or firm standing bays.

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

  • Parking and shops: Severn Beach has convenience stores/cafés; limited parking near Aust/Old Passage. Do not block gates or access tracks.
  • Toilets: none on the wall; public/seasonal options are in Severn Beach when open.
  • Tackle/bait: several tackle shops operate in the wider Bristol/Avonmouth/Thornbury area—pick up bait en route.
  • Lighting: no lighting on the bank; a good headtorch and spare batteries are essential after dark.
  • Phone signal: generally fair on top of the bank, though it can dip in places.

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.

  • Spring to early summer, peeler crab is king for bass, rays, and any passing smoothhound; wrap baits tight with elastic.
  • For winter codling, use worm/squid cocktails on a pulley pennel and fish the top of a building flood into darkness.
  • If the tide is ripping, shorten snoods and step up to stiffer snood material (30–40 lb) to stop spin‑ups.
  • Weed and wood can arrive on springs—keep the line high and be ready to lift over rafts of debris.
  • Mullet sometimes graze the wall on calm neaps; scale down and fish bread flake under a small float if you see them mooching.
  • Insects can be fierce on warm, still evenings—pack repellent.

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.

  • Bass: recreational bass regulations (bag limits/season, 42 cm minimum size) are set nationally and can change annually—check current MMO/IFCA notices before you go.
  • Eels: it is illegal to retain European eel (or elvers); release immediately.
  • Shad/salmonids: allis/twaite shad are protected; salmon and sea trout transit this estuary—do not target them. Any accidentally hooked fish must be released; targeting requires the appropriate EA licence and is subject to close seasons.
  • Minimum sizes: observe current Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS) for any fish you retain; consult the latest MMO lists for the Bristol Channel/Severn area.
  • Bait digging/vehicles: parts of the foreshore have restrictions due to SSSI status—do not drive on the sea wall or dig on sensitive marsh; follow local byelaws and posted notices.
  • Litter and fires: take all litter and line home; no open fires or barbecues on the warth or bank.