Old Passage Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Old Passage Fishing Map

A classic Severn Estuary mark by the old Aust ferry crossing beneath the First Severn Bridge. Extremely fast tides, huge range, and a mix of rock, rough ground and soft mud. Best fished on the flood two to three hours up to high water on big springs; neaps can be slow. Expect strong currents, heavy weed at times, and snags. Use stout tackle and gripper leads. Excellent winter codling/whiting sport and spring–summer rays and smoothhounds, with bass year-round peaks in warmer months. Access is short but the foreshore is slippery; keep well clear of mud and be aware of the Severn Bore and rapid tidal rise.

Ratings

⭐ 6.9/10 Overall
Catch Potential 8/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 6/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at Old Passage

🐟 Bass 9/10
🎯 Tip: Spring tides; last of flood and first ebb. Fish peeler crab or lug/squid in gutter seams; 6–8oz grips to hold. Best May–Oct, after dark or in coloured water.
🐟 European Eel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Warm summer nights in slack pockets close in; worms or fish strip. Use strong mono and long-nose pliers; handle carefully and release (protected species).
🐟 Flounder 6/10
🎯 Tip: Neap tides around slack; rag/lug or small crab cast to channel edges and mud gullies. Late autumn–spring. Use light leads or weak wires so rigs don’t bury.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Calm neaps in clear back eddies by the old ferry slip; bread flake under a clear float. Late spring–autumn; keep quiet and scale down to light line.
🐟 Whiting 5/10
🎯 Tip: After-dark winter floods; lug or mackerel strip on 2-hook flappers. Clip-down to reach tide seams; expect small fish but busy spells on big tides.
🐟 Mullet (Thin-lipped) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Neap tides in clearer water; retrieve small Mepps-style spoon with Delta fly through gentle tide runs and drains. Best Jul–Sep in daylight.
🐟 Cod 4/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional winter codling on biggest night tides after storms; lug/squid cocktails into the main run. Heavy grip leads and rotten-bottom links over rough ground.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 4/10
🎯 Tip: Uncommon but possible on big summer floods; fresh peeler crab fished along crease lines. Strong tackle needed to cope with fierce run.

Old Passage Fishing

Summary

Old Passage sits on the English side of the Severn Estuary near Aust, just upstream of the M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire. It’s a classic upper-Bristol-Channel mark famed for its huge tidal range, brutal tide run, and estuary species. When timed right, it’s a highly productive venue for rays, smoothhounds, bass and winter whiting with a real chance of a surprise codling in colder snaps.

Location and Access

This mark is reached via Aust, close to Severn View and the old ferry slip that once linked to Beachley. Access is straightforward to the hamlet, but the final approach to the foreshore is a short, uneven scramble over boulders and clay.

Seasons

The upper estuary’s colour and current suit scent-led fishing. Species shift with season and freshwater influence.

Methods

Heavy, simple gear wins here. The tide is vicious, the bottom is grabby, and baits must pump scent in a coloured flow.

Tides and Conditions

This is a tide-first venue with one of the world’s largest ranges. Plan your session around the flood and slack near high water.

Safety

Treat Old Passage with full respect: fierce current, soft mud patches, and fast-flooding water. Pick your footing and plan an exit before you cast.

Facilities

There are no facilities on the foreshore itself. Plan to be self-sufficient and use the nearby services before you descend.

Tips

Little tweaks make a big difference on this estuary, where presentation and holding bottom are everything.

Regulations

This shoreline is within the Severn Estuary’s protected designations (SSSI/SPA/SAC), but recreational angling from the open foreshore is generally permitted. Regulations change—check before you go.