Summary
Oldbury Naite sits on the upper Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire, just downstream of Oldbury-on-Severn and opposite the sweeping mudflats that make this river famous. It’s a classic Severn shore mark: huge tides, savage currents, and the real chance of bass, smoothhound, and thornback rays in season. Experienced estuary anglers value it for its wild feel and productive flood/early ebb sessions.
Location and Access
Getting to Oldbury Naite is straightforward via the lanes north of Thornbury, with final access on narrow roads and farm tracks. You then follow the Severn Way along the floodbank to choose your stance on the stone revetment above the mud.
- Aim for Oldbury Naite/Oldbury-on-Severn area (typical postcode BS35 1RQ–BS35 1RG) and approach via the B4061/BS35 lanes; drive slowly and expect tractors and livestock.
- Limited, courteous roadside parking only; do not block gateways or passing places. Better to park in the village and walk if unsure. No formal car park at the mark.
- Access is on public footpaths over the floodbank (Severn Way). The walk to favoured spots is 5–20 minutes depending on how far along the bank you go.
- Ground is a grassed floodbank with large rip-rap/stone facing; foreshore is deep, soft estuary mud. You fish from the bank/stone—not the mud.
- Parts near the former Oldbury power station are fenced/secured; obey signage and keep to public rights of way.
Seasons
The Severn here is turbid and powerful, but it draws migratory and estuarine species across the seasons. Expect better variety from late spring through early autumn, with traditional winter codling/whiting runs in cold snaps.
- Spring (Mar–May):
- Bass (schoolies building into May)
- Thornback ray
- Smoothhound (often starting late May)
- Flounder
- Thick-lipped mullet in the creeks on calmer days
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Smoothhound (peak Jun–Jul)
- Bass (schoolies and the odd larger fish)
- Thornback ray
- Eels (must be released)
- Mullet in quiet water
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Bass (often best in Sept/Oct, especially at dusk/night)
- Thornback ray tailing off
- Whiting on cooler nights
- Smoothhound lingering early autumn if warm
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Whiting
- Codling (occasional but worth a go on big, cold tides)
- Flounder in settled spells
Methods
Bait fishing rules here due to colour and flow; you need sturdy tackle, breakout leads, and clipped-down rigs to cut through the wind and tide. Fish the edge of the channel on the flood and the first of the ebb, adjusting range to find the seams.
- Rods and leads: 12–13ft beachcasters or long estuary rods; 5–7oz breakout leads (8oz on wild springs). A tall tripod is essential atop the bank.
- Rigs:
- Pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) for bass/rays with fish baits or crab
- Up-and-over for thornbacks when you need a longer flowing trace
- 2-hook flapper (size 1–2) for whiting/flounder/eels
- Rotten-bottom links help if you encounter snags
- Baits:
- Peeler crab is king for smoothhound and a top bass bait in spring/summer
- Lugworm/ragworm cocktails for general bites and flounder
- Fish baits (bluey, herring, mackerel) for rays and winter codling; tip with squid for durability
- Bread or small fish strip for mullet in quiet side waters
- Tactics:
- Clip down and cast to the flow lanes on the flood; step back up-tide as the tide builds
- Keep lines high and tight to reduce drag and debris pick-up
- Night sessions often out-fish daylight for bass/whiting; arrive early to set safely
- Lures are niche—try heavy jigheads or metal vibes only during neaps and clear, calm spells close to the bank seams
Tides and Conditions
Oldbury Naite responds to movement: aim for the last of the flood into high water and the first hour or two of the ebb. The Severn’s range is huge—plan around it rather than fighting it.
- Best states:
- Medium to big springs: last 2 hours of the flood and 1–2 hours of ebb for bass, hounds, and rays
- Neaps: more comfortable flow; longer fishing windows for flounder/whiting but sometimes fewer larger fish
- Times/seasonality:
- Summer evenings into darkness for bass/smoothhound
- Cold, clear winter nights on decent tides for whiting and the odd codling
- Conditions:
- A coloured but not chocolate river fishes best; after heavy rain the river can carry debris—wait 24–48 hours for it to settle
- Moderate SW airflow is fine; strong westerlies and very large springs can create dangerous surges and intense drag
- Severn Bore:
- A bore runs this far—on predicted bore days, expect a sudden surge and fierce tide turn. Be well above the foreshore well before the bore time.
Safety
This is a serious estuary venue. The combination of steep banks, fast tides, the bore, and deep mud demands caution and preparation.
- Never go onto the mudflats; they are soft and can be sinkingly dangerous. Fish from the floodbank/stone only.
- Check bore times and tide tables; leave the foreshore at least 60–90 minutes before a predicted bore.
- Wear a PFD/lifejacket, use a headtorch at night, and fish with a partner where possible.
- The bank stones can be slick with algae—use sturdy boots and place tripods securely.
- Debris in spate (logs, weed) can drag lines and tripods—keep gear tidy and rods angled high.
- Livestock and electric fences are present seasonally; keep dogs on leads and respect farm operations.
- Accessibility: uneven grass bank and stones; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility without assistance.
Facilities
Facilities are minimal at the mark itself; think of this as a wild, self-sufficient venue and plan accordingly.
- No toilets, water, or lighting at the mark; nearest amenities are in Oldbury-on-Severn village and Thornbury (10–15 minutes’ drive).
- Pubs/cafés: The Anchor Inn (Oldbury-on-Severn) typically serves food/drink; opening times vary.
- Tackle/bait: Limited locally—bring bait. Full-service sea tackle is available in Bristol (e.g., Veals, Premier Angling); phone ahead for bait.
- Mobile signal is generally reasonable on the floodbank but can be patchy lower down.
Tips
Local Severn regulars focus on timing, elevation, and bait quality. Small tweaks make big differences here.
- Fresh peeler crab unlocks smoothhound and often the better bass; frozen peeler or hard crab is second-best.
- Use long snoods (3–4ft) on the flood for rays; shorten up when debris is heavy.
- Keep leaders and rigs streamlined—impact shields, bait clips, and minimal drag components cast and fish better in the flow.
- A simple baiting pattern: worm cocktails early flood for bites, swap to crab/fish baits as the push strengthens, then scale back as the ebb races.
- Don’t chase distance blindly—often the fish run the near-side seam below the bank on the last of the flood.
- On big springs, set your tripod high on the bank and mark a safe retreat line; the water rises alarmingly fast.
- Take a long disgorger/forceps for eels and small whiting, plus plenty of bait elastic.
Regulations
Oldbury Naite lies on the tidal Severn. There is no blanket ban on angling here, but a mix of national and local rules apply. Always check the latest government and IFCA/EA guidance before you go.
- Access/land:
- Keep to public rights of way (Severn Way) and respect private land, fences, and any security zones near the former power station.
- No fires or camping on the floodbank; leave gates as found and take all litter home.
- Licensing:
- No EA rod licence is required to fish for sea species in tidal waters.
- An EA migratory fish licence is required if targeting salmon or sea trout; do not intentionally target them here.
- Species protections (England, as last widely published):
- European eel: mandatory catch and release.
- Shad (allis/twaite), lampreys, and salmonids are protected—do not target; release immediately if accidentally caught.
- Bass: recreational rules change periodically. Recent frameworks have allowed one bass per angler per day at ≥42 cm during an open season (often Mar–Nov), with catch-and-release outside that. Check current MMO/IFCA notices for exact dates and limits.
- Minimum sizes/bag limits:
- Observe current minimum conservation reference sizes and local byelaws; when in doubt, release borderline fish.
- Close areas/timing:
- Temporary restrictions can apply around infrastructure or for conservation—obey any onsite signage.
- Data check:
- For up-to-date rules, consult the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), the Environment Agency, and relevant IFCA notices before your session.