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Gloucestershire

Oldbury-on-Severn

6.3 · Estuary · Gloucestershire

Tidal estuary mark on the Severn sea wall by Oldbury-on-Severn and the former power station. Expect extreme tides, heavy currents, mudflats and mixed mud/stone ground with some rough patches. Best results are typically the last two hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb, especially at dusk or after dark. Grip leads and sturdy beach gear are essential. Classic baits are lugworm, ragworm and peeler crab; squid or fish strips help in winter. Access is via the flood bank with a moderate walk; take great care with soft mud, fast-flooding tides and slippery rocks.

Should you fish Oldbury-on-Severn?

57 Fair

Today · Best available

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

Most likely species: Bass and European Eel

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 European Eel.

W 3 mph Rain 0% High tide 00:57

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Oldbury-on-Severn — 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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Oldbury-on-Severn is a big-tide Severn Estuary wall mark where timing matters more than distance. The most productive sessions are usually short, focused windows around the last of the flood and first of the ebb, using heavy grip leads, strong beach gear and baits that can survive brutal flow and coloured water. Fish the estuary-facing wall, channel edges, rock armour, creek mouths and gutters according to target species and tide strength.

  • Know the exact tide window that usually matters here
  • Pick wall, gutter or channel-edge water by target species
  • Avoid wasting leads when the Severn run is too heavy
  • Match crab, worm or squid tactics to the right season
  • Have a safer backup plan before the tide peaks

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Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

Oldbury-on-Severn 0.4 mi Oldbury Naite 1.3 mi Thornbury 2.7 mi Alveston 3.1 mi Olveston 3.3 mi

Explore nearby towns: Oldbury-on-Severn · Oldbury Naite · Thornbury · Alveston · Olveston

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

Overall rating

6.3 /10

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

Category scores

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

Bass 8/10
Tip: Flooding tide along channel edges and rock armour; peeler crab or 4–5in shads; best May–Oct at dusk into first of ebb; 5–6oz grip leads in the flow.
Flounder 7/10
Tip: Ragworm or maddies on 2–3 hook flappers; fish creek mouths and gutters last 2h of flood and first ebb; best Oct–Mar; short casts onto soft mud.
Mullet (Thick-lipped) 7/10
Tip: Bread flake under a float or freelined; work the walls and slack eddies on neaps; clearer water days Jun–Sep; stealth and light gear.
European Eel 6/10
Tip: Night fishing Jun–Sep; ragworm or fish strip on running rigs; target slack eddies and creeks on neaps; strike early to avoid deep hooking.
Mullet (Thin-lipped) 6/10
Tip: Small spoon/spinner with rag teaser, slow retrieve along tide lines on the flood; Jun–Sep in clearer water near pill mouths and walls.
Dover Sole 5/10
Tip: After dark on neaps; rag/lug cocktails on long snoods; short casts onto muddy margins and inside gullies; best Jul–Sep.
Thornback Ray 5/10
Tip: Crab, squid or sandeel on pulley rigs; cast to channel edge 60–90m; best Apr–Jun and Sept on neap tides; fish 2h either side of slack.
Starry Smoothhound 5/10
Tip: Peeler crab on pulley pennel; May–Aug; fish flooding tide over crab-rich mudbanks and channel edges; 4–6oz grip leads.
Whiting 4/10
Tip: Small strips of mackerel/squid on size 2 flappers; Nov–Jan night floods along channel edges; bites fade on big springs.
Cod 3/10
Tip: Crab or lug/crab cocktails; occasional in cold snaps Nov–Jan; fish night floods into the channel with heavy grip leads.
European Smelt 3/10
Tip: Tiny hooks or sabikis with worm/maggot; short winter run Jan–Mar at slack water around pill mouths and flow breaks; gentle retrieve.

Local knowledge

Oldbury-on-Severn fishing guide

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

Oldbury-on-Severn sits on the middle reaches of the Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire, backed by floodbanks and the decommissioned power station. It’s a classic big-tide estuary mark that rewards prepared anglers with codling in winter, bass and smoothhounds in summer, and thornback rays on the right tides. Expect coloured water, brutal currents, and hard-fighting fish close to the wall.

This mark is reached via Oldbury-on-Severn village, near Thornbury, with fishing along the estuary-facing floodbank around the old power station. Access is straightforward on the Severn Way path, but parking is limited and you must keep to public rights of way and respect security fencing around the power station compound.

  • From the M5/Thornbury area, follow signs to Oldbury-on-Severn; street parking in the village is limited—park considerately and avoid blocking lanes or farm access (The Anchor Inn area is a common reference point, BS35 postcode district).
  • Walk the floodbank path (Severn Way) to the foreshore marks around the power station sea wall and rock armour; allow 10–25 minutes on mostly flat ground.
  • Do not enter the power station site or climb any structures—fish only from public paths/foreshore where permitted.
  • Terrain is floodbank grass, concrete sections, and rough rock armour in places; a trolley helps with heavier gear.
  • At lower states of tide the foreshore is soft mud: remain on firm ground or the wall.

This is a seasonal estuary venue with strong migrations and brackish influence. Fish move on the tide; many are tight in at peak flow.

  • Winter (Nov–Feb):
    • Codling (main target after blows and on coloured water)
    • Flounder
    • Occasional whiting on colder snaps
  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • Thornback ray (building through spring)
    • Early bass on milder spells
    • Silver eel (return all by law)
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Bass (schoolies to better fish on springs)
    • Smoothhound (peeler crab bites, evenings into dark)
    • Thornback ray
    • Eels and occasional flounder
  • Autumn (Sep–Oct):
    • Bass peak (especially after fresh SW winds)
    • Thornback ray
    • Codling reappear late September onwards
  • Occasional/bycatch:
    • Thick-lipped mullet around the pill/outfall areas (delicate tactics)
    • Small conger, odd whiting; migratory species like shad or sea trout must be released if encountered.

Standard estuary bottom tactics dominate due to the huge tide and coloured water. Think strong tackle, grippy leads and chunky fresh baits.

  • Rigs:
    • Pulley pennel (4/0–5/0) for codling/bass/rays; add a weak-link (rotten bottom) to save rigs in rough patches.
    • Up-and-over or pulley dropper for rays when distance and clean presentation matter.
    • 2-hook flapper (size 1–1/0) for flounder/eels/whiting on neaps or slack water.
  • Leads and line:
    • 6–8 oz wired grip leads to hold in the run; carry a range as flow varies rapidly.
    • 20–30 lb mono mainline with 60–80 lb shock leader; braid is possible but mono resists abrasion/weed better here.
  • Baits:
    • Lugworm (black/blow), ragworm, and crab (peeler/hardback) are staples.
    • Squid or squid-lug cocktails for codling; mackerel/bluey and squid for rays; fresh peeler for smoothhound and bass.
    • Small worm baits with fishy tip for flounder/whiting; bind with bait elastic in strong flow.
  • Tactics:
    • Cast uptide slightly and walk the line down to set the gripper; keep bow in the line under control.
    • Don’t always blast it—on high water many fish patrol close to the wall/rock line.
    • Night sessions are very productive, particularly for bass, codling and eel activity.

Oldbury is all about timing the tide and picking sensible springs. The Severn’s tidal range is among the largest in the world, so plan around flow and safety.

  • Best tide states:
    • Typically 2–3 hours up to high water and the first hour down; many avoid the very biggest springs due to excessive run.
    • Mid-range to larger springs for bass, codling and rays; neaps for scratching flounder/whiting and easier presentation.
  • Tide references:
    • Use Avonmouth tide times as a practical guide for planning; local variations are minor but flow is fierce.
  • Conditions:
    • Coloured water is normal and good; after SW blows that stir the estuary, codling often show in season.
    • A warm, stable spell with some colour favors bass and smoothhounds; peeler availability boosts results.
    • Night into first light commonly outfishes daylight, especially on clear, still nights.
  • Seasonal notes:
    • Spring to early summer sees thornbacks; late spring into summer brings smoothhounds on crab.
    • Autumn gales and dropping temperatures draw codling into reachable gutters.

This is a serious estuary with fast-flooding tides, soft mud and debris. Treat it with the same respect you would a surf beach with heavy undertow.

  • Never step onto the mudflats at low water—fish from firm ground, the wall, or designated access points only.
  • Strong currents and tidal surges can lift large debris (logs, weed); keep lines high and stay alert.
  • Wear a proper PFD/lifejacket, especially after dark or in rough weather; use headlamps and carry a backup light.
  • Rock armour is uneven and slippery; cleated boots and a long-handled gaff/net help with safe landing.
  • Avoid the very top of spring tides in onshore blows when overtopping can occur along sections of wall.
  • Respect all security fencing and signage around the power station; no access onto structures or the compound.
  • Accessibility: the floodbank path is generally level but involves gates/stiles and uneven surfaces—unsuitable for most wheelchairs; a gear trolley is viable in dry conditions.

Facilities are limited at the mark itself; plan to be self-sufficient. The nearest services are in Oldbury-on-Severn and Thornbury.

  • On-site: no toilets, water or shelter; mobile signal can be patchy in places but generally workable on higher ground.
  • Village: a pub (check opening hours) and limited parking; please be considerate to residents.
  • Nearby towns: Thornbury and Berkeley for shops, fuel, food and potential tackle supplies; larger stores in Bristol.
  • No dedicated cleaning or fish preparation areas—take all litter and line home.

Local tides and ground changes with storms; keep mobile and read the water. Regulars time short, focused sessions around the best hour rather than sitting all day.

  • Bring more grip leads than you think you’ll need; weak-link setups save a fortune in lost gear.
  • Big baits, big fish: whole squid or crab wraps presented close to the wall at top water often out-fish long casts.
  • In summer, crabs strip baits fast—use elastic and rebait often, or fish tougher cocktails (squid-lug).
  • After heavy rain upstream, salinity drops and debris increases; switch to scent-heavy baits and expect the best action as the colour settles.
  • The old power station outfall area still scours features even post-decommissioning; treat it as a holding zone, but do not trespass on any structure.
  • Keep low noise and lights dim—bass patrol tight under the bank on calm nights.

This stretch lies within the Severn Estuary’s protected designations (SSSI/SPA/SAC) and near critical infrastructure. Know the rules before you go and always check for updated local signage.

  • Access: public rights of way only; no fishing from or within the power station compound/structures. Obey all security notices.
  • Conservation areas: parts of the foreshore and saltmarsh are protected—avoid trampling sensitive habitats and roosting birds; bait digging may be restricted in places.
  • Rod licence: no Environment Agency rod licence is needed to fish for sea fish in tidal waters; a licence is required if targeting salmon, sea trout or trout. Do not intentionally target migratory species in the estuary.
  • Eels and shad: European eel must be released; shad (twaite/allis) and other migratory species must be returned immediately if accidentally caught.
  • Size and bag limits: observe UK minimum conservation reference sizes; keep only legal-sized fish. Check current rules for bass and other species.
  • Bass (check current year before fishing): as of 2024, recreational retention is closed Dec–Feb, with a 2 fish/day bag at 42 cm min from Mar–Nov; rules can change annually.
  • Litter and biosecurity: remove all tackle waste; rinse waders/gear to prevent spreading invasive species.
  • Night fishing: permitted where access is legal; carry ID and be prepared to show tackle to security or enforcement if asked.