Oldbury Pill Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Oldbury Pill Fishing Map

A tidal creek opening onto the Severn Estuary beside Oldbury-on-Severn’s sea wall. Anglers fish from the flood bank and hard ground at the pill mouth—avoid the soft mud flats. Expect huge tides, strong cross-currents and heavy silt; use strong gripper leads and straightforward rigs. Best fished the last two hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb; winter nights for codling/whiting, summer into autumn for bass, mullet and flounder. Access is via the sea-wall footpath; it’s exposed with little shelter, so plan for wind and rain and consider a long-handled net or drop-net for landing fish from the wall.

Ratings

⭐ 6.2/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 6/10
Scenery & Comfort 5/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at Oldbury Pill

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Peeler crab or lug on a running ledger at the pill mouth on the flood; summer–autumn. Fish the edges as water covers the mud; watch debris.
🐟 Flounder 7/10
🎯 Tip: Ragworm or lug tipped with crab on a long trace; cast short across the channel on the flood and first of the ebb; late autumn–spring. Gripless leads let bait wander.
🐟 European Eel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Warm nights; small fish strip or worm in the pill on neap tides after dusk. Use circle hooks for easy release.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 7/10
🎯 Tip: Bread flake or small rag on size 8–10; stealth at HW slack in the pill; summer. Light float or freelined baits along walls.
🐟 Mullet (Thin-lipped) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Small spinner with rag strip worked in the flow near the outflow at HW on clear neaps; summer evenings.
🐟 Three-bearded Rockling 4/10
🎯 Tip: Small worm baits dropped close to stones at the pill mouth on the flood; winter–spring, after dark.
🐟 Smoothhound 4/10
🎯 Tip: Peeler crab on light running rigs at the mouth on big summer floods; dusk into dark. Release promptly.
🐟 Cod 3/10
🎯 Tip: Odd codling in hard winters on lug/squid; fish the channel edge on big night tides, late autumn–winter.
🐟 Common Goby 3/10
🎯 Tip: Tiny hooks with slivers of rag for micros along the wall at HW; summer; species-hunt tactics.
🐟 Sea Trout 2/10
🎯 Tip: Very rare; small spoons or plugs in clearer neaps near the flow, spring–summer evenings. Handle carefully and release.

Oldbury Pill Fishing

Summary

Oldbury Pill sits on the upper Severn Estuary beside Oldbury-on-Severn, where a small tidal creek meets the main river. It’s a classic muddy estuary mark with huge tides, a dramatic bore on big springs, and a genuine chance of bass, flounder and winter whiting within easy reach of the sea wall.

Location and Access

This mark is reached from the village of Oldbury-on-Severn, a short drive from Thornbury and the A38. Access is via the Severn Way floodbank; most anglers set up on the grassy sea wall or adjacent firm ground and avoid the mudflats.

Seasons

The upper Severn is coloured, tidal and full of life; fish follow the flood up onto the edges and drop back with the ebb. Expect modest sizes but honest sport, with seasonal peaks.

Methods

This is predominantly a bottom-fishing venue from the wall, with light lure or float tactics for mullet in and around the Pill on quiet, clear-ish tides. Gear needs to cope with fierce flow and weed.

Tides and Conditions

The Severn’s range is huge; flow, weed and suspended silt dictate your session. Plan around tide size and, on very big springs, the Severn Bore.

Safety

This is a serious tidal estuary with extremely soft mud and fast currents. Treat the venue with respect and fish from firm ground only.

Facilities

Facilities are limited at the water, so come prepared. The village has basic amenities within a short stroll/drive.

Tips

Oldbury Pill rewards tidy presentation and fishing the right 3-hour window. Think strong grip leads, fresh worm baits and working the near‑side gutter.

Regulations

Rules here are a mix of national, regional and site-specific protections. Always check current notices on site and the latest official guidance before you fish.