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Gloucestershire

Oldbury Pill

6.2 · Estuary · Gloucestershire

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.

Should you fish Oldbury Pill?

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 Pill — 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 Pill is a short-window Severn Estuary creek mark where timing and holding bottom matter more than distance. The most reliable plan is to fish from the floodbank or firm ground at the pill mouth, work the near-side gutter or channel edge, and concentrate effort on the last two hours of the flood plus the first hour of the ebb. Expect heavy colour, strong cross-currents, silt, weed and debris; simple rigs, strong grip leads and tidy bait presentation usually outfish complicated setups.

  • Know when Oldbury Pill’s short 3-hour window is worth fishing
  • Pick the pill mouth, gutter or inner Pill by target species
  • Avoid wasting a session in unfishable Severn flow and debris
  • Use the right rigs for bass, flounder, whiting and mullet here
  • Have a nearby backup plan before the tide beats you

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

Oldbury-on-Severn 0.9 mi Oldbury Naite 1.0 mi Beachley 3.3 mi Thornbury 3.3 mi Tutshill and Sedbury 3.4 mi

Explore nearby towns: Oldbury-on-Severn · Oldbury Naite · Beachley · Thornbury · Tutshill and Sedbury

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

Overall rating

6.2 /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 6/10

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.

Local knowledge

Oldbury Pill fishing guide

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

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.

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.

  • Sat-nav: aim for Oldbury-on-Severn village; a common landmark is the Anchor Inn, BS35 1QA (park considerately in the village, not at private club car parks)
  • Approach: from the A38 or M5 (J14), head for Thornbury then Oldbury-on-Severn; follow signs to the village and the river
  • Parking: on-street in the village or by the church/green; do not block farm gates or the sailing club slipway/compound
  • Walk-in: 5–15 minutes along the Severn Way on the floodbank to the Pill; mostly flat but can be wet, slippery and rutted
  • Terrain: grassy floodbank, patches of rock armour and very soft intertidal mud; fish from the bank, not the foreshore
  • Access notes: the sailing club and power station perimeters are private; stay outside fences and heed any local signage

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.

  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • School bass nosing into the creek mouths
    • Flounder building in number
    • Thin‑lipped mullet in calm, warm spells inside the Pill
    • Accidental shad/salmon smolts possible on spates (all protected – release immediately)
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Bass (schoolies with the odd better fish at dusk)
    • Thin‑lipped and occasional thick‑lipped mullet inside/outside the Pill
    • Flounder steady on neaps; occasional silver eel bycatch (release)
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Bass until the first real cold snaps
    • Flounder peak
    • Whiting start on bigger tides, plus the odd pouting
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Whiting the mainstay on night tides
    • Occasional codling after prolonged blows and coloured water
    • Flounder still possible on settled days

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.

  • Ledgering:
    • 12–13 ft beach rods with robust reels; 30 lb braid + 60 lb shock leader
    • 6–8 oz breakout grip leads; step up/down with tide size and wind
    • Rigs: 2-hook flapper (size 1–2) for flounder/whiting; pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) for bass/codling
  • Baits:
    • Lugworm and ragworm are staples; tip with squid for visibility/durability
    • Peeler crab in late spring/summer for bass and better flounder
    • Small mackerel/squid strips for whiting; fish/clam cocktails when the crabs are thick
  • Mullet tactics (inside the Pill on neaps/calm water):
    • Small Mepps-style spoons baited with a sliver of rag, slow‑retrieved
    • Bread flake beneath a controller/bubble on light gear, stealth essential
  • Presentation and timing:
    • Clip‑down rigs to keep baits streamlined; long snoods (60–100 cm) help in the flow
    • Fish the last two hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb; dusk into dark is best for bass/whiting
    • Cast to the near‑side gutter and channel edges; fish often run surprisingly close

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.

  • Tide size:
    • Neaps: easier holding, great for flounder and mullet in the Pill
    • Medium springs: prime for bass movement along the wall
    • Very big springs: brutal flow, heavy debris; treat with caution (bore present)
  • Tide stage:
    • Best 2 hours up to high water and the first hour down; avoid deep low water when it’s all exposed mud
  • Conditions:
    • Coloured water is normal; extra colour plus SW/W winds can switch on codling/whiting in season
    • Summer brings floating weed; use powerful grips and keep lines high on tall tripods
  • Severn Bore:
    • On forecast bore days, be set well back and high before it arrives; expect surges and sudden debris

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

  • Do not venture onto the mudflats; they are deep, soft and can be fatal
  • Fish from the floodbank/rock armour; keep well back on big springs and when the bore is due
  • Wear a PFD/lifejacket, use a headtorch at night, and avoid fishing alone
  • Beware slippery grass, uneven ruts, and rock armour; sturdy boots recommended
  • Keep an eye on rapidly rising water, floating debris and banking overtopping in storms
  • Livestock may be present; keep gates closed and dogs on leads
  • Accessibility: paths are mostly flat but bumpy; some sections may suit all‑terrain wheelchairs/scooters, yet safe access to the actual fishing stance is limited

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

  • Toilets: none on the bank; pub toilets for patrons in the village
  • Food/drink: the Anchor Inn in Oldbury-on-Severn; wider choice in Thornbury (10–15 min drive)
  • Tackle/bait (check hours/stock):
    • Cadbury Angling (Yate), Bristol Angling Centre (Brislington), and various Bristol/Severn estuary outlets
  • Mobile signal: generally fair on the bank but can dip; carry offline tide tables/bores times
  • Lighting/water: none on site; bring headtorches and adequate supplies
  • Bins: limited; take all litter and waste line home

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.

  • Use tall tripods to keep line angles high above weed and debris
  • A metre of weak link to the lead helps if you snag among stones/roots
  • Fresh blow lug or black lug outfishes frozen in the coloured Severn soup
  • Peeler crab can be a session maker for bass on warm, building tides
  • On whiting nights, scale down to size 2s, keep baits small and luminous tips visible
  • For mullet, keep quiet, reduce leader diameters, and feed a little breadcrumb mash in the Pill on neaps
  • Check Severn Bore times; set up early and well back, then re‑set your tripod after the surge
  • Respect Thornbury Sailing Club’s slipway and compound; don’t block access and watch for boats on launch days
  • The old power station outfall area is private and often fenced; don’t be tempted—better sport is along the open floodbank

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.

  • Access and land: much of the shore is SSSI/SPA foreshore and private farmland; keep to the Severn Way, fish from permitted areas only, and obey any signage or fences (e.g., power station and sailing club property)
  • Bass (recreational): recent UK rules have allowed limited retention during part of the year with a 42 cm minimum; out-of-window months are catch-and-release only. Regulations change—check current DEFRA/MMO notices before retaining any bass
  • European eel: must be released; do not retain or target eels
  • Migratory/protected species: shad, lamprey, salmon/sea trout smolts and similar must be returned immediately; do not deliberately target them
  • Bait collection: no digging on saltmarsh, and obtain landowner consent for any bait gathering; avoid disturbing designated habitats
  • Litter and fish care: remove all litter/line, dispatch retained fish humanely, and respect local residents and livestock
  • Governance: this stretch falls under Environment Agency and Devon & Severn IFCA jurisdiction on the English bank—consult their websites for seasonal or emergency byelaws