Summary
Oldbury Power Station Outfall sits on the Gloucestershire side of the upper Severn Estuary, a short hop from Oldbury-on-Severn. It’s a classic Bristol Channel-style shore mark: huge tides, coloured water, hard-running currents, and fish that patrol close to the bank. Expect proper estuary sport with bass, flounder and winter whiting when you time the tide right.
Location and Access
This mark is reached via Oldbury-on-Severn, following the sea bank footpath towards the decommissioned power station. Access is straightforward but exposed, and the last approach is along a grass floodbank with boulders below.
- Drive from the M5 J14 (Falfield) to Oldbury-on-Severn via the B4061/B4509; follow signs for the power station. A helpful target postcode for the area is BS35 1RQ.
- Do not use the power station’s private car parks. Park considerately in the village, by the sea bank pull-ins at The Naite, or near St Arilda’s (respect residents, gates and farm access).
- Walk 10–20 minutes along the public footpath on the floodbank to the outfall; the path is mostly level grass but can be wet and rutted.
- The fishing platform is the bank itself; fronting is a mix of armour stone/boulders and patchy, very soft foreshore. Studded footwear is highly recommended.
Seasons
The upper estuary is turbid and fast, favouring estuary-hardened species. Think close-range fishing, with bites clustered around the push and top of the tide.
- Spring–early summer: bass (schoolies with occasional better fish), flounder, thick-lipped mullet (around slack water/eddies), silver eels (release).
- Summer: bass, mullet, flounder; occasional smoothhound and thornback ray on crabs in warm spells if salinity holds.
- Autumn: bass, flounder, early whiting; odd eel (release) and the chance of a late small ray.
- Winter: whiting, codling are occasional these days but still possible in cold snaps, with pout and the odd conger at night.
- Passing migratory fish: sea trout and salmon may show in season—do not target and release immediately if encountered; shad also migrate here and are fully protected.
Methods
Tackle for Oldbury is about holding in savage flow and presenting crab or worm baits cleanly. Most fish are hooked within a comfortable cast of the bank during the flood.
- Rigs: pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) for bass/codling; 2-hook flapper (size 1–2) for whiting/flounder; up-and-over or long flowing trace for bass when the tide eases.
- Leads: 6–8 oz wired grip leads are the norm; add a weak/sacrificial link (rotten bottom) to save gear if snagged.
- Line: 20–25 lb mono with 60–80 lb shock leader, or 30–40 lb braid with a heavy mono leader; clip-down rigs to streamline casts in the wind.
- Bait: peeler or soft crab is king in late spring/summer; fresh or black lug, rag, razorfish, and squid/mackerel cocktails in autumn/winter. Elastic thread helps against crabs.
- Lures/float: rarely effective in the colour, but small paddletails or metal shads can pick bass in outfall eddies at first light; mullet will take bread flake under a float when it settles.
Tides and Conditions
The Severn’s range is huge; timing is everything. Neaps are easier; big springs can be brutal yet sometimes rewarding.
- Best tide states: 2–3 hours up to high water and the first hour of the ebb; brief windows around slack in the outfall eddies.
- Neaps vs springs: neaps give more control and fewer weed rafts; springs push harder, with more debris but can switch on bigger fish.
- Time of day: dawn/dusk into dark often out-fishes daylight, especially for bass in summer and whiting/codling in winter.
- Weather and colour: coloured water is normal; a moderate SW/W breeze is fine, but severe blows and heavy rain can dump freshwater and kill sport.
- Watch the Severn Bore timings on big springs—the surge can arrive earlier than expected and with force.
Safety
Treat Oldbury with full estuary respect: fast water, mud, and a nuclear-site boundary. Fish from secure footing only and plan your exit.
- Keep off the mud flats—some areas are deep, soft silt. Stay on the floodbank or boulders where firm.
- Powerful currents near the outfall and on springs; never wade, and keep well clear of structures and any exclusion signage.
- Rapid rise and fall: the tide floods fast. Set a safe line for your gear and retreat early; bores can surge without warning.
- Slippery weeded rocks and uneven armour stone—use studded boots and a stable tripod; consider a headlamp and PFD/lifejacket.
- Accessibility: the grass bank path is mostly level but not wheelchair-friendly; boulders make close-in positioning tricky for those with limited mobility.
- Night fishing is common but exposed; secure valuables and be visible. Mobile signal is generally OK but can be patchy in dips.
Facilities
Facilities are limited at the mark itself; plan to be self-sufficient.
- No toilets on the sea bank; nearest options are village pubs (patrons only) or facilities in Thornbury.
- Nearest shops, fuel and hot food: Thornbury and surrounding villages; several tackle shops operate in the wider Bristol/Severn area—call ahead for bait.
- Lighting: some ambient site lighting at night, but bring a good headtorch and spare batteries.
- No water, shelter or bins on-site—take all litter and line home.
Tips
Oldbury rewards tidy presentation and tide timing more than heroic casting. Fish can be surprisingly close on the flood.
- Don’t chase distance; a tight line, solid grip lead and fresh bait in the gutter often wins.
- Use bait elastic generously; crabs are relentless on warm tides. Squid wraps help worm baits last.
- A lead lift can ease retrieves over boulders; add a weak link to the sinker to save the rest of the rig.
- Weed can be savage on big springs—clip down, keep rod tips high, and be ready to move.
- Mullet loiter around slack water—freeline or float bread in the eddies when the tide eases.
- Respect the site: stay outside fences, be polite if approached by security, and keep gates closed around livestock on access paths.
Regulations
This shoreline sits alongside a nuclear-licensed site and within protected Severn Estuary designations—know the rules before you go.
- Access: public may use the floodbank/footpath, but all power-station land and structures are private—obey signs and do not climb or fish from any infrastructure. Security patrols operate.
- Conservation: the Severn Estuary is an SSSI/SPA/SAC; bait digging is sensitive and may be restricted—seek local advice/permission and avoid damaging habitats.
- Bass: recreational bass rules change annually. As of 2024 in ICES area 7e, the bag limit was 2 fish/day at a 42 cm minimum during a defined open period, with catch-and-release outside it. Check current MMO and Devon & Severn IFCA notices before retaining any bass.
- Eels and shad: European eel retention is prohibited; all eels must be released. Allis/Twaite shad are fully protected—release immediately if caught.
- Salmon/sea trout: must not be targeted; any accidentally caught fish must be returned at once. A rod licence is required if specifically fishing for salmonids or eels.
- General: observe size/bag limits where applicable, use barbless or debarbed hooks if practicing catch-and-release, and dispose of waste line and bait packaging responsibly.
