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Gloucestershire

Oldbury Power Station Outfall

5.6 · Estuary · Gloucestershire

Tidal estuary mark on the Severn beside the Oldbury power station outfall. The scoured channel holds depth even on big ebbs, and the mixing flow creates current seams that draw baitfish and predators. Expect extreme tides, heavy silt, and fierce cross-currents; neaps are more manageable. Best two hours either side of high water, with dusk and night especially productive. Summer brings bass, thin‑lipped mullet and the odd smoothhound; autumn–winter sees whiting and occasional codling. Fish from the sea wall/embankment—do not venture onto the mud flats or restricted structures. Heavy grip leads (6–8 oz), strong leaders, and simple pulley or flapper rigs are standard. Check local access notes and tide times (and avoid Severn Bore events).

Should you fish Oldbury Power Station Outfall?

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 Power Station Outfall — 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 is a tide-timing mark more than a distance-casting mark. The scoured outfall channel and mixing seams can hold fish close to the bank, but the Severn flow, silt, weed and fast rise/fall mean neaps and the two-hour high-water window are usually the most fishable. Aim to work the outfall edges, channel lip and close-in gutter from the sea wall/embankment with heavy grip leads, fresh crab or worm baits, and a plan to retreat early if the tide or debris builds.

  • Know when the outfall seam is worth fishing — and when it is just too fierce.
  • Target bass, mullet, hounds, whiting and flounder with the right tide window.
  • Fish the close gutter and first drop-off instead of wasting casts into the main flow.
  • Use the rig and lead setup that actually holds at Oldbury.
  • Have a backup move ready if weed, springs or freshwater ruin the session.

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Oldbury Naite 0.2 mi Oldbury-on-Severn 1.4 mi Thornbury 3.6 mi Tutshill and Sedbury 3.7 mi Woodcroft 3.7 mi

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

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

Overall rating

5.6 /10

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

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 6/10
Scenery & Comfort 4/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 6/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Work the outfall edges on the flood; peeler crab baits or shallow plugs in slack. Best May–Oct at dusk/dawn. Use 5–6oz grippers to hold in tide.
Starry Smoothhound 7/10
Tip: Fresh peeler crab on a running ledger to the first drop-off; mid to late flood into dusk, May–Sep. 5–6oz grip leads.
Mullet (Thick-lipped) 7/10
Tip: Freeline bread flake in the warm outfall foam; prebait with bread mash. Neap tides and clear windows fish best, Jun–Sep.
Flounder 6/10
Tip: Rag or lug on size 2–4 flappers, cast to channel edge on the flood; slow lift-and-draw. Late autumn to spring; hold bottom with grippers.
European Eel 6/10
Tip: Warm nights Jun–Sep; worm or fish strip fished close in near the outfall on a simple running ledger. Best around slack water or first push.
Mullet (Thin-lipped) 6/10
Tip: Small spoons or spinners tipped with Isome or rag, slow across the outfall seam on neaps. Summer daylight in clearer water.
Whiting 4/10
Tip: Winter nights on the flood, Nov–Jan; 2–3 hook flappers with worm or mackerel strips. Keep baits just off the mud to avoid crabs.
Thornback Ray 4/10
Tip: Squid or herring strip on pulley rigs, cast to deeper run on mid-flood. Best Apr–Jun and again in autumn; strong grip leads required.
Smoothhound 4/10
Tip: Peeler crab on 3/0–4/0 running rigs, flood tides into dusk May–Aug; occasional fish this far up.
Cod 3/10
Tip: Odd codling in cold winters; lug and crab cocktails on pulley pennel, top of the flood into first ebb after dark, Dec–Feb.

Local knowledge

Oldbury Power Station Outfall fishing guide

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.