Summary
Purton sits on the English bank of the upper Severn Estuary, just north of Sharpness, against the evocative backdrop of the Purton Ships’ Graveyard. It’s a classic muddy estuary mark with enormous tides, offering realistic chances of bass and flounder plus the odd smoothhound in late spring and summer. The drama of the tide and the heritage setting make it memorable, but it demands tidy tactics and solid safety awareness.
Location and Access
Access is via country lanes off the A38 towards Sharpness/Purton; aim for the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal and Purton Lower Bridge, then follow the Severn Way public footpath to the foreshore. Parking is limited and informal; arrive early, keep gateways clear, and stick to signed paths across farmland to avoid soft mud and protected areas.
- Approach: From the A38 near Berkeley/Sharpness, follow signs to Purton/Sharpness and then Purton Lane toward the canal; the GL13 postcode area will get you close.
- Parking: Small roadside/canal-side pull-ins near Purton Lower Bridge; be considerate and do not obstruct farm or Canal & River Trust access.
- Walk-in: 5–15 minutes on mostly flat ground along the Severn Way; final approach is over firmed grass/stone with treacherous soft mud beyond.
- Terrain: Grassy bank, broken stone, and patches of deep estuary silt; old timbers and metal from the hulks are embedded along the shore.
- Access notes: Stay off the canal/lock structures and within public rights of way; some banks are fenced or eroded and occasionally diverted.
Seasons
The upper estuary holds estuarine species most of the year, with peak sport in warmer months. Expect fewer species than the open coast but some quality fish on the right tides.
- Spring (Mar–May): Flounder, school bass; occasional thin-lipped mullet around brackish outfalls; first smoothhound in late May on peeler crab.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Bass (schoolies with odd 3–6 lb fish), eels (must be released), smoothhound runs on crab; thin-lipped mullet possible in settled weather.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bass remain until first cold snaps; flounder improve again; odd whiting may push this far on big night tides.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Scratching for flounder on calmer neaps; the occasional codling some winters but increasingly rare.
- Migratory bycatch (release only): Sea trout/salmon and shad pass through—if hooked, unhook promptly and return.
Methods
Heavy estuary tactics are the norm due to fierce tidal run and snaggy ground. Bait fishing outfishes lures in this permanently coloured water.
- Rigs: Pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) for bass/hounds; up-and-over for a bit more range; 2-hook flappers with size 1–2 for flounder on the slacker spells.
- Leads: 6–8 oz wired grip leads are standard; tighten/bend wires to hold bottom. Use a weak-link/rotten-bottom to save gear around hulks and timbers.
- Baits: Peeler crab is king (late spring–summer). Lugworm and ragworm catch year-round; tip with crab/squid for presence. Maddies/harbour rag for flounder. Fish baits are less consistent here.
- Tackle: 12–13 ft beachcaster, 20–30 lb mono with 60 lb shock leader or 50–60 lb braid + leader. Long tripod or tall bank sticks to keep line clear of mud and debris.
- Lures/float: Rarely effective in the chocolate water; niche opportunities around clearer brackish outfalls for thin-lipped mullet on small spinners or isome, but bait is more reliable.
- Timing: Short, well-presented casts often beat distance—fish run the edge on the flood and hold in gutters near high water.
Tides and Conditions
The Severn’s tidal range is huge; choose your windows. Medium neaps to mid-tides are generally more manageable than big springs.
- Best states: Last 2 hours of the flood into high water and the first hour of the ebb are productive. On neaps, the first push of the flood over low water gullies can also shine.
- Conditions: Light to moderate SW–W winds are fine; strong wind-against-tide makes it uncomfortable and unsafe. After prolonged rain (freshwater spate), bass sport usually dips.
- Time of day: Evening into dusk in summer for bass/hounds; daytime neaps for flounder. Night tides can bring better quality fish but add safety complexity.
- Tidal bore: On bore days the surge and debris can be severe—avoid fishing during bore passage and be well back from the edge.
- Seasonality: Peak bass/hound fishing May–September; flounder best early spring and autumn; winter is hit-and-miss.
Safety
This is a serious estuary with deep, soft mud and rapid tides. Prioritise footing and exit routes; do not step onto the mudflats.
- Soft mud: Stay on firm ground/stone—people have been stuck here; never wade and do not attempt to retrieve gear off the mud.
- Tidal speed: The flood races; set a safe retreat line and keep kit high on a tripod. Do not fish alone on springs.
- Structures/snags: Submerged timbers, rusted iron, and cables around the hulks—use a rotten-bottom and avoid climbing on the wrecks (heritage-protected and dangerous).
- Bore and debris: Check bore times; floating logs/weed can sweep lines and feet. Keep children/dogs well back.
- Banks: Some edges are undercut and collapse after wet weather—approach carefully.
- Livestock and fences: Respect farm stock and electric fences; use stiles and signed paths.
- Equipment: Wear a PFD on spring tides, use grippy boots, carry a headtorch and a fully charged phone; reception can be patchy at low spots.
- Restrictions: No fishing from Sharpness dock/lock structures; heed any local signage from landowners or the Canal & River Trust.
Facilities
Facilities are limited at the mark; plan to be self-sufficient.
- Parking: Small informal spaces near the canal/bridge; no formal car park on the foreshore itself.
- Food/toilets: A seasonal canal-side café near Purton Lower Bridge often has refreshments and toilets when open; nearest alternatives in Sharpness and Slimbridge.
- Tackle/bait: No shop on-site. Options in Lydney, Gloucester, and Thornbury; ring ahead for peeler crab and fresh worm.
- Mobile signal: Variable—generally fair on higher ground, patchy by the foreshore.
- Other: No public lighting; bring spare headtorch batteries. No bins—pack all litter out.
Tips
Purton rewards tidy presentation and local tide knowledge. Small edges make a big difference.
- Fish the edges: 30–60 m casts into the first gutter often outfish blasting long into the main flow.
- Crab tactics: Fresh peeler is a game-changer for bass/hounds; if unavailable, boost lug/rag with crab cart or mussel and plenty of bait elastic.
- Lock it down: Tight grip wires and a low rod angle into the tide help hold bottom; switch to slightly lighter leads on neaps for better bite registration.
- Raise your line: Tall tripod and a long shock leader keep line off the mud lip and reduce weed pickup.
- Weak links: Always use a rotten-bottom—snags are plentiful around old timbers.
- Mark your exit: In the dark the bank looks identical for miles; note a landmark on the way in.
- Be courteous: Keep off the hulks; locals and volunteer wardens are protective of the site.
Regulations
You can shore-fish the tidal Severn here for sea species, but several laws and byelaws apply. Always check the latest official sources before you go.
- Rod licence: No Environment Agency licence is required when fishing for sea fish in tidal waters. If you intentionally fish for salmon/sea trout (not recommended here), an EA salmon licence and season rules would apply.
- Protected species: Allis/twaite shad, salmon, sea trout, lamprey, and European eel must be released immediately if caught. Do not target them.
- Bass rules: Recreational bass regulations (size limits, bag limits, and closed months) apply in ICES area 7e (Bristol Channel/Severn). Check current MMO/IFCA guidance before retaining any bass.
- IFCA byelaws: The English shore here falls under Devon & Severn IFCA. Observe minimum conservation reference sizes, gear and netting prohibitions, and any seasonal/bass nursery area restrictions.
- Bass Nursery Areas: Large parts of the Severn Estuary are designated BNAs with extra restrictions (especially for boats) from 1 May–31 Oct; consult D&S IFCA maps if launching or fishing by boat nearby.
- Bait collecting: Hand-gathering only; no mechanical digging. This shoreline is within designated conservation sites—follow any local restrictions and avoid damaging saltmarsh/mudflats.
- Land and infrastructure: Do not fish from Sharpness docks/locks or climb on the Purton hulks (protected heritage). Respect private land and follow the Severn Way where signed.
- General: Pack out all litter; no fires. If in doubt, seek clarification from D&S IFCA, Natural England (SSSI), and the Canal & River Trust for canal-side access.
