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Sea fishing mark

Sharpness

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A productive Severn Estuary mark along the sea wall by Sharpness Docks/Marina. Expect a huge tidal range and powerful currents; most fishing is done around the last of the flood and first of the ebb or on neap tides. The bottom is predominantly soft mud with the main channel close in, plus scattered debris near the wall, so strong gripper leads (6–8 oz) and rotten-bottom setups are recommended. Access is via public paths around the marina/sea wall, but observe signage—no fishing inside the working dock/lock gates and give shipping a wide berth. Best periods are spring–autumn for bass and mullet, with winter bringing codling and whiting; flounder and eels show year-round. Safety is critical: unstable mud, fast tides (including the Severn bore), steep revetments and ship wash—stay on firm ground, avoid the foreshore, keep well back from the edge, and use a PFD in rough conditions. Industrial scenery, exposed to wind, but strong tidal funnels make it a consistent estuary venue.

6.1/10 overall Estuary Gloucestershire
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Last updated: 2 weeks ago

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Sharpness 0.4 mi Lydney 1.6 mi Clapton 2.1 mi Clapton 2.1 mi Berkeley 2.3 mi

Explore nearby towns: Sharpness · Lydney · Clapton · Clapton · Berkeley

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Overall rating

6.1 /10

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

Category scores

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

Bass 8/10
Tip: Peeler crab or lug on pulley/paternoster; fish the flood to high water along channel edges and dock pilings. Use 6–8oz grip leads for tide. Best May–Oct, dusk/night, after fresh water.
European Eel 7/10
Tip: Night fishing with rag/lug or fish strips cast downtide; target slacks around high to avoid debris. Summer–early autumn; barbless/wire-free rigs and prompt release.
Flounder 6/10
Tip: Ragworm or maddies on 2-hook flapper, close-in over mud margins. Neap tides fish best; last of the ebb into first of the flood. Autumn–winter.
Mullet (Thick-lipped) 6/10
Tip: Float or freelined bread/mussel along quay walls and canal entrance on neaps and slack water. Prebait with bread mash. Clearer summer mornings are best.
Common Goby 5/10
Tip: Size 14–18 hooks with tiny worm/prawn pieces right against quay walls at slack water. Best on neaps in summer; keep baits static.
Mullet (Thin-lipped) 5/10
Tip: Small spoon/spinner tipped with rag worked through eddies on the flood; long fluorocarbon leaders. Late spring to early autumn on clearer neaps.
European Smelt 4/10
Tip: Tiny sabikis or size 10–12 hooks with fish sliver by dock lights on evening tides Feb–Mar. Fish midwater on the ebb.
Starry Smoothhound 3/10
Tip: Peeler or soft crab on fixed-wire grip leads; first of the flood May–Aug along crab-rich seams. Occasional this far upriver—handle and release carefully.
Sprat 3/10
Tip: Mini feathers or sabikis around dock/quay lights on calm winter evenings; keep lures shallow and retrieve slowly with the tide.

Sharpness fishing guide

Sharpness sits on the upper Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire, beside the working docks and the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. It’s a classic mud-and-tide venue where huge tidal range, fierce currents and coloured water funnel migratory fish along the bank. For anglers who time it right, it offers rewarding winter codling and year‑round flounder with a real estuary atmosphere.

Access is straightforward via the village of Sharpness, but remember the commercial dock estate itself is off‑limits to fishing. Most anglers use the Severn Way floodbank north and south of the docks to reach safe, public stretches of riverbank.

  • Winter (Nov–Feb): Codling (best chance on bigger tides and after blows), flounder, occasional whiting; expect fewer but better fish after dark.
  • Early spring (Mar–Apr): Flounder remain the banker; increasing chance of schoolie bass on mild spells.
  • Late spring to summer (May–Aug): Schoolie bass present; flounder; European eels are common by-catch (protected—release immediately).
  • Autumn (Sep–Oct): Bass at their peak on springs and coloured water; first codling show late October into November.
  • Occasional/less common: Pouting, small thornback rays are more frequent further down-estuary than at Sharpness, but the odd stray can appear in warm summers.

This is a heavy-tide, muddy estuary mark, so think strong tackle, gripper leads and clipped-down rigs to punch baits and hold bottom. Most fishing is bottom work from a tall tripod on the floodbank.

Sharpness is all about timing the tide. The estuary here has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world; plan short, focused sessions around the best movement and manageable flow.

The Severn at Sharpness is powerful, fast and unforgiving. You fish safely from the floodbank—never venture onto the exposed mud or down the revetment.

Sharpness village has limited amenities and the docks are operational, so services are sporadic right on the waterfront. Plan to be self‑sufficient on the bank.

This is a mark where tide craft beats brute casting distance. Short to medium casts into the channel edge out-fish baits blasted to midstream that will never hold.

This is a working port area within protected estuary designations, so a few extra rules and good practice points apply. Always check current byelaws before you go.