Westbury-on-Severn Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Westbury-on-Severn Fishing Map

Upper Severn estuary foreshore near Westbury-on-Severn: broad mudflats with a few firm banks and revetments. Huge tidal range and powerful flow (including the Severn Bore) dominate the mark. Best fished from firm, high ground on neap tides, an hour either side of slack or the first of the flood/last of the ebb. Classic baits are lugworm, ragworm and peeler crab; night sessions are productive. Avoid the soft mud and never venture onto the foreshore as the tide races in very quickly.

Ratings

⭐ 5.2/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 5/10
Scenery & Comfort 6/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 4/10

Fish You Can Catch at Westbury-on-Severn

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Crab or lug baits on strong grip leads; fish the flood into dusk near channel edges and eddies. Summer–autumn.
🐟 Flounder 7/10
🎯 Tip: Short casts into gutters; rag/lug or soft crab. Best on neaps and last of flood/first ebb, autumn–spring.
🐟 European Eel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Warm nights on worm or fish strip, tight to mud margins or creek mouths; slack water and first push of flood. C&R.
🐟 Common Goby 6/10
🎯 Tip: Ultra-light gear, size 16–20 hooks and tiny worm baits in shallow runnels at low to mid-tide; abundant but tiny.
🐟 Mullet (Thin-lipped) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Baited spinners or small Mepps with rag/maddies; work the flood along the margins in settled summer conditions.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Float small rag or bread in back-eddies on neaps; target milling fish on calm summer evenings.
🐟 Whiting 4/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional in cold snaps on winter nights; lug/squid cocktails at the channel edge on the first of the ebb.
🐟 European Smelt 3/10
🎯 Tip: Midwinter runs possible; tiny sabikis or size 12 hooks tipped with fish near slack high, around inflows or any lights.
🐟 Sea Trout 3/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional; small spinners or shallow plugs on the flood at dusk when clarity improves. Handle carefully and release.

Westbury-on-Severn Fishing

Summary

Westbury-on-Severn sits on the upper tidal reaches of the River Severn, where the estuary narrows and the tide still packs serious power. It’s a classic Severn-bank mark for flounder and bass, with a real chance of a winter codling in the right conditions. Expect big tides, fast flows, soft mud, and the famous Severn Bore—this is proper estuary fishing with plenty of character.

Location and Access

Access here generally means fishing from the floodbank/sea wall and firmed revetment rather than the mud flats—never leave the hard ground. You’re aiming for sections of bank between Broadoak and Westbury village on the A48, within the GL14 postcode area.

Seasons

The upper Severn estuary here offers estuarine regulars with seasonal peaks. Expect fewer species than the lower channel, but good sport when conditions align.

Methods

Estuary ledger fishing dominates, with simple, strong end tackle that copes with heavy tide and debris. Lures are niche due to turbidity and flow but can score at slack water.

Tides and Conditions

The Severn’s colossal tidal range and bore dictate everything. Plan sessions around bore predictions and target manageable flows.

Safety

Treat Westbury-on-Severn as a dynamic estuary environment with real, non-negotiable hazards. Preparation and conservative decision-making are essential.

Facilities

Facilities are sparse at the water’s edge; plan to be self-sufficient. Nearby villages offer essentials along the A48 corridor.

Tips

Think ‘big tide management’ and bait freshness. Small adjustments make a big difference on this river.

Regulations

This is tidal water with overlapping sea and EA byelaws—know the basics before you cast. Always check the latest rules from the MMO and Environment Agency.