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A small tidal pill opening onto the upper Severn Estuary just south of Sharpness. Expect fast currents, heavy silt and a huge tidal range; fishing is best around the last two hours of the flood and first of the ebb from firm ground near the pill walls/slipways. The water is...
An exposed stretch of the upper Severn Estuary west of Berkeley with broad mud and sand flats cut by deep, fast-running channels. Huge tidal range, fierce currents and soft mud define the mark; fishing is best the last two hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb, especially...
Broadoak is an Upper Severn estuary bank mark beside the A48, with muddy/silty foreshore, strong tidal flow and occasional Severn Bore. Anglers typically fish from firm ground or the sea wall into the channel edges and gutters; do not venture onto the mud. Best windows are the last two hours...
A tidal creek and foreshore on the west bank of the River Severn just south of Newnham. Bullo Pill has very strong tides, pronounced tidal bore effects and extensive soft mud. Fish from firm ground near the creek mouth and any remaining hard edges/old quay stonework rather than the mud....
A classic upper Severn estuary bank at Elmore Back: a grassed flood embankment overlooking wide mudflats and a fast, deep tidal channel. It fishes best around the flood to high water on spring tides for bass and winter codling, with reliable flounder and summer mullet in calmer spells. Expect a...
Epney is a classic upper River Severn estuary bank mark with muddy foreshore, strong tidal currents and exposure to the Severn Bore. Anglers fish from the sea wall and grassy banks, casting into gutters and along channel edges where fish move up tight to the shore on the flood. Best...
Gloucestershire doesn’t have open coast, but it does front the mighty Severn Estuary — a broad, fast-flowing tidal river-scape of sea walls, saltmarsh and deep channels. The world-class tidal range, famous Severn Bore, and chocolate-coloured water make it a challenging but rewarding venue for estuary specialists. Expect flounder, school bass and mullet around docks and harbours, with occasional codling in cold winters toward the lower estuary.
| Season | Likely Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–Jun) | Bass (schoolies), Flounder, Mullet (thin-/thick-lipped) | Bass arrive with warmer temps; mullet show in harbours/docks on neaps and calm days. Crab baits excel for bass and flounder. |
| Summer (Jul–Sep) | Bass, Flounder, Mullet, Eel (release only) | Best consistent sport. Evenings into dark are prime. Eels are common by-catch — retention prohibited; handle carefully and release. |
| Autumn (Oct–Nov) | Flounder (peak), Bass (tail-end), Occasional Codling | Big flounder in coloured water; odd codling may appear lower down (Sharpness/Purton) in colder snaps. |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | Flounder, Rare Codling | Reduced options; target flounder on smaller tides. Codling only in some years and mostly toward the lower estuary. |
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| Area | Access & Character | Best Species | Best Methods | Prime Season | Key Safety Notes | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Severn (Sharpness, Purton, Lydney) | Sea walls, working docks, mudflats; some restricted zones | Bass, Flounder, Mullet; odd Smoothhound/Codling | Short-range ledger with crab/worm; mullet float/bread in harbours | May–Oct (bass/mullet), Oct–Feb (flounder) | Strong run on springs; Bore risk; shipping wash; deep mud | Parking at Lydney Harbour; limited around Purton; no facilities on walls |
| Middle Severn (Frampton, Arlingham, Newnham) | Rural sea walls, saltmarsh; footpath access via stiles | Flounder, Bass (schoolies), Mullet (slacks) | Simple ledgering, weak-link leads; occasional mullet tactics | Jun–Oct (bass), Sep–Jan (flounder) | Cut-off hazard on flood; treacherous mud; livestock fields | Very limited parking; no toilets; use Severn Way rights of way |
| Upper Tidal (Minsterworth to Gloucester) | Narrower, powerful tide; Bore country | Flounder, occasional Bass | Short lob ledgering on neaps | Sep–Dec (flounder), Jun–Sep (bass) | Avoid Bore times; extreme surge; unstable banks | Minimal facilities; village parking only |