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Hock Cliff lies on the upper Severn Estuary near Fretherne/Frampton-on-Severn. It is a muddy, clay-backed shoreline with powerful tidal flow and a huge tidal range. Expect fast-flooding water, shifting channels, and soft mud below the cliff line. Fishing is best on the flood and around high water on small to...
A tidal creek and sea wall mark on the Severn Estuary at Littleton-upon-Severn, Gloucestershire. Anglers usually fish from the flood embankment and the mouth of the pill over soft mud with scoured channels. Expect powerful tides and huge ranges; plan sessions for the last two hours of the flood into...
Tidal estuary bank along the Severn at Littleton-upon-Severn, fished from the sea wall and edges of mudflats/saltmarsh. Extremely strong currents and a huge tidal range; best two hours either side of high water. Target gullies and channel edges rather than distance. Heavy grip leads and abrasion‑resistant gear recommended. Access is...
A classic upper Severn estuary bank at Longney with muddy foreshores and strong tidal flow influenced by the Severn Bore. Anglers fish from firm ground by the floodbank and timber cribs rather than the mud. Flounder dominate late autumn to spring; in warmer months schoolie bass and thin-lipped mullet appear....
Historic small harbour on the Severn Estuary where the Lydney Canal meets the river. Expect extreme tidal range, fast currents and extensive mudflats; the fishable window is typically a couple of hours either side of high water from the stable upper walls only. Summer and early autumn bring the best...
Minsterworth is a classic upper Severn Estuary mark with very soft mud banks, extreme tidal flow and the famous Severn Bore. Anglers typically fish from firm ground along the flood bank rather than the foreshore. It’s a productive venue for flounder and thin‑lipped mullet on smaller to mid-range tides, with...
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 |