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Somerset

Places to fish in Somerset

Last updated: 2 weeks ago

Fishing Marks in Somerset

58 Marks Found

Anchor Head

(6.5/10)

A rocky headland on the north side of Weston Bay at Weston‑super‑Mare, offering access to deeper, fast‑moving Bristol Channel water on the flood. Snaggy mixed ground with kelp and boulders; best fished from mid-tide up to high on neaps or the first of the ebb. Expect powerful tides, a big...

Bass Cod Pouting Whiting Three-bearded Rockling
Rocks

Battery Point

(6.6/10)

A well-known rocky headland at Portishead with very fast tides from the Severn Estuary. Deep water is close in on bigger tides, with rough, snaggy ground and strong cross-tide run. Best fished on neap tides or the slacker parts of the flood/ebb. Dusk and after dark are productive. Use strong...

Bass Cod Pouting Whiting Three-bearded Rockling
Rocks

Berrow Beach

(6.4/10)

A vast, shallow-gradient Bristol Channel surf beach between Burnham-on-Sea and Brean. Berrow Beach is famed for powerful tides, long clean sand with muddy patches, and the SS Nornen wreck visible at low water. Best fishing is typically the flood to high and into dusk/night, working gutters and channels as the...

Bass Whiting Flounder Dover Sole Thornback Ray
Beach

Birnbeck Point

(7.2/10)

Birnbeck Point is a rocky headland beside the derelict Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare. It offers fast, deep, tide-swept water typical of the Bristol Channel with mixed rough ground, kelp, and patches of cleaner sand. Best fished on neap tides and around the flood and first of the ebb; spring tides...

Bass Cod Pouting Whiting Three-bearded Rockling
Rocks

Black Nore Point

(6.5/10)

A rocky point below Black Nore Lighthouse at Portishead on the inner Bristol Channel. Fast tides, huge tidal range and turbid water define the mark. The foreshore is rough ground with boulders, kelp and gullies interspersed with small sand/gravel patches. Best results come over the flood into high water and...

Bass Cod Pouting Whiting Flounder
Rocks

Blue Anchor Bay

(6.6/10)

A broad, shallow Bristol Channel beach of sand, mud and shingle with a huge tidal range. Best results come on the flood, especially the last two hours up to high and into dusk/night. Expect strong tidal pull requiring 5–6 oz grip leads, and target the gullies and sand patches in...

Bass Cod Whiting Flounder Dab
Beach

Fishing in Somerset

Summary

Somerset’s short but varied coastline fronts the Bristol Channel/Severn Estuary and ranges from Exmoor’s rocky coves around Porlock and Minehead to vast mudflats and sea walls in Bridgwater Bay, then on to long, shallow sands at Burnham, Berrow, Brean and Weston-super-Mare. It experiences one of the world’s largest tidal ranges, creating powerful currents, extensive intertidal ground and highly tidal fishing windows. The area is famed for spring thornback rays, summer smoothhounds and bass, with reliable winter whiting and conger from rougher marks.

Location and Access

  • Exmoor Coast (Porlock Weir to Minehead)

    • Character: Mixed rock, boulder and shingle with kelp gullies; some sheltered harbour structure at Porlock Weir and Minehead.
    • Fishing: Rough-ground ledgering for conger, rays and huss; bass on lures or bait in clearer neap tides; occasional summer mackerel and garfish when water clears.
    • Access: Parking at Porlock Weir and Minehead promenade/harbour; rock platforms get cut off by tide—plan exits.
  • Blue Anchor Bay & Dunster

    • Character: Long shallow bay of sand, clay and shingle with a tidal reef system and patches of rough.
    • Fishing: Rays from spring into autumn; bass over the flood in surf; dogs and whiting numerous; smoothhounds in late spring/summer.
    • Access: Easy promenade/sea wall access at Blue Anchor; fish last of the flood and first of the ebb to avoid big tide run.
  • Watchet to Kilve, Lilstock and Hinkley Point

    • Character: Jurassic cliffs, flat limestone platforms, reefs and heavy kelp—classic rough ground.
    • Fishing: Conger, bull huss, rays, codling in colder snaps, and summer bass; wrasse in calmer water. Rotten-bottom rigs essential.
    • Access: Field paths to Kilve/Lilstock; uneven, slippery rock with cut-off risk. Note restricted zones around Hinkley Point.
  • Bridgwater Bay & Steart Peninsula

    • Character: Vast estuarine mudflats, channels and saltmarsh where the Parrett meets the Channel; very fast tides.
    • Fishing: Smoothhounds (May–Aug), thornbacks (spring/autumn), bass along channel edges, winter flounder; dogfish year-round. Fishing often from raised banks/sea defences.
    • Access: Limited safe access points; never venture onto soft mud. Observe nature reserve/SSSI signage and byelaws.
  • Burnham-on-Sea, Berrow & Brean Down

    • Character: Long, shallow sandy beaches, extensive tide run and sandbanks; rocky headland at Brean Down with strong tidal rips.
    • Fishing: Smoothhounds and rays in season, bass in surf after blows, whiting in winter. Lure fishing at Brean Down on neaps if clarity allows.
    • Access: Promenades and car parks at Burnham/Berrow; soft sand and mud hazards. Brean Down has steep paths and fierce currents off the point.
  • Weston-super-Mare & Sand Bay (North Somerset)

    • Character: Broad sandy bays with huge tidal pull; Knightstone causeway and sea walls provide height.
    • Fishing: Rays and hounds on smaller springs/neaps, bass in coloured surf, winter whiting. Weed can be troublesome after big blows.
    • Access: Promenade access but large intertidal distance—many fish from the sea wall on bigger tides. Check local byelaws around piers and slips.
  • Clevedon to Portishead (Upper Bristol Channel)

    • Character: Rocky ledges, clay shelves and strong estuarine flow; very coloured water, extreme tide.
    • Fishing: Rays, conger, eels, whiting and occasional codling in cold snaps; mullet in marinas/harbours. Bass in specific windows around structure.
    • Access: Mixed—promenades and certain ledges. Some venues have restricted or permit-only fishing—always check local rules.

Seasons & Species

Season Most likely species Notes
Late Winter (Feb) Flounder, whiting, conger Estuary flounder tails off by March; conger from rough ground at night.
Spring (Mar–May) Thornback ray, bass (building), dogfish, smoothhound (from May) Rays arrive with crab moult; bass on smaller tides; hounds start mid/late May with crab.
Early Summer (Jun) Smoothhound (peak), thornback ray, bass, huss Warmth + crab = hound time; dusk floods excellent.
High Summer (Jul–Aug) Smoothhound, bass, thornback ray, mullet, garfish (west), occasional mackerel (west) Clear neaps on the Exmoor side may see surface fish; estuary areas stay coloured—bait rules.
Early Autumn (Sep–Oct) Bass (peak), rays, huss, whiting (arrive), conger Surf bassing after blows; rays steady; nights lengthen for conger.
Late Autumn–Winter (Nov–Jan) Whiting, rays (mild spells), conger, codling (variable) Codling appear in cold snaps; whiting reliable on most clean-ish venues.
  • Bass: Best Jun–Oct, with September often prime; after onshore blows as the sea settles.
  • Smoothhound: Late May through July, sometimes into August; estuary edges (Parrett/Bridgwater Bay, Burnham/Berrow).
  • Thornback ray: March–June and again Sept–Nov; across Blue Anchor, Weston, Burnham and upper Channel marks.
  • Mackerel/garfish: Sporadic and mainly west around Porlock/Minehead on clear neap tides mid-summer.
  • Conger/huss: Rough ground (Kilve/Lilstock/Porlock) year-round, best after dark.

Methods & Tackle

  • Beach/estuary ledgering:

    • Rigs: Pulley pennel (3/0–5/0) for rays/hounds/bass; running ledger for hounds; up-and-over for long-baited presentations when tide eases; 2-hook flapper (1/0–2/0) for whiting/dogs.
    • Leads: 5–7 oz wired grip leads standard; step up on springs. Short snoods (12–18 in) in strong tide; lengthen (3–5 ft) on neaps for rays/bass.
    • Line: 18–25 lb mono with 60–80 lb shock leader; abrasion leader (60–80 lb) over rough ground. Use rotten-bottom links over reefs (Kilve/Lilstock/Porlock).
    • Hooks: Strong patterns; 3/0–4/0 for rays/hounds/bass baits, 1/0–2/0 for whiting/dogs.
    • Baits: Peeler crab (prime for hounds/bass in late spring/summer), hardback crab, lugworm for general fishing, ragworm for estuary species/wrasse, squid and sandeel (or squid wraps) for rays/codling, mackerel/bluey for conger/huss.
  • Lure fishing (west of Minehead/rocky ground):

    • Gear: 9–10 ft medium-power rod, 20–30 lb braid, 20–30 lb fluoro leader.
    • Lures: Weedless soft plastics, shallow/medium diving minnows, metals on clearer neaps. Best at dawn/dusk on calmer, clearer days.
  • Float fishing: Effective for garfish and wrasse on Porlock/rockier marks in summer when water clears.

  • General considerations: Keep rods high on sea walls to clear weed. A long tripod or rail rest helps. Don’t overcast on shallow bays—fish often run close along the first bank and gutter.

Tides and Conditions

  • Tidal range: Among the largest in the world (often 12–14 m). Expect fierce lateral run, big flooding/ebb differentials and long drying distances on sandy bays.
  • Tide size: Springs can be unfishable on the flood at open beaches—use neaps or the first/last hours of movement. Rough-ground ledges often fish best on neaps to mid-tides.
  • Productive states: Last two hours of the flood and the first of the ebb commonly produce, especially for bass and rays on the banks and reef edges.
  • Wind and clarity: Onshore W–SW winds create colour and surf that suits bass but can overload lines with weed. Easterlies calm the sea and improve clarity for lures on the Exmoor side but can slow bait fishing in the estuary sections.
  • Water colour: Generally very coloured east of Minehead—scented baits outperform lures. Clear windows are short and usually around neaps and after settled high pressure.
  • Safety thresholds: Avoid low-water excursions onto mud/sand in Bridgwater Bay and Burnham/Berrow—fast flooding and soft ground. Big onshore gales plus spring tides can overtop sea walls; pick sheltered marks or postpone.

Safety & Acccess

  • Mud and soft sand: Bridgwater Bay, Burnham, Berrow and parts of Weston have dangerous mudflats and sinking sand—do not leave firm ground or marked access. Rising tides can cut you off rapidly.
  • Rock platforms and cliffs: Kilve/Lilstock/Porlock ledges are slippery with kelp; study the tide and your exit route. Wear studded footwear and consider a personal flotation device on exposed rocks.
  • Tidal surges: Large ships and strong winds can create sudden surges against sea walls and slips—keep a safe distance from the edge and avoid low steps when waves are overtopping.
  • Restricted areas: Observe exclusion zones and signage around Hinkley Point and any working structures, slips and lifeboat areas. Piers/harbours may require permits or restrict angling—check locally.
  • Night fishing: Common and productive; carry two lights, spare batteries, a first-aid kit and fish with a partner where possible.
  • Parking and paths: Many venues are pay-and-display (Minehead, Blue Anchor, Weston). Rural access to Kilve/Lilstock crosses farmland—keep gates as found and respect SSSI/nature reserve rules.

Tips

  • On the big spring tides, fish the last hour of flood and first hour of ebb to keep baits anchored and in the strike zone.
  • Smoothhounds love crab—bring peeler or collect hardbacks from weed fringes (where allowed). Fresh is best.
  • For rays, try a squid-and-sandeel cocktail on a pulley pennel; add a few beads or a weak scent attractor in very coloured water.
  • Don’t wade out on the mudflats—Somerset’s estuary ground is notorious; fish from firm sea walls and higher banks.
  • Shorten snoods and step up to heavier grip leads when the tide rips; lengthen traces and scale down on neaps for extra bites.
  • Bassing after a blow: hit the first settling seas with lug or crab along the surf line at Burnham/Berrow/Blue Anchor.
  • Rough-ground marks (Kilve/Lilstock) demand rotten-bottom links and tough leaders—accept some tackle losses as normal.
  • Mackerel are occasional on this coast—treat them as a bonus rather than a plan. Bring bait for a fallback.
  • For conger from rock/harbour structure, fish big oily baits after dark on a strong mono rubbing leader.
  • Keep an eye on weed. After big SW blows, bootlace weed can swamp lines; move to higher walls or find lee shores.

Nearby

  • Devon – North Devon’s Bristol Channel marks offer rugged rock fishing and more chance of summer mackerel in clear spells.
  • Bristol – Urban Severn estuary shores and structures; very strong tides and coloured water.
  • Gloucestershire – Upper Severn estuary banks and groynes with extreme tidal effects (mainly estuary-style fishing).
  • Dorset – South Coast beaches and reefs within a few hours’ drive; clearer water, bream and lure options.
  • Wiltshire – Inland, but it’s the through-route to Dorset/Hampshire coasts.

FAQs

  • Do I need a licence to sea fish in Somerset?

    • You do not need a rod licence for sea fishing with bait or lures, but a licence is required for salmon/sea trout in estuaries and for some bait collection. Check local byelaws.
  • Where’s good for beginners?

    • Blue Anchor promenade, Burnham sea wall and Weston promenades offer easy access, solid footing and productive tides for rays, hounds and whiting.
  • Can I night fish?

    • Yes, many marks fish better in the dark (conger, rays, bass). Go with a partner, carry two lights, and avoid mudflats or being cut off on rock platforms.
  • What baits should I bring?

    • Lugworm and peeler crab are staples. Add squid (and sandeel if you can get it) for rays, plus mackerel/bluey for conger/huss. Ragworm is handy for estuary species and wrasse.
  • Are there size or bag limits?

    • Yes—minimum sizes and seasonal rules (notably for bass) apply and can change. Always check the latest UK/IFCA regulations before your trip, and observe local restrictions (piers/harbours).

Summary Table

Area/Mark Access Ground Best species Prime season Go-to methods Safety/notes
Porlock Weir–Minehead Harbours, promenades, short walks Mixed rock, boulder, shingle Bass, conger, huss, rays; occasional mackerel/gar May–Oct (bass/rays), year-round conger Pulley pennel with squid/crab; lures on clear neaps Cut-off risk on ledges; slippery weeded rock
Blue Anchor & Dunster Promenade/sea wall Sand/shingle with reef patches Thornback ray, bass, dogs, smoothhound Mar–Jun and Sep–Oct (rays), Jun–Aug (hounds/bass) Grip leads, pulley/up-and-over with squid/crab/lug Strong tide; fish flood top/first of ebb
Watchet–Kilve–Lilstock Field paths, rough access Reef/kelp rough ground Conger, huss, rays, bass, codling (variable) Apr–Oct (mixed), winter for codling in cold snaps Rotten-bottom pulley pennel; big fish baits Slippy ledges; heavy tackle; plan exits
Bridgwater Bay & Steart Sea banks/defences Estuary channels, mudflats Smoothhound, rays, bass, flounder May–Aug (hounds), spring/autumn (rays) Running ledger/pulley with crab; lug for bass/flounder No mud walking; fast-flood danger; SSSI rules
Burnham–Berrow–Brean Promenades, beach steps Shallow sand, banks; rocky headland at Brean Smoothhound, rays, bass, winter whiting May–Oct (hounds/bass/rays), Nov–Jan (whiting) 5–7 oz grips; crab/lug; squid wraps Soft sand/mud; fierce rips off Brean Down
Weston & Sand Bay Promenades/sea wall Broad sandy bays Rays, smoothhound, bass, whiting May–Oct (rays/hounds/bass), winter whiting Pulley/flapper; lug, crab, squid Weed after blows; big intertidal distance
Clevedon–Portishead Promenades/ledges Rock/clay shelves, strong flow Rays, conger, whiting, bass Sep–Nov (mixed), winter whiting Strong ledgering, short snoods, squid/fish/crab Some venues permit-only; powerful tide

Fishing Towns in Somerset

Abbots Leigh Aldwick Amesbury Ashcombe Park Ashgrove Ashton Court Estate Ashton Hill Ashton Watering Ashton, Bower Avon Park Avonmouth Backwell Backwell Common Backwell Green Bailbrook Banwell Barrow Barrow Common Barrow Gurney Barrow Vale Barton Bath Bathampton Batheaston Bathford Bathwick Beacon Hill Bear Flat Beechen Cliff Belluton Birnbeck Island Bishop Sutton Black Nore Blackmoor Blagdon Bleadon Bleadon Hill Bloomfield Bourne Bourton Bower Ashton Boxbury Hill Bradford Park Brass Knocker Breach Breach Hill Brinsea Bristol Brittens Burnett Burrington Butcombe Butt's Batch Cadbury Hill Cambridge Batch Canada, Lower Canada, Upper Carlingcott Charlcombe Charlcombe Bay Charlton Drive Charlton Park Charmy Down Chelvey Chelvey Batch Chelwood Chew Magna Chew Stoke Chewton Keynsham Cholwell Christon Church Town Churchill (North Somerset) Churchill Green Clandown Clapton in Gordano Clapton Wick Claverham Claverton Claverton Down Cleeve Cleve Hill Clevedon Clevedon, East Clutton Clutton Hill Colehouse Bridge Coley Combe Down Combe Hay Combe Park Compton Common Compton Dando Compton Martin Congresbury Corner Pool Farm Corston (Bath and North East Somerset) Corston Field Cowslip Green Cox's Green Crescent Gardens Cross Ways Dean Hill Dinghurst Dolebury Dolemeads Double Hill Down, South Downside Dundry East Clevedon East Dundry East End East Harptree East Hewish East Rolstone East Twerton East, Meadgate Eastfield Park Eastwood Moor Ebdon Elborough Englishcombe Failand Failand, Lower Fairfield Park Farleigh Farmborough Farrington Gurney Felton Felton (North Somerset) Fenswood Flax Bourton Fox Hills Freshford Friary Frost Hill Green Parlour Green, The Greenvale Greyfield Haberfield Hill Hale Coombe Hallatrow Ham Green Ham Rhyne Hamwood Hangstone Hill Hat and Feather Yard Hatfield Buildings Hautville's Quoit Havyat Green Havyat Road Havyatt Green Haydon Hayes Park Herons Green Hewish, East Hewish, West High Littleton Highridge Hillend Hillside View Hinton Blewett Hinton Charterhouse Hobb's Wall Hollow Brook Honey Hall Honeylands Hook Horsecastle Hounsley Batch Hunstrete Hursley Hill Hutton (North Somerset) Icelton Iford Inglesbatch Iwood Keighton Hill Kelston Kenn Kenn Moor Gate Kensington Kewstoke Keynsham Kilmersdon Colliery Kingdown Kingsmead Kingston Seymour Knightcott Knighton Sutton Knightstone Knowle Knowle Hill Lambridge Langford Langford Green Langford, Lower Langford, Upper Langridge Lansdown Larkhall Leigh Woods Leighwoods Limpley Stoke Link Littleton Littleton, Stony Littleton, Upper Locking Locking Castle Locking Parklands Locksbrook Lodway Long Ashton Longhouse Lower Canada Lower Claverham Lower Failand Lower Langford Lower Peasedown Lower Strode Lower Swainswick Lower Weston Lower Writhlington Loxton Lulsgate Bottom Lye Cross Lye Hole Lyncombe Hill Lyncombe Vale Lyncombe, South Maiden Head Maines Batch Marksbury Max Mills Meadgate East Meadgate West Mearns Middle Bridge Middletown Midford Midsomer Norton Milton Milton Brow Milton Green Milton Hill Milton Rise Monger Monkton Combe Moorlands Moorledge Moreton Point Nailsea Nailwell Nempnett Thrubwell New Buildings New Town Newbridge Newton St Loe Nightingale Valley Nore, Black North Elm North End North Wick North Widcombe Norton Norton Hawkfield Norton Hill Norton Malreward Norton's Wood Nye Odd Down Old Hill Old Mills Oldfield Park Oldmixon Oval, The Overhill Farm Ox Mead, White Pagans Hill Park Corner Park, The Paulton Peasedown St John Peasedown, Lower Penn Hill Pensford Perrymead Pill Pipehouse Plummers Hill Portbury Portishead Portishead Dock Potters Hill Priest Down Primrose Hill Priston Proud Cross Providence Plantion Publow Purn Purn Hill Puxton Queen Charlton Radford Radstock Raglands Ralph Allen Park Redcliff Bay Redcliffe Bay Redhill Redhill (North Somerset) Regil Rhodyate Hill Rickford Ridge Ridgehill Riverside Rolstone Rolstone, East Rosehill Rotcombe Round Hill Rudmore Park Rush Hill Saltford Saltford Hill Sand Farm Sandbay Sandford Sandford Batch Sharpstone Sheepway Sherborne Shiplate Shockerwick Shortwood Common Shoscombe Shrowl Bridge Shrubbery Walk Sidcot Single Hill Sion Hill Sladebrook Smitham Hill Snow Hill Somerdale South Down South Hill South Lyncombe South Twerton South Widcombe Splot, The St Catherine St. George's St. Georges Hill St. Mary's Grove Stanton Drew Stanton Prior Stanton Wick Staples Hill Stock Stockwood Hill Stockwood Vale Stoke Villice Stone-Edge Batch Stonebridge Stony Littleton Stowey Street End Strode Strode, Lower Sutton Hill Sutton Wick Sutton, Bishop Sutton, Knighton Swainswick, Lower Sydney Gardens Tadwick Temple Cloud The Green The Oval The Park The Splot The Wrangle Thicket Mead Tickenham Timsbury (Bath and North East Somerset) Towerhead Townsend Tunley Twerton Twerton Hill Twerton, East Twerton, South Twinhoe Tyning Tyntesfield Park Ubley Ubley Sideling Udley Uphill Upper Canada Upper Langford Upper Langridge Upper Littleton Upper Radford Upper Stanton Drew Upper Swainswick Upper Town Upper Weston Upper Writhlington Upton Cheyney Villa Fields Wall Mead Wallace Walton Bay Walton in Gordano Walton Park Walton St. Mary Warleigh Point Way Wick Wellow (Bath and North East Somerset) Wellsway Welton Welton Hollow West End West Harptree West Hewish West Hill West Hill (North Somerset) West Hill Gardens West Town West Wick West, Meadgate Westfield Westmoreland Weston Weston in Gordano Weston Park Weston Road Weston Village Weston-super-Mare Weston, Lower Weston, Upper Wheeler's Hill Whitchurch (Bath and North East Somerset) White Cross White Hill White Ox Mead Whiteway Whitley Batts Wick St Lawrence Wick, North Wick, Stanton Wick, Sutton Wick, West Wicklane Widcombe Widcombe, North Widcombe, South Williamstowe Wilmington Winford (North Somerset) Winscombe and Sandford Winterfield Winterhead Withy Mills Withyditch Wonderstone Woodborough Woodhill Woollard Woolley Woolvers Hill Woolvershill Batch Worle Worlebury Wrangle, The Wrington Writhlington Writhlington, Lower Writhlington, Upper Yanley Yarberry Yatton Yomede Park Zion Place