Summary
Battery Point sits at the tip of Portishead, North Somerset, projecting into the lower Severn Estuary/Bristol Channel. It’s a classic rock mark with fierce tidal run, deep water close in and a long record for smoothhounds, rays, bass and winter codling. Strong currents, snaggy ground and fast-changing water make it a challenging but rewarding venue for experienced anglers.
Location and Access
Battery Point is by the small lighthouse at the end of Portishead’s Esplanade/Lake Grounds, a short hop from the marina and The Royal Inn. Access is straightforward on good paths, with a short, uneven descent onto rocky ledges if you choose to fish below the railings.
- Drive to Portishead seafront/Lake Grounds; signposted from the town centre. A useful sat‑nav target is The Royal Inn, Pier Road, Portishead, BS20 7HG (do not rely on pub parking unless you’re a customer).
- Public parking: Lake Grounds/Esplanade Road car parks and on-street bays (time limits may apply in season). Arrive early on fine weekends—spaces fill quickly.
- Walk: 3–8 minutes on level paths to the lighthouse; then pick a spot at the railings or carefully descend to the rock ledges either side of the point.
- Terrain: Rock platform and broken ground; weed can make surfaces slick. Not suitable for wheelchairs beyond the paved viewpoint; limited options for those with reduced mobility except at the railings.
Seasons
Battery Point produces variety through the year, with fast tides drawing fish tight to the rocks. Expect quality over quantity on many tides.
- Spring (Mar–May):
- Thornback ray, dogfish, bass (building from April), early smoothhound (May), conger eel at night.
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Smoothhound (peak Jun–Jul), bass, thornback ray, conger eel, pout; occasional mackerel on rare clear, settled spells.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Bass (often best Sep–Oct), thornback ray, conger, dogfish, whiting from late Oct, the odd codling in cold snaps.
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Codling when conditions align, whiting, pouting, conger; thornback ray still possible on calmer spells.
- Occasional/bonus:
- Bull huss (after dark), silver eel (must be released), the odd wrasse on the rougher margins in settled water.
Methods
Heavy, simple and secure wins here. The tide races hard, the bottom is rough, and tackle losses are common—plan rigs and leads accordingly.
- Bottom fishing:
- Rigs: Single-hook pulley or pulley‑dropper (4/0–6/0), up‑and‑over for rays, 2‑hook flapper only on neaps for smaller fish. Always use a weak‑link/rotten‑bottom to the lead.
- Leads: 5–7 oz wired grip leads (170–200 g). On big springs, even 7 oz can drag—prioritise neaps or mid-tides for comfort.
- Lines: 20–30 lb mono with 60–80 lb shock leader, or 50–65 lb braid with a heavy rubbing leader.
- Baits: Peeler/hard crab (smoothhound, bass), lugworm/black lug + squid cocktails (codling/whiting), whole squid or mackerel flappers (conger/ray), bluey/sandeel/squid for thornbacks.
- Lure fishing (conditions dependent):
- Best on neaps near slack water or in the eddies—28–40 g metals or soft plastics (20–30 g heads) for bass. Water is often coloured; pick high‑contrast or scented lures.
- Presentation and approach:
- Cast uptide and allow the lead to dig in, or fish into the downstream eddy seams close to the point.
- Keep hooklengths tough (40–80 lb mono for conger/rays). Use strong, forged hooks.
- A long-handled net or small drop‑net helps with rays/conger from the rail area; from the low ledges, time the swell and use gloves for safe hand‑landing.
Tides and Conditions
The Bristol Channel’s vast range drives Battery Point—tide choice often matters more than time of day. Plan around neaps/mid-range and fish the runs, not just the clock.
- Tide states:
- Often best the last 2–3 hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb; strong eddies form off the headland.
- Extreme spring tides can be unfishable from lower ledges—opt for neaps or mid-tides for better control.
- Conditions:
- A slight to moderate onshore push can switch on bass and rays; big swell or strong westerlies make it dangerous.
- Water is usually coloured; clarity windows after settled easterlies can favour lures.
- Time of day/seasonality:
- Dusk into dark is prime for conger, smoothhound and bass in summer; winter nights bring whiting/codling opportunities.
- After storms, give it a day for the weed to drop but strike while the residual colour remains.
Safety
Treat Battery Point with real respect. The current rips, swells rebound off the rock, and shipping wash can surge without warning.
- Wear a modern, auto‑inflating lifejacket and cleated boots; fish with a partner after dark.
- Stay well back from the lip in swell; never turn your back on the water. Keep haul-outs planned before you cast.
- Lower rock ledges can become cut off—track the flood, and retreat early. Don’t climb down in big springs or swell.
- Shipping and wash: Large vessels transit the channel; expect delayed surges. Secure buckets and tackle.
- Slips/trips: Weed and algae are slick; headtorch and spare light essential at night.
- Accessibility: Rail-area gives safer footing but still exposed to spray; uneven steps make it unsuitable for wheelchairs. Observe any local safety signage around the lighthouse and paths.
Facilities
Portishead’s seafront is well-served compared to many rock marks, with amenities a short walk away.
- Public toilets: Lake Grounds area (seasonal opening hours—check times on arrival).
- Food and drink: The Royal Inn by the point; cafés/kiosks around the Lake Grounds and marina.
- Tackle/bait: Closest options are in Clevedon, Weston‑super‑Mare and Bristol (phone ahead for fresh lug/crab). No shop on the point itself.
- Parking: Esplanade/Lake Grounds car parks and bays; observe local restrictions.
- Mobile signal: Generally good; Portishead RNLI is nearby in the marina.
Tips
Small mark, big tide: preparation and timing catch the fish here. Local patterns reward a tidy, mobile approach.
- Space is limited—arrive early on good tides and be courteous. Don’t block paths or emergency access.
- Bring extra leads and pre‑tied pulley rigs with weak links; you will lose gear in the rough.
- For smoothhounds, fresh peeler crab is king; if unavailable, hardback crab or hermit can still score on a warm evening flood.
- For thornbacks, aim baits into slower water on the downtide edge; up‑and‑over rigs help present bigger fish baits cleanly.
- Winter codling chances improve after a blow with lingering colour; fish lug/squid combos and keep baits big to dodge dogs.
- Bass often sit on the seam lines; if the tide is too fierce, wait for the stand and work lures or free‑lined crab close in.
- A small drop‑net from the rail area saves fish and tackle when lifting rays in a swell.
Regulations
General public shore angling is allowed at Battery Point. Rules can change—always check current notices and official guidance before your trip.
- Bass: Recreational bass regulations (bag limits, size, and open/closed retention periods) apply in the Bristol Channel. Check the latest MMO/UK Government notice for dates and limits before retaining any bass.
- Tope and sharks: Tope are protected—no retention by recreational anglers. Release all tope unharmed.
- Eels: European eel must be released if caught.
- Local byelaws: The Somerset/Severn coast falls within the Devon & Severn IFCA district; netting and other byelaws may apply (mostly affecting commercial/boat activity). Shore anglers should still review D&S IFCA guidance for any area-specific restrictions.
- Clevedon Pier (nearby) requires a ticket; Battery Point is free access. Observe any temporary safety closures or maintenance notices around the lighthouse paths.
- Size limits: National minimum/measurement rules primarily target commercial fisheries; many anglers follow them voluntarily—do so to support conservation and avoid misunderstandings.
- Always follow catch limits, avoid obstructing public walkways, and take all litter and line home.
