Birnbeck Point Fishing

Last updated: 5 days ago

Birnbeck Point Fishing Map

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 and big swell can make it unfishable. Expect strong cross-tides, heavy weed runs, and frequent snags—use strong tackle and rotten-bottom links. Night sessions produce well. Parking and a short walk make access reasonable, but take great care on wet, weeded rocks and with the rapid tidal rise.

Ratings

⭐ 7.2/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 9/10
Scenery & Comfort 6/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at Birnbeck Point

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Flood tide into the gullies; peeler crab or large prawn, or paddle-tail shads in the tide race. Best May–Oct, rougher seas and coloured water.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: Very common on mixed/rough ground; lug/squid cocktails on 2-hook flappers. Better on the flood, evenings.
🐟 Conger Eel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Night on springs; big mackerel/squid baits on heavy gear and rotten-bottoms tight to kelp-covered ledges.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Shoals under the ledges; small mackerel strips or worm after dark on short snoods. Flooding tide fishes best.
🐟 Bull Huss 6/10
🎯 Tip: Large fish baits (mackerel or pout) at night over rough ground; strong traces and rotten-bottom. Last of the flood and first ebb.
🐟 Smoothhound 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late May–Sept on peeler crab; aim for cleaner patches at range on the flood. Neap tides help in the strong run.
🐟 Whiting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights; lug/squid or mackerel strips on 2–3 hook rigs. Best on the flood in the tide run.
🐟 Three-bearded Rockling 5/10
🎯 Tip: Worm baits in boulder gullies at dusk; short snoods, baits hard on the bottom. Smaller tides reduce snags.
🐟 Thornback Ray 5/10
🎯 Tip: Cast to sand patches with sandeel/squid. Neaps or slack water help; late winter–spring and autumn evenings.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 5/10
🎯 Tip: Summer daylight; drop crab or prawn into kelp-lined holes on short traces. First half of the flood.
🐟 Cod 3/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional late autumn–winter on big lug/crab during rough seas; fish the flood and first ebb over mixed ground.

Birnbeck Point Fishing

Summary

Birnbeck Point sits at the northern tip of Weston-super-Mare, looking out into the fast-flowing Bristol Channel and the mouth of Sand Bay. It’s a classic rough-ground rock mark with powerful tides, deep gullies and proximity to the derelict Birnbeck Pier, offering serious chances of rays, smoothhounds, conger and winter codling for well-prepared anglers.

Location and Access

Access is from the Weston-super-Mare seafront via Birnbeck Road, with short walks down to the rock platforms around the point. Parking is typically on-street nearby or in town seafront car parks; expect a brief but uneven walk and slippery rock underfoot. Fishing on the pier itself is not allowed—the structure is closed and dangerous—so keep to the public foreshore only.

Seasons

This is a highly tidal, mixed rough-ground venue that fishes differently through the year. Expect classic Bristol Channel species with best results at dusk and into darkness on flooding tides.

Methods

Heavy bottom-fishing tactics dominate due to strong tidal run and snaggy, kelpy ground. Keep rigs streamlined and robust, with sacrificial rotten-bottom links to save leads.

Tides and Conditions

The Bristol Channel’s range and flow define this mark. Plan around the flood, hold bottom with grippers, and expect sessions to come alive at dusk and after dark.

Safety

This is an exposed, rough-ground rock mark with slippery weeded slabs and fierce tidal movement. Treat it with respect and never attempt to access the closed pier or island.

Facilities

There are no facilities on the rocks themselves, but Weston-super-Mare’s seafront is close by for amenities. Expect limited parking near the point and better options back along the prom.

Tips

Birnbeck rewards tidy, tide-savvy fishing and strong end gear. Little tweaks to reduce drag and manage crabs can transform your session.

Regulations

General sea angling is permitted from the public foreshore at Birnbeck Point, but the pier and island are closed to the public and must not be accessed. Always check the latest national and local rules before your trip.