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Somerset

Birnbeck Point

7.2 · Rocks · Somerset

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.

Should you fish Birnbeck Point?

55 Fair

Today · Best available

Best available: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Bass and Ballan Wrasse

Fair conditions. Best available around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Bass and Ballan Wrasse.

W 5 mph Rain 16% High tide 00:07

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Birnbeck Point — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Wednesday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Birnbeck Point is a powerful Bristol Channel rock mark where the decision-making matters as much as the bait. It fishes best when the tide is moving but still manageable: neaps, the flood, high water and the first of the ebb are the key windows. Expect rough ground, kelp, deep gullies, cleaner sand patches and serious tide run, so strong tackle, grip leads and rotten-bottom links are central to fishing it well.

  • Know when Birnbeck is worth the effort — and when it is just too much tide and weed.
  • Pick the right ground: gullies, kelp ledges or cleaner sand patches.
  • Time the flood and first ebb instead of fighting the worst of the run.
  • Match baits to hounds, bass, rays, huss and conger at this exact mark.
  • Avoid the common mistake of fishing too light over Birnbeck’s rough ground.

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Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

Weston-super-Mare 1.1 mi Kewstoke 1.7 mi Hutton (North Somerset) 3.5 mi Locking 3.7 mi West Wick 4.0 mi

Explore nearby towns: Weston-super-Mare · Kewstoke · Hutton (North Somerset) · Locking · West Wick

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

7.2 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

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

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.

Local knowledge

Birnbeck Point fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

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.

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.

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.

  • Spring: thornback rays, dogfish, early smoothhounds (May onward), strap conger; bass as the water warms, especially after a blow
  • Summer: smoothhounds on crab, thornback rays, bull huss, conger; school bass, pout and the odd pollack; mackerel or garfish are occasional only when clarity improves
  • Autumn: codling in colder snaps, more rays and huss, whiting and pout, bass into early autumn
  • Winter: codling (in the right years), whiting, pout, conger; dogfish remain; bass are possible during milder spells and on lively seas

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.

  • Rigs: pulley pennel (3/0–5/0) for rays/codling/bass; pulley dropper or up-and-over for long baits; short snoods to reduce spin in tide
  • Leads: 6–8 oz wired grip leads are the norm on springs; carry a range for neaps vs springs
  • Mainline/leader: 25–30 lb mono with 60–80 lb shockleader, or 30–50 lb braid with heavy mono/fluoro leader; 80 lb+ traces for conger/huss
  • Baits: peeler crab for smoothhound and bass; squid or squid/bluey cocktails for rays and codling; mackerel or launce strips; worm baits (rag/lug) for whiting/pout/codling
  • Conger set-up: big fish baits (mackerel flapper or squid/mackerel wraps) on strong hooks/wireless heavy mono; fish into dusk and dark
  • Lures/float: feasible only on clearer neap tides—metals and 20–40 g shads along seams for bass/pollack; float-fish rag/sandeel tight to weed lines when clarity allows

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.

  • Tide states: mid-flood to high water and the first of the ebb often fish best; avoid dropping to low ledges that will flood behind you
  • Springs vs neaps: springs bring run and scent dispersion (great for rays/huss) but are harder to hold; neaps are more manageable and suit scratching for whiting/pout/codling
  • Sea state: a SW/W blow that leaves colour without heavy swell can switch on bass and codling; prolonged gales can load the water with weed and make it unfishable
  • Time of day: dusk into dark is prime for rays, huss, conger and codling; daytime neaps can produce smoothhounds and bass with crab
  • Seasonality: May–September for hounds/rays/bass; late autumn–winter for codling/whiting—though year-to-year variability is normal here

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.

  • Do not enter Birnbeck Pier or cross any fencing/signage; the structure is derelict and strictly off limits
  • Fast flooding tides: identify a safe retreat line and avoid low platforms; check tide times before you leave home
  • Footing: algae, kelp and barnacles make surfaces treacherous—wear grippy boots or cleated soles and carry a headtorch for exits in the dark
  • Swell and wash: reflected waves off the headland and pier can be unpredictable—keep well back in swell and avoid on big storm days
  • Gear safety: use a lifejacket, fish with a partner where possible, and carry a charged phone; in an emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
  • Accessibility: uneven paths and rock steps make this unsuitable for those with limited mobility

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.

  • Parking: limited on-street near Birnbeck Road; additional pay-and-display options along the seafront; always check local signage and restrictions
  • Toilets: public conveniences are available along the seafront/Marine Lake area (check seasonal opening hours)
  • Food and drink: cafés and takeaways around the seafront/Anchor Head; hours vary by season
  • Tackle and bait: tackle shops operate within Weston-super-Mare—check opening times and bait availability in advance
  • Mobile signal: generally good on major networks, but can fluctuate in poor weather or behind the headland
  • Lighting: minimal at the mark; bring reliable head/area lighting for set-up and exits

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

  • Use a weak-link/rotten-bottom for leads; the ground is snaggy and claims gear
  • Keep hooklengths short and baits aerodynamic with bait elastic; clip-down rigs cast better and fish cleaner in the tide
  • Fresh peeler crab is king for smoothhounds and often for bass; squid/bluey cocktails pick out rays and codling
  • If crabs are rampant, switch to tougher baits (whole squid, mackerel heads) and rebait less often
  • Try dusk into the first two hours of the flood after a westerly blow for bass along tide seams
  • Expect weed on big springs after storms—move higher or switch to neaps if it’s unfishable
  • Take spare leads, spare rigs, and a long-handled disgorger for deep-hooked whiting/pout at night

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.

  • Birnbeck Pier/Island: no public access; do not fish from or attempt to enter the pier—it is unsafe and typically enforced by signage/security
  • Bass: recreational bass rules (seasonal open periods, daily bag limits, and a minimum size of 42 cm) change periodically—check the current UK guidance before retaining any fish
  • Local byelaws: this coastline falls under the Devon & Severn IFCA—review their byelaws for any restrictions on bait collection, netting, and protected species
  • Minimum sizes: adhere to MMO/UK national minimum conservation reference sizes for all species; return undersize fish
  • Protected/ethics: release any tope and notable large conger; never retain berried or v-notched lobsters; handle rays carefully and support by the wings
  • Access and conduct: respect private property, safety cordons and any temporary works; take litter and old line home