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Somerset

Black Nore Point

6.5 · Rocks · Somerset

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 the first of the ebb, especially at dusk or after dark. Expect snags—use strong gear and rotten-bottom leads. Spring tides suit rays and conger; neaps can be kinder for flatfish. Access is via the coastal path by the lighthouse; you’ll need to scramble onto uneven, often slippery rocks. Beware rapid flooding, swell on onshore winds, and the risk of being cut off.

Should you fish Black Nore Point?

53 Fair

Today · Best available

Best available: 06:00-09:00

Most likely species: Thornback Ray and Bass

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

W 6 mph Rain 0% High tide 00:30

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Black Nore 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.

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· 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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Black Nore Point is a serious upper Bristol Channel rock mark where timing and holding bottom matter more than distance. The most productive approach is to fish the flood into high water and the first of the ebb, using strong, simple tackle into close gullies, rock edges and mixed sand/mud seams. It can produce rays, bass, smoothhound, whiting, dogfish, conger and occasional winter codling, but the same tide range that brings fish also makes the mark unforgiving.

  • Know when the close gutter beats a long cast
  • Time rays around the strongest high-water window
  • Pick the right tide size for rays, flatties or holding bottom
  • Avoid the low-water trap that can cut anglers off
  • Rig for snags before Black Nore takes your gear

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Portishead 1.4 mi Portishead 1.6 mi Clapton in Gordano 2.4 mi Stone-Edge Batch 2.5 mi Tickenham 3.1 mi

Explore nearby towns: Portishead · Portishead · Clapton in Gordano · Stone-Edge Batch · Tickenham

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

Overall rating

6.5 /10

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

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 6/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 6/10

Thornback Ray 9/10
Tip: Big tides; fish 2h up to HW. Sandeel or squid on a pulley dropper to mixed sand/mud seams; 5–7oz grippers to hold in the run.
Bass 8/10
Tip: Flood tide washing over rough ground; peeler crab or lug/squid. Dusk and coloured water best; short to medium lobs into gullies.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 8/10
Tip: After dark on the flood. Fish or sandeel baits on 2‑hook flappers; keep baits tight to bottom. Common while ray fishing.
Whiting 7/10
Tip: Autumn–winter, after dark on the flood. Small lug/squid cocktails on 2–3 hook flappers; size 2–1 hooks. Expect fast bites near HW.
Starry Smoothhound 7/10
Tip: Late spring–summer on the flood to HW; fresh peeler crab is key. Cast 30–60yd with 5–6oz grippers; quick unhook and release.
Pouting 6/10
Tip: Rough ground at dusk/night. Small fish baits or worms on short snoods; often under the rod tip. Useful sign when rays are about.
Conger Eel 6/10
Tip: Night around rock edges; big mackerel/squid baits on strong pulley trace. Last 2h of flood into slack; expect snags.
Flounder 5/10
Tip: Calmer neap floods to HW. Rag/lug or crab, slow-rolled along mud seams and eddies close in.
European Eel 5/10
Tip: Estuarine water suits them; warm nights on a flooding tide. Small fish/worm baits in slack pockets; handle wet and release.
Cod 4/10
Tip: Late autumn–winter codling on big tides. Fresh lug or crab/squid wrap; fish first push of the flood and last hour to HW. Occasional.

Local knowledge

Black Nore Point fishing guide

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

Black Nore Point sits between Portishead and Clevedon on the North Somerset shore, just west of the distinctive Black Nore Lighthouse. It’s a classic upper Bristol Channel rock mark with fierce tides, short casting distances, and a real chance of rays, bass, codling and winter whiting. For anglers who respect the tide and pick their windows, it’s a rewarding, less-crowded alternative to nearby Battery Point.

Access is straightforward via Portishead, with a short coastal path walk to the lighthouse and rocky ledges. Expect uneven, slippery ground and a little scrambling if you want the better platforms.

  • Drive through Portishead and follow Nore Road; roadside parking is available in places near the footpath to Black Nore Lighthouse (Portishead, BS20 area). Observe local parking signs.
  • A well-used public path runs down to the lighthouse; from there, pick your way onto the rocks either side of the point. Allow 5–10 minutes from the road.
  • Alternative parking and a longer, flatter approach are possible from the Lake Grounds area, then along the seafront path.
  • Terrain is mixed: flat slabs, rough boulders, and muddy patches. Good boots with grip are essential; not suited to trolleys or heavy barrows.

This is a big-tide, coloured-water venue, so species follow Bristol Channel patterns. Expect close-in fish and fast-running tides.

  • Spring (Mar–May): Thornback ray, school bass, conger straps, flounder; occasional smoothhound late spring in settled spells.
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): Bass, smoothhound (peaks around June/July), thornback ray, dogfish, conger; thick-lipped mullet mooching around any freshwater outflows.
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): Codling in the first blows, bass (till the first real cold), thornback ray, whiting, pouting.
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): Codling on the better tides, whiting, pouting, conger; thornbacks still possible on calmer neaps.
  • Occasional: Sole and dab on the softer patches after dark; silver eels (return alive).

Heavy, simple tactics work best in the tide race. Keep snoods short, baits streamlined, and don’t overcast—fish run close to the stones.

  • Rods and leads: 12–13 ft beachcasters, 7000-size fixed spool or 525-size multipliers; 5–7 oz wired grip leads. On big springs you may still need to step up or use the uptide method.
  • Rigs: Pulley pennel (4/0–5/0) for rays/codling; 2-hook flapper (size 1–2) for whiting/flatties; running ledger for rays when flow eases. Add a weak-link (rotten-bottom) to save gear in snags.
  • Baits: Fresh black lug and squid cocktails for codling/whiting; peeler or hardback crab for bass and smoothhound; bluey, herring or squid for rays; ragworm for flatties. Fresh bait outfishes frozen most days here.
  • Times: Flood to high water in darkness is prime. Short casts into the first gully are often better than blasting long.
  • Extras: A small drop-net helps land bigger rays in swell. Lures are generally poor in the peat-stained water, but a surface or shallow plug can nick a bass in onshore blows on a flooding tide.

Black Nore is ruled by the Bristol Channel’s huge range—plan around it. The point fishes best when the flow is fishable and the water is coloured.

  • Tide state: 2 hours up to high and 1–2 hours after are the go-to windows. Neaps are easier to hold bottom; big springs can be brutal but productive at slack.
  • Wind and sea: A south-westerly puts life in the water and suits bass and codling; prolonged onshores can also bring weed. Calmer spells are ideal for rays.
  • Time of day: After dark is consistently better for rays, codling and whiting; first light can be good for bass on a making tide.
  • Water clarity: The natural colour is your friend—don’t wait for clear water here.
  • Don’t attempt low-water rock hopping far from the path; the mud and tide flood back frighteningly fast.

Treat this as a serious tidal rock mark. Plan your session, pick a safe stance, and wear appropriate kit.

  • Tidal hazards: Rapid flood and strong lateral pull; avoid being cut off around the lighthouse base. Keep an eye on ship wash—large vessels can throw unexpected surges.
  • Footing: Weed-slick rocks, ankle-twisting boulders, and soft mud in places. Studded boots and a headtorch are strongly advised.
  • Gear retention: Clip-down rigs and solid rod rests; secure buckets and bags from wash.
  • Personal safety: A modern inflating lifejacket is recommended. Don’t fish alone at night; tell someone your plan.
  • Accessibility: The path to the lighthouse is reasonable, but the final rocks are not wheelchair-friendly and are challenging for limited mobility.
  • Respect signage: If any temporary safety notices are posted (works, erosion), heed them.

Portishead has everything you need within a short drive, but there’s nothing on the rocks themselves.

  • Parking: On-street along Nore Road in places; additional parking around the Lake Grounds and marina areas.
  • Toilets: Public toilets near the Lake Grounds and around the marina; none at the mark.
  • Food and drink: Cafés and takeaways in Portishead town and the marina.
  • Tackle and bait: No dedicated shop at the mark; options exist in Portishead/Clevedon/Bristol—check opening times and availability before you travel.
  • Phone signal: Generally good 4G/5G coverage on the headland.

Little tweaks make a big difference here—think holding power, bait quality, and sensible casting angles.

  • Don’t overcast: The main gutter is often 20–50 yards out; crabs and rays patrol tight to the stones.
  • Streamline baits: Lug-squid wraps and bound crab baits cut drag and hold better in the tide.
  • Angle uptide: Cast slightly uptide to help the gripper set; a meter of slack after splashdown can bed the lead in.
  • Spare gear: Carry extra gripper leads and replacement wires; a few weak-link clips save full rigs.
  • Leaders: 60–80 lb shock/rig body to cope with abrasion. Check for nicks after each fish.
  • Rays: A fresh fish strip with squid top or a bluey section often outperforms sandeel in the upper Channel.
  • Codling cues: First proper autumn south-westerlies with colour and chop can switch them on for a few tides.
  • Quiet alternative: If Battery Point is crowded or unfishable on the biggest springs, Black Nore can give you a workable angle on neaps or at slack.

There is no general ban on angling at Black Nore Point, but you must follow national and local rules. Always check current notices on-site and official sources before your trip.

  • Bass (ICCAT/UK rules): Recreational bass fishing has seasonal limits and a minimum size (commonly 42 cm) with defined bag limits in recent years. These change—check the latest MMO/DEFRA guidance for dates and allowances before retaining any bass.
  • Minimum sizes: Observe the UK Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS) for species such as cod, whiting, etc. If in doubt, measure and release.
  • Protected species: Return European eel, shad, and any unusual or protected species alive. Do not target them.
  • Local byelaws: The area falls under Devon & Severn IFCA for inshore fisheries byelaws (e.g., no taking berried lobsters, shellfish size limits, bait digging sensitivities). Shore anglers should check any restrictions on bait collection and species retention.
  • Environment: The Severn Estuary is a protected site network (SSSI/SPA/SAC). Stay on established paths, avoid disturbing wildlife, and take all litter home.
  • Access and parking: Obey any local parking controls and safety signage. Piers and private structures nearby may have separate rules—do not trespass.