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Somerset

Bossington Beach

6.1 · Beach · Somerset

A long, steep shingle beach on Porlock Bay between Porlock Weir and Hurlstone Point. Ground is mixed: cleaner shingle mid-bay with increasingly rough, snaggy patches and boulders toward Hurlstone. Powerful Bristol Channel tides mean strong lateral runs and fast-flooding water; neap to mid-range tides and low light often fish best. Prime seasons are spring–autumn for rays, bass and smoothhound, with codling, whiting and dogfish in winter. Access is from the National Trust car park at Bossington via a flat track (15–25 minutes) before crossing loose shingle; very scenic but exposed, with dumping surf on big tides.

Should you fish Bossington Beach?

36 Low

Today · Best available

Best available: 21:00-00:00

Most likely species: Lesser Spotted Dogfish and Bass

Poor conditions. Best available around 21:00-00:00, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Lesser Spotted Dogfish and Bass.

W 7 mph Rain 43% High tide 12:06

Consider a backup mark if conditions do not improve.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Bossington Beach — 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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Bossington is a long, steep shingle beach where timing and ground choice matter more than simply casting far. It fishes best when the flood, low light and manageable tide run come together. Cleaner shingle and sandier patches suit rays and general mixed fishing, while the rougher, snaggy ground toward Hurlstone is the option for huss, conger and pouting after dark — but it costs more tackle and needs heavier gear.

  • Know when Bossington is worth the walk — and when it is just too wild.
  • Pick cleaner mid-bay ground for rays instead of donating tackle in the rough.
  • Use the Hurlstone end deliberately for huss and conger, not by accident.
  • Time the flood and first ebb around low light for the best chance of quality fish.
  • Adjust rigs and leads before the Bristol Channel tide ruins presentation.

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Blue Anchor 8.8 mi Lynton and Lynmouth 10.9 mi St Donat's 12.3 mi Llantwit Major 13.2 mi Boverton 13.4 mi

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

Overall rating

6.1 /10

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

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 5/10

Lesser Spotted Dogfish 9/10
Tip: Night on the shingle; small fish baits or worm/squid cocktails, 30–60 m. Flood and first of ebb fish well.
Bass 8/10
Tip: Surf over the shingle in a SW blow; fish dusk/dawn on a flooding tide. Peeler crab or rag in the gutter; metals/softies around Hurlstone Point.
Small-eyed Ray 7/10
Tip: Target sand patches from the shingle on evening floods, late spring–autumn. Sandeel or small fish baits; clipped-down rigs to 60–100 m.
Whiting 6/10
Tip: Winter nights on the flood; small strip mackerel or lug/rag tipped with fish, 40–80 m. Expect rattly bites in stronger tides.
Bull Huss 6/10
Tip: Night over rougher ground toward Hurlstone; big mackerel/squid baits on strong traces. Ebb streams hard—use grip leads and short casts.
Smoothhound 6/10
Tip: Summer; peeler or hermit crab two hours either side of high on mixed ground. Use grip leads in the tide; 40–80 m casts.
Pouting 5/10
Tip: Mixed/rough ground near Hurlstone; small fish or worm baits, short casts, after dark year-round.
Thornback Ray 5/10
Tip: Occasional on clean patches; fish squid or bluey on evening floods in spring/autumn. Medium range casts.
Conger Eel 5/10
Tip: After dark near boulders/kelp at the east end; large fish baits, 80 lb trace, rotten-bottom rigs. Best on slack to first of the flood.
Cod 4/10
Tip: Late autumn–winter on big tides at night; lug/crab cocktails, medium casts. Best during a blow when water is coloured.

Local knowledge

Bossington Beach fishing guide

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

Bossington Beach, Somerset sits on the eastern side of Porlock Bay beneath Hurlstone Point, a dramatic sweep of steep shingle on the Exmoor coast. It’s a classic Bristol Channel venue: deep water close to a shifting pebble bank, fast tides, and serious fish like small‑eyed rays, smoothhounds, bass and nighttime eels. Persistent anglers are rewarded, especially at dusk and after a bit of sea on.

This mark lies just west of Minehead and north of Porlock, reached via the A39 and the tiny village of Bossington. Access is straightforward but the final approach across loose shingle is tiring.

  • Parking: National Trust car park in Bossington village (pay & display for non‑members; postcode approx. TA24 8HF).
  • Walk-in: 10–15 minutes on a flat lane/track from the car park to the shingle; then a short clamber over the steep pebble ridge. Allow extra time if carrying heavy gear.
  • Terrain: Very steep, loose shingle and cobbles with a pronounced bank; no firm platforms. Not suitable for trolleys or pushchairs.
  • Alternative approaches: From Porlock Weir end is possible but much longer over shingle and generally not recommended with kit.
  • Land ownership: National Trust coastline; respectful access on established paths.

The beach produces a mix of classic Bristol Channel species, with a strong summer ray/hound scene and productive winter nights for whiting and the odd codling.

  • Spring (Mar–May): Bass (building late spring, especially near surf and river outflow), smoothhound (late), small‑eyed ray (from May), dogfish, occasional spurdog on calm, dark nights.
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): Small‑eyed ray (prime), smoothhound (prime), bass in the surf after a blow, conger eel after dark, dogfish, bull huss, occasional thornback ray.
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bass (can be excellent in onshore stir), small‑eyed ray (into Sept/Oct), huss, conger, dogfish, pouting; first whiting showing late.
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, pouting, dogfish, conger on milder nights, the odd codling in a northerly blow; spurdog occasional in settled spells.
  • Localised/occasional: Thick‑lipped mullet around the Horner Water outflow/Porlock Weir side in calm, clear conditions; tope from the beach is rare but not impossible in midsummer.

This is primarily a bottom‑fishing venue, with range and presentation important because of tidal pull and shingle snags.

  • Tackle: 12–14 ft beachcaster or continental rod with a sturdy reel; 0.35–0.40 mm mono or 30–40 lb braid and a 60–80 lb shockleader. Use 5–6 oz grip leads (7 oz on big springs).
  • Rigs: Pulley pennel (3/0–5/0) for rays/huss; up‑and‑over or long‑range clipped rigs for distance; 2‑hook clipped/down-and-out for whiting and mixed fish. Add a weak/rotten‑bottom link to save leads among stones.
  • Baits: Sandeel (whole or snake) and squid wraps for small‑eyed rays; peeler or hard‑back crab and squid for smoothhound and bass; black lug/razor/rag for codling/whiting; mackerel/bluey for huss and conger. Fresh bait outfishes frozen for rays and bass.
  • Lure/float: Lures only in calmer, clearer spells on neaps—shallow divers or soft plastics for bass tight to the surf line. Bread flake or small baits under a float for mullet near the river outflow in summer.
  • Timing: Dusk into night transforms this venue. Big, well‑presented baits at range during the flood are the norm for rays; fish close in at last light for bass.

The huge tidal range of the Bristol Channel drives this mark. Aim to marry the flood with low light and some colour in the water.

  • Tide state: 2–3 hours up to high water and the first of the ebb are often best. On neaps you’ll hold better and fish can sit longer in front of you.
  • Sea state: A moderate SW–W onshore and milky water suits bass and ray fishing; a heavy swell creates dangerous backwash and is often unfishable.
  • Time of day: Dusk to a few hours into darkness is prime for rays, huss, conger and autumn/winter whiting. Early dawn pushes can also be good for bass.
  • Seasonality: May–September is peak for small‑eyed rays and smoothhounds; October–February brings whiting and the chance of codling on a cold blow.
  • Tidal run: Expect strong lateral pull on springs—step up to heavier grip leads and compact baits; keep rigs streamlined.

This is a serious shingle beach with steep banks, surging waves and fierce backwash—treat it with respect.

  • Steep shingle and sudden drop‑offs: Don’t stand at the water’s edge; never turn your back on the sea. Expect powerful backwash that can take legs from under you.
  • High‑water squeeze: On big springs the sea can reach the shingle crest—set up high, keep an escape route, and move kit back early.
  • Underfoot: Loose, shifting stones are ankle‑testing; use supportive boots. The walk is not suitable for limited mobility.
  • Weather and swell: Avoid strong onshore gales; waders are not recommended here due to shelving and backwash.
  • Nearby cliffs (Hurlstone Point): Occasional rockfall/landslip—keep clear of cliff bases.
  • Comms and prep: Mobile signal can be patchy; carry a headtorch, spare light, and consider a PFD. Fish with a partner if possible and tell someone your plan.

Facilities are modest but adequate if you plan ahead. Expect few amenities right on the beach.

  • Parking: National Trust car park at Bossington (pay & display); usually open year‑round.
  • Toilets: Public toilets at the NT car park (often seasonal hours) and in Porlock village.
  • Food and drink: Tea rooms in Bossington (seasonal) and several pubs/cafés in Porlock and Porlock Weir.
  • Tackle and bait: Good options in Minehead (10–15 minutes by car); call ahead for fresh bait. Limited or no tackle retail in Bossington itself.
  • Other: No lighting or shelter on the beach; bins may be limited—take all litter home. Phone signal varies by network.

A few local wrinkles can make a big difference on this shifting shingle.

  • Read the ground: At lower water, note seams of finer shingle or darker sand patches—these corridors often draw rays on the flood.
  • Crab raids: Spider crabs can be relentless late spring; toughen baits with squid wraps or elastic and check regularly.
  • Dogfish control: Step up to bigger, streamlined baits (whole sandeel, squid wraps) to get past LSDs when they’re thick.
  • Casting: Keep rigs aerodynamic and clipped; even 20–30 extra yards can find cleaner flow beyond the worst of the side run.
  • Bass windows: After a 24–48 hour blow that’s just easing, fish the first coloured push of the flood at dusk with crab or big lug cocktails tight to the surf line.
  • Kit shuffle: On big springs, move your gear up the bank before it’s needed—backwash can rip tripods over in seconds.

Recreational sea angling is generally permitted from Bossington Beach. This coastline is within Exmoor National Park and much of Porlock Ridge & Saltmarsh is designated (SSSI) under conservation protection.

  • Access and land: Follow National Trust on‑site signage—keep to paths across the dunes/saltmarsh, avoid disturbing wildlife, and take all litter home. Barbecues and fires are often restricted—check local notices on the day.
  • Fisheries management: This area falls under Devon & Severn IFCA and national MMO rules. Observe current minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) and any local byelaws (e.g., netting/estuarine restrictions).
  • Bass: Regulations change frequently (seasonal catch‑and‑release periods, minimum size, and daily bag limits). Check the latest MMO/IFCA guidance before your session.
  • Spurdog and skates/rays: Rules for retention vary with annual measures—many anglers release spurdog and small‑eyed rays as a best‑practice conservation choice. Verify current retention rules if in doubt.
  • Protected sites/species: Do not disturb nesting birds or saltmarsh vegetation. Some bait collection may be restricted within designated areas—check local byelaws.
  • Licences: No rod licence is required for sea fishing in England, but estuary/river stretches may have separate rules—observe any local signage near the Horner Water outflow.