Burnham-on-Sea South Beach Fishing

Last updated: 5 days ago

Burnham-on-Sea South Beach Fishing Map

A broad, shallow sandy-mud estuary beach just south of the pier on the Bristol Channel. Huge tidal range and fast currents shape multiple gutters and channels; most anglers fish 2–3 hours either side of high water from the top of the beach or promenade. Expect flounder and bass as staples, with dabs, sole and winter whiting, plus occasional dogfish and rays. Use grip leads to hold in tide and target visible gutters and the river-side channel. Do not walk onto the soft mud and be aware of rapidly flooding tides; check any seasonal beach-fishing restrictions locally.

Ratings

⭐ 5.9/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 6/10
Scenery & Comfort 6/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at Burnham-on-Sea South Beach

🐟 Small-eyed Ray 8/10
🎯 Tip: May–Sep; last 3 hrs of flood into first of ebb. Long cast to outer gutter. Sandeel or bluey on pulley pennel; 5–6oz gripper.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 8/10
🎯 Tip: Night flood over sandy mud; 5–6oz gripper. Small squid/mackerel strips on 2-hook flappers. Best first push to high water.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Flooding surf in coloured water; peeler crab, lug or sandeel. Fish first push to top, along gutter edges. Pulley/dropper with 4–5oz grip.
🐟 Whiting 7/10
🎯 Tip: Nov–Feb, mainly after dark. Lug tipped squid on 2–3 hook flappers, 40–80m. Best mid–late flood when tide eases.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: May–Aug on the flood; peeler crab or hermit. Cast to channel edges/gullies. Light pulley, long snood; 5–6oz gripper.
🐟 Flounder 6/10
🎯 Tip: Flood over muddy sand and runnels; small rag/lug on long-snood flappers, short lob 20–40m. Best autumn–spring.
🐟 Thornback Ray 6/10
🎯 Tip: Spring–autumn evenings. Bluey/squid or crab on pulley pennel at range; target outer bar on neaps. Last of flood fishes well.
🐟 Dab 5/10
🎯 Tip: Winter neaps in daylight. Small lug or sandeel slivers on 2-hook flappers; 40–60m over clean patches.
🐟 Dover Sole 5/10
🎯 Tip: Warm, calm nights Jun–Sep. Small rag/maddies on long snoods; short casts along gutter lips on neap tides. Light grip leads.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 4/10
🎯 Tip: Calm summer floods near river outflow; breadcrumb groundbait then bread flake or tiny rag under float. Best on first of the flood.

Burnham-on-Sea South Beach Fishing

Summary

Burnham-on-Sea South Beach (Somerset) sits on the inner Bristol Channel where vast mudflats, powerful tides, and estuary flow make a distinctive, productive venue. It’s primarily a high-water, fish-from-the-promenade mark, rewarding careful timing with bass, smoothhound, rays and winter codling/whiting.

Location and Access

This is the stretch immediately south of Burnham’s pier along the South Esplanade, down toward the River Parrett. Access is straightforward and mostly level, with anglers typically setting up along the sea wall/steps at high water.

Seasons

The Severn Estuary’s coloured, nutrient-rich flow brings seasonal visitors and estuary stalwarts. Expect short feeding windows around high water.

Methods

It’s a classic high-water bottom-fishing venue with strong tidal pull; fish from hardstanding with gripper leads and streamlined rigs.

Tides and Conditions

The Bristol Channel’s range is huge and the tide races; plan around manageable flows and short bite windows.

Safety

This is a high‑risk mud venue: multiple rescues occur here. Treat all exposed beach and ‘wet sand’ as soft mud—fish only from the promenade/solid structures.

Facilities

Burnham is a full‑service seaside town with amenities close to the mark. Most essentials are within a short walk of the Esplanade.

Tips

Think ‘presentation in tide’ and ‘don’t overcast’—fish often run the gutters right under you near high.

Regulations

Rules here are a mix of national, IFCA, council and on‑the‑day lifeguard restrictions. Always read seafront signage before setting up.