Charlcombe Bay Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Charlcombe Bay Fishing Map

A small, tidal rocky cove on the North Somerset coast between Clevedon and Portishead. Charlcombe Bay is mostly rough, bouldery ground with weed and gullies, opening onto patches of mud/sand at distance. The Bristol Channel’s big tides and fast run are the dominant factors here: it fishes best over mid to high water on neaps to moderate springs, with evenings and after-dark producing the more notable fish. Expect regular small stuff and dogfish with a chance of huss, conger and an occasional ray if you can reach cleaner patches. Access is via the coast path with a short but steep descent; the rocks are slippery and the tide floods quickly, so time your session carefully and avoid venturing far on the ebb.

Ratings

⭐ 5.7/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 6/10
Scenery & Comfort 6/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 5/10

Fish You Can Catch at Charlcombe Bay

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Work white water over kelp and ledges on a flooding tide; dawn/dusk best. Crab, rag/sandeel, or shallow-diving lures.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 8/10
🎯 Tip: Abundant over mixed ground; fish after dark 2–3 hrs around low or flood. Small fish or squid baits on simple paternoster.
🐟 Bull Huss 7/10
🎯 Tip: Rough kelp/boulder ground; night sessions with big mackerel/squid baits. Use strong gear and rotten-bottom. Best on neaps into flood.
🐟 Conger Eel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Deep gullies under cliffs; fish last of ebb into first push after dark. Whole fish/squid, 80lb trace, strong hooks; use rotten-bottom.
🐟 Pouting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Year-round, esp. after dark. Small mackerel/squid strips on size 2 hooks; short casts to rock gullies and drop-offs.
🐟 Smoothhound 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn; peeler/hardback crab at range onto cleaner patches on the flood. Use grip leads to hold in tide run.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 6/10
🎯 Tip: June–Sept; crab baits 2 hrs either side of high on neaps to hold bottom. Cast beyond rough to sand patches.
🐟 Three-bearded Rockling 5/10
🎯 Tip: Dark winter/spring; worm or small fish baits lowered into holes at your feet over rough ground. Keep snoods short to avoid snags.
🐟 Thornback Ray 5/10
🎯 Tip: Clean patches beyond the rough; long casts with sandeel/bluey/squid. Spring and autumn; slack into early flood on neaps.
🐟 Ballan Wrasse 5/10
🎯 Tip: Summer over kelp gullies on crab or prawn; float or simple ledger. Fish mid-tide with some movement; clearer days help.

Charlcombe Bay Fishing

Summary

Charlcombe Bay sits under Poets’ Walk at Clevedon on the North Somerset coast, a short stroll west of the seafront and Marine Lake. It’s a classic Bristol Channel rock mark with rugged limestone ledges, fierce tides, and real potential for rays, bass, conger and winter whiting. Fish it for dramatic scenery and proper, no-nonsense estuary sport when the bigger tides and weather line up.

Location and Access

Set beneath the low cliffs between Clevedon’s Marine Lake and Ladye Bay, Charlcombe Bay is reached on foot via the well-known Poets’ Walk path. Access is straightforward in fair weather, but final approaches are over uneven, often slippery rock. Parking is easiest around Salthouse Fields/Marine Lake (BS21 area) with pay-and-display options.

Seasons

This is an energetic estuary-rock mark; species vary with season and tide strength. Expect dogfish year-round, with rays and bass in warmer months and whiting/codling in the colder season.

Methods

Heavy Bristol Channel tactics win here: gripped leads, streamlined rigs, and robust snoods to cope with tide, snags and conger. Lure and float tactics can work during neaps and slacker water.

Tides and Conditions

This coast has one of the world’s largest tidal ranges, so timing is everything. Flow is brutal on big springs; neaps often fish more comfortably and safely.

Safety

Treat Charlcombe Bay with full respect: slick weeded rock, fast tides, wave surges and snaggy ledges. There is no easy escape across low ground—use the cliff path.

Facilities

Clevedon is well served, with parking, toilets and food within a short walk of the path. Tackle is available in the wider area, though shops change—check current openings before you travel.

Tips

This mark rewards tidy presentation and local-tide savvy. Expect to lose gear—plan for it—and fish short sessions around the best water.

Regulations

You’re within the Devon & Severn IFCA district on the North Somerset shore. Shore angling is generally permitted at Charlcombe Bay, but a few key rules and norms apply.