Summary
Hinkley Point sits on the Bristol Channel coastline between Stolford and Lilstock, near Bridgwater in Somerset. Historically famed for the "Hot Water" outfall that drew in bass, cod and rays, the shoreline immediately around the power station is now out of bounds due to security and construction of Hinkley Point C.
Location and Access
This mark lies on a low, rocky foreshore backed by the Hinkley Point power station complex. Public shoreline access at the power station itself is closed and fenced, and is actively enforced. If you want to fish similar ground, head a short distance either side of the exclusion zone to Kilve/Lilstock (west) or Stolford/Steart (east).
- No public fishing access at the power station; expect fencing, CCTV and security patrols. Do not attempt to access the foreshore within the site boundary.
- Approach area via the A39 from Bridgwater or Minehead; local lanes are narrow with passing places.
- Alternative access: Kilve beach car park (signed off the A39) gives a short but uneven walk to rock platforms; Lilstock is a longer, rougher walk with very limited roadside parking; Stolford/Steart is mostly mud/sand with roadside pull-ins—obey local signage.
- Terrain either side of Hinkley ranges from flat, weed-strewn limestone ledges (west) to mixed sand/mud and stone (east). Good boots and care needed.
Seasons
While the power station shoreline is closed, the same fish assemblage occurs on the accessible marks immediately west and east of Hinkley. Expect classic upper-Bristol-Channel species with strong seasonality.
- Spring (Mar–May): Thornback ray, bass (building from late spring), conger after dark, dogfish; chance of smoothhound late spring.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Bass, smoothhound, thornback ray, huss (bull huss) on rougher ground, conger after dark; eels and mullet occasionally in calmer corners; ever-present dogfish.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bass at their peak on building tides and after a blow; thornbacks, smoothhounds tailing off late; whiting start; conger and huss continue at night.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, thornback ray, conger, dogfish; sporadic codling runs some winters, especially on rough, coloured seas; pouting common on baits left static.
Methods
These shores fish like the rest of the upper Channel—big tides, heavy leads, abrasion, and snags. Fish strong and simple.
- Tactics: Bottom fishing dominates; long casting helps on neaps, but many fish patrol close on springs and at dusk.
- Rigs: Pulley pennel (4/0–5/0) for rays/cod; up-and-over for rays on cleaner patches; short two-hook flappers for whiting; all with rotten-bottom links on the rough ground.
- Leads: 5–7 oz wired grip leads are standard; step up on big springs. Use 60–80 lb shock leader and abrasion-resistant mainline/leader.
- Baits: Peeler or hard crab (prime for bass/smoothhound); lug/rag for codling, whiting and mixed; squid or squid/bluey cocktails for rays; mackerel fillet for huss/conger; sandeel is less consistent here than further west.
- Timing: Dusk into the first of the flood is a banker; night sessions produce conger, huss and better rays. Big spring tides often out-fish neaps.
Tides and Conditions
This coast sees one of the world’s largest tidal ranges; water is nearly always coloured. Read the tide or go home empty-handed.
- Best states: 2 hours before high through the first hour of ebb on medium-to-big springs; some rough ground only fishes safely on smaller tides.
- Conditions: A fresh south-westerly that stirs the sea without making it unfishable can switch on bass; prolonged calm can suit rays and smoothhounds.
- Seasonality: Late spring to autumn for bass/smoothhound; rays year-round with peaks in spring and autumn; winter for whiting and chance codling in blows.
- Water clarity: Permanently turbid—big, fresh-smelling baits outperform flashy lures here; lure fishing is very niche and situational.
Safety
The immediate Hinkley Point shoreline is closed—respect the fences and signage. Nearby accessible ledges and mudflats are inherently hazardous.
- Exclusion: Do not fish within the power station perimeter or any signed restricted foreshore; the Civil Nuclear Constabulary patrol the area.
- Tides: Huge range with fast flooding gullies—plan an exit and avoid being cut off. Check tide times, not just heights.
- Ground: Slippery, weeded limestone plates, ankle-twisting boulders, and, eastward, soft estuary mud—wear studded boots or cleats.
- Swell and weather: Westerly swell can surge across ledges; keep well back, especially on springs.
- Night fishing: Essential lighting (headlamp + spare) and a buddy are strongly advised; carry a fully charged phone.
- Mobility: Rough, uneven approaches; not suitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility.
- PPE: A fishing lifejacket is a smart choice on any rock platform here.
Facilities
There are no angling facilities at Hinkley Point itself, and no public parking at the power station. Nearby villages and towns cover the basics.
- Parking: Use signed public car parks (e.g., Kilve) or limited roadside spots at Lilstock/Stolford where allowed—never block gates or lanes.
- Toilets/food: Seasonal toilets and a small kiosk are often available at popular beaches like Kilve; fuller services in Watchet and Bridgwater.
- Tackle/bait: Tackle shops and fresh bait are available in Bridgwater, Watchet and Minehead—ring ahead for peeler and lug.
- Mobile signal: Generally fair on cliff tops; can be patchy in low coves and under ledges.
Tips
Think Bristol Channel: grip, grip, grip—and don’t be shy with bait.
- Always use a rotten-bottom link when fishing the rougher reef west of Hinkley; it saves rigs and fish.
- Big, smelly cocktails (lug/squid or bluey/squid) pick out rays and avoid the worst of the dogs.
- For bass, crab baits on a running rig or pulley with a long trace fished into the first push of flood can be deadly.
- If weed is dragging you, shorten snoods and step up lead wire strength; move a few yards to find a cleaner seam.
- Mark your retreat route at low water—floods here run like a river and cut-offs are common.
- The famed “Hot Water” outfall is history: Hinkley Point B stopped generating in 2022, and access is prohibited in any case.
Regulations
Rules here are a mix of national fisheries regulations and strict local security controls at the nuclear site—know both before you travel.
- Access ban: Shore fishing within the Hinkley Point power station boundary and any signed restricted foreshore is not permitted. Security staff and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary enforce this.
- Marine exclusion: From boats, expect exclusion zones around intakes/outfalls and construction jetties—observe all marked limits and Notices to Mariners.
- IFCA byelaws: This coast falls under Devon & Severn IFCA. Check current byelaws for bait collection, netting restrictions, and species protections before you fish adjacent marks.
- Bass rules: Recreational bass measures (minimum size and bag/seasonal limits) change periodically. Check the latest on GOV.UK before retaining any bass.
- Shark species: Retention of tope by recreational anglers in England is prohibited; treat spurdog and other shark species with care and consider catch-and-release.
- Minimum sizes: Observe national and local minimum conservation reference sizes for all species; many rays have no legal MLS but handle and release larger breeders responsibly.
- General: Respect private land, gates and stock; follow signage at all times. If in doubt about a boundary or restriction, choose a nearby open-access mark instead.
