Kilve Beach Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Kilve Beach Fishing Map

Expansive limestone and shale ledges on the Bristol Channel with a huge tidal range. Rough, snaggy ground with strong currents; best fished on neap tides and the flood up to high water. Summer brings bass and smoothhound; wrasse and rock species are reliable in daylight; winter can see whiting and the odd codling. Long, uneven walk from the car park, slippery weeded rock, and a fast-flooding tide—use rotten-bottom rigs and keep a close eye on the water.

Ratings

⭐ 6.5/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 7/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 5/10

Fish You Can Catch at Kilve Beach

🐟 Small-eyed Ray 8/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn nights. Sandeel or launce on long pulley. Aim for sand patches beyond reef on neaps; grip lead to hold. Range often helps.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 8/10
🎯 Tip: May–Sep. Peeler or soft crab on pulley rigs. Fish the flood into dusk over clean sand seams between ledges. 3–5oz grip leads; avoid strongest tides.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Rising tide in onshore chop at dusk/dawn. Peeler crab or sandeel in gullies; shallow plugs over the flood. Keep mobile and beware fast-flooding ledges.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: All year, best after dark. Small fish/squid baits on clean patches close in. Good for bites when tide eases.
🐟 Bull Huss 6/10
🎯 Tip: Evenings on neaps. Large fish/squid baits into kelp gullies; heavy abrasion-resistant rigs and rotten-bottom leads.
🐟 Pouting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Darkness around HW. Small fish or worm baits on short snoods; fish tight to rough ground and ledge edges.
🐟 Whiting 5/10
🎯 Tip: Nov–Feb, after dark on the flood. Small mackerel strips or worm on 2-hook flappers; longer casts to cleaner ground.
🐟 Thornback Ray 5/10
🎯 Tip: Spring and autumn. Herring, bluey or squid/sandeel cocktails. Cast to sand runs between rock; fish neaps or slack water to hold bottom.
🐟 Conger Eel 5/10
🎯 Tip: Night HW. Big mackerel/squid baits dropped into holes by ledges; 80lb mono trace, strong hooks. Expect snags; use rotten-bottom.
🐟 Cod 4/10
🎯 Tip: Late autumn–winter after a blow. Big lug/crab cocktails on pulley pennel; best on first of the flood over mixed rough.

Kilve Beach Fishing

Summary

Kilve Beach sits on the wild West Somerset coast within the Quantock Hills AONB, a fossil-rich, rocky foreshore of blue lias ledges and shingle. It’s a classic Bristol Channel rough-ground mark with huge tides, year-round dogfish, summer smoothhound and rays, plus eels and huss after dark. Expect challenging terrain, fast tides, and rewarding sessions when you get the timing right.

Location and Access

Set between Bridgwater and Minehead, Kilve is easy to find from the A39 via the signed turn for Kilve/Beach. Access is straightforward to the top of the beach, but the fishing ground itself is rocky, uneven, and slippery. Allow extra time in darkness or on a big ebb.

Seasons

This is a classic mixed Bristol Channel ground with seasonal highlights. Night sessions often out-fish daylight.

Methods

Bottom fishing dominates due to depth, colour and tidal run. Fish close to medium range into gullies and lanes rather than blasting to the horizon.

Tides and Conditions

The Bristol Channel’s tidal range is enormous here; plan meticulously. Medium to big making tides are usually best, with fish pushing tight on the flood.

Safety

This is a serious rough-ground venue with fast tides, slippery ledges and soft patches—treat it with respect. Accessibility is poor for reduced mobility due to uneven terrain.

Facilities

Facilities are modest and seasonal, so plan to be self-sufficient. The nearest full services are in Watchet, Williton, and Bridgwater.

Tips

Timing and placement matter more than brute distance here. Think lanes, gullies and movement rather than sheer casting.

Regulations

Angling is permitted, but this coastline forms part of protected designations (SSSI/SPA/NRR), so follow local signage and environmental rules. Always check current regulations before your trip.