Summary
Redcliff Bay sits on the Portishead side of the upper Bristol Channel, North Somerset, flanked by low cliffs and rough, bouldery foreshore. It’s a classic coloured-water mark with fierce tides, offering realistic chances of thornback rays, conger, smoothhounds, bass, and winter codling. The bay rewards tidy tactics, strong tackle, and careful timing around the flood to high water.
Location and Access
Redcliff Bay is on the western edge of Portishead, a short hop from the M5 and the A369. Access is via residential streets above the cliffs, with short but steep paths or steps down to the foreshore.
- Drive: Leave the M5 at J19 (Gordano), follow the A369 to Portishead, then head for Nore Road/Redcliff Bay.
- Parking: Predominantly on-street in the Redcliff Bay/Nore Road area (Portishead BS20). Be considerate—do not block driveways or emergency access.
- Approach: Short, steep footpaths/steps lead to the shingle and boulders; expect an uneven descent and a scramble at the bottom.
- Ground: Mixed—shingle pockets, big boulders, broken ground and mud edges. Good boots essential.
- Note: Some cliff-top land is private; access is via public footpaths only. The foreshore is uneven and can be slippery year-round.
Seasons
Fish species follow the Bristol Channel pattern: estuarine, tide-hardy species in coloured water. Expect close-range bites in the flood and around dusk/night.
- Spring (Mar–May): Thornback ray, bass (from April in mild spells), dogfish, conger, early smoothhound (late May), occasional flounder.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Smoothhound, bass, conger, thornback ray, dogfish, schoolie codling scarce but possible late August; mullet mooching tight in if the sea calms.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Thornback ray, bass (tailing off through Oct/Nov), conger, whiting and pouting increase, first proper codling runs in late Oct/Nov.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Codling in blows and on big tides, whiting, pouting, strap to mid-size conger, dogfish; thornbacks still turn up in settled spells.
Methods
Strong, simple, and snag-aware tactics work best. Keep baits big, aerodynamic, and well-bound to withstand tide and crabs.
- Tackle: 12–13 ft beach rods rated 5–7 oz; robust reels (multiplier or 8000–14000 fixed spools), 0.35–0.40 mm mono or 30–40 lb braid with 60–80 lb shockleader.
- Leads: 5–7 oz grip leads are standard. Breakaway-style grips help hold bottom; bring a range.
- Rigs: Pulley pennel (4/0–6/0) for rays/codling; up-and-over or long pulley for distance; one-up/one-down for mixed fishing; short mono or heavy fluorocarbon snoods (40–80 lb) in rough ground; add a weak-link/rotten-bottom to save leads.
- Baits: Fresh peeler crab (prime for smoothhound/bass), black lug/lug with squid wrap (codling/whiting), whole or half sandeel/bluey/mackerel (rays), squid head/strip or mackerel flapper (conger), ragworm for bites when it’s quiet.
- Range: Don’t automatically bomb it—many fish patrol 20–60 yards. Try one close bait and one longer to find the line.
- Timing: Dusk/night markedly improves conger, rays and codling odds. Change-down to smaller hook snoods if whiting are present and you want bites.
Tides and Conditions
This is big-tide country. Plan around the flood into high water, manage the tide run, and avoid being pushed into the cliff line.
- Best states: 2 hours up to high water, HW, and the first hour of the ebb are prime. Low water exposes mud and rough ground—don’t wander.
- Springs vs neaps: Neaps are more forgiving and hold better. Big springs can be savage but bring codling in season and push rays onto the stones.
- Wind and sea: A west/southwest push usually fishes well in the coloured Channel water; very strong onshore winds can make it unfishable (weed and drag). Light easterlies calm it but can quieten bites.
- Water clarity: Usually chocolate. Lure fishing is limited; bait rules. Night sessions are highly productive in the murk.
- Tides reference: Use local Portishead/Avonmouth tide tables; the flood races and the sea rises fast—set up well before the push.
Safety
Treat Redcliff Bay with full Bristol Channel respect. The tide is fast, the ground uneven, and parts of the foreshore are bordered by soft mud.
- Cut-off risk: Fish the flood with a clear retreat route. Don’t let the tide pin you under the cliff.
- Slips and trips: Weed-slimed boulders and shingle shelves are treacherous—use cleated boots and a stable tripod.
- Soft mud: Do not step onto exposed estuary mud; it can be deeply soft and dangerous.
- Swell and wash: Ship wash and short-period wind swell rebound off the cliff—keep gear well back.
- Tackle safety: Use rotten-bottom links to reduce snag retrieval strain.
- Lighting and PPE: Headtorch, spare batteries, and a personal flotation device strongly advised. Fish with a partner where possible.
- Accessibility: Steep paths/steps and broken ground make this unsuitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility.
Facilities
Portishead provides good amenities within a short drive; cliff-top residential streets have no formal angling facilities.
- Toilets: Public facilities available around Portishead seafront/Lake Grounds (check seasonal opening hours).
- Food and drink: Cafés, pubs, and supermarkets in Portishead town.
- Tackle and bait: Several shops within the wider area (Portishead/Clevedon/Bristol). Ring ahead for fresh lug/peeler availability.
- Mobile signal: Generally good on most UK networks, though the cliff line can cause patchy spots.
- Parking: On-street only near the mark; no dedicated car park on the cliff top.
Tips
This shore rewards tidy presentations and a cautious approach to tide and terrain. Small adjustments make big differences.
- Set one bait close: Rays, bass and conger often patrol tight to the rock line on the flood.
- Keep baits compact: Elasticated, aerodynamic baits resist tide drag and crab mauling.
- Use a weak-link: A 10–15 lb mono rotten-bottom saves leads in the boulders.
- Don’t overcast: Far casts can land you into soft mud channels or snags—find the clean lanes first.
- Tidy terminal gear: Shorter snoods hold in tide; switch to longer snoods only if bites are finicky on neaps.
- Night game: A big squid/bluey wrap or mackerel head close-in after dark is conger candy.
- Etiquette: Quiet residential area—keep noise down, take litter home, and avoid shining headtorches at houses.
- Backup plan: If the bay is unfishable in a hard westerly, consider more sheltered Portishead marks on the same shoreline.
Regulations
Shore angling here is generally permitted without a permit, but national and local rules still apply. Always verify current regulations before your trip.
- Bass (England, 2024 rules at time of writing): Minimum size 42 cm; recreational fishery typically two fish per angler per day from 1 March–30 November; catch-and-release only outside those dates. Check for updates each season with the MMO/UK government.
- Tope: It is illegal in England for recreational Sea anglers to retain tope—release alive.
- Rays and skates: No specific recreational bag limits for thornback, but handle carefully and release large females.
- Eels: European eel are highly protected—do not retain; release promptly.
- Minimum sizes: Follow the latest UK/IFCA minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) where applicable.
- Bait collection: The Severn Estuary coastline includes protected sites; avoid damaging habitats, do not turn large rocks, and check local byelaws before digging or collecting.
- Access: Observe any on-site signage. Some cliff-top land is private—use public paths only and keep clear of fenced areas.
- Waste: No fires; remove all litter and line. Hooks and line disposal is your responsibility.
