Sand Bay Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Sand Bay Fishing Map

Wide, shallow Bristol Channel surf beach just north of Weston-super-Mare, backed by dunes with parking close by. Clean sand with shifting gutters and bars; best results 2–3 hours up to high and the first of the ebb, especially after dark. Summer brings rays and dogfish; autumn–winter sees whiting and the odd codling; bass show in onshore surf. Baits like lugworm, rag, sandeel and squid work well. Hazards: very fast flooding tide, soft mud patches and sinking sand, and exposure to onshore winds/weed—avoid long walks on big springs and plan your exit.

Ratings

⭐ 6.9/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 7/10
Safety 5/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at Sand Bay

🐟 Bass 9/10
🎯 Tip: Best 2–3 hours into the flood to high, working surf edges and gutters at dawn/dusk. Lug, crab or sandeel; metal lures on calmer days. Coloured water after a blow often best. Use grip leads in the strong tide.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 8/10
🎯 Tip: Very regular at night over clean sand. Small fish or squid baits on 2/0; fish 2 hours either side of HW. Strong grip leads needed for tide run.
🐟 Thornback Ray 7/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring to autumn. Sandeel, bluey or squid. Long cast to channels on big tides; fish dusk into dark around HW.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: May–Sep. Fresh peeler or soft crab on 3/0–4/0. Fish the flood to dusk; keep baits anchored with strong grip leads in the tide.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Nov–Feb nights. Lug tipped with mackerel or small fish strips on size 1 hooks. Short to medium casts into surf gutters 2 hours around HW.
🐟 Flounder 6/10
🎯 Tip: Autumn–winter. Rag or lug, short casts into close gutters on the flood. Light rigs and beads help; let baits slowly roll.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 6/10
🎯 Tip: Jun–Sep nights. Fresh sandeel works. Cast beyond the first bar into deeper seams mid-bay on spring tides, fish around HW.
🐟 Dover Sole 5/10
🎯 Tip: Warm nights Jun–Sep. Rag or lug tipped with a sliver of squid. Short lob into clean sand; neap tides often best. Small hooks and long snoods.
🐟 Dab 4/10
🎯 Tip: Winter, especially after storms. Small worm baits on long snoods. Cast to clean sand mid-bay near HW.
🐟 Cod 3/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional winter codling on a strong SW blow. Big lug, squid or crab baits. Fish first of the flood into dark; heavy grip leads needed.

Sand Bay Fishing

Summary

Sand Bay sits just north of Weston‑super‑Mare in Somerset, a long, shallow, sandy sweep opening onto the powerful Bristol Channel. It’s a classic estuary beach: huge tides, fast floods, and coloured water that brings bass, rays and hounds within range. If you time it right around the top of the tide, it can be a very rewarding and accessible shore mark.

Location and Access

Getting to Sand Bay is straightforward, with roadside parking along the back of the beach and short, easy paths over low dunes to the sand. The ground is predominantly clean sand with siltier patches towards low water, and mixed/rockier ground towards Sand Point at the north end.

Seasons

Sand Bay fishes like an estuary beach, with different species peaking as the year turns. Expect more variety from late spring through autumn, and winter staples on colder nights.

Note: Any European eels encountered must be released immediately.

Methods

Standard Bristol Channel beach tactics work well here. The key is anchoring baits in the tide and covering the near‑shore gutters on the flood and around high water.

Tides and Conditions

The Bristol Channel’s massive range defines this mark. Plan around mid-to-high water and give yourself time to retreat as the tide races in.

Safety

Treat Sand Bay with full respect—fast tides, soft patches and gullies can catch out even experienced anglers. It’s generally accessible, but caution pays.

Facilities

Facilities are modest but adequate, with Weston‑super‑Mare close by for full services. Expect basic seaside amenities rather than a full promenade setup.

Tips

Success here is all about reading the beach and timing your session around the flood. A few small edges make a big difference.

Regulations

Sand Bay is open to sea angling, but it sits on a protected stretch of the Severn Estuary coastline. Know the key rules and check for updates before you go.