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Somerset

Sand Point

6.7 · Rocks · Somerset

A tidal rocky headland at the tip of the Middle Hope peninsula near Kewstoke, giving casting access to fast, deep Bristol Channel water over mixed rough ground (limestone ledges, boulders and sand patches). Best on the last 2–3 hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb; big spring tides can be unfishable mid-run. Summer brings smoothhound, rays and bass; winter sees whiting and pouting with the chance of codling, huss and conger. Use heavy grip leads (6–8 oz) and abrasion‑resistant gear. Access is from the Sand Point car park via a clear path then uneven rocks. Hazards include powerful tides, slippery weed, swell and filling gullies—watch for cut-off points and avoid fishing alone in rough seas.

Should you fish Sand Point?

45 Low

Today · Best available

Best available: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Shanny and Rock Goby

Poor conditions. Best available around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Shanny and Rock Goby.

W 8 mph Rain 16% High tide 00:32

Consider a backup mark if conditions do not improve.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Sand Point — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Wednesday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Sand Point is a powerful Bristol Channel rock mark where tide timing matters more than simply casting far. The best fishing usually comes when the flow eases around the top of the flood and early ebb, with the Sand Bay side offering cleaner sand edges for rays, bass and smoothhound, while the rougher tip and ledges suit conger, huss-type tactics and winter mixed fishing. It can be very productive, but big spring tides, swell, weed and low ledges can quickly turn it from fishable to frustrating or unsafe.

  • Know when Sand Point is fishable — and when the tide will beat you.
  • Pick the Sand Bay side or rough tip for the species you actually want.
  • Target the sand/rock boundary instead of donating tackle to the ledges.
  • Time rays and hounds around the flood, not the full tide run.
  • Avoid the spring-tide traps that make this headland dangerous.

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Kewstoke 1.8 mi Weston-super-Mare 2.9 mi West Wick 4.1 mi Locking 4.6 mi Hutton (North Somerset) 4.9 mi

Explore nearby towns: Kewstoke · Weston-super-Mare · West Wick · Locking · Hutton (North Somerset)

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.7 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 8/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 6/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Flood tide over rocks and sand edges; dawn/dusk or rough, coloured water. Lures (paddle tails/surface) or crab/sandeel baits. Keep mobile along gullies.
Starry Smoothhound 8/10
Tip: May-Sep. Peeler crab best. Cast to clean sand runnels off the point on the flood into dusk. Light grip leads; avoid peak springs if weed is heavy.
Thornback Ray 7/10
Tip: Apr-Jun and Sep. Squid/sandeel or bluey, cast to sand channels beyond rough. Best last 3 hrs of flood into first of ebb, after dark.
Rock Goby 7/10
Tip: LRF at HW tight to boulder holes and ledges. Size 12-16 hooks, small rag or isome on split shot; keep baits still in pockets.
Shanny 7/10
Tip: LRF along kelpy rock pools/ledges around HW. Tiny hooks, rag/squid strips or isome. Tuck out of swell. Neap tides are easier.
Whiting 6/10
Tip: Nov-Feb after dark. Small mackerel/sandeel strips on 2-hook flappers. Cast into main tide beyond rough ground. Use wired leads on springs.
Conger Eel 6/10
Tip: After dark from rock ledges. Whole mackerel/large squid dropped into gullies; fish slack water at the turn to hold bottom. Heavy gear/abrasion leader.
Flounder 5/10
Tip: Autumn-spring on worm/crab. Short casts to gutter edges on Sand Bay around mid tide. Keep leads light and move to find bites.
Small-eyed Ray 5/10
Tip: Late spring to early autumn, calm nights. Sandeel/squid on a pulley to sandy gutters on the Sand Bay side; best mid-late flood. Long casts help.
Dover Sole 4/10
Tip: Jun-Sep, warm settled nights. Short lob into close sand with ragworm/lug on a one-up one-down. Neap tides and minimal swell fish best.

Local knowledge

Sand Point fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Sand Point, at the northern end of Sand Bay near Weston‑super‑Mare, is a classic Bristol Channel headland offering mixed rough-to-sandy ground and powerful tides. It’s a versatile mark that can produce rays, bass, smoothhounds and conger, with autumn and winter draws for whiting and the odd codling. Rugged scenery, big-water tactics and careful tide timing are the name of the game here.

Sand Point sits on the National Trust-owned Middle Hope headland, north of Weston‑super‑Mare and just beyond Kewstoke and Sand Bay. Access is straightforward, but the final approach to the productive ledges is over uneven limestone and can be steep in places.

  • Drive via Weston‑super‑Mare to Kewstoke/Sand Bay and follow signs for Sand Point/Middle Hope; park in the signed National Trust car park at the northern end of Sand Bay.
  • From the car park, well-used paths lead onto the headland; allow 10–25 minutes depending on which side (north/Sand Bay side, south/Woodspring Bay side, or the tip) you choose.
  • Terrain is grassy then rocky: expect limestone ledges, boulders, kelp beds and snaggy ground near the tip; the Sand Bay (north) flank shelves onto cleaner sand.
  • Footing can be tricky in wet weather; sturdy boots and a headtorch for any return in the dark are essential.

This is mixed ground in a high-energy estuarine channel, so species follow the seasons and the tides. Expect dogfish almost anytime, with better fish arriving as the water warms.

  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • Bass (schoolies building to better fish from April)
    • Thornback ray
    • Smoothhound (late spring, if crabs are peeling)
    • Dogfish, pouting
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Bass (dawn/dusk and into darkness)
    • Smoothhound (peeler crab prime)
    • Thornback ray; occasional small‑eyed ray from the cleaner sand edges
    • Conger eel after dark; occasional bull huss
    • Wrasse tight to rock/kelp on calmer neap tides
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Thornback ray linger; bass through to first frosts
    • Whiting and pouting numbers increase after dark
    • Conger and the odd bull huss
    • Occasional codling in onshore blows (very variable year to year)
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Whiting, pouting, dogfish
    • Rockling
    • Sporadic codling on rougher seas
    • Thornback ray in milder spells

Big tides and mixed ground favour robust bottom-fishing tactics, with a few niche options when the sea calms and clears a touch. Gear up to hold bottom and to beat snags.

  • Bottom fishing (most consistent):
    • Rigs: pulley or pulley‑dropper with a rotten‑bottom link; 60–80 lb leaders; 4–5 ft snoods for rays; shorter 2–3 ft for mixed fish.
    • Hooks: 3/0–5/0 pennel for rays/codling; 1/0–2/0 for whiting/pouting.
    • Leads: wired grip leads, typically 6–8 oz to hold the tide; 5–6 oz on neaps or tucked out of the main flow.
    • Baits: peeler crab (smoothhound/bass), fresh lug or black lug (bass/codling/whiting), ragworm (mixed), squid and squid‑lug wraps (rays/codling), sandeel or bluey (rays/bass), mackerel strip (whiting/rays).
  • Targeting specific species:
    • Rays: clipped-down pulley pennel with sandeel, squid or bluey; cast to the sand/rock boundary.
    • Smoothhound: peeler crab on 2/0–4/0 hooks, evening floods late spring to mid‑summer.
    • Bass: surf edges on the Sand Bay side during the flood with lug/peeler; big single baits after dark around the rocks.
    • Conger/huss: large fish baits (mackerel/squid) at night, keep fish low and pressure on to beat snags.
  • Lures/float (situational):
    • Lures are hit‑and‑miss in the often‑coloured water; try dawn/dusk on smaller tides after calm spells along the Sand Bay flank.
    • Float with worm/crab for wrasse tight to kelp on neap tides and calmer seas.
  • Tackle notes: 25–30 lb mono or 30–50 lb braid with heavy shock leader; bring spare leads and end gear due to snags; always use a weak/rotten link for the sinker.

The Bristol Channel’s huge range and fierce currents define this mark. Success hinges on choosing the right state and keeping safe.

  • Tide size: neaps are friendlier and often more productive here; on big springs the flow can be too fierce to hold bottom except during brief slack windows.
  • Best states:
    • Tip/rock ledges: last 2 hours of the flood into the first of the ebb, or last of the ebb into the early flood, when flow eases.
    • Sand Bay (north) side: flooding tide pushing bait along the beach edge for bass and rays.
    • South side: can fish the ebb where eddies form, but watch for cut‑off risk.
  • Time of day: dusk into darkness is generally best for bass, rays, conger and autumn/winter whiting.
  • Weather/sea: a SW blow followed by 24–48 hours of settling often sparks rays and any local codling; prolonged calm neaps open a small window for wrasse and occasional lure fishing.
  • Weed and debris: can be heavy on springs or after storms; step up lead size and keep baits streamlined.

This is an exposed headland with strong tidal streams, slippery rock and the potential to be cut off. Treat it with the same respect you would a tidal island mark.

  • Tide hazards:
    • Do not venture onto low, outer rock tongues on a flooding spring; some areas can become isolated quickly.
    • Always carry and check a local tide table; plan a retreat route you can follow in the dark.
  • Ground and footing:
    • Limestone ledges and kelp are very slippery when wet; wear grippy boots or studded soles.
    • Use a headtorch, spare light and consider a wading staff for balance on boulders.
  • Sea state:
    • Avoid fishing low ledges in onshore swell; rogue waves and reflected chop are common.
    • Keep clear of braid under tension; use gloves when handling conger/huss rigs.
  • Personal safety:
    • A modern inflatable lifejacket is strongly recommended, especially when fishing near the waterline.
    • Not suitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility; paths include inclines and rough ground.
  • Access notes:
    • National Trust land—stick to marked paths, keep dogs under control around livestock and nesting birds, and heed any onsite signage.

Facilities are limited on the headland itself; plan to be self‑sufficient, especially after dark. Sand Bay has basic amenities in season.

  • Parking: signed National Trust car park at Sand Point/Sand Bay; charges may apply (free for NT members).
  • Toilets: public conveniences are on/near Sand Bay seafront (seasonal opening hours).
  • Food/drink: cafés and takeaways along Sand Bay/Weston‑super‑Mare; none on the headland.
  • Tackle/bait: several tackle shops in Weston‑super‑Mare; check opening times and pre‑order fresh lug/peeler in season.
  • Phone signal: generally good on the headland, but don’t rely on it in hollows; carry a power bank.
  • Bins: limited—take all litter and scrap line/rigs home.

Sand Point rewards tidy tactics and smart positioning. Small changes in casting angle or distance can make the difference between snag city and steady bites.

  • Use a 1–2 ft rotten‑bottom link to save leads; keep baits compact and clipped to punch into the tide.
  • On springs, target the brief slack periods around top and just after, or tuck behind rocks/eddies where you can hold bottom with less lead.
  • Rays often patrol the edge where clean sand meets rough—fan your casts to find that line.
  • In summer, crabs can strip baits fast; toughen offerings with squid wraps and plenty of bait elastic.
  • Smoothhound show with the first big peeler moults—carry fresh crab and fish evening floods.
  • After autumn blows, try big lug/squid cocktails for a chance of codling; expect whiting and dogs as backup.
  • Bring plenty of spare end tackle; even with care, you will lose gear here.
  • Leave no trace—discarded line and hooks are a hazard to livestock, wildlife and other walkers.

Angling is generally permitted at Sand Point, which sits on National Trust land and within protected coastal designations; follow site signage and general countryside rules. Fisheries regulations apply as elsewhere on the English coast.

  • National rules: adhere to current UK recreational bass measures (minimum size 42 cm and seasonal bag limits) and general minimum conservation reference sizes for other species; check the latest before your trip via the MMO or GOV.UK.
  • Local management: this coastline falls under the Devon & Severn IFCA—review any relevant local byelaws (e.g., netting restrictions, protected species handling) before fishing.
  • Protected species: handle and release species such as tope and all undersized fish carefully; use barbless or micro‑barbed hooks where practical and carry long‑nose pliers.
  • Site etiquette: no fires or camping on the headland; keep to paths, respect livestock and nesting birds, and take all litter away.
  • Licences: no rod licence is required for sea angling in England, but a permit may be needed if you collect bait in certain protected areas—check local notices.