Summary
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.
Location and Access
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.
Seasons
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
Methods
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.
Tides and Conditions
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.
Safety
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
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.
Tips
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.
Regulations
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.