Shurton Bars Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Shurton Bars Fishing Map

A broad set of rough-ground bars and scars between Stolford and Hinkley Point that dry on big ebbs and form deep gullies. Powerful Bristol Channel tides rip across mixed boulder, rock and hard clay, with patches of sand. Best fished around low water on springs (roughly 2 hours either side) and into first of the flood; night sessions markedly improve results. Summer brings smoothhounds, bass and thornbacks; winter sees whiting, dogfish and the odd codling, with pouting and rockling year-round. Long casts aren’t essential—placing baits into gutters and along the edges of the bars is key. Access is a long, uneven walk over shingle and slab from Stolford; plan an early retreat to avoid being cut off by the fast flood and heed any local restrictions around the power station frontage.

Ratings

⭐ 6.1/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 4/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 3/10

Fish You Can Catch at Shurton Bars

🐟 Bass 9/10
🎯 Tip: Work surf gutters on the flood, best at dawn/dusk. Peeler crab, lug or sandeel; metals/softs if clarity allows. 4–6oz grip leads; fish last 2 hrs up to HW.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 8/10
🎯 Tip: Evening flood to HW over clean sand. Sandeel/launce on a pulley pennel; long cast to bar edges. Big tides produce.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 8/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–autumn on the flood. Fresh peeler/hardback crab on pulley/circle 3–5/0; 4–6oz grips to hold on the bars. After dark best.
🐟 Thornback Ray 7/10
🎯 Tip: Spring peaks. Squid/sandeel or bluey on pulley rigs; 5–6oz grips. Aim for deeper run-offs and seams on the bars on the flood.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: Very common year-round. Small fish or squid baits on 2-hook flappers; keep baits hard on the deck. Neap tides help reduce weed drag.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Autumn–winter after dark on the flood. Lug/squid cocktails or small fish baits; 2-hook flappers with 4–6oz grips.
🐟 Flounder 5/10
🎯 Tip: Autumn–spring on neaps. Short lob into close gutters on the flood. Lug or rag tipped with mackerel; keep gear pinned.
🐟 Dover Sole 4/10
🎯 Tip: Warm nights Jun–Sep on neaps. Rag/lug or crab strips; short cast into shallow gutters; light grip leads to hold.
🐟 Spotted Ray 4/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional summer fish. Sandeel or razor baits at dusk; target sandy patches between the bars on a steady flood.
🐟 Cod 3/10
🎯 Tip: Late autumn–winter in rough, coloured seas. Big lug/crab or squid/black lug cocktails; fish 2–3 hrs up to HW. Now scarce.

Shurton Bars Fishing

Summary

Shurton Bars is a classic low-water mark on the Somerset shore of the Bristol Channel, lying east of Hinkley Point between Stolford and the power station. A lattice of clay-and-shingle bars and gutters funnels bait and fish on the ebb and the first push of flood, making it a serious venue for rays, bass, conger and winter whiting. It rewards timing, strong tackle and good local knowledge.

Location and Access

Set on Bridgwater Bay’s intertidal flats, access is most practical from Stolford, approaching the bars on a falling tide so you can identify safe routes and gutters. Expect a modest walk over shingle, cobbles and patches of soft mud; plan your retreat with the tide in mind.

Seasons

This is a mixed, tide-driven venue where different bars and gutters fish best at different states of tide. Expect classic Bristol Channel species with a few seasonal highlights.

Methods

Heavy shore gear and streamlined baits are the norm here because of the fierce lateral run and rough patches around the bar edges. Most fishing is bottom-oriented, targeting the gutters at low water and the bar faces as the flood pushes.

Tides and Conditions

The Bristol Channel’s huge range shapes everything here. The final part of the ebb and the first hours of the flood are the prime windows when fish patrol gutters and the edges of the bars.

Safety

This is an exposed, mobile intertidal environment with serious tide and mud hazards. A daylight recce, conservative tide planning and appropriate PPE are essential.

Facilities

Expect minimal facilities at the mark itself. Come self-sufficient and allow extra time for the walk-in and out.

Tips

Shurton Bars rewards anglers who read the ground and move with the water. Travel light, fish efficiently and let the tide bring fish to you.

Regulations

The shoreline sits within protected estuarine designations and near the Hinkley Point security zone. Anglers should observe local signage and national sea angling rules.