Summary
St Audries Bay sits between Watchet and Kilve on the Somerset coast, where steep Quantock cliffs give way to a broad, tide-swept foreshore of boulders, rock shelves and sandy gullies. It’s a classic Bristol Channel mark: huge tidal range, fast water, and serious fish at the right states. Expect rays, smoothhounds and bass in season, with winter whiting and the chance of a bonus codling when the weather turns rough.
Location and Access
Getting there is straightforward by road, but final access depends on tide and the holiday park. The beach is beneath St Audries Bay Holiday Park at West Quantoxhead; below the cliffs the foreshore is open, but steps and clifftop access may be private or seasonal.
- Nearest main road: A39 between Williton and Kilve; follow signs for West Quantoxhead/St Audries Bay.
- Parking: Day-visitor parking and beach steps are usually available via St Audries Bay Holiday Park (postcode approx. TA4 4DY) when the park is open; a fee may apply—check on arrival.
- Alternative access: You can reach the bay along the foreshore from Doniford/Watchet (to the west) or from Kilve (to the east) around low water. Allow 45–60 minutes each way over uneven ground and only attempt with a safe tide plan.
- Terrain underfoot: Mixed—shingle, clay/mudstone rock plates, weeded boulders and strips of firm sand. Good boots with grip are essential.
- The descent via park steps is steep; carrying a trolley is awkward. The intertidal approach is a hike with frequent detours around pools and reefs.
Seasons
St Audries produces a mixed bag with a strong seasonal pattern typical of the outer Bristol Channel. Night sessions and coloured water generally fish better.
- Spring (Mar–May): Thornback ray, early small‑eyed ray on the sand patches, school bass, increasing numbers of smoothhound from late May; dogfish present throughout.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Smoothhound peak (especially on crab baits), bass in the surf and around the gullies, small‑eyed and thornback ray, occasional sole after dark on neaps; conger eel from the rougher ground; thick‑lipped mullet nosing around the waterfall outflow in calm seas.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bass often at their best Sept–Oct, rays continue on settled tides, hounds tail off into October; whiting arrive with cooler nights; pout and poor cod as bycatch.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, dogfish, pouting, conger after dark; the chance of codling in a blow with coloured water; occasional ray on milder spells.
- Less common/occasional: Bull huss from the rough patches at night, dab on cleaner sand, and very sporadic wrasse around the weeded ledges in settled summer conditions.
Methods
The ground alternates between snaggy rock and clean sand tongues, so match your approach to where you’re casting. Heavy leads and streamlined rigs help hold in the fierce tide.
- General tackle: 12–13 ft beachcaster with a robust 7000‑size fixed spool or 6500‑class multiplier; 20–30 lb mainline with 60 lb shock leader. Expect to use 5–7 oz wired leads on the flood.
- Rays/bass (cleaner sand): Pulley pennel or up‑and‑over rigs, 3/0–5/0 hooks. Baits: sandeel, squid, mackerel strip, or squid/sandeel cocktails; lug/black lug for bass after a blow.
- Smoothhound: Pulley or running ledger with 3/0–4/0 strong circles, peeler crab or soft crab the standout bait; hardback crab and hermit can score if peeler is scarce.
- Winter mixed: 2‑hook flapper or loop rigs with size 1–2 hooks for whiting/pout/sole; tip worm baits (blow lug, rag) with small fish or squid slivers.
- Conger/huss (rough ground, after dark): Short pulley with 60–80 lb trace, single 6/0 hook; big mackerel or squid baits. Use a weak link (rotten bottom) to sacrifice the lead in snags.
- Lure option (situational): In settled, coloured‑but‑fishable water at dawn/dusk, work heavy white/pearl soft plastics along the gutters for bass. Pick your moments—this coast is often too turbid for consistent lure sport.
Tides and Conditions
This is classic Bristol Channel fishing: big tides, fast water, and short feeding windows. Planning around tide state is the difference between blanks and bangers.
- Best tide windows: The last 2–3 hours of the flood into high water and the first hour of the ebb are prime from the beach. On very big spring lows, the outer sand tongues can fish well for rays and hounds.
- Tide size: Medium to large springs often out‑fish tiny neaps, but the absolute biggest springs can be challenging and hazardous under the cliffs—pick spots with escape routes.
- Sea state: A modest SW–W onshore breeze that adds colour is ideal. After a blow, fish the first settling tide for bass/codling; too much swell piles in weed and makes holding bottom hard.
- Time of day: Dusk into darkness is consistently better for rays, hounds, conger and winter species. Sole and mullet are most reliable on calm, warm evenings.
- Seasonality: April–October for rays/bass/hounds; November–February for whiting and any codling opportunities.
Safety
Treat St Audries with full respect: the tidal range is huge, the ground is uneven, and the cliffs are active. Plan safe entry/exit and keep an eye on the waterline.
- Tidal cut‑off: The flooding tide pushes fast against the cliff base and around headlands—identify escape routes before you start and don’t get trapped beyond weeded reefs.
- Cliff and waterfall hazards: Rockfalls are possible; avoid sitting tight to the cliff. The waterfall outflow area can be slippery, especially after rain.
- Underfoot: Weed‑coated slabs, loose boulders and occasional soft mud/clay patches—use studded/cleated boots. A wading staff helps on the long foreshore walks.
- Leads and weed: Expect 5–7 oz grip leads and heavy kelp/grass on the line in a swell. Keep lines high on a sturdy tripod to reduce drag.
- Lighting and comms: No lighting on the beach; carry good headtorches and spares. Mobile signal can be patchy under the cliffs.
- Personal safety: A waist‑belted PFD is sensible on slippery rock; fish with a partner if possible and tell someone your plan and return time.
- Access notes: The holiday park steps and clifftop are private/managed—use only when permitted and respect any signage or closures. If unsure, approach along the foreshore on a safe tide.
Facilities
Facilities are limited on the beach itself; plan to be self‑sufficient, especially at night. Nearby villages cover basics when open.
- On‑site/nearby: Seasonal toilets, bar/café and water at St Audries Bay Holiday Park for guests/day visitors when open.
- Town amenities: Watchet (short drive west) has cafés, pubs, takeaways and public toilets; Williton has fuel and shops. More extensive services in Minehead and Bridgwater.
- Tackle and bait: Nearest tackle shops are typically in Minehead or Bridgwater; pre‑order fresh lug/rag or bring frozen squid/sandeel. Limited or no bait supply at the beach.
- Phone signal: Variable; better on the clifftop than under it.
Tips
A few local patterns repeat here—fish them with confidence and you’ll shorten the learning curve.
- For rays, aim your casts onto the cleaner sand tongues to the west and east of the waterfall rather than the boulder fields—use a pulley pennel and keep baits aerodynamic.
- On big spring lows, walk to the edge of the outer reefs and identify gullies that refill first; mark them mentally for the flood.
- Crabs are relentless in late spring/summer—use tough baits (squid, sandeel) or elasticated crab, and rebait often.
- Add a weak‑link (rotten bottom) to every rig when probing rough ground; you’ll lose leads, not fish.
- Mullet cruise the waterfall plume on calm evenings—freeline bread flake or float‑fish light gear out of the surf line.
- After a westerly blow, try a big lug/squid wrap at dusk for a bass or a bonus codling on the first settling tide.
- Keep your tripod high and rods at a steep angle; it lifts line over kelp fronds and reduces the tide’s leverage.
- If approaching along the foreshore, time your exit—don’t linger past the first hour of the ebb if your route back is around a headland.
Regulations
There is no general prohibition on angling from the beach at St Audries Bay, but access via the holiday park is controlled and must be respected. The coastline forms part of protected geological/SSSI designations—minimise disturbance.
- Access: The holiday park steps and clifftop grounds are private/managed; day‑visitor access may be available for a fee when open. Respect any closures or directions on site.
- Tidal foreshore: Below mean high water the foreshore is generally open to public use; safe access/egress is your responsibility.
- Sea bass (rod and line, recreational): As of 2025, UK rules commonly allow up to 2 bass per angler per day, minimum size 42 cm, from 1 March to 30 November; catch‑and‑release only December–February. Always check current MMO/IFCA notices before fishing.
- Minimum sizes and retention: Observe national MLS where applicable and release undersized fish. Many anglers release large breeding rays and all big conger as best practice.
- Local byelaws: This area falls within the Devon & Severn IFCA district—check current byelaws on netting, bait collection and protected areas before your trip.
- Environment: Do not hammer or remove rocks/fossils within SSSI sections; take litter and used line home; avoid lighting fires on the foreshore.
