Summary
Steart sits on the Somerset side of the inner Bristol Channel, where the River Parrett spills into Bridgwater Bay. It’s a classic big-tide estuary mark famed for winter codling, spring–summer smoothhounds and year‑round bass. Expect fast tides, soft ground and raw, bird‑rich scenery that rewards prepared anglers with proper estuary sport.
Location and Access
Getting there and setting up can be straightforward if you plan for the walk and the terrain. You’ll mainly be fishing from the flood bank edges and firmed-up foreshore rather than the lethal mud itself.
- Approach via Cannington/Combwich and follow signs to Steart/Steart Marshes; the WWT car parks are well signed (approx. postcode TA5 2PU).
- Parking is limited in places; use designated car parks or obvious lay-bys and never block farm gates or reserve access.
- Expect a 10–30 minute walk on top of flood banks to reach the better bends and channels; surfaces are generally level but can be slippery when wet.
- Ground is a mix of grassed bank, clay, and saltmarsh edges. Avoid venturing onto the intertidal mudflats at all times.
- Headtorch and a sturdy tripod are essential if fishing after dark; there’s no lighting.
Seasons
Steart fishes as a four‑season estuary venue with classic inner‑Channel species. Timing your visit around tides and seasons makes all the difference.
- Spring (Mar–May): bass, flounder, thornback ray, school smoothhound (late spring on crab), silver eels (must be released), occasional dogfish near the bay mouth.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): smoothhound peak, bass (best at dusk/dawn), thornback ray, sole on calmer neaps at night, silver eels (release), odd conger after dark.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): bass (Sept–Oct prime), early codling on the first chills, whiting, thornback ray, flounder.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): codling and whiting mainstays, with the chance of a better cod on big, coloured seas; odd thornback and flounder in milder spells.
Methods
Heavy, scent‑led bottom tactics dominate due to flow and turbidity. Keep rigs simple, strong and pinned with proper grip leads.
- Rigs: pulley pennel (4/0–5/0) for cod/bass/ray; up‑and‑over for long snoods and cleaner presentation; 2‑hook flapper or 1‑up/1‑down (size 1–1/0) for whiting/flounder/sole.
- Leads: 6–8 oz wired grip leads are the norm; springs demand the top end. Use robust breakout wires.
- Mainline/leader: 20–25 lb mono or 30–40 lb braid with a 60–80 lb shock/leader. Long rods (13–14 ft) help keep line clear of the flood.
- Baits: black lugworm is king for codling (lug/squid cocktails are reliable); peeler crab for smoothhound and bass in late spring/summer; ragworm for flounder/sole; sandeel or mackerel strips for ray/bass when crabs are thick.
- Presentation: big, bound baits with bait elastic to withstand tide and crab attention; keep traces short in stronger flows, lengthen on neaps for sole/flatties.
- Lures: generally low‑yield given the colour; the odd bass falls to a shallow‑running plug or metal in clear neap windows, but it’s a bait venue at heart.
Tides and Conditions
The inner Bristol Channel’s tidal range is huge and dictates everything at Steart. Plan around manageable flows and feeding windows.
- Best states: last 3 hours of the flood and first 1–2 of the ebb are prime for codling and bass; smoothhounds prefer a lively flood, especially evening into dark.
- Springs vs neaps: big springs provide movement but can be brutal to hold bottom; neaps offer control and are better for sole and rays.
- Water colour: it’s almost always coloured—good for codling and bass. A fresh SW blow lifts colour and debris; prolonged easterlies can slow sport.
- Time of day: dusk and into dark out‑fish daylight for codling/whiting and sole; daylight is fine for hounds and rays on the right tide.
- Seasonality: Dec–Jan for codling; late May–Aug for hounds; Sept–Oct for bass; thornbacks bookend spring and autumn.
Safety
This is a serious estuary environment with soft mud, fast water and wildlife‑reserve sensitivities. A cautious approach keeps you safe.
- Never step onto the mudflats—people and dogs have become stuck here; fish from firm bank edges only.
- The tide floods and ebbs rapidly; identify safe retreat routes and move your gear up the bank before the turn.
- Slippery clay/grass on the banks: wear grippy boots; avoid waders without a wading belt; consider a flotation aid/lifejacket.
- Beware creeks and gutters filling behind you on the flood; do not get cut off on the marsh side of a channel.
- Strong winds funnel across the flats; secure tripods and keep terminal tackle under control in gusts.
- Bird reserve areas may have seasonal path restrictions—follow signage and keep noise/light to a minimum at night.
Facilities
Expect a wild venue with minimal facilities close to the mark. Plan to be self‑sufficient.
- No facilities on the foreshore/flood bank: bring water, food and warm layers.
- Car parking at WWT Steart Marshes and small lay‑bys nearby; check any posted opening times at reserve car parks.
- Nearest services: Combwich and Cannington (pubs/shops); wider options in Bridgwater and Burnham‑on‑Sea.
- Tackle/bait: shops in Bridgwater and Burnham‑on‑Sea; pre‑order lug/peeler in season.
- Mobile signal is generally workable but can be patchy behind the banks; carry a power bank.
Tips
Steart rewards tidiness and timing. Little tweaks make a big difference on these tides.
- Use long wires and fresh, big baits on springs; drop rig length and add small attractors (beads/weak glow) on neaps for sole/whiting.
- Keep casts modest—fish often patrol close to the bank in the channel seam; accuracy beats distance in heavy run.
- When crabs are rampant, swap to tougher baits (lug/squid wrap or squid head) and rebait efficiently to stay fishing.
- Move 10–20 m to find the tide line that holds bottom—small shifts can transform presentation.
- Winter codling show best after a blow as the sea settles; aim for the first decent tide after the storm rather than the peak of the gale.
- Summer evenings can be midgey on the marsh—pack repellent and a head net if you’re sensitive.
Regulations
Know the rules before you go—this is a protected estuary with strong conservation oversight.
- Bridgwater Bay is a National Nature Reserve and SSSI: stick to marked paths, respect bird roosts, and follow any local signage. Rod‑and‑line sea angling from accessible foreshore is generally permitted, but some areas/periods may have access restrictions.
- Bait collection may be restricted within the reserve; if in doubt, bring bait or collect outside designated protected areas. Do not dig in saltmarsh.
- European eel: it is illegal to retain European eel of any size in England—release immediately.
- Bass: recreational bass rules change—check current UK government guidance before you go. As of 2024, the daily bag limit was two fish at or above 42 cm between March–November, with catch‑and‑release only December–February; verify the latest.
- Local byelaws are enforced by the Devon & Severn IFCA on this coast (e.g., crustacean protection, netting restrictions). Review IFCA byelaws for updates.
- General: observe minimum conservation sizes where applicable, return undersize fish, and consider voluntary catch‑and‑release for thornback ray in this nursery‑rich area.
