Stert Point Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Stert Point Fishing Map

Exposed estuarine point at the mouth of the River Parrett on Bridgwater Bay. Vast tidal range, very strong currents and extensive mudflats/gutters define the ground. Fishing is focused around the scoured channels and gutter edges on the flood and first of the ebb, with spring tides best for rays and smoothhounds and neaps better for flounder/sole and thin‑lipped mullet in the creeks. Expect heavy silt, mobile sand and a long walk along sea wall tracks. Use 6–8 oz grip leads to hold bottom and present baits at 30–80 m to channel edges. Evening and night tides fish best. Extreme caution required: stick to firm ground/sea wall only, avoid the mud, and leave early ahead of the flooding tide.

Ratings

⭐ 6.2/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 6/10
Safety 2/10
Accessibility 4/10

Fish You Can Catch at Stert Point

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Crab baits into estuary channels on the flood; dawn/dusk best May–Oct. Short to mid casts to banks/eddies. Use 6–7oz grip leads for tide.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 8/10
🎯 Tip: After dark over muddy sand, 1–2 hrs either side of high on neaps. Sandeel or mackerel strip on 2-hook clip-down. 6–7oz grip leads to hold.
🐟 Thornback Ray 7/10
🎯 Tip: Flooding tide into sand channels; peeler crab or bluey/squid on pulley pennel. Best Mar–Jun and Sep–Nov. 5–7oz grips; avoid big springs due to fierce tide.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: Evening floods late spring–autumn. Peeler/hardback crab, 60–90 m into gutters. Pulley rig with strong snood; neap tides give better hold.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Nov–Feb after dark. Worm baits tipped with mackerel on size 2–1 hooks. Cast mid-range into channels on last of the flood and first of the ebb.
🐟 Flounder 6/10
🎯 Tip: Winter–early spring along muddy edges. Small rag/lug or worm-tipped spoon, short casts. First hours of flood best; use watch leads to slowly trot.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 6/10
🎯 Tip: Settled seas over clean sand on dusk floods. Sandeel or launce on pulley pennel, 80–100 m. Best May–Sep; fish neaps for holding bottom.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Calm neaps in creek mouths and outfalls. Bread flake or harbour rag under a float; stealthy approach. Best Jun–Sep around high water.
🐟 Dover Sole 4/10
🎯 Tip: Warm, calm nights Jun–Sep. Short lob with rag/lug to muddy sand close in. Light hooklengths, watch lead to grip in flow. First two hours of flood.
🐟 Cod 3/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional winter codling in coloured seas. Large lug/squid cocktails on clipped-down pulley. Fish over high water on neaps to keep gear down.

Stert Point Fishing

Summary

Stert Point sits on the tip of the Steart (Stert) Peninsula on the east side of Bridgwater Bay, Somerset, looking across to Hinkley Point and Burnham-on-Sea. It’s a big-tide Bristol Channel venue with wild estuarine scenery, fast-moving water, and productive fishing when you time it right. Expect rays, bass, whiting and smoothhounds, with classic flood-tide action along gullies and the bank.

Location and Access

Access is via the lanes to the village of Steart, then out to the sea wall and beach. Much of the surrounding land is part of the WWT Steart Marshes and the Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve—keep to the signed paths and the shingle/sea wall.

Seasons

Stert Point fishes like a classic upper Bristol Channel estuary mark, with different species drifting in on the seasons and the flood.

Methods

This is predominantly a bottom-fishing venue with strong tides; present streamlined baits on gripped leads and fish the gullies on the flood. Lure fishing is limited by turbidity but can produce bass on rare calm, clear neaps.

Tides and Conditions

The Bristol Channel’s range is huge here and the flood runs hard. Timing and positioning relative to gullies is everything.

Safety

Safety comes first at Stert Point. The mud here is treacherous and the tide races; treat it like quicksand and moving water—that’s exactly what it can be.

Facilities

It’s a remote, nature-first venue with limited amenities; plan to be self-sufficient.

Tips

This mark rewards patience, tidy baiting, and reading water on the flood. Little tweaks make a big difference in heavy tide.

Regulations

Rules here are a mix of national sea fisheries, IFCA byelaws, and nature reserve restrictions. Always check the latest official sources before you go.