Stolford Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Stolford Fishing Map

A broad, shallow shingle-and-mud beach on the east side of Hinkley Point in Bridgwater Bay. It fishes best on the flood and around high water, especially on big spring tides when deeper gutters form within casting range. Expect powerful tides, a huge tidal range, and drifting weed. Use strong grip leads (5–7 oz) and set up well back from the flood line. Casting 50–100 yards will find the gutters; bites often come as the tide pushes hard. Peeler or hard crab excels for rays and smoothhounds; lug/rag for flatties and whiting; squid or fish strip cocktails at night in winter. Access is via the narrow lane into Stolford with limited parking by the sea wall and short walks along boulder defenses. Wading is risky due to soft mud and fast-moving water—fish from firm ground and avoid being cut off.

Ratings

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

Fish You Can Catch at Stolford

🐟 Thornback Ray 9/10
🎯 Tip: Crab/sandeel or mackerel on pulley rigs cast to sand gullies on the flood; best spring into early summer, last 2hrs flood and first of ebb; night or coloured water.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 8/10
🎯 Tip: Peeler crab on size 2/0-4/0 pennel; fish the flood into dusk from May–Sep; cast 50–100 m onto clean mud/sand; grip lead for strong tide.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Big lug/squid or peeler in the surf on a flooding tide; best at dusk/dawn May–Oct; short casts into gutter; after blow or coloured water.
🐟 Whiting 7/10
🎯 Tip: Small strips of mackerel/squid on size 1 hooks; Nov–Feb; cast mid-range on the flood; night best; expect rattly bites in tide run.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 7/10
🎯 Tip: Sandeel or launce on pulley rigs; Jun–Sep on evening floods; aim for sandy patches at range; neaps often fish steadier.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: Any fish/worm baits on simple ledger; takes all year, prolific after dark on flooding tides; keep baits tight to seabed.
🐟 Dab 6/10
🎯 Tip: Lugworm tipped with fish on size 2 hooks; winter neaps; long trace to present on clean sand; gentle lob to 40–70 m.
🐟 Dover Sole 6/10
🎯 Tip: Rag/lug with small hooks size 2–4 on long snoods; Jun–Sep, calm nights; short cast 10–40 m over mud/sand; minimal lead to hold.
🐟 Flounder 5/10
🎯 Tip: Lug or rag with beads/bling; autumn–spring; short casts into gutters on the flood; let baits sit in slack pockets.
🐟 Blonde Ray 4/10
🎯 Tip: Whole sandeel or mackerel fillet, long cast to deeper runnels; occasional spring/summer capture on neaps; strong pulley rigs.
🐟 Spotted Ray 3/10
🎯 Tip: Small sandeel/squid strips on pulley; occasional summer fish over clean sand at range; best on evening neap floods.
🐟 European Eel 3/10
🎯 Tip: Worm or fish strip at dusk/night in coloured water; summer floods into estuary; short casts to margins.

Stolford Fishing

Summary

Stolford sits on the muddy-shingle edge of Bridgwater Bay, between Hinkley Point and the Parrett estuary mouth in Somerset. It’s a classic upper Bristol Channel mark: huge tides, fast flow, and reliably coloured water that draws in rays, smoothhounds, bass, and winter whiting. If you like powerful tidal venues with real specimen potential, this sea wall and boulder-fronted shoreline is well worth a visit.

Location and Access

Access is straightforward via narrow country lanes from the A39, with a short stroll to the sea wall once you reach the village. The foreshore is a mix of boulder armour and shingle with treacherous mud beyond—plan to fish from the wall or safe, firm ground only.

Seasons

Species turnover is strongly seasonal, driven by the huge tides and permanently coloured water. Expect year-round dogfish with spring rays, summer hounds, and winter whiting/codling.

Methods

Fish it like a classic fast-tide Channel wall: gripper leads, streamlined rigs, and fresh, smelly baits. Night tides are often best, especially on a flooding sea.

Tides and Conditions

The Bristol Channel’s tide rules everything here—plan around it. Mid-to-late flood into the top of the tide is the prime window, with neaps notably easier to manage than big springs.

Safety

Treat Stolford with respect: the combination of boulder armour, soft mud, and a very fast flood can be unforgiving. Fish from safe, firm positions and keep a close eye on the tide.

Facilities

This is a quiet village shoreline with minimal on-site facilities. Plan to be self-sufficient for longer sessions.

Tips

Little tweaks make a big difference in the flow and coloured water here. Keep baits tight, rigs tidy, and angles high.

Regulations

General recreational sea angling is permitted at Stolford, but the foreshore forms part of protected intertidal habitats around Bridgwater Bay, and there are security zones related to Hinkley Point nearby. Know the rules before you go.