Where’s The Fish? Logo for Where's The Fish?
Somerset

Uphill Beach

6.8 · Beach · Somerset

Wide, gently shelving sand at the mouth of the River Axe on the south end of Weston Bay. Strong tidal pull and huge tidal range create shifting gutters and banks that hold fish; best results from 2–3 hours into the flood through high, or last of the ebb around channel edges. Rays and bass are prime targets from late spring through autumn, with whiting and flatfish more in winter. Easy access via the Uphill slipway/car park, but the area is very exposed and soft mud borders the estuary—avoid venturing onto the mud flats and watch for fast-flooding tides.

Should you fish Uphill Beach?

55 Fair

Today · Best available

Best available: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Mullet (Thin-lipped) and Flounder

Fair conditions. Best available around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Mullet (Thin-lipped) and Flounder.

W 6 mph Rain 16% High tide 00:07

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Uphill Beach — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Wednesday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

Now

Tide curve will appear once tide data is available.

All windows will appear once the forecast is loaded.

Premium forecast

Unlock exact best windows, tactics and backup options for this mark.

Trip planner

Find the best time to fish Uphill Beach

Choose when you're free and what you want to catch. We'll show the best tide, weather window and method for this mark.

Premium unlocks exact windows, tactics and alerts.

Premium Mark Insight

Locked

Uphill Beach is a timing-led Bristol Channel sand mark where the fish are usually tied to the River Axe channel, shifting gutters and sandbar edges rather than obvious fixed structure. The best plan is to read the beach on the ebb, then be in position for the flood push through high water. Bass, rays and smoothhounds are the main warm-weather targets; whiting, flounder and occasional sole become more relevant through colder or smaller-tide sessions.

  • Know when the Axe channel edge beats open sand
  • Time the flood so the fish come to you
  • Pick ray, bass or hound tactics by tide size
  • Avoid the mud, weed lines and fast-flood traps
  • Have a nearby backup when Uphill is blown or dirty

Included with Premium

Cancel anytime · Stripe

Unlock this mark's plan

Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

Weston-super-Mare 1.2 mi Hutton (North Somerset) 2.5 mi Bleadon 2.5 mi Kewstoke 2.9 mi Locking 3.1 mi

Explore nearby towns: Weston-super-Mare · Hutton (North Somerset) · Bleadon · Kewstoke · Locking

Zoom and pan to explore access points and nearby marks.

Jump to guide

Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.8 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 7/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 8/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Surf and river-mouth channels on the flood; dusk/dawn. Peeler crab, lug or sandeel. Long casts not always needed—track the gullies as the tide pushes.
Flounder 7/10
Tip: Lug/rag baits worked in gutters at low to mid-flood or last of ebb. Light gear with rolling leads; short casts along channel edges.
Thornback Ray 7/10
Tip: Squid/bluey or sandeel combos at range into deeper channel on the flood into dark, springs best. Strong traces; avoid weeded slack water.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
Tip: Night over clean sand; 2-hook flappers with mackerel or squid. Fish first 2 hours of flood or over high; use grip leads in the tide.
Whiting 6/10
Tip: Winter into dark on the flood/high. Small fish or squid strips on size 2 hooks; clip-down rigs for distance against strong tidal pull.
Smoothhound 6/10
Tip: Late spring-summer on peeler crab; fish the flood along sandbars and channel mouths. Use 5-6oz grip leads and 3-4ft mono traces.
Mullet (Thin-lipped) 6/10
Tip: Summer in the Axe outflow on the flood; Mepps-style spinner tipped with ragworm, steady retrieve along the current seam. Clearer neap tides help.
Dover Sole 5/10
Tip: Warm nights Jun-Sep over mud/sand; rag or lug on long snoods, short lob into the gutter. Best last 3 hours of flood into slack.
Mullet (Thick-lipped) 5/10
Tip: River wall/harbour area on settled summer evenings; bread or small rag under a float. Present along eddies on the flood.
European Eel 4/10
Tip: Night in estuary channels; small worm/fish baits on a simple running ledger. Best on neap floods; handle and release carefully.

Local knowledge

Uphill Beach fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Uphill Beach sits at the southern end of Weston Bay, where the River Axe meets the Bristol Channel. It’s a classic Somerset surf and estuary fringe mark, offering clean sand, big tides, and a realistic chance of rays, smoothhounds and bass in season. Expect long walks to the water at low tide and fast-moving tides that reward well-timed sessions.

This mark lies by the village of Uphill, just south of Weston-super-Mare, with straightforward access via the slipway and beach car park. Reaching the productive water can be a trek over firm sand and shallow gutters, especially on big ebbs.

  • Driving: From the M5 (J21), follow the A370 toward Weston-super-Mare, then signposted turns for Uphill and the beach/slipway.
  • Parking: Pay-and-display at the Uphill Beach/Slipway car park (satnav: BS23 4XY). Do not drive onto the beach; vehicle access is restricted/banned.
  • Walk-in: Flat, easy approach to the upper beach; up to 10–20 minutes across sand to the flood line and much further on big lows—use a trolley if heavily loaded.
  • Terrain: Clean, gently shelving sand with shallow gutters; occasional soft areas and mud near the Axe channel—observe warning signs and stay on firm sand.

The Bristol Channel’s turbidity and huge tides shape the species calendar here. Summer brings smoothhounds and rays; autumn favours bass; winter sees whiting and the odd surprise on cold snaps.

  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • Bass (schoolies, with better fish into late spring)
    • Thornback and small-eyed ray starting on bigger tides
    • Flounder are now scarce but still possible early spring
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Small-eyed ray and thornback ray
    • Smoothhound (peaks on warm, settled spells)
    • Bass (surf and estuary edges)
    • Occasional dogfish and sole in calm spells
    • Thin-lipped/grey mullet around the estuary margins (often visibly shoaling)
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Bass (often the best of the year on rougher, warm southerlies)
    • Rays continue on neap-to-mid springs
    • Whiting arrive late autumn; the odd plaice/dab
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Whiting and pouting
    • Dabs on smaller tides
    • Rare codling runs in cold snaps (don’t bank on it)
    • Strap conger possible after dark from rougher edges/structure, though not common from the open sand

Match your tactics to the tide flow and the featureless look of the beach—gutters and the rim of the Axe channel are the key lines. Clip-down beach gear and grip leads are the norm.

  • Rigs:
    • Pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) or up-and-over for rays, bass and hounds
    • 2-hook flapper (size 1–1/0) for whiting, sole and general scratching
    • Long snoods (80–120 cm) help ray/bass presentations; keep one shorter snood for dogs/whiting
  • Leads and lines:
    • 5–6 oz grip leads standard; 7 oz sometimes needed on big springs
    • 15–18 lb mainline with 60–70 lb shock leader for distance casts
  • Baits:
    • Peeler crab (prime for smoothhounds and bass in late spring/summer)
    • Fresh lugworm and ragworm (universal; bass, rays, whiting, sole)
    • Squid, mackerel or bluey cocktail for rays; sandeel if available
    • Bread flake or small rag for mullet near the estuary margins (float or feeder)
  • Distances and timing:
    • At high water, fish can be within 20–60 yards in the surf line and inside gutters
    • Mid-tide often needs 80–120+ yards; clipped-down rigs help
    • Dusk into dark is consistently productive; first two hours of the ebb can be excellent for bass and rays
  • Lures/float:
    • Lure fishing is limited by turbidity; try big, noisy surface or soft plastic paddletails on calm, coloured summer tides at first/last light
    • Float tactics are niche—best for mullet in calmer estuary corners, not the open beach

Uphill sits in one of the world’s largest tidal ranges. The beach fishes best around the flood to high water, but careful timing and wind choice make a big difference.

  • Tide states:
    • Productive windows: 2–3 hours up to high water and the first hour or two of the ebb
    • Rays often favour medium-to-larger springs at dusk; sole/whiting prefer neaps or smaller tides
    • Avoid being too far out on big ebbs—long walk back and very fast flood
  • Wind and sea:
    • Light–moderate SW–W winds create a helpful surf for bass
    • Strong onshore blows can add weed and debris; pick lee edges near the estuary bank
    • Northerlies flatten it off and suit rays/sole but may slow bass
  • Seasonality:
    • May–Sep: smoothhounds and rays headline; bass consistent in warm spells
    • Sep–Nov: bass peak around textured seas and dusk tides
    • Dec–Feb: whiting/dabs best on night neaps
  • Water clarity:
    • Permanently coloured—fish confidently with scent-led baits; luminous attractors can help at night

This is a high-energy, fast-flooding venue with soft mud near the Axe. Treat it like an estuary—plan, read the beach, and don’t chase the tide too far.

  • Tidal hazards:
    • Extremely fast flooding; channels and creeks can cut you off from the car park—always keep an exit route up-tide
    • Soft mud near the river and saltmarsh—obey warning signs and stay on firm sand; if in doubt, don’t step onto darker, glossy patches
  • General safety:
    • Wear a headlamp and consider a personal flotation device for night sessions
    • Chest waders can be risky in soft sand/mud—use with caution
    • Strong tripods recommended; secure rods against wind and wake
  • Crowding and shared use:
    • Keep clear of the slipway during boat launching and busy kitesurf/watersports periods (usually marked)
  • Accessibility:
    • Flat approach from the car park to upper beach; wheelchair users can access the promenade/slipway area, but the soft sand and long tidal reach limit close-to-water access

Uphill has basic but useful facilities, with fuller options a short drive in Weston-super-Mare. Expect seasonal variation.

  • Parking: Pay-and-display at Uphill Beach/Slipway car park (BS23 4XY)
  • Toilets: Usually available seasonally near the slipway; alternatives in Uphill village (pub/café)
  • Food & drink: Uphill Wharf Café Bar and village pubs; wider choice in Weston-super-Mare
  • Tackle & bait: Tackle shops in Weston-super-Mare (10–15 mins drive) for fresh/frozen bait and beach gear
  • Lifeguards: Typically not stationed at Uphill; lifeguard cover is on the main Weston sands in season
  • Mobile signal: Generally good 4G/5G on major networks
  • Bins: Use provided bins or take litter and line home—wind disperses waste quickly on this open beach

Timing, positioning and bait quality are everything at Uphill. Think gutters, edges and scent-heavy presentations that stand out in coloured water.

  • Read the beach: On the ebb, mark the position of the deeper gutters and fish their landward edges on the flood
  • Crab is king: Peeler/hardback crab baits transform summer catches—great for hounds and bass
  • Ray recipe: Squid + sandeel or squid + bluey cocktail on a clipped down pulley pennel, fished into the deeper run-off lines as the tide eases
  • Keep mobile: If a gutter dies, move 30–50 yards rather than waiting the tide out
  • Distance vs. placement: Long casting helps mid-tide, but many better bass and rays come surprisingly close around high
  • Weed watch: After onshore blows, pick cleaner water by edging away from the main drift lines near the river mouth
  • Trolley and tall tripod: The tide run and long walks make both worth their weight in fish

Sea angling from the beach is generally permitted here, but the area borders sensitive estuary habitats—follow all local notices and nature reserve signage. Regulations can change; always check official sources (MMO, Devon & Severn IFCA, Environment Agency, Somerset Council) before you go.

  • Access and zones:
    • Do not block or fish from the active slipway when boats are launching/recovering
    • Keep off saltmarsh/mudflat areas and respect any seasonal bird protection signs around the Axe estuary
  • Bass (recreational, 2024 rules at time of writing):
    • Minimum size 42 cm; daily bag limit typically 2 fish per angler per day from 1 March–30 November; catch-and-release only outside those dates—check for annual updates
  • Eel and migratory species:
    • European eel must not be retained; release immediately if caught
    • Do not target salmon/sea trout at the river mouth; a valid EA rod licence and open season rules apply to migratory salmonids—release any accidentally hooked fish
  • Sharks/skates:
    • Tope: recreational retention is prohibited—return alive
    • Handle rays carefully; no specific bag limits here, but practice restraint and return larger breeding females promptly
  • Shellfish and bait collection:
    • Observe IFCA minimum sizes and protection for berried lobsters/crabs
    • No digging/collecting on saltmarsh or within any prohibited areas; heed SSSI/SPA notices
  • General:
    • Follow size/bag limits for all species per IFCA/MMO guidance
    • Dispose of line and litter responsibly; lost tackle in this estuary can impact protected wildlife