Uphill Beach Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Uphill Beach Fishing Map

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.

Ratings

⭐ 6.8/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 7/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at Uphill Beach

🐟 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.

Uphill Beach Fishing

Summary

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.

Location and Access

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.

Seasons

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.

Methods

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.

Tides and Conditions

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.

Safety

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.

Facilities

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

Tips

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

Regulations

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.