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

Uphill Slipway

6.0 · Estuary · Somerset

Uphill Slipway sits at the mouth of the River Axe by Uphill, near Weston‑super‑Mare, opening into the inner Bristol Channel. It’s a very tidal, muddy estuary mark with fast currents and a defined boat channel running past the slip. Expect shallow water at low, with the channel deepening on the flood. Best results are usually the last two hours of the flood and the first hour of the ebb on spring tides. Access and parking are straightforward by the slip, but take great care with soft mud, slippery weeded concrete, and rapidly flooding gullies—do not wade onto the mudflats. Night sessions can be productive in season. Typical tactics are grip leads, short to medium casts to find the channel edges, small worm baits for flats and winter species, and crab or sandeel/squid for summer hounds and rays.

Should you fish Uphill Slipway?

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 Slipway — 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 Slipway

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 Slipway is a short-session, tide-timing venue at the mouth of the River Axe. The key is not distance: it is finding the boat channel edge as the flood fills, then keeping bait fishing in the coloured, fast-moving water. Bass, flounder, dogfish, whiting, mullet and occasional rays or hounds are realistic targets when the tide state, bait and casting line match the channel.

  • Know when the channel edge switches on
  • Avoid wasting casts into shallow dead water
  • Pick spring or neap tactics by target species
  • Know when weed, rain or tide will beat you
  • Have a nearby backup before the flood peaks

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 1.6 mi Bleadon 2.4 mi Hutton (North Somerset) 2.6 mi Locking 3.3 mi Kewstoke 3.3 mi

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

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

6.0 /10

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

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 6/10
Scenery & Comfort 6/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 8/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Best on the flood along the Axe channel edges. Peeler crab or sandeel on pulleys; or shallow lures at dawn/dusk in summer. Cast uptide and hold bottom; neaps fish safer than big springs.
Flounder 7/10
Tip: Rag/lug or maddies on light rigs at the turns of tide. Short casts to muddy margins and creek mouths. Late autumn–spring best; keep baits static and scented.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
Tip: After dark on the flood over sand/mud. Small fish baits or squid on 2-hook flappers or pulleys. Use gripper leads to hold in the strong tide.
Whiting 6/10
Tip: Winter evenings on the flood. Small strips of mackerel or squid on 2–3 hook flappers. Short–medium casts into the channel; expect weed on big springs.
Thornback Ray 6/10
Tip: Aim for the deeper channel on mid–flood into dusk. Sandeel or bluey/squid wraps on pulley pennel. Cast uptide and let it settle. Spring to early summer is productive.
Mullet (Thick-lipped) 6/10
Tip: Groundbait with mashed bread and present small bread or rag under a float tight to walls/slip on neap tides. Early mornings in summer give best chances.
Mullet (Thin-lipped) 6/10
Tip: Work small spinners tipped with rag in clear slacks on neaps. Also try small rag under a float by walls/outfalls. Best in summer–early autumn, daylight and calm water.
Dover Sole 5/10
Tip: Night sessions on neaps, close in over firm mud/sand. Small rag or lug on long snoods; keep baits still. Best late spring to autumn.
Starry Smoothhound 5/10
Tip: Warm evenings May–Sept on the flood. Fresh peeler or soft crab on a pulley. Target sandbars and channel seams; neap tides are easier to hold bottom.
European Eel 4/10
Tip: Summer nights around estuary margins and creeks. Worm or small fish baits on simple running rigs. Handle gently and release (protected species).

Local knowledge

Uphill Slipway fishing guide

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

Uphill Slipway lies at the mouth of the River Axe on the south side of Weston Bay, Somerset, where the estuary meets the mighty Bristol Channel. It’s an easy-access mark that can fish well for flounder, school bass and mullet when you time the tides, with occasional winter callers from the open bay.

The water is almost always coloured, the tide rips through, and fish patrol the channel edges—perfect for short, mobile sessions.

This mark sits by the boatyard and slip at Uphill, just south of Weston-super-Mare, a few minutes from the A370. Access is straightforward with parking close by.

  • From the A370, turn into Uphill and follow signs for the Marina/Boatyard/Beach; the slipway is beside the boatyard at the river mouth.
  • Pay-and-display parking is available at the beach/slipway car parks near the boatyard (sat nav approx: BS23 4XR); charges and hours vary seasonally.
  • The walk is 1–5 minutes on level paths; most of the ground is firm concrete, compacted gravel and hard sand near the top of the beach.
  • Terrain: concrete slipway (can be slick with algae), compacted tracks and estuary edge. Avoid the mudflats beyond the firm edges—do not step off the end of the slip at low water.
  • Public transport: buses serve Uphill village; it’s a 10–20 minute walk to the slip depending on stop.

The estuary produces classic Bristol Channel estuary species, with peak activity from spring through late autumn. Winter can still throw up fish when the weather aligns.

  • Spring (Mar–May): flounder, school bass, thick- and thin-lipped mullet; occasional silver eel (catch-and-release only).
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): bass (better numbers on spring tides), flounder, mullet; the odd dogfish on the outer edges of the bay; nighttime eels (release).
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): bass (often the best chance of a better fish), flounder, mullet into early autumn; whiting begin to show in the bay and sometimes push into the channel on night tides.
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): flounder, whiting and pouting on night tides; an occasional codling in rougher spells.
  • Bycatch/odds and ends: shore crab, gobies, and inevitable weed; school bass are common—handle and release carefully if undersized.

This is primarily a bottom-fishing venue, but lure and float tactics have their moments along the channel edges and around the moorings. Keep rigs simple and aerodynamic to cope with tide.

  • Bottom fishing for flounder and general bits: 2-hook flapper or wishbone, size 2–1 fine-wire Aberdeen hooks; beads/attractors help in the murk.
  • Bass: running ledger or long flowing trace (2–4 ft) with size 1/0–2/0 hooks; peeler/soft crab is prime late spring to early autumn; lug or rag cocktails also score.
  • Mullet: delicate float gear or freelined crust; size 8–12 strong-fine hooks; bread flake or mashed bread groundbait in slack pockets by moorings.
  • Lures (only from firm ground): 10–20 g soft plastics on stout jigheads or weedless Texas rigs; surface/sub-surface walkers at dawn/dusk on the flood; pick dark silhouettes or flashy patterns for coloured water.
  • Leads: 5–6 oz wired grippers are standard; step up to 7 oz on big springs. Watch-leads help when slowly creeping baits downtide for flounder.
  • Baits: fresh black lug and ragworm are staples; peeler/soft crab for bass; small mackerel or squid strips for whiting/pout in winter. Sandeel is less consistent in this estuary.

The Bristol Channel’s huge range means water movement is everything here. Fish use the gutter and channel edges as a highway—time your casts to intercept them.

  • Best states: last 2 hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb are the key windows; the first push of the flood is excellent for bass.
  • Springs vs neaps: mid to big springs often best for bass/flow-driven sessions; neaps can be kinder for mullet and close-in flounder work.
  • Day vs night: dawn/dusk are prime; winter whiting and the odd codling favour night tides. Night also brings bass tighter to the edge.
  • Conditions: a SW breeze and coloured water suit bass; after heavy rain the Axe can run fresh—give it 24–48 hours to settle. Persistent weed can be an issue after storms—use weedless rigs/lures.
  • Expect minimal slack water; your gear will move if under-led. Recast regularly to keep baits in a feeding lane.

This is an estuary with fast tides, soft mud and boat traffic—treat it with respect. Good footwear and a cautious approach are essential.

  • Do not step off the concrete slip or firm edges onto mud/silt; people get stuck—callouts are common in this area.
  • Beware the drop-off at the end of the slip at lower states; algae makes the concrete very slippery when wet.
  • Big tides flood quickly and the channel shape shifts—avoid being cut off on sand tongues; plan an exit route before dark.
  • Do not obstruct the slipway; expect craft launching/recovering around the top half of the tide—move when asked.
  • Wear a properly fitted PFD if fishing near the edge, at night, or alone; carry a headtorch and a means of calling for help.
  • Accessibility: short, mostly flat approach; the slip’s gradient and boat movements can limit wheelchair use—an assistant is advisable and fishing from the very top edge only during neaps is safest.

Facilities are better than many estuary marks, thanks to the nearby boatyard and beach car parks. Expect seasonal variations.

  • Parking: pay-and-display near the slip/beach; check machines/signage for hours and charges.
  • Toilets: seasonal public toilets at the beach end (check opening times); customer facilities at the marina/boatyard café during trading hours.
  • Food and drink: a café/bar by the marina in season; more options in Uphill village and Weston-super-Mare.
  • Tackle and bait: tackle shops in Weston-super-Mare (pre-order fresh lug/rag in busy periods).
  • Phone signal: generally good 4G/5G around Uphill and Weston; bring power for night sessions.
  • Lighting: limited—bring a reliable headlamp and spare batteries.

Think like a flounder or a prowling bass—fish the edges and keep your bait on the move. Small tweaks make a big difference in the coloured flow.

  • For flounder, add a couple of red/yellow beads or a small bait spoon and very slowly creep the rig downtide between recasts.
  • Bass hug the first drop into the channel; a crab bait on a long trace or a 10–15 g paddle tail worked along the seam is deadly on the first push.
  • Mullet spook easily—arrive quietly, loosefeed mashed bread, and use fine line and small hooks.
  • After heavy rain, salinity drops; target the lower edge towards the bay where the water is a touch saltier.
  • Weed blooms after storms; switch to weedless soft plastics or elevate the bait slightly off bottom with a float stop/bead if it’s smothering.
  • Fresh local lug outfishes frozen most days; if you’re not bait-digging, collect on the ebb from open sand only where permitted or pre-order from a shop.
  • Keep mobile: if no bites within 20 minutes, adjust position or casting angle to find the gutter.

Angling is generally permitted here, but this is a working slipway within protected estuary designations—follow signs and local instructions. Always check the latest notices at the car park/boatyard before starting.

  • Do not obstruct the slipway or pontoons; keep clear of launching/recovery and follow any directions from boatyard staff.
  • Protected site: the area forms part of the Severn Estuary European Marine Site (SSSI/SPA/SAC) and the Uphill Local Nature Reserve—stick to marked paths and keep off saltmarsh/vegetated mud.
  • Bait collection: hand-gathering on open sand only where allowed; do not dig saltmarsh or banks. Local byelaws may restrict methods/areas—check Devon & Severn IFCA and on-site signage before collecting.
  • Bass (recreational): current national rules typically allow a 2-fish daily bag per angler from 1 Mar–30 Nov with a 42 cm minimum size, and catch-and-release only Dec–Feb. Regulations are reviewed regularly—check MMO/IFCA updates before you go.
  • European eel: do not retain eels—release immediately; retention of European eel is unlawful in England.
  • Mullet and other species: observe any local minimum sizes/bag limits and follow best practice catch-and-release for large breeders; consult the latest MMO/IFCA or Angling Trust size charts.
  • Council byelaws: no fires, no littering, respect seasonal wildlife exclusions and any dog-on-lead requirements in the nature reserve areas.
  • Parking and gate times can change seasonally—read the car park boards to avoid fines or being locked in.