Walton Bay Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Walton Bay Fishing Map

A classic Bristol Channel rock mark between Clevedon and Portishead in North Somerset. Walton Bay is a rough, kelpy shoreline of ledges and boulder platforms with strong tidal flow and a huge range. It fishes best on the flood and first of the ebb, with neaps giving safer footing and fewer snags. Expect rays and smoothhounds in late spring/summer, conger and dogfish after dark, and whiting with the chance of a codling in winter. Ground is very snaggy—use rotten‑bottoms and strong abrasion‑resistant traces. Watch the tide to avoid cut‑offs, swells reflecting off the ledges, and slippery weeded rock. Access is via a steep coast path from the Walton Bay side; parking is limited.

Ratings

⭐ 6.5/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 6/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 5/10

Fish You Can Catch at Walton Bay

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Crab or lug baits into surfy gullies on the flood, last 2 hrs to HW. Dusk/dawn best; try lures only when clarity improves. Keep mobile along rock ledges.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: Fish or squid cocktails over clean sand patches between reefs. Best in coloured water or at night; short casts on the flood over HW.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer evenings on a flooding tide. Fish peeler or hardback crab 40-70 yd to mixed ground with flowing traces. Neap tides help holding bottom.
🐟 Conger Eel 7/10
🎯 Tip: After dark, lower big mackerel or squid baits into boulder holes. Use tough abrasion leaders and strong gear. Best around HW slack on neaps.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late autumn-winter. Small mackerel or squid strips at distance after dark on spring tides. Use 2-3 hook flappers.
🐟 Thornback Ray 6/10
🎯 Tip: Spring-autumn. Sandeel, squid or bluey cast to sand gullies. Last hour of flood into first of ebb on neaps is prime.
🐟 Shanny 6/10
🎯 Tip: LRF at low water in rockpools and kelpy margins with tiny rag or isopod baits on size 14-10 hooks. Keep baits static.
🐟 Three-bearded Rockling 5/10
🎯 Tip: Small rag or sandeel strips in kelp-filled gullies at dusk or night. Short casts; keep baits tight to rocks on the flood.
🐟 Pouting 4/10
🎯 Tip: After dark, fish small fish baits or rag close to rough ground. Short to mid-range, best over HW.
🐟 Flounder 4/10
🎯 Tip: Rag or crab baits to mud/sand fringes on the flood. Winter-spring. Use clip-down rigs to reach channels.
🐟 European Eel 3/10
🎯 Tip: Summer nights in coloured water. Worm or fish strips fished static close in on the flood. Handle gently and release promptly.

Walton Bay Fishing

Summary

Walton Bay sits between Clevedon and Portishead on the North Somerset coast, facing the tide-torn inner Bristol Channel. Rugged limestone ledges, fast tides and coloured water make it a classic rough-ground mark for rays, smoothhounds and winter codling. It rewards strong tactics, tight timekeeping around the tide, and first-rate fresh bait.

Location and Access

This mark lies just east of Clevedon near Walton-in-Gordano, with access down to a rock-and-boulder foreshore. It’s straightforward for fit anglers but involves a short, steep descent and uneven ground.

Seasons

Fishing here is very seasonal, driven by the huge Severn estuary tides and coloured water. Expect rough-ground regulars with a few estuary strays in autumn.

Methods

Strong shore gear and tidy presentation are essential; the flow here will punish anything under-gunned or poorly set. Fish big, fresh baits for quality fish and scale down only during slacker periods.

Tides and Conditions

The Bristol Channel’s tidal range is colossal, so plan around mid-to-high water and manageable flows. Neaps are kinder; big springs can be brutal and short-lived.

Safety

This is a serious tidal rock mark with real hazards. Treat the mud, the speed of the flood, and slippery weeded rock with utmost respect.

Facilities

Walton Bay is light on amenities; plan to be self-sufficient. Nearby Clevedon and Portishead cover most needs before or after a session.

Tips

Small tweaks make a big difference here—tidy rigs, fresh bait and precise tide timing consistently out-fish brute force. Think short, accurate, and secure rather than maximum distance.

Regulations

Shore angling is generally permitted at Walton Bay; there is no standing local ban on fishing from the natural foreshore. However, regulations in the Bristol Channel change—check current notices before you go.