Weston-super-Mare South Beach fishing in Somerset

Weston-super-Mare South Beach Fishing Map

A long, flat Bristol Channel surf beach running south from the Grand Pier toward Uphill and the River Axe. Expect a huge tidal range, fast-moving water and extensive sand/mud flats. Best fished the last 2–3 hours of the flood into high water and the first hour of the ebb, targeting gutter edges and the boat channel near Uphill. Night tides are very productive. Southwest winds that build a surf can bring bass close. Summer brings smoothhounds and rays over the clean sand; winter produces whiting, dabs and the odd codling. Use grip leads, pulley pennel rigs for rays/bass/hounds and 2–3 hook flappers for general species. Prime baits are lugworm and ragworm, peeler crab for hounds and bass, and squid or sandeel for rays/cod. Parking along Marine Parade/Beach Road and by the Uphill slipway. Heed soft mud warnings, rapid flooding, and channels; do not wade far off the firm sand. Views to Brean Down, Flat Holm and Steep Holm.

Ratings

⭐ 5.9/10 Overall

Catch Potential 6/10

Species Variety 6/10

Scenery & Comfort 7/10

Safety 4/10

Accessibility 6/10

Fish You Can Catch at Weston-super-Mare South Beach

🐟 Thornback Ray 8/10

🎯 Tip: Crab, mackerel or sandeel baits at range onto sand gullies; best mid-late flood, dusk into night, Apr-Oct. Use pulley rigs and 6-7oz grippers for the strong tide.

🐟 Bass 7/10

🎯 Tip: Peeler crab or lug into surf lines and channel mouths on flood/ebb; dusk/dawn, May-Oct. Lures only in calmer spells near the river mouth.

🐟 Small-eyed Ray 7/10

🎯 Tip: Sandeel or launce at long range over clean sand; summer evenings/nights around mid-flood. Pulley rigs and strong leaders handle tide and surf.

🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10

🎯 Tip: Squid or mackerel strips, night into first of ebb; short to medium casts into gutters over sand. Year-round and very common here.

🐟 Smoothhound 7/10

🎯 Tip: Peeler crab on pulley/paternoster; target deeper run-offs and channels; June-Sept on the flood. Release promptly.

🐟 Whiting 6/10

🎯 Tip: Winter nights Nov-Feb; small fish or squid baits on 2-3 hook flappers. Cast 40-80yd into gullies on the flood; expect rapid bites in the tide.

🐟 Flounder 6/10

🎯 Tip: Rag/lug on long snoods; cast to channel edges on flood or ebb; autumn-spring. Keep mobile to find shallow gutters.

🐟 Dover Sole 6/10

🎯 Tip: Warm, calm nights Jun-Sep; rag or lug close in over muddy sand. Fish last of flood and first of ebb; use light snoods for shy bites.

🐟 Starry Smoothhound 6/10

🎯 Tip: As smoothhound: peeler crab in summer on the flood along channels; best on bigger tides at dusk.

🐟 Cod 3/10

🎯 Tip: Rare now; chance in late autumn-winter after a blow on big tides. Lug/crab cocktails at medium range into gutters at night.

Weston-super-Mare South Beach Fishing

Summary

Weston-super-Mare South Beach sits on the southern sweep of Weston Bay, facing the inner Bristol Channel and its huge tidal range. It’s a classic shallow, sandy–muddy surf venue where fast-moving tides flood gullies and channels that draw in bass, flounder, and winter whiting. Worth fishing for its easy access from the promenade and the chance of quality estuary fish when you time the tide and pick your spots.

Location and Access

Access is straightforward from the seafront, with wide promenades and multiple ramps dropping onto the sand between the Grand Pier and the southern end toward Uphill. The ground is predominantly firm sand with soft patches of mud, and the walk is flat, but the distance to the water at low tide can be deceptive and very long. Avoid following the ebb too far out.

Seasons

Common, in season:
Spring: Flounder in the channels; school bass arriving on warmer tides; the odd dab.
Summer: Bass (best in onshore surf and into dusk), silver eels after dark (release advised), occasional sole on neap-night tides.
Autumn: Bass at their peak through September–October; whiting numbers building; flounder steady in the gutters.
Winter: Whiting after dark over the top of the tide; chance of codling in cold snaps; dabs on cleaner patches.
Occasional/bonus:
Small-eyed ray from the cleaner southern end toward Uphill in late spring to early autumn on settled seas.
Smoothhound on warm summer tides (not consistent, but possible).
Gurnard and the odd plaice are rare visitors in clearer spells.

Methods

This is a classic estuary-surf setup: bottom fishing dominates, with rigs tailored to tide flow and target species. Lures can work for bass in the right water, but the Channel is often coloured, so pick vibration and profile over finesse.

Tides and Conditions

The bay’s extreme tidal range and shallow profile mean fish move with the water. You’re fishing moving fronts: gutters and edges on the flood, and the inner channels and scours as the tide ebbs back.

Safety

Treat Weston South Beach with full estuary respect: soft patches, very fast tides, and channels that cut behind you. Keep your escape route in mind and do not chase the ebb far offshore.

Facilities

You’re fishing right by a major seaside town, so amenities are close. Most facilities are seasonal but generally reliable on weekends and holidays.

Tips

This venue rewards reading the ground. Scout at low water to map gullies, then return to fish them as they flood. The biggest mistake here is letting the tide dictate your position—set a safe cut-off and stick to it.

Regulations

Weston-super-Mare sits within the Severn Estuary environment, with local beach byelaws and national sea-angling rules applying. Regulations can change—always check current notices on the seafront and official sources before you fish.