Summary
Woodhill Bay sits on the Portishead shoreline in North Somerset, tucked just west of the Lake Grounds and a short stroll from the open-air pool. It’s a classic upper Bristol Channel mark: fast tides, coloured water, rough ground and real chances of proper estuary fish. If you like no-nonsense ledgering for bass, conger, rays and winter whiting close to town amenities, this bay delivers.
Location and Access
Woodhill Bay is in Portishead, a few minutes’ walk north-west of the Lake Grounds and Portishead Open Air Pool. Access is simple, but the fishing ground is rocky and uneven, so plan to travel light and use sturdy footwear.
- Drive via M5 J19, follow signs to Portishead, then the Lake Grounds/Esplanade. Street parking and small car parks along The Esplanade and near the open-air pool (BS20 7HD) are closest.
- Short walks (2–10 minutes) onto the beach/rocks depending on where you set up. Paths are good; final approach is over shingle/boulders.
- The terrain is a mix of shingle, flat ledges and large boulders with weed—expect snags and slippery footing.
- Alternative access from the Battery Point side via the coastal path; again, last steps are onto uneven rock.
Seasons
This is a mixed, rough-ground estuary mark with short-to-mid range opportunities. Expect seasonal variety, with night tides often best.
- Spring (Mar–May): school bass, thornback ray, dogfish, conger at dusk/night; occasional smoothhound on peeler in late spring; odd flounder near the quieter corners.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): bass (including better fish on lively flood tides), conger, dogfish, thornback ray; occasional smoothhound; thick‑lipped mullet mooching in calm water at the edges.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): bass peak, thornback ray continue, conger, increasing whiting and pouting as temperatures drop; very occasional codling in blowy spells.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): whiting the staple on evening tides, pouting, strap conger; chance of a late thornback on milder spells; odd codling in rough weather years.
Methods
Rough-ground ledgering dominates. Fish strong, simple rigs with quality hooks and fresh bait that withstands tide.
- Rigs: pulley or pulley dropper with a rotten‑bottom/weak‑link; clipped-down for distance if needed. One up/one down for whiting in winter. Short snoods in heavy run; longer when the tide eases.
- Leads: strong wire‑grip 6–8 oz on springs, 5–6 oz on neaps. Always carry spares and weak-link components.
- Line/terminal: 25–30 lb mono mainline (or 40–50 lb braid) with 60–80 lb shock/leader; abrasion-resistant snoods (30–50 lb) for conger/ray.
- Hooks: 3/0–5/0 for bass/ray/conger pennels; size 1–1/0 for whiting/pout. Circle hooks help reduce deep hooking in the fast flow.
- Baits: peeler crab (top for bass, hounds), lug/rag cocktails, squid or squid/lug wraps, bluey/sandeel for rays; mackerel/squid for conger at night; bread/flakes for mullet in calm edges.
- Lures/float: limited by colour and tide, but small windows on neap slack can produce bass with soft plastics worked tight to rock seams.
Tides and Conditions
This is a high‑energy, big‑range estuary. Timing and tide size matter more than casting miles.
- Best windows: last 2 hours of the flood to high water and the first hour of the ebb. Many anglers fish the flood into dusk/night.
- Tide size: neaps are more forgiving and easier to hold bottom; springs need heavier gear and aggressive grips.
- Sea state: perpetual colour is normal; a little lump and fizz helps bass, but heavy weed on strong westerlies can be unfishable.
- Wind: light to moderate onshore winds can switch fish on; strong winds push weed lines—carry lighter/shorter rigs to cut drag.
- Seasonality: summer/autumn evenings for bass/rays; winter nights for whiting/pout with the odd bonus fish.
- Shipping effect: wash from large vessels to/from the docks can create sudden surges—secure rods high and well back.
Safety
The bay is straightforward to reach but the fishing ground is not. Prioritise grip, stability and a clear retreat as the tide climbs fast.
- Slippery rock and boulder fields with weed—use studded boots or cleats if you have them; headlamp and spare light essential after dark.
- Bristol Channel tides rise rapidly; set a clear cut‑off and don’t drop too low on the ebb. Avoid being out on isolated ledges at dusk.
- Use a lifejacket when fishing near the water’s edge, especially at night or in swell; never wade here in running tide.
- Shipping wash from the channel can surge unexpectedly—keep tackle and bags well above the waterline.
- Be considerate around the open‑air pool and bathing spots in summer; avoid casting if swimmers or craft are nearby. Local staff may direct you to give extra space during busy periods.
- Accessibility: last approach is over uneven stones and not suitable for wheelchairs or most trolleys; fish from the higher, flatter rocks if mobility is limited.
Facilities
Portishead offers excellent amenities within a short walk, making long sessions comfortable.
- Toilets: facilities at the Portishead Open Air Pool and Lake Grounds (check seasonal opening).
- Food/drink: cafés by the lido/Lake Grounds; more options around Portishead town and the Marina a longer stroll away.
- Parking: roadside and small car parks along The Esplanade near the pool (BS20 7HD); arrive early on sunny weekends.
- Tackle/bait: several shops within the wider Bristol/Clevedon area; many anglers pre‑order worm/crab locally or from Bristol suppliers.
- Mobile signal: generally good 4G/5G on the headland and bay.
Tips
Little adjustments make big differences on this mark—fish smart to beat snags and tide.
- Keep baits compact and aerodynamic; clipped‑down presentations cast straighter and tangle less in cross‑flow.
- A short 12–18 inch snood with a long, strong hooklength avoids spin and abrasion; add a bait clip or cascade for 2‑hook rigs in winter.
- Always use a weak‑link for the lead; you’ll save rigs when you inevitably find the rocks.
- Fish a close‑range rod for bass into the inside gutter on the last of the flood while a second rod probes mid‑range for rays or conger.
- On neaps, try soft plastics during slack—hug structure and seams; bites come fast when the tide first moves.
- Big ship gone by? Give it 5–10 minutes—the turbulence can stir food and switch fish on.
- Pack spare grips, scissors and towels—muddy water and weed make tidy rebaiting hard without a routine.
Regulations
Normal English recreational sea fishing rules apply here, with additional local protections for the Severn Estuary. Always check current rules before your trip.
- This shoreline falls under the Devon & Severn IFCA district; consult their byelaws for estuary protections, bait collection guidance and any seasonal restrictions.
- National rules (MMO/DEFRA) on minimum conservation reference sizes, bag limits and seasons apply to species such as bass and rays; these can change year‑to‑year—check the latest official notices before retaining fish.
- Protected species: European eel must not be retained; shad and lamprey are protected—release immediately if accidentally caught.
- Much of the estuary is designated SSSI/SPA; avoid disturbing wildlife and follow any local signage or warden instructions.
- Respect private property and safety barriers; do not fish where signs explicitly prohibit it, and keep clear of swimmers/launch areas in busy months.
