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Somerset

Woodhill Bay

5.8 · Rocks · Somerset

A small, stony cove just east of Battery Point at Portishead, with rough ground, kelp, and fast Bristol Channel tides. Best fished over neaps or around slack water to reduce drag and snags. Depth builds quickly, giving access to conger, huss, rock species and seasonal visitors. Expect heavy ground and strong currents; use rotten-bottoms, strong leaders, and fish baits tight to the rough. Summer into autumn after dusk is productive; winter brings whiting and the odd codling. Mullet browse the calmer margins on settled days.

Should you fish Woodhill Bay?

53 Fair

Today · Best available

Best available: 03:00-06:00

Most likely species: Bass and Lesser Spotted Dogfish

Fair conditions. Best available around 03:00-06:00, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Bass and Lesser Spotted Dogfish.

W 5 mph Rain 0% High tide 00:30

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

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7-day fishing forecast for Woodhill Bay — 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.

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· 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.

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Woodhill Bay is a compact, rough-ground Bristol Channel cove where timing matters more than distance. It is best treated as a neap or slack-water venue: fish the last of the flood into high water, keep gear strong, and expect kelp, boulders, snags and fast tide. The most productive plan is usually one bait tight to rock edges or inside gutters for bass, conger or hounds, with a second bait placed onto cleaner sand patches for rays or winter whiting when conditions allow.

  • Know when Woodhill Bay is worth fishing — and when the tide will beat you.
  • Pick the right ground: rock edges for bass, sand patches for rays.
  • Use the rig style that saves gear in kelp and boulders.
  • Time the flood-to-high window for hounds, conger, bass and whiting.
  • Have a practical backup plan before weed or tide ruins the session.

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Portishead 0.7 mi Portishead 0.8 mi Clapton in Gordano 2.1 mi Avonmouth 2.4 mi Stone-Edge Batch 2.8 mi

Explore nearby towns: Portishead · Portishead · Clapton in Gordano · Avonmouth · Stone-Edge Batch

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

5.8 /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 6/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Flood tide over rough ground; peeler crab or whole squid. Dusk into night best. Cast tight to rock edges and gullies; paddle-tails or surface lures on calmer neaps at first light.
Thornback Ray 7/10
Tip: Apr–Oct on big rising tides. Drop baits 60–80yd onto sand patches between boulders; sandeel, squid or bluey. Pulley pennel with 5–6oz grip leads to hold.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
Tip: Year-round and often thick; small fish baits or squid strips. Short lob to mixed ground on neaps; simple 2-hook flapper works well.
Starry Smoothhound 7/10
Tip: May–Sep; peeler or hardback crab. Fish the flood and first of ebb at 30–60yd. Use strong snoods and circle hooks; keep baits nailed down in tide.
Whiting 6/10
Tip: Nov–Feb on evening highs. Mackerel/squid cocktails at 40–70yd. Clip-down rigs and 5–6oz grips to hold in the tide.
Conger Eel 6/10
Tip: After dark around rock edges. Whole mackerel or squid on 80lb trace. Last 2hrs of flood through high; expect snags and strong pull—use pulley rigs.
Flounder 5/10
Tip: Late autumn–spring. Lug or rag tipped with crab; short casts to muddy seams on the flood. Let baits slowly trundle to find fish.
Mullet (Thick-lipped) 5/10
Tip: Summer HW in calmer water; bread flake under a float or freelined in the lee of rocks. Keep low and quiet; small hooks and light line.
Small-eyed Ray 4/10
Tip: Occasional on big springs May–Sep. Aim sandeel or launce at range onto cleaner sand patches; pulley pennel and 5–6oz grip leads.
Cod 3/10
Tip: Odd winter fish after blows. Big lug/crab cocktails; fish dusk/night over the flood with heavy gear to beat tide and snags.

Local knowledge

Woodhill Bay fishing guide

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.