Woodspring Bay Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Woodspring Bay Fishing Map

A remote, fast-flooding, rock-and-reef bay on the north side of Sand Point (Middle Hope) with strong Bristol Channel tides. Mixed ground of limestone ledges, boulders and patches of sand gives gullies and seams that fish well from mid-flood to the first of the ebb. Best on big spring tides when colour and tide draw fish tight to the rock edges. Expect prolific dogfish, summer smoothhounds and bass, with thornbacks possible, plus winter whiting and pouting. Wrasse and rock species are present around the kelpier ledges. Long walk-in via the Middle Hope paths; use 5–7 oz grip leads, abrasion-resistant leaders and pulley or up-and-over rigs. Avoid the soft mud further into the bay and watch for rapid cut-off by the flooding tide.

Ratings

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

Fish You Can Catch at Woodspring Bay

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Fish the flooding tide along gutters and the surf line; peeler crab, rag or 4-5in soft plastics. Best May-Oct and after a blow when the water colours.
🐟 Thornback Ray 7/10
🎯 Tip: Clean sand patches on the flood into dusk; sandeel or squid/sandeel wraps on a pulley pennel 3/0-4/0. Spring and autumn neaps fish well.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
🎯 Tip: Mixed ground at short to medium range; small fish or squid baits. Best on night floods; steady year-round in coloured water.
🐟 Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: First of the flood into dark; peeler crab on strong grip leads in channels. Late May-Aug; present baits just downtide of bars and gutters.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Winter nights; small strips of mackerel or squid on size 2 hooks, two-hook flappers. Cast to deeper gutters on the ebb and first of flood.
🐟 Flounder 5/10
🎯 Tip: Muddy margins and creek mouths on the first push of flood; rag or lug tipped with fish. Light gear, slow retrieve. Autumn to early spring.
🐟 Dover Sole 5/10
🎯 Tip: Calm summer nights over soft sand/mud at short range; small rag or lug on size 2-4 hooks, long snoods. Fish the flood.
🐟 Cod 4/10
🎯 Tip: Late autumn to mid-winter during or after a blow; big lug/squid cocktails on a 4/0 pennel. Target rough ground and gutters on the flood; neaps help hold bottom.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 4/10
🎯 Tip: Calm summer evenings over clean sand bars; launce or sandeel on a pulley pennel. Last of ebb into first of flood.
🐟 Mullet (Thin-lipped) 4/10
🎯 Tip: Warm, settled spells; work small Mepps-style spinner tipped with rag in brackish drains/outflows on the flood. Stealthy approach and light leaders.

Woodspring Bay Fishing

Summary

Woodspring Bay sits on the Middle Hope headland just north of Weston‑super‑Mare, Somerset, facing the fast‑moving waters of the Severn Estuary. It’s a quiet, tidal rock-and-mud venue that rewards careful timing with bass, thornback rays, smoothhounds in summer, and whiting/codling in the colder months.

Location and Access

Set within the National Trust’s Middle Hope estate between Sand Bay and St Thomas’s Head, access is via country lanes from Kewstoke/Sand Bay. Expect a modest but uneven walk to the shoreline and plan your approach around the tide rather than the other way round.

Seasons

This is a classic Bristol Channel/Severn Estuary mix: fast tide, coloured water, and fish moving along gullies on the flood. Expect better catches after dusk and on building tides.

Methods

Bottom tactics dominate here due to the constant colour and tide run; plan simple, strong rigs and fresh baits. Keep tackle losses down with rotten‑bottom links and fish the flood when possible.

Tides and Conditions

The Severn’s huge tidal range defines this mark. Medium springs are the sweet spot: enough movement to feed fish without making presentation impossible.

Safety

This is a serious tidal venue with slippery rock, soft mud beyond the rock scars, and flood tides that can fill gullies behind you. Treat it with respect and go light on your first visit.

Facilities

Woodspring Bay is rural with no on‑site facilities; plan to be self‑sufficient. Nearest amenities are in Kewstoke, Sand Bay and Weston‑super‑Mare.

Tips

Think of Woodspring as a moving‑water ambush mark: if you can park a bait where fish travel on the flood, you’ll catch. Keep rigs simple, sharp and strong.

Regulations

Woodspring Bay sits within nationally important conservation designations for the Severn Estuary, and the foreshore is part of the National Trust’s Middle Hope estate. Angling is generally permitted from the public foreshore, but you must follow site rules and wider fisheries regulations.