Summary
Worlebury Rocks sits beneath Worlebury Hill on the north side of Weston‑super‑Mare, between Anchor Head and the closed Birnbeck Pier. It’s a classic upper Bristol Channel rough-ground mark with fierce tides, coloured water and proper mixed fishing. Expect hard-running currents, snaggy ledges and rewarding sessions for bass, rays, conger and winter whiting when you get the timing right.
Location and Access
This mark is the rocky foreshore below Birnbeck Road, north-west Weston‑super‑Mare. Access is straightforward to the seafront, but getting onto the rocks requires care and good timing with the tide. Birnbeck Pier itself is private and derelict—do not attempt to access the pier.
- Parking: On-street and pay‑and‑display options along Birnbeck Road/Anchor Head (BS23 area); check local signs and seasonal restrictions.
- Approach: Short walks down worn paths/steps from seafront level to the rock platforms; surfaces are uneven, weeded and slippery.
- Terrain: Low reefs, kelp, boulders and shallow gullies that flood rapidly on the flood; expect heavy snags and barnacle/weed-covered rock.
- Access window: Safest to arrive on the ebb or early flood with a clear retreat plan; avoid pushing your luck near low water on big springs.
Seasons
This is a mixed rough-ground venue influenced by the Bristol Channel’s huge tides and permanently coloured water. Species vary by season and conditions.
- Spring (Mar–May):
- Bass on peeler crab and worm baits
- Thornback ray during settled spells
- Dogfish, pout; strap conger after dark
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Bass at dusk/night on crab/squid/mackerel
- Thornback ray; occasional smoothhound on crab in June–July
- Mullet in calm corners near the sea wall; rock gobies/blennies for LRF
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Peak bass in September–October, especially after a blow as it drops away
- Thornback ray; better conger prospects at night
- Whiting and pout build from late October
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Whiting, pout, dogfish on small fish/worm baits
- Occasional codling in colder snaps
- Conger eels at night; thornbacks on milder spells
Methods
Rigs need to be simple, strong and snag‑aware. The water is almost always coloured, so scent and presentation beat finesse.
- Lead and line:
- 5–7 oz wired grip leads to hold in tide; consider streamlined leads for downtide casts
- 18–20 lb mainline with 60–80 lb shock leader; step up trace to 60–80 lb for rays/conger
- Rigs:
- Pulley pennel (3/0–5/0) for bass/rays over rough ground
- Up‑and‑over or pulley dropper for distance and cleaner presentation
- 2‑hook flapper (1/0–2) for whiting/pout in winter; short snoods reduce spin in tide
- Always use a weak/rotten‑bottom link to save gear in snags
- Baits:
- Fresh peeler crab (spring–summer) is prime for bass/smoothhound
- Squid, mackerel or bluey strips/heads for rays and conger; mussel/razor for scent
- Lug/black lug or ragworm for whiting/pout and opportunist bass
- Tactics:
- Fish the last two hours of flood and first of the ebb; dusk into dark is best
- Cast to the uptide edge of gullies/rough patches; clip-down baits for clean entry
- Keep snoods short in heavy run; refresh baits frequently to keep scent trail strong
Tides and Conditions
The Bristol Channel’s range is among the world’s biggest. Worlebury fishes on movement, but too much tide can be unfishable—choose your windows.
- Tide states:
- Best: mid‑to‑high water on neaps to medium springs; last 2 hours of flood and first hour of ebb
- Big springs: strong lateral pull and weed; pick sheltered pockets or fish the neap cycle instead
- Sea and wind:
- A dropping sea after a SW/W blow often sparks bass; a northerly flattens it and suits rays/whiting
- Water is nearly always coloured—perfect for scent-led baits, less so for lures
- Time of day/season:
- Dusk and after dark markedly improve bass, conger and winter whiting
- Late summer to mid‑autumn is prime for bass/rays; winter nights for whiting/pout/conger
Safety
Treat Worlebury as a serious rough‑ground mark with real cutoff hazards. Plan conservatively and wear the right kit.
- Tidal cutoff: Ledges and gullies flood rapidly; identify escape routes in daylight and move early on the flood
- Footing: Very slippery weeded rock; wear studded boots or rock cleats and gloves
- Swell/boat wash: Atlantic swell can refract in; occasional strong wash—stay well back from edges
- Gear: Headlamp with spare batteries; personal flotation device recommended; carry a knife for snagged line
- Not suitable for limited mobility: Uneven, steep access; no safe railings or platforms
- Never fish the derelict Birnbeck Pier: No public access—keep to the natural foreshore only
- Fish with a partner on first visits; always check tide times and forecast
Facilities
The mark is adjacent to town amenities, but the rocks themselves have no facilities. Plan to be self‑sufficient on the shore.
- Toilets: Public conveniences along the Weston seafront and near Marine Lake/Anchor Head (check seasonal opening hours)
- Food and drink: Cafés and takeaways on Birnbeck Road and the main promenade
- Tackle and bait: Tackle shops in Weston‑super‑Mare town centre; phone ahead for fresh lug/peeler availability
- Parking: Mixed on‑street and pay‑and‑display along the seafront (BS23); observe time limits
- Lighting and signal: Area is dark at night—bring headlamps; mobile signal generally good
Tips
Little tweaks make a big difference here because of tide speed and snags. Think stout, simple and scented.
- Use a short pulley pennel with a weak link; you’ll save leads and land more rays/bass
- Keep snoods short (10–15 cm) in the main run to stop spin; lengthen slightly at slack for bite detection
- Fresh peeler crab outfishes most baits for bass and the odd smoothhound in early summer
- After a blow, fish the first calm evening on the flood—bass often move tight to the front of the reef
- Don’t chase range: accuracy to uptide gullies beats wild distance casts in this venue
- Bring spare leads and pre‑tied rigs; the ground is unforgiving
- Watch the locals’ retreat lines on springs; learn the safe benches to stand on as the tide races
Regulations
There is no general ban on fishing the Worlebury foreshore, but Birnbeck Pier is private/unsafe and must not be accessed. Standard national and regional sea angling rules apply—always check current advisories before you go.
- Bass (recreational, ICES 7): As of 2024, minimum size 42 cm; a 2‑fish daily bag limit typically applies March–November, with catch‑and‑release outside those months—check the latest UK notice for updates
- European eel: Recreational retention is prohibited in England—return any eel immediately
- Shad (allis/twaite) and lamprey: Protected—return if accidentally caught
- Rays and conger: No national MLS; practice sensible conservation (avoid retaining large breeders; return ray egg-cases)
- Bait collection: Parts of the Severn Estuary foreshore are designated (SAC/SPA/SSSI); collect bait responsibly and observe any local byelaws or seasonal restrictions
- IFCAs: This coastline falls under Devon & Severn IFCA—review their byelaws on netting, hand‑gathering and permits before foraging or deploying any fixed gear
- Litter and access: Take all waste and end‑tackle home; respect signage, private property and wildlife