How to Catch Bass from the Shores of the Bristol Channel

Bass are predatory fish known for their aggressive strikes and energetic fight. These fish are commonly found around rocky outcrops, estuaries, and shallow waters where they can hunt for smaller prey like sand eels, crabs, and other fish. In the Bristol Channel, bass tend to congregate in areas with a mix of sand, mud, and rocky substrates. They love the estuaries, especially around high tide when the water flows in and brings a fresh supply of food.
 During warmer months, bass often move closer to shore to feed, especially in the early morning or late evening. The Bristol Channel’s combination of tidal patterns, estuarine systems, and rocky coastlines make it an excellent habitat for bass. It’s important to target these areas during optimal times – typically around spring and summer – and especially during high tide or just before it peaks.

To get the best out of the sporting bass from the shore, you’ll need the right tackle. Bass are smart and fight hard, but using lighter, more sensitive gear is great fun. Here’s a breakdown of what to use:
 
Rod and Reel
When targeting bass from the shore, a lighter rod is your best choice. A 10 to 12-foot rod with a medium action is perfect for casting baits at short to medium range. My current go-to is the Anyfish Anywhere 12’ Estuary Rod MkII.  A lighter rod gives you more control over your cast with smaller leads and allows you to fully appreciate the dramatic bites that bass often give. Pair your rod with a 3000 to 4000-sized reel that’s equipped with a smooth drag system. You’ll want a reel that can hold around 200 yards of 20–30lb braided line, which is ideal for targeting bass in the Bristol Channel.

For bass fishing in the Bristol Channel, a lightweight ledger rig is a great choice. The ledger rig helps you present the bait on the seabed where bass like to hunt, especially near the shore where the water is shallower. A VMO Estuary lead, which is designed for fishing in estuarine conditions, is a great option. It is designed to grip the seabed without the need of wires and but will offer some movement in the tide, allowing you to keep your bait to be presented naturally in the current.

When it comes to hooks, a circle hook is an excellent choice for bass fishing. A size 3/0 or 4/0 circle hook is ideal for bass and helps ensure a secure hookset, usually in the lip. Circle hooks are particularly effective when fishing with live or fresh baits, like peeler crab, as they minimise the chances of the fish swallowing the hook. Adding a dongle (a small section of heavy braid) to the hook can help hold your bait in place and prevent it from masking the hook point, making it more enticing to bass.

When it comes to bait, peeler crab is one of the best options for targeting bass. Peeler crabs are soft-shelled crabs that have either just shed their old shell, or are about to,  making them a highly attractive bait for bass. The smell of a peeler crab drifting through the water will catch the attention of nearby bass, who are always on the lookout for an easy meal. Simply whip a peeled crab to the dongle with light bait elastic and you’re good to go. 

Bass are often found very close to the shore, especially in the Bristol Channel’s estuarine areas. Many anglers make the mistake of casting too far out, but bass often feed right in the shallows where the water depth is minimal. In fact, bass are known to cruise along the surf line looking for crabs and small fish. Target areas where the water is breaking or in the shallow pockets between mud banks or rocks. Casting close to shore is key, and it’s always worth fishing at low tide to locate these areas before returning to fish at high tide. You might be surprised to hear that cod can also be caught very close to shore- note the Estuary lead in this  image!
 
Top Tip:
When you get the initial bite, drop the rod tip to create some slack. This will offer minimal resistance and encourage the bass to pick up the bait and run. When the line tightens, turn the reel’s handle to set the circle hook, but don’t strike. 

It’s essential to note that there are regulations on keeping bass at certain times of the year. In the UK, bass fishing is strictly regulated to help protect this iconic sport fish from overfishing. During this period, recreational sea anglers are legally obliged to only practice catch and release to help maintain healthy stocks. Always check the latest regulations to ensure that you're fishing legally.

 
Best Places to Catch Bass in the Bristol Channel
The Bristol Channel offers several great locations for bass fishing, but bass can be caught just about anywhere throughout its entire length. Marks around Hinkley Point, Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-super-Mare offer some excellent sport from around March to June, and again during the autumn months. Estuaries, creeks, gulleys and rocks giving way to cleaner ground are all typical hot spots. Tidal run is not imperative and its possible to catch bass in areas where there is very little flow.