Portishead

The marina at Portishead exits into the Bristol Channel, where an array of species can be caught throughout the year, including some superb summer bass and winter cod

- Dave Barham

THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THERE ARE PLENTY of species to target, but perhaps the most desirable are the nation’s two favourite fish – bass and cod.

The Bristol Channel is littered with sandbanks, gullies and other fish-holding marks, with no shortage of areas to choose from.

During the summer it’s possible to target species such as smooth hounds, bass, tope, bull huss and rays with general up tiding gear. In the winter months, cod, conger eels and whiting take centre stage.

SMALL-BOAT SAFETY

For the small-boat angler towing a boat, the upper Bristol Channel has to be one of the easiest places to get to and safest places to fish.