PREDATOR 2 – LUNDY ISLAND

I joined fellow Combe Martin SAC members on a trip on Predator 2 out of Ilfracombe. With a promising weather forecast and a good tide Lundy Island was our destination with many options on the days agenda including lure fishing, drifting the sandbanks and anchoring for tope.

It was a civilised 9:30am sailing from Ilfracombe harbour to coincide with the morning tide and it was a cheerful and optimistic group of anglers who watched Ilfracombe slip into the distance as we sailed down the coast passing the spectacular cliffs West of the port. The sea was lively off Morte Point as the ebbing tide pushed over the rocky strata.

Skipper Dan suggested stopping off to drift lures over a wreck a few miles off Baggy Point. We dropped a variety of lures to seek fish over the rusting hulk 100ft or so beneath. Rods were soon hooped over as powerful pollock with olive and silvery flanks seized our offerings in the clear water.

After several drifts the sport slowed as it often does and Lundy Island beckoned far out at the mouth of the Bristol Channel.

Despite a forecast of high temperatures and sunshine the grey cloud still shrouded the sky and Lundy was hidden by a misty haze. We steamed across smooth waters and watched as Lundy slowly appeared as warm sunshine burned away the cloud.

A trip out to Lundy is always special the granite outcrop towering above the sea always seems to have a hint of Jurassic park or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘Lost World’. Those fabulous tales that have enthralled the young at heart.

There were no dinosaurs as we drifted the North of the Island though several puffins bobbed cheerfully upon the water. A large swell caressed the base of towering granite cliffs. The white water, aqua marine and blue sky of a perfect hot summers days lifted the spirits. A few wrasse and the occasional pollock succumbed to our lures but fishing was slow. Dan tried several marks before moving to the tidal race off the North end. Again fish proved hard to find and all soon agreed it was time to move to the sand banks and drop the anchor for a go at the tope.

After  several hours steaming about and drifting it was good to relish the silence as the boats engines were cut and the boat settled at anchor. The tide was still running but 1lb of lead was adequate to keep the baits on the sea bed. We all opted for large offerings of fresh pollock or mackerel mounted on large strong hooks. My own choice being Sakuma 8/0 465 Kong hooks crimped to Sakuma 130lb B.S 49  Strand stainless steel wire. On the way out I discussed the pros and cons of wire versus heavy mono when fishing for tope. Dan showed me a couple of his tope rigs that he had based upon carp fishers hair rigs. The use of circle hooks and a 250lb plus mono trace could indeed have an edge over the traditional heavy wire trace from both a number of fish hooked and fish care?

It often takes a while for the scent trail to build but on this occasion it was only ten minutes before I had a powerful take from a tope that shed the hook after a few moments. This signalled a flurry of activity as several rods took on fighting curves as tope ripped into baits.  Several were soon boated with Peter Robinson boating a beauty of 37lb. This pattern followed throughout our time at anchor with flurries of activity resulting in eight tope to the boat with several close to thirty pounds.

As late afternoon approached the tide turned and action slowed. Dan suggested we head back and stop off for a short lure session in the racing turbulent waters off Morte Point.

Lundy slowly faded majestically away into a bank of mist as we steamed towards the North Devon coast .

It was early evening when we started to cast our lures close to the maelstrom of Morte race. It wasn’t long before rods were hooped over as silver flanked bass seized the lures along with a few mackerel. The best bass topped five pounds for Peter Robinson and Bruce Elston with several fish in the 3lb to 4lb size range.

After enjoying a thrilling session to end the day it was time to head back to Ilfracombe and the bustling harbour on a warm summers evening. We thanked Dan for a great day afloat and all look forward to the next adventure on Predator 2.

PREDATOR 2 – COMBE MARTIN SAC – BOAT TRIP

June 12th 2025 was Combe Martin SAC’s first club boat trip out of Ilfracombe aboard Predator 2 with Dan Welch. I hope that it will be a new chapter in the clubs long history and I look forward to plenty more trips with Dan who works hard to find the fish that are all too often hard to find.

We headed up channel as a result of strong Westerly winds that would have made the waters closer to the mouth of the Bristol Channel uncomfortable. It is always enjoyable watching the familiar coastline from the boat as those landmarks pass by along with a lifetime of memories. The headland of Rillage and the coastguard station, Widmouth Head, Watermouth and the Sexton Burrow, Burrow Nose. Broadsands, Sandy Cove, Combe Martin, Wild Pear Beach and Little Hangman. North Devon’s dramatic northern edge looked splendid with verdant lush green providing a glorious back drop. As we surveyed this beauty I also reflected on the access that has been lost to us as anglers over the last fifty or so years. Restrictions due to private ownership and Coastal erosion all contributing and exacerbated by human behaviour, an increasing population and of course funding for access projects.

Past Combe Martin Bay and the dramatic sea cliffs immortalised in the book “The Hidden Edge of Exmoor”.  Access to this shoreline restricted by geographical splendour has always been difficult and it is fascinating to reflect upon past generations who descended these cliffs to harvest natures gifts.

“While over a thousand people may have climbed Mount Everest and may thousands may have walked England’s South West Coast Path, very few have traversed the whole of the Exmoor Coast down at sea level along what we have called The Hidden Edge of Exmoor. The Exmoor Traverse is a serious mountaineering venture that is compounded by a tide that can rise vertically at six feet an hour and by cliffs that tower over six hundred feet in places. Out of sight of civilization it is an awe-inspiring wilderness, boasting the highest marine cliff in England, a waterfall as high as Niagara and a colony of ancient stunted yew trees that may prove to be the largest in Britain.”

The book goes on to record the historical stories of those who descended the cliffs in Victorian times to gather birds eggs, laver, driftwood and botanical data. Not to mention the scars still visible on the cliffs from mining operations.

On this day as a brisk west wind blew up channel it was without a doubt the dramatic scenery that stole the show for the fishing proved difficult. The morning started well as we dropped anchor off Woody Bay. We hoped for tope that had been abundant over recent days. These proved elusive but a couple of small eyed ray proved encouraging along with a few huss and the inevitable dogfish. A couple of pollock succumbed to baits when we moved a little inshore over the rough ground to avoid the stronger tide and this prompted a short lure session with several pollock brought to the boat.

An 8lb 4oz small eyed ray for Peter Robinson
One of several huss caught but not as big as the one that dropped the bait later in the session!
Skipper Dan Welch with a 6lb 4oz small eyed ray

 

Nick Phillips with a lure caught pollock

 

Wayne Thomas with a pollock tempted on a Fillish minnow
Jack Phillips with a pollock caught on bait.

The wind was steadily increasing as we moved out to fish offshore where we once again hoped to find the hard fighting tope.  The wind buffeted the boat causing it sit awkardly at anchor making keeping contact with our baits challenging resulting in a few minor tangles. There was little that Dan could do and we chose to move closer inshore seeking shelter and perhaps that illusive tope. An hour passed and with just a few dogfish Dan suggested we call it a day and paused for few mackerel on the way home to top up our bait freezers and perhaps savour for tea.

A few drifts in a lively sea off Rillage produced a few nice mackerel one of which was consumed a couple of hours later after pan frying with a dash of pepper and lemon juice. We all look forward eagerly to the next trip when we hope for better weather and a few more fish.

The Waverley passes us as we drift for mackerel providing a timeless view as it steams past.

 

South Molton & District Angling Club Trip – Bluefin

I joined South Molton AC  members and boarded John Barbeary’s Bluefin at just before 8.00am. The plan was to go and fish the waters close to Lundy Island but with a brisk Westerly and fair sized residual swell after a couple of rough days John suggested plan B. And so we left Ilfracombe harbour and headed up channel.

The spectacular cliffs that plunge from Exmoor’s Northern edge are always a joy to witness especially as the morning sunlight reflects upon the waters creating a silvery seascape framed by the dramatic cliffs.

            We started the day drifting the reefs off the Hangman’s where several pollock smashed into our strings of lures. We kept half a dozen to use as fresh bait when we dropped anchor. John explored several reefs but the fishing proved slow. As it was now high water with little tide flow we dropped anchor.

            It wasn’t long before rod tips were nodding as huss, conger and the inevitable dogfish intercepted our baits. Ed Rands and Lathum both caught conger into double figures and Ed  boated what was to be the biggest huss of the day at close to 10lb.

            As the tide pull slowly increased John up anchored and we tried drifting a few marks further up the coast to no avail. John received Info from fellow Ilfracombe boat skipper of Carrick Lee who’s party had caught several bass on a drift further up channel. Its always good to witness how Ilfracombe’s skippers work together sharing information to help each other.

            It seemed we had missed this opportunity as after several drifts our bass tally remained at nil.

            We then enjoyed an hour in the relative shelter of Woody bay with its densely wooded slopes and admired the exclusive properties nestled within the woods.

            John was uneasy at the slow sport and decided it was time to head back to the waters off the Hangman’s. Down went the big baits and again the rod tips nodded to the pull of huss, conger and dogfish.

            A sharp pull resulted in a pleasing bass of around 4lb to my offering of a bluey and squid wrap.

            Ed hooked into a very good fish that put a serious bend in his rod. We all watched the drama waiting in anticipation to glimpse what we thought was a big conger. Sadly whatever it was came adrift close to the boat before we had the chance to see it? The touch of drama added a hanging question over the day.

A good fish..but what is it?

And then its gone……..

Ed ponders upon what he lost?

            For the next hour we fished on as the tide eventually swung the boat so that we faced into the brisk breeze. A steady succession of huss, small conger and dogfish visited the boat before John started the engines and we headed back to Ilfracombe.

            The pier was busy with crabbers and tourists as we climbed ashore. Sausage and chips beside the harbour to round off a good days fishing.

http://www.ilfracombeaquarium.co.uk

Combe Martin SAC – Blue skys and rays off Minehead

            Combe Martin SAC members enjoyed a fine days sport off Minehead with Steve Webber on his boat Osprey.  The day started with a Wetherspoons Breakfast where the nuances of poker, politics, health and economics provided an interesting agenda.

            A flat calm sea is a wonderful sight when setting out for a day’s boat fishing and it was a buoyant party of anglers who set out to enjoy a day afloat.

        A full report of the day should appear in the July edition of Sea Angler. But for now i will share a few images of a great day with club members catching, bass, thornback, small eyed ray, spotted ray, conger, smoothound and more than a few dogfish.

Dave Newton enjoys the scenery
Bruce is always happy with a bent rod
Bruce with a small eyed ray
Keith Armishaw puts a frozen prawn to good use.
Keith with one of many thornback ray caught during the day.
Bruce Elston holds a smoothound
Club secretary Nick Phillips in action
Nick brings back memories of Kojac ….
Thornback ray and blue sky day
Club boat secretary Peter Robinson
A tasty bass for Peter
Moving on
Jack Phillips brings a fish up through the murky waters
Another one safely in the net
Jack with a typical thorny
In anticipation !
Prawns proved effective for Bruce with one of the days bigger smoothound
The smoothound sport went on as the sun sank and a cool breeze welcomed the evening
A good small eyed ray concludes a great day
Ray of the day
and so ends another great day..

            Many thanks to Steve Webber ( Below) for putting us on the fish, keeping the kettle on and entertaining us with tales and reminisces.

Predator 2 – Charter Boat Ilfracombe – Opens Diary in Exciting New Venture

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Exciting news!!! New booking site and 2025 Diary.
We said 2024 was the warm up and we would be going all out in 2025 and that’s exactly what we’re doing.
Check out our 2025 diary on our new booking site.

Our 2025 diary has something for everyone. We’ve got a few different sections in the booking site including some specials.

The dairy has been built around the tides and my previous catch records giving us the best chance of success.
All the trips are trips that I love doing as an Angler I now have the opportunity to share them with you.
We have moved to deposit based booking as I was let down a number of times last year but it also has the benefit of allowing anglers to spread the cost rather than having to pay everything on the day.

Most of the trips are set as individual space but with the option to book the full boat.

Big Spurdog off Ilfracombe

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Steve Dawe and Carl Aldridge were amongst a party of anglers enjoying a short five hour trip on John Barbeary’s boat Bluefin. They caught around forty spurdog and a good number of bull huss. Steve Dawe boated a pb of 20lb 8oz whilst Carl Aldridge boated a pb of 16lb.

 

Steve Dawe with a persnal best spurdog of 20lb 8oz

Carl Aldridge with a personal best spurdog of 16lb

BOAT FISHING – ILFRACOMBE END OF SEASON FLOURISH

The first weekend of November brought the 2024 season to a close for most Charter boats operating out of Ilfracombe. The calm weather resulted in a good end to the season. Last weekend Bluefin Charters, Predator 2 and Carrick Lee all had successful trips with tope to 42lb boated with several large fish lost. Bass, bull huss, pollock, scad, conger, wrasse, whiting and dogfish were caught and the trips were even more made memorable with sightings of porpoise, seal and tuna.

South Molton Angling Club – Bluefin

A quick report from Edward Rands on the clubs last sea trip of the season from Ilfracombe.

We set sail from the harbour at 07:30, early enough for me!, but the days are shorter now.

Our destination was Lundy, about 90 minutes later we were there jigging feathers and retrieving all sorts of plastic lures and began catching mainly pollack with a few wrasse now and again. Although the weather was overcast we were on the west side in some shelter from the easterly wind.

We drifted various marks and then decided to anchor for a while to finish the day off where we caught a little conger, some bull huss and a couple of scad which were used as bait and helped Chris Allin catch a 42lb tope which will take the Tope cup.

The shout was reel in and we headed home with a bucket full of pollack fillets which we shared around. The journey home was quite lumpy with wind against tide but everyone managed and no motion sickness occurred.

The list was

40 pollack to 5lb

6 ballan wrasse

3 scad

4 pouting

10 huss to 10lb

1 strap conger

1 tope 42lb

A very enjoyable day out with plenty of fish, good company and good banter.

Thanks to John and Ted for looking after us again on “Bluefin” and everyone else for supporting the cause.

PREDATOR 2

 I enjoyed the last trip of the season on a mates trip on Predator 2 skippered by Dan Welch relishing a last chance to explore the reefs and deep channels West of Ilfracombe.

Big tope and big bass were on our agenda though it was good to be out fishing once again whatever we managed to catch.

The sea was calm as we left Ilfracombe just a light Easterly blowing down the channel. The grey November sky was mirrored by the sea the North Devon cliffs dark and sombre as we watched familiar landmarks pass by.

We explored close to the rocky shore at first casting lures to be rewarded with a few hard fighting pollock and wrasse.

Robin Bond with a good pollock

With the tide easing Dan suggested we get out and drop the anchor in hope of a big late season tope or ray.

We soon reached our intended mark and a variety of baits were sent down onto the sandy ridges that have a reputation for tope and ray.

       I had baited with a mackerel head and guts impaled on a 6/0 Sakuma Kong Hook with heavy wire trace. To my surprise after just a few minutes I felt a savage tug. I let out a few yards of slack and waited until the rod tip pulled over before leaning back into the fish. The rod hooped over and line was ripped from a moderately tight drag. I held on relishing the battle confident in my tackle as whatever had taken the bait started to accelerate away. Suddenly without warning the rod tip sprang back and I felt deflated knowing that I had lost contact with something special. I reeled in to find that the fish undoubtedly a big tope had come off.

Heartened by this we all fished on expectantly catching a succession of small huss and dogfish before the tide eased.

Dan suggested moving further out into faster tide to fish a channel between rocky reefs.

       The anchor went down once again and fresh baits were sent down. For the next two hours a steady stream of decent huss and conger ensured regularly bent rods typical of Bristol Channel reef fishing. I also lost a large fish after a very brief connection.

Jonathon Stanway with a conger

Ross Stanway with a huss

 

Skipper Dan Welch with a well bent rod
A well marked huss of close to 10lb
Skipper Dan Welch with typical Bristol Channel huss and conger

 

When the tide strength demanded close to 2lb of lead to hold bottom we headed back close inshore to search a tide rip for bass. Here we enjoyed an hours great sport with bass, pollock and wrasse falling to lures the black fiiish minnows bringing most success.

We headed back to Ilfracombe against a lively sea driven by the East breeze. Pollock were filleted along with a couple of good table sized bass. We all chatted about more trips next year with plenty of excursions planned  for 2025.

 

Predator 2 – Species Competition Heat 2

Many thanks to Daniel Welch of Predator 2 for this excellent report on the second heat of their species competition.

We left harbour at 0800 with a group of friends on board for a species hunt, on this occasion we headed down channel fishing various reefs, banks and deeper water marks. The intention was to move around a lot and fish both at anchor and on the drift. The target was to try and beat the previous species day total of 16.

Various tactics were used including floats, lures, and different types of bottom rigs running ledgers and patenosters. Tactics also included different coloured beads and weights various sized hooks and baits. 

Baits used during the day included squid, harbour rag, lug, mackerel, scad, prawns, spider crabs, shore crabs and small fresh bait fish caught during the day. 

It was a very close run competition with Ross Stanway taking an early lead but everyone was in with a chance to take the win. With an hour to go Ross and Toby were tied at the top on with the lead changing regularly until they got to 20 points with 30 minutes to go. Both had very realistic target species to take the win. However by observing successful tactics of others Toby changed baits and took the win by catching two black bream sneaking ahead of Ross for the win and a £70 voucher for future use on predator.

During the day we caught a respectable 20 different species Toby Basset won the day with a total of 23 points consisting of 13 different species, Ross Stanway came a close second place with 20 points but actually had 14 different species. 

The 20 different species landed on the boat during the day were tub gurnard, mackerel, pollack, scad, Bull Huss, tope, conger, black bream, smooth hound, ballan wrasse, goldsinny wrasse, corkwing wrasse, blond ray, smalleye ray, dragonet, bass, pouting, poor cod,  dogfish and Tom pot blenny.

A great day was had by all this is not something we usually do but it makes a nice change especially with the friendly competitive banter all day.