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

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.

Late season tope and huss on Predator 2

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Mid October and the chance to get a trip out on Predator 2 with fellow Combe Martin SAC member Daniel Welch was too good to miss. Also on board was Dans wife Lyn and James Gubb-Fradgley. With light South Easterly winds forecast we set out from Ilfracombe Harbour at 12:30pm with a loose plan to do a bit of lure fishing and then drop the anchor.

The calm sea reflected the steel grey of the sky as we headed West. Dan had enjoyed some sport a few days previously fishing close into the cliffs West of Ilfracombe and so we headed to the same area. The boat was manoeuvred into position and we cast our lures towards the rocky shore.

Bass were our target, but it was a pollock of around four pounds that smashed into my fiiish-black-minnow.

https://www.highstreettackle.co.uk/fiiish-black-minnow-12g-double-combo-size-3-120mm-3662-p.asp

We persevered for twenty minutes or so and had a few small garfish follow our lures but no other fish of note. We then headed out to a reef offshore and had several drifts with no success despite seeing some substantial images on the fish finder. With just one small bass to Dan we decided to head back towards Ilfracombe and anchor up over a gulley that dissects an area of rough ground.

It was good to relish the quiet expectation that arrives when the engines are cut and the boat settles at anchor. We sent down big fish baits and hoped to connect with a late season tope.

After a few dogfish and a small huss. James had a tentative rattle and decided to check his bait. He let out an exclamation as he glimpsed a large shape following his bait to the surface. A good sized tope estimated at 50lb to 60lb swerved away at the last moment disappearing back into the steely green waters.

This sighting enhanced the sense of expectation as we all tensed waiting for the next bite that could signal connection with the big tope. Deciding to check my bait I lifted the rod from the rod holder and suddenly felt a savage tug the rod tip folding over as what I assumed was a tope seized the bait. Caught off guard I had not let the fish take the bait properly and connection was brief the mackerel head and flank showing a row of lacerations from razor sharp teeth.

A fresh bait was sent back down and within a minute or so I felt a savage pull, I allowed a few yards of line to be taken before tightening the drag and winding into the fish. The rod hooped over and several yards were begrudgingly given before the fish succumbed to heavy pressure as I coaxed it towards the surface. A good sized tope appeared boat-side and was swiftly netted by Dan who was kept busy as Lyn Welch brought a similar sized tope to the boat and waiting net.

 

 

James was next into action with the tope bringing another similar sized fish estimated at between 25lb and 30lb.

As the tide eased we expected more tope but it seemed that the pack had moved on or gone off the feed.

A steady succession of bull huss were then caught; the biggest probably nudging double figures. Huss are undoubtedly a good fish to photograph with their spotted flanks resembling the colours of a leopard.

As the tide picked up bites started to ease and with a chill East wind whipping down the channel we reeled up our baits and headed back to Ilfracombe. These short sessions over the top of the tide are often as rewarding as a full day with the fishing concentrated into the peak fishing time.

Talk of next seasons plans were already being discussed with some longer ventures a possibility. In these changing seas the prospects for boat fishing are exciting.

South Molton Club Trip On Bluefin

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A quick summary from Edward Rands reporting on South Molton Angling Clubs latest trip out of Ilfracombe aboard John Barbeary’s Bluefin
Ed Rands Nick Stringer, Nick Jackson, Buster,Dave Hathaway and Chris Allin all met at ilfracombe harbour for 08:00 sail.
We steamed down towards morte point and drifted around over reefs and rough ground and caught a few pollack, scad and mackerel of various sizes, we anchored and had dogfish, huss and conger,  dave hathaway had one at 15lb
We did abit more drifting and had a few more pollack on baited feathers, nick stringer had one at 5lb.
We then of out for the slack water and had a couple of tope  estimated at 32lb and 34lb as well more dogs and huss.
The tide slackened off and it was time to come in.
Our tally was
1 wrasse
30 dogfish
20 huss to 9lb
50 mackerel
10 scad
5 congers to 15lb
12 pollack to 5lb
2 whiting
2 tope, 32lb & 34lb
Thanks to John Barbeary for putting us on fish all day long and his crew Ted Stannet for helping us unhooking fish, untangling line and general good humour and banter.
Another good day aboard Bluefin from ilfracombe.
Tightlines
Ed

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.

 

A Long Drift of Expectation

The calm waters merged into the misty grey of the morning light. Archie cut Reel Deals engines and readied the shark rods as we began a long drift of expectation.

         The five of us sent down jigs and feathers to catch fresh bait. Archie baited the circle hooks that were suspended beneath brightly coloured drinks bottles that would bob optimistically upon the ocean.

         Mackerel, scad and pollock were swung on board as we drifted. We drew numbers, Peter Robinson drawing number one, Bruce Elston, number 2, Kieran (from Wales) number 3, I was number four so knew from the off that I would only do battle if we had a good day with the sharks. Toby was number five cementing the fact that it was not his day! A broken rod, lost sunglasses sealing that old comes in three saying! Fortunately Toby is a resilient sole who carries an infectious smile throughout.

Archie Porter was Skipper for the day as Reel Deal founder and owner Dan Hawkins was down South chasing tuna, skippering with Happy Days Adventure Fishing.

         Archie has gained valuable experience working with Dan on Reel Deal and skippering Predator 2 before it was bought by Daniel Welch who is now embarking on his own journey with the boat.

         With the rubby-dubby sending out a stream of particles and scent it was now time for a brew and to drift with wind and tide.

         We were drifting over rocky reefs and we all used various jigs and lures to tempt hard fighting pollock from the clear water. Scad and the occasional jumbo sized mackerel were added to the bait stash with fresh baits added to the shark set ups from time to time.

         I love the expectation of shark fishing the mystery of what lies beneath and what could be? Banter and chat flowed freely with tales of fish and the wider world. Topics from toxic politics, music, life and recipes.

         Whilst the sea was mirror calm a rolling swell lifted the boat gently as the immense power of the Atlantic ocean stirred. As the mist lifted we glimpsed white water as the swells crashed into the wild and rugged North Cornish Coast.

         Somewhere on the cliffs Hawkers Hut nestles high up overlooking this treacherous coastline.  Robert Stephen Hawker was an eccentric clergyman who lived between 1803 and 1875. Hawker is said to have spent many hours in the hut writing poems and smoking opium. He is perhaps best remembered for his compassionate desire to provide Christian burials to shipwrecked seamen washed up on the shores. He also wrote the famous Cornish song, The Song of the Western Men” with its chorus line “ And Shall Trelawny die? / Here’s twenty thousand Cornish men / will know the reason why!’.  A song that is sung by Cornish Male voice choirs with great passion. The hut is now preserved by the National Trust and is well worth a visit.

         The day drifted past and after tempting several pollock I decided to change tactics. I baited two size 4 Sakuma Chinu hooks with slivers of fresh mackerel. Down into the clear water to be bounced along the rocky sea bed.

         The rods sensitive tip jagged sharply and a small black bream was  briefly admired before being released. Toby Bassett always keen to chase different species followed suit and soon caught three handsome bream two of which were keepers.

         There was a moment of drama when a shark float bobbed and disappeared a large swirl preceding close by. The gulls and fulmars that had been bobbing in the rubby-dubby slick took off. Peter grabbed the rod apprehensively but nothing happened! Was it a wary shark, a tope or cuttle fish? The bait was damaged but the evidence inconclusive.

         As the day drifted into afternoon a breeze came from the North West. We relished the blue sky and warm sunshine, the shark floats spread out perfectly in the slick and expectations grew, conditions were perfect.

         Something large intercepted my tiny mackerel baits and put a serious bend in the rod before biting through the trace.

At the bow of the boat Bruce hooked a powerful tope as he bounced a large scad bait just off the seabed. A good tope of over thirty pounds appeared in the clear water and came off as Archie grabbed the leader.

         A few minutes later Bruce was in action again this time bringing the tope to the boat where it was expertly netted by Archie. At 38lb it was a new personal best for Bruce.

Bruce Elston with his PB tope of 38lb

         In the mean time I hooked two more tope on my small hooks and inevitably suffered bite offs. I couldn’t resist the chance of a tope and tied on a short leader, a 150lb b.s trace a 6/0 Sakuma Kong hook and sent down a side of mackerel. A few minutes later I was locked in battle the spinning rod taking on an impressive battle curve. I piled on the pressure determined to get the tope to the boat without severing the hook-length or wrapping in the mainline. A tope of over twenty pounds was soon secured safely and its image secured.

         The action packed flurry of tope sport brought the day to an end all too soon. Reel Deal bounced comfortably over the lively sea past Hartland, Baggy and Morte Point the wild cliffs and coast as always pleasing to the eye. The occasional gannet was circling searching for fish.

Homeward Bound

         We pondered on the lack of porbeagle, earlier in the year there had been some good days with multiple catches of shark. September is often a prime month and it is likely that they will show in numbers later in the month if of course the bait fish are there. Last year tuna arrived off the coast in late September will they arrive again? The only way of answering these questions is of course to drift in expectation.