Who are devon bass pro charters?
Devon Bass Pro Charters provides wreck fishing for Bass out of Axmouth Harbour, on the East Devon Coast. John Wallington, skipper of the Outcast III, specialises in catching bass – big bass off the wrecks of Lyme Bay.
John Wallington – Skipper of ‘Outcast III’
John Wallington has been fishing in Lyme Bay for over 20 years and is a full time commercial angler earning his living catching fish, specifically line caught bass.
Johns passion is the pursuit of big bass caught on rod and line, a sustainable approach where the fish population does not decline over time because of fishing practices.
He is one of the main suppliers to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s ‘River Cottage HQ’ in nearby Axminster.
70% of the boats income comes from landing fish – this is a working fishing boat and John earns his living from catching fish, especially bass – big bass.
Experience a day’s fishing with John, one of the UK’s best bass anglers off his favourite marks in Lyme Bay and he will teach you how he catches bass.
Customers keep the best of each species they land on the day. The rest of the days catch goes towards the cost of running the boat and Johns services keeping the charter fees low.
In 2007 I started chartering with the commercial fishing side of my business as they complement each other as I am out there to catch fish and the more fish I land the better day my customers have so we all win.
What Boat do we use?
Boat Statistics
Outcast III Cougar Cat
Engines:– Twin selva x40S (115hp each)
Average speed 16-18 knots.
Licensed for 8 persons (Including skipper)
MCA Safety Code Of Practice Category 2
GPS.
1x 9″ colour sounder.
Simrad Evo 3 plotter radar and 3d eco sounder with dsc radio and AIS
Fuel – Unleaded Petrol.
Yacht master / Sea fishing unrestricted certificates
Depth of water 100ft to 170 ft
Where to do we operate?
Devon Bass Pro Charters, Axmouth Harbour, EX12 4AA
Devon Bass Pro Charters operate out of Axmouth Harbour in East Devon on the south coast of England. We operate between April to October from Axmouth and November to January from Portland.
This stretch of Dorset and East Devon coastline was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site site in 2001 and is known as the Jurassic Coast.
The landscape of East Devon and West Dorset is largely unspoilt creating coastal and inland Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Axmouth Harbour is in one of these areas of outstanding natural beauty where the Axe valley meets the sea.
In 2008 the UK Government decided to close–off 90 square miles of Lyme Bay to scallop dredging and bottom – trawling which appears to have stimulated partial recovery of fragile reef ecosystems.
November To January
Devon Bass Pro Charters, Ospray Quay Portland Marina, DT5 1DX
Devon Bass Pro Charters operate out of Ospray Quay Portland Marina. We operate between 1st November and the 31st January.
We target big bass and catch very little else using live bait and artificial lures.
We meet just after 8:15am by the helicopter in the marina car park.
The trips are shorter because of the daylight hours. Because of the shorter daylight hours, we return at around 3pm.
We fish in 80ft to 50ft water with strong tides and fast drifts.
This means very dynamic, fast drifts and very fast motoring up tide, because of this you’ll need to have a reasonable experience to cope with this type of fishing.
Our Best Bass catches
Why choose lyme bay?
For centuries, Lyme Bay was considered a safe anchorage to shelter during storms. Even in this supposedly safe anchorage many vessels foundered in stormy weather and the sea bed of Lyme Bay is scattered with wrecks both historic and world war I & II.
Shipwrecks attract sea life forming artificial reefs which give shelter to shoals of fish large and small. The smaller fish who seek refuge within and around the wreck feeding off the even smaller marine life are an abundant source of food for the larger predatory fish such as bass, who circle the wrecks hunting for the smaller fish.
An experienced skipper such as John Wallington, who knows the exact location and lie of the wreck, is familiar with the tides, wind and sea conditions can work his lures in the area where his years of fishing here have taught him where the biggest and best fish will be.
This is fishing at its best, hard work cranking the lure through 130′ of water but the adrenaline rush of catching a bass is worth it. On a good day not just one bass, pollack or cod but fish after fish.
Fish catch monthly guide - what to expect
January:– Portland specimen bass
February:– Closed
March:– Closed
April:– Pollack & Ling
May:– Pollack, Cod & Bass
June:– Cod & more Cod, Pollack & Bass
July:– Bass, Pollack, Cod & Black Bream
August:– Bass, Pollack, Cod & Black Bream
September:– BASS, BASS & more BASS & Black Bream
October:– BASS, BASS & more BASS & Black Bream
November:– Portland specimen bass fishing
December:– Portland specimen bass fishing
Boat Fish Caught Records
Bass – 15lb 12oz / Bass - 15lb 10oz
Black Bream – 4lb 12oz
Cod – 22lb – 2oz
Pollack – 22lb 2oz
Blonde Ray – 16lb
Brill – 8lb 9oz
Ling – 20lb 2oz
Turbot – 12lb 10oz
Coal Fish – 7lb 80z
Devon Bass Pro Charters provides wreck fishing for Bass out of Axmouth Harbour, on the East Devon Coast. John Wallington, skipper of the Outcast III, specialises in catching bass – big bass off the wrecks of Lyme Bay.