Exe Fishing

Exe Fishing operates from Queen's Drive in Exmouth and focuses on relaxed, family-friendly sea angling trips aboard the traditional wooden boat Southern Angler. The company has built a reputation for welcoming total beginners as well as more experienced anglers, offering structured outings that balance time on the water with hands-on tuition and the chance to take home your catch. For anyone searching for an accessible fishing trip in East Devon rather than a highly technical charter, this operator sits firmly in the mainstream, with clear strengths in atmosphere and customer care but a few points that may not suit every visitor.

A key attraction for many customers is how easy it is to get started. Exe Fishing provides all rods, tackle and bait, which means you can turn up with no equipment and still enjoy a full sea fishing experience. Families often comment that crew members patiently show children and novices how to cast, reel in and safely handle fish, helping people move from complete inexperience to confidently landing and unhooking multiple fish in a single session. This focus on inclusive family fishing makes the business appealing to those who want a shared holiday activity without needing prior knowledge of knots, rigs or tidal charts.

The company’s programme is centred on short mackerel fishing and slightly longer reef fishing outings, broadly positioned as entry-level saltwater trips rather than specialist sport charters. Mackerel trips typically last around two hours and are promoted as ideal for families with older children or groups wanting a taste of coastal angling without a full day at sea. Reef trips are advertised at roughly three hours and are presented as a way to broaden your sea angling knowledge and target a wider range of species. In both cases, Exe Fishing emphasises that you keep what you catch, and the crew will gut and prepare fish on board so that they are ready for the pan when you step ashore.

For many visitors, this “catch it, cook it” aspect is one of the most memorable parts of the outing. Several reviewers mention leaving the boat with enough fresh fish for supper and appreciating the impromptu lesson in cleaning and filleting mackerel. Others recall children proudly carrying a bag of their own catch back to holiday accommodation. This practical, end-to-end approach to boat fishing – from baiting the line to preparing fillets – helps distinguish Exe Fishing from more passive sightseeing tours where fishing is an afterthought.

Beyond the fishing itself, the overall experience on board is frequently highlighted. The Southern Angler is a sizeable wooden vessel with space for a large number of anglers plus additional spectators, and the atmosphere on busy summer trips is often described as lively but friendly. There are toilets and basic refreshments on board, which adds comfort on longer reef sessions, and well-behaved dogs are generally welcomed, making it an option for pet owners planning seaside activities.

Customer feedback consistently praises the attitude of the skipper and crew. Many guests single out the skipper, commonly referred to as Adam, as approachable, enthusiastic and keen to share tips about local waters. Parents often remark that he makes time to speak directly with children, offering encouragement and allowing them to feel involved rather than sidelined. Reviews describe crew members moving along the rail to help untangle lines, adjust rigs and ensure that novices are fishing correctly, which can be particularly reassuring if it is your first sea fishing trip.

For first-timers, that supportive approach can transform mild nerves into genuine enjoyment. Some visitors report arriving with no idea how to cast and leaving after having landed more than a dozen fish, while others describe complete novices catching enough fish for a meal despite having never held a rod before. Parents frequently note that the crew’s patience with children makes Exe Fishing a strong candidate for a holiday family fishing trip, especially when compared with more serious charter boats that cater primarily to seasoned anglers.

The scenic element is another strong point. Even on days when the fish are not especially cooperative, many guests enjoy the coastal views from Exmouth seafront and out toward the open sea. Reviews often refer to a peaceful ambience away from the busier promenade, with the boat offering a different perspective on the coastline and estuary. On some trips, passengers have reported sightings of dolphins alongside the boat, which can become a highlight of the outing, especially for children.

However, potential customers should also be aware of the limitations inherent in this style of sea fishing charter. The boat can accommodate a relatively large number of people, with reports of around 30 anglers on some mackerel outings and additional spectators on top. While this creates a sociable atmosphere, it also means that the experience is not as spacious or personalised as a small-group charter. On busy peak-season sailings, anglers may find themselves fishing shoulder to shoulder, and those who prefer quiet, technical boat angling may feel that the trip is geared more toward casual holidaymakers than dedicated specialists.

Catch rates, unsurprisingly, vary. Many reviewers describe sessions where almost everyone on board landed multiple fish, sometimes into double figures. Others, including some who paid specifically for mackerel fishing trips, report outings where very few fish were caught and the experience felt closer to a sightseeing cruise than a productive session. One comment from a past customer notes that only a single fish was seen across the entire boat during their trip, and they felt that the time actually spent fishing was shorter than advertised once travelling and repositioning were taken into account. This variation is a normal part of sea angling, but people who arrive expecting guaranteed results may come away disappointed.

The balance between instruction and independence can also feel uneven to different visitors. A number of families praise the crew for taking time to set up rigs for novices, explaining techniques and staying close by throughout. Conversely, at least one reviewer felt that the initial explanation for first-time anglers was rushed, estimating only a minute or two of instruction despite the presence of many beginners on a busy boat. On crowded trips, it is realistic to expect that the crew’s attention will be spread across a large group, so those needing more one-to-one guidance may wish to choose a quieter day or consider a private charter.

Comfort on board is another factor worth considering. Exe Fishing makes clear that there is no cover on the boat, and independent descriptions highlight that it tends to be cooler out at sea than on the seafront, especially when the wind picks up. Guests are advised to bring suitable layers and, in sunny weather, protection from the sun, because shelter is limited. For some, the open-deck arrangement adds to the authentic feel of sea angling trips, while others may prefer a more sheltered vessel, particularly with very young children or older relatives.

Behaviour on board is generally described positively, with most guests emphasising a friendly atmosphere and a sense of shared enjoyment. One aspect that has drawn criticism, though, is the conduct of certain crew members on specific past trips. At least one review mentions crew smoking on a crowded boat with many children on board and discarding cigarette ends into the sea. This was seen as both inconsiderate to passengers and at odds with responsible marine behaviour. While this appears to be an isolated complaint rather than a common theme, it is a point that environmentally conscious or smoke-sensitive customers may wish to weigh when comparing different fishing boat operators in the area.

From a practical standpoint, Exe Fishing runs trips seasonally, typically between spring and autumn, with sailings scheduled throughout the day. The business operates from the seafront and the marina, and guests are encouraged to check their departure point at the time of booking. Parking is usually available nearby, though it can be busy in peak season, so arriving early is advisable. Online booking and a visible presence on social media channels make it straightforward to check availability and keep track of weather-related updates or last-minute changes.

Compared with more specialist sea fishing charters that target specific species with small groups, Exe Fishing is positioned firmly as a broad-appeal provider. The trips are short enough to fit comfortably into a holiday schedule, prices are pitched to attract families and casual visitors, and the emphasis is on fun, participation and a taste of the local marine environment rather than intensive angling instruction. For many holidaymakers staying in or near Exmouth, this strikes the right balance between cost, time and enjoyment, and explains why a large proportion of reviews recommend the company and state an intention to return.

For prospective customers comparing options, the strengths of Exe Fishing lie in its friendly crew, inclusive setup, and the opportunity for children and first-timers to experience genuine sea fishing on a traditional wooden boat without needing to invest in equipment or specialist knowledge. The trade-offs include variable catch rates, the potential for crowded decks on busy days, and occasional concerns around on-board etiquette highlighted by isolated negative comments. As part of a coastal holiday, particularly for families and mixed-ability groups looking for relaxed mackerel fishing or a gentle introduction to reef fishing, Exe Fishing represents a straightforward, accessible option that many guests find memorable for the right reasons, provided expectations are set around the realities of fishing and shared spaces at sea.