Fishing Charters in United Kingdom

Where the boats fish

Most of the boats here work the south-east corner of England. Off Ramsgate the boats reach the banks, wrecks and rough ground of the Thanet coast and the southern North Sea in a short run, and the harbour lets them leave and return at any state of the tide. Further west, Eastbourne boats fish the eastern Channel, and Plymouth boats run full days in the western Channel. Every trip is a private or shared day at sea with tackle and bait supplied, so you do not need your own gear.

• Hussler is a 26 foot charter boat in Ramsgate Marina for up to 6 anglers on 4 or 6 hour trips, with pontoon boarding. Tackle, lures and live bait are supplied; bring lunch, drinks and a cool box for the catch. No alcohol on board.
• Lady Ann is a Ramsgate family boat for up to 10 guests. Bait and tackle are supplied, the skipper moves between local marks through the day, and your fish are prepared for the table before you step off. A good pick for a mixed group or a first trip.
• Topspotfishing is a bass guide on the Kent and Sussex coast for up to 4 anglers, with tuition on lure fishing for bass. Seats can be booked one at a time.
• Kestrel Warrior runs short trips out of Eastbourne for up to 10, with rod hire, a small tackle shop on board, free coaching from a trained fishing coach and free gutting and cleaning.
• Fishing with Andy runs full days out of Plymouth, roughly 07:15 to 17:00, for up to 8. Book a single place or the whole boat.

What you can catch, and when

The English season turns over twice a year. From late spring smoothhound and thornback ray come inshore, mackerel shoals arrive in early summer, and tope and bass carry the summer and autumn. From late autumn into winter the boats turn to cod, whiting and conger over the wrecks and banks. Our guide to wreck fishing for cod from Ramsgate covers the winter season in detail, and your first sea fishing trip from Ramsgate walks through a day on board.

Bass have their own rules. In 2026 each angler may keep three bass a day at 42 cm or more, and every bass goes back in February and March. Pollack are limited to three a day in the Channel. The limits are per person, so the skipper cannot pool them for the group: see bass and pollack rules for UK charter anglers.

Before you book

• No licence needed. Sea angling from a charter boat in England needs no rod licence. The details are in our UK charter licence guide.
• Expect weather calls. Small boats on the Channel and the North Sea stay in when the wind is up, and the skipper decides on the morning or the evening before. Keep a spare day if the trip matters.
• Dress for the sea, not the beach. It is colder on the water than on the quay in every month: bring a waterproof layer and non slip shoes.
• Ask about the catch. Most boats let you take fish home within the limits; Lady Ann prepares them for you and Kestrel Warrior guts and cleans them for free.