Meerkat Charters, Portishead 

01 Dec 2023 - 26 Mar 2024

We have decided this winter to move Meerkat away from Weymouth and go chase the Bristol Channel Cod run and base the boat in Portishead, what is located just off the M5 so an easy drive from all direction.

This far up in the Bristol Channel offers loads of shelter from all directions of wind so we are more likely to get out fishing in more wind unlike Weymouth in the winter months, Even in the high winds because of the amount of land surrounding the Channel and the shallow waters, this helps the seas to stay calm so more time out there finding those Cod.

The Fishing (Cod)

Cod fishing in the Bristol Channel best way to describe it is you are shore fishing but on a comfy boat instead of climbing in the mud/ rocks. Well and Meerkats lovely hot kettle going all the time.

Main way is up-tiding with big worm and squid bait, Followed by patients and fresh baits every 15-20 minutes. You can still down tide as the water is shallow even in the fast tides a 12oz/1lb lead will bounce back nicely in the 20ft of water.

With Meerkat being such a big deck space we are hoping you can even fish 2 rods if your happy to bring enough bait for this. You’d have the option to have 1 up-tiding and 1 down tide to give you the best chance.

The biggest thing to remember this is Cod fishing so it can be slow and a patient’s game at times but also can be rewarding Almost like Turbot fishing. So please don’t expect massive numbers of Cod all the time and treat it as a day out away from work.

Meerkat Will have a full set of 10 up-tiding gear so if you haven’t got the gear you haven’t got to worry.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask we are always happy to help and there’s never such thing as a silly questions

Portishead Charter Information

• Duration: Depending on Portishead Marina Loch, appox. 8 Hours


• Tackle Available: Yes, up to 10 Up-Tide set ups onboard.


• Bait Available: Yes, Please allow approx. £15-20 per person for Bait, which can also be supplied

For prices and more information please look at “Trip types/ Prices"

About the Skipper

Here is a little about my history and how I have come to be the skipper/ Owner of Meerkat.

I started angling at three years old with my dad down on the piers in Weymouth catching a variety of small species, from these first initial adventures with a rod I very quickly became hooked.

My first trips boat angling were again with my dad on his boat Blue Dart which was based in Weymouth. We used to fish the many reef and bank marks in and round the Weymouth and Portland area. This began my interest in boats and boating and throughout the years angling and boating developed from an initial hobby to a total passion.

I first got into the world of Charter boat angling in 2011 when I was given the opportunity by Lyle Stantiford, skipper of Supanova in Weymouth to lend a hand and pass on some of my knowledge to his customers at weekends and during school holidays. I very quickly realised that this was my dream job and hopefully one day would become a reality.

I continued with Lyle full time on leaving school in 2013, this was when I really began the learning process of how to be a successful skipper. All the time I was asking questions and noting things down, Marks, Tides, where to be and when etc and also at the same time clocking up my sea time and experience to qualify to sit my yachtmaster offshore practical exam.

In the early part of 2015 I successfully passed my Yachtmaster after 11 hours at sea and a rigorous continued assessment of my ability, seamanship and safety at sea.

Whether you are a seasoned angler looking for a 4/5 day channel islands trip, a specimen hunter looking for that new PB or somebody who has never held a rod before and just want a fun day out with friends and family then look no further. I am happy to pass on my knowledge and also learn from you, come and enjoy a day with the future of Weymouth's Charter fleet and feed off my enthusiasm for the job and sport.

In 2020 I was lucky enough to purchase Meerkat from Lyle for the future, we now enter my 9th year of skippering and once again we are looking forward to it.