Hi all.........
Just found this website, so registered to hopefully help on your question - but maybe hinder..... eitherway...... here go's !!..
I live in Ilfracombe, love shore fishing for anything - love freshwater fishing for anything, but main passion is boat fishing.... I own a boat, so get out when i can...day off tomorrow !! 2mph s/w - so gunna drift down to past lee bay, then down to Woolacombe...
You were asking on the mackeral - Yep deffo in and being caught.....
best place is prob Capstone rocks (Ilfracombe).... mate had 30 in 3hrs, so they are not in 100%, but they are there !!..another good spell of weather will bring them in large numbers....
Just finished last years freezer full - so need to restock with fresh...
Defrosting last years catch just doesnt do it !!.....scaby bait......
Im waiting for the tope to follow the mackeral in......had a good run of tope last year, with a 55lb & a 70lb thrown in

As for the Bass..........drifting large live joeys over the sand banks works - Bass to 9lb last year - still waiting for the double !!
Have alot of surfer mates in Woolacombe - had lots of reports of small sandeels in the shallow surf.......they will be eaten by the bigger sand eels, and thus - Mr Bass shouldnt be far behind !!!.......live sand eels is your best bet !!....another good beach is Saunton ......... less manic than woolacombe, but needs some effort on the walk :g:
Best times to fish these beaches from the shore, is the ebb tide, on the neap's.........you wont get any weed on your rigs etc. (Bass & Ray)..
Fish these beaches on Spring tides and you will be moving back every two minutes......very shallow beaches !!........
Hummm - think im waffling, so hope this helps .....
Tight lines.......and no dogfish !!