About us

The Emma Kate story goes back to 1996, when the first Emma Kate — a 29ft wooden fishing boat — began working from Padstow. In those days the fishing was very different, with much of the catch landed and sold locally to wet fish shops and pubs.

Lee grew up around the boats and fishing off the North Cornwall coast, learning the wrecks, reefs, tides and fishing grounds from an early age. Over the years the boats have changed, but fishing from Padstow has remained very much a family affair.

Today, Lee runs Emma Kate alongside his brother Gav, with their dad John still very much part of the story. Between them they bring decades of experience fishing these waters, from taking families out for their first few hours at sea to specialist trips for experienced anglers.

Lee was awarded the 2025 CFSA Skippers Trophy, recognising his results and experience as a skipper. But the approach aboard the boats remains straightforward: good local knowledge, proper fishing and helping people enjoy their time at sea.

Today we operate three boats — Emma Kate, Prue Esther and Sally Anne — offering everything from 2-hour family mackerel trips to full days offshore and specialist Bluefin Tuna fishing.