I used to go out to the Eddystone regularly taking out angling parties bass fishing. Regularly "wiffed" for bass in the narrow channel between the existing lighthouse and the old smeaton tower. It is fairly safe to the south. On a very low spring tide with any sea running be wary of the Nor-East rock otherwise you can go near enough to the tower to chuck the keepers a pasty. (Although I don't think there are regular keepers anymore)