Alderney 2026

[Steve S]

It's that time of year again! I'm planning to go to Alderney this year.

 

First opportunity in May seems to be between around from Thu 7th to Wed the 13th. the next one is from Fri the 22nd to Thu 28th, after that in June Sat 6th to Thu 11th June. The smallest tides are in the first set of dates but all of them look ok and span weekends.

 

So Tigerfish is going weather permitting, with a crew of Graham Shurvell, Alun and Ian Jones.

Anyone else?

 

[great white]

Will have a chat to potential crew

 

About that first weekend in May

 

 

[jerry.shutter]

Off to see Peter Kay the first weekend then away on another fishing jolly for the rest of May.🫣

 

As per last year I really hope to go South West, especially if they are more generous with the RSA BFT tickets, if it gets delayed though because of our glorious weather I might be there!

[Wight Magic]

Hi Steve we are looking at the 22nd weekend 

[great white]

Room booked in the Le Ville again, hope we get there this time Dave

 

Fingers crossed for good weather. Oh and some good fishing of course.

 

Bank Holiday weekend, anyone else thinking of going?

[Bob nudd]

I'm thinking about it!

[Steve S]

Alderney is very much on. Reel Magic and Tigerfish are making the trip on Friday, great forecast. Bring on the Turbot!

 

[Rob]

Good luck and stay safe all!

R

[Maverick Martin]

Good luck boys, bring home the ah ah ah flatties

[Jim]

Have fun Gents.  

[Graham Nash]

wow, you picked a great looking weekend.

 

Dont forget the sun cream! 

[great white]

Great weekend, did not see a cloud for four days.

 

But the sea is still cold, which kept the breeze cool and temp a lot lower than in Poole. I estimate it was 10 degrees less.

 

report to follow when recovered.

[great white]

Wow, 

An Alderney trip where not only was the weather good. But it was a stable forecast in the lead up and we could be confident that the trip was on. Gear was loaded and Ice into two coolers on Thursday.

 

Friday 22nd

a very early start as the sun rose at Cobbs Quay

 

before 0600 we were off

 

No sign of birds inshore so we pushed on and found some Pollack on the wrecks

 

Plus a few other things that like sidewinders

 

We did not stop too long on the wrecks, before pushing on past Alderney and the Caskets lighthouse to the banks.

Lots of Launce, a single mackerel and sardine/pilchard plus three Turbot.

 

It was soon time to get into the harbour and pick up a mooring. Clean the boat up and head ashore in the water taxi.

 

We stopped for a pint in the moorings and met up to compare notes with Ian and Steve. They had enjoyed a similar day.

Taxi up the hill to our accommodation, which was already feeling a tad warm. But at least Kevin was on the quiet side of the hotel, in a room with a view. Lol

 

Saturday

We knew this would be a long one, as Reel Magic cannot do a four day trip without a fuel stop.

Prior to the trip I had checked prices and was astonished that the diesel price, even at the cheaper rate was £2.14 per ltr.

I cross checked with boatworks at Guernsey, another surprise as their price is £1.06/ltr

 

We would have to add 30 miles to the days milage, but as we needed 400ltrs , its a no brainer. For the first time ever Dave and Reel Magic would visit Guernsey. 

 

Fishing was very slow for us with just one flatty, so mid afternoon we headed South. Dave was being cautious as he did not know what to expect. I think he was a little pleased and surprised, that the waterway known as Little Russel is so massive.

 

 

 

Fuel onboard and another 12 volt battery installed, we enjoyed an ice cream in the sunshine [Thanks Kev] before leaving and heading North again to try the Schole Banks. an area we always used to fish but is now trawled out.

 

We were joined by a pod of large dolphins

 

 

They were still around as we cruised to the Island, enjoying the sight and the company.

 

We ate on route as it was going to be late as we arrived back in Bray, but what great weather

 

 

 

We may have been late but we managed to squeeze a beer or too in before walking up the hill for a quick shower.

and more Guiness.

Fishing has declined over the years but the trip remains great fun.

 

Sunday 

Another great days weather and time for Tigerfish to head home via some wrecks and banks.

No doubt Steve will update us with his reports.

 

We tried a different area and enjoyed slightly better sport.

even though we had more doggies than I have ever seen here, we also had a few nice flatties

 

Dave had the last one, but also our biggest

 

The wind and tide got a little awkward, with lines going under the boat, and Dave was not happy. So we decided to try another old haunt of speedy rock.

 

we had saved mackerel heads for this plan and were soon anchored up to see if Tope were around, which unfortunately they were not. However there were some obliging Bull Huss to double figures.

 

We did not stay long as the tide started to really push, but at least these were better than doggies.

 

Back into harbour, water taxi ashore and back to the pubs.

The moorings had a DJ blaring it out and Dave was with the beat.

Not sure Mark who is a DJ, enjoyed it as much as the locals were. 

 

Before another walk up that damn hill, a shower and really nice last night meal in the Thai restaurant.

 

The locals from the moorings finished up having a Karaoke night in the hotel bar, so we gave up on an early night for one last beer in there.

 

Monday

By now the weather was a little harder to predict, but we had a plan so by 0900 everything was loaded and off we go.

Steady passage to the first wreck. But once we arrived it was a good one, by drift No 2 we had all managed some pollack.

Steady retrieves meant the small ones could go back, but the bait tank was filling up steadily.

 

Wreck hopping as we headed home was good with a few fish here and there.

we were expecting building seas, but as we got nearer to Poole it calmed right down.

 

Wew were all a bit tired by now, 4 day trips can do that too you. Cant they Kev

 

in the calmer weather we could take a few pictures and start to sort fish out

 

 

What a great trip.

Excellent company, lots of good company and plenty of laughs.

 

We had fished hard, and caught a variety of fish. Not up to the old standards but the flatties were all keeper size.

Sorting the fish to various coolers at the end, we certainly did well

 

Thanks Dave for another great trip on Reel Magic.

I am sure we will be planning other things soon.

 

One last thought.

All the best Charlie

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jim]

Thanks Charlie.

Brilliant report.  Well done all on such a fantastic trip.

 

[Kingfisher 126]

Well done guys a great trip, weather, company and a few nice fish thrown in too. 👍👏
Great report Charlie. 👍

[dicky]

Great report, sounds like you had a great time and some decent fishing to match the weather.

[Greg]

Great to see you all had some good fish and great company Charlie.

Another successful trip.

Well done,

Greg


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[Ark]

Well what a long weekend that was, flat seas and unbroken sunshine ☀️ 

 

Great report Charlie you summed it up perfect, it was brilliant to make the trip again with good company shame young Dave has to tangle you up so much 😂😂

Had turbot for Dinner last night and beautiful it was I can see we go to those lengths to get delicious fish 🐟

 

Thanks Dave for the invite also  Charlie and Mark for making another memorable trip👏👍

Kev

 

[Mal Thomas]

Great report Charlie and well done all on a safe and enjoyable trip.👍

[Steve S]

Thanks for taking the trouble for writing the report Charlie and taking all the photos, it was a great read.

 

Every time I've been I've enjoyed it. The biggest pain for me is keeping dates clear in the diary and the replanning when the weather doesn't play ball. I'm surprised more boats don't go, age is probably a factor as 3 or 4 days constant fishing is tiring, but I had 72 year old Ian on board with a bad back (temporary I hope) and he enjoyed it! Guys if you are thinking about just take the plunge and try you will get plenty of solid advice.