plaicemat Posted July 1, 2006 Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 The only good thing that can usually be said about Friday is that the evening sees the start of the weekend. Not this Friday! Tom Bettle generously invited myself, Simon (britboard) and a recent Canadian immigrant, Brian, to a day wrecking in the middle of the channel off Weymouth. But the hospitality started the evening before because Tom invited myself and Simon to spend the night at his flat in Poole with his delightful significant other, Abi. The evening started late as Tom got carried away mid-channel with his Thursday crew and didn't get back until around 21.00, which indiscretion I thought Abi took incredibly well. Of course, we then had to open a bottle or two and try to outdo each other with our tales of derring-do and past triumphs. Funny, nothing ever changes! Bedtime came at far too late o'clock. Morning, on the other hand, came far too early. Having cocked up the alarm on my phone, I was awakened by Tom banging on the bedroom door at half past ridiculous. Simon had been exiled to sleeping on the settee as he foolishly admitted to being a fairly heavy snorer. I can verify this even with a brick wall between us! After a quick cuppa, we made our way, via britboard transport, to collect Brian, who looked decidedly shell shocked at being up as the blushing youthful day made it's way over the chain ferry. Next stop Wemouth, egg and bacon rolls, coffee and a loo, in that order. Boarding the boat was only slightly delayed as Tom had left his keys for accessing the security gate at the moorings and the boat - on the boat. A quick call at the Weymouth Angling Centre for last minute purchases and we were off through the harbour to an open sea, which was the most benign I have seen it this year at Weymouth. Those who have been with me on my plaice trips will be able to attest to this. After a very enjoyable cruise on Toms excellent and well appointed craft, we arrived at our first waypoint, the wreck lying some 185 feet below us. Now, I haven't wreck fished since the early '70's, Simon never nor Brian.Tutor Tom soon put us all right in the mysteries of shad fishing and soon some smallish pollock were coming over the side. Not good enough for the skipper so a change of venue and start again. This was a different story as bigger pollock started coming up, the biggest going, I would have thought, about 11lb. Then things went dull for a while, then one or two more pollock, a ling for me (a first and obviously a PB at around 8lb) and then the cod took over. Much excitement with fish all around the 6 - 8lb mark until Simon went and spoiled things with one of fifteen and a half pounds. Nobody was particularly bothered apart from calling him a jammy git and going green with envy. He also fluked out the biggest pollock, but he didn't catch a ling! Tom and Brian, meanwhile were consistently adding to the catch with good specimens which made up the total for the day of about 32 pollock, 6 cod, a ling and numerous goggle eyed pout. We will be eating fish and chips for weeks to come! From all the happy crew, can I say a heartfelt than-you to Tom for a real quality day and warm hospitality and, yes, can we please come again! Now, back to shallower waters and resume the hunt for the elusive (for some) I.O.W bass. Terry B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 1, 2006 Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 Abbie has just been reading over my shoulder and was genuinely touched by your kind words and I too, thoroughly enjoyed having you guys along as crew fo the day. We'll get out again sometime soon and see if we can increase those PB's all over again! Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plaicemat Posted July 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 Sorry about the spelling of Abbie, it was a 50/50 chance. Terry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britboard Posted July 1, 2006 Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 Moan, moan, moan, don't worry Terry i'll bring you some ear-defenders next time ! seriously though, thanks to everyone onboard, and especially Tom & Abbie for their hospitality. I had a brilliant time, first time ever out wrecking and "what a day" i knew their where proper fish out there, but this was the first time i had either seen or caught them. I can't believe how hard the buggers pull on that initial crash dive, i thought i was going overboard at one stage. It was discussed! after i caught the biggest Cod and Pollack, but i can only suggest that the others where just jealous, as i had a magic bag of beginners luck in my pocket. I got home last night and proudly opened my coolbox and my girlfriend Lynne promptly let out a scream and ran upstairs saying "I'm not coming down until they are all in the freezer" (girls) Strangely enough though she just munched her way through a large lump of Pollack and loved it Tom and Abbie don't forget to come visit and play in big whirly-flying things, cant wait to do it again. Simon L P.S. Abbie did Tom make a Luvvers fish pie yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plaicemat Posted July 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 Forgot to mention that on the way in, we were stopped by the Fisheries Protection RIB and the guy came on board and checked our catch for size and asked what we were going to do with all that fish. Terry B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted July 1, 2006 Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 Nice one lads sounds like you had a brilliant day. Dean and I are out early am 2morrow, just hope the weather holds for us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swainiac Posted July 2, 2006 Report Share Posted July 2, 2006 They picked the wrong crew to stop , Terry, I was out there earlier in the month. Rich. PS. Well done on a few Pb's Simon, its always good to see bigguns in the net. Glad Tom was able to get you both over fish, he tends to do that well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plaicemat Posted July 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2006 Have a good day, Martin. What will you be targetting. It is great being able to target particular fish rather that having to chuck it and chance it. Tight lines! Rich, I hadn't realised the fisheries people targetted the sport fishermen, I was actually very impressed and reassured that they did. I have no problems with that at all. Wreck fishing has changed somewhat since the early 70's. There's more finesse now, it's more angling than fishing, if you know what I mean. Terry B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 Brian our Canadian crewman for the day took a number of pics so I thought I would show them in a photo diary of sorts. Incidentally, as Brian is fishing mad and now a permanent resident of Poole we are trying to get him to sign up to the club. Come on Brian! Quest II on her moorings at the start of a glorious day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 Steaming Out and chatting about the day ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 Unbelievably, the folllowing 2 pictures were mid channel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 In the shipping Lanes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 Then the fish started coming in fast. The average Cod wasn't huge, but a perfect size to have with chips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 Terry's Ling may have been small, but it made a welcome addition and was a new species and subsequent PB for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 Nothing ENORMOUS, but we did weedle out a couple of lunkers during the day. Here is a nice Cod for Simon. A new PB for him too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 And a reasonable Pollock for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 (edited) The newbie Brian had a crack at filletting some of the catch on the way back after expert tuition from Terry. Edited July 3, 2006 by TomBettle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 Finally, after a long day mid channel, Quest II comes back to her moorings. Flat Sea Fat Fish Glorious Sunshine Sunburnt Backs This is why we go boating and why we love our fishing. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieannear Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 Damn, I picked the wrong day... I think even my stomach could have coped with that millpond! Well done chaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plaicemat Posted July 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 Great piccies that give a true record of the day. I look forward to receiving my copies from Brian. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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