TomBettle Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 Quest II owners, Malcolm, Paul, Mark and myself met at the pontoon at 07:00 this morning for a day on the Shambles. By all accounts, fishing had been hard with the charter boats recording small numbers of fish and sometimes even blanking on what should now be prime Plaice time out on the famous Weymouth banks. Into the tackle shop for our rag (which I have to say was atrocious and more like maddies than King Rag - maybe the neap tides prevented better worms being dug) and then off under the bridge. We followed Peace and Plenty who was off to the islands, Revolution had left a short while earlier and Flamer was close behind us as we steamed the half hour or so to the mark. Malcolm set us up on the first drift which was fine, but we skimmed the bottom section of features and so we headed up a little further North for the next drift. It was brass monkeys out there today and I was pleased I was wearing my long johns. The stiff Northerly wind was kicking up a nasty short chop and sending teh boat at a slightly awkward angle in the tide, but we are fairly experienced anglers and avoided tangles like pros..... NOT!!! Malcolm and Paul seemed to become very close throughout the drift. Infact they were attached and spent most of the time (and the next few drifts) trying to untangle themselves. It was only 08:50, but I was already feeling a little dispondent. Naff worms, freezing, North Easterly 5 to 6 and reports of little or no fish were making me wonder if I should have settled for a lie in... Bang the rod lurched violently and shook me from my day dreaming. Bang! Bang! Instinctively I spooled off about 10m of line and then allowed it to tighten in the tide seconds later there was a good bend in the rod and the familiar (or not so, it's been about 5 years since I had a spotty) jerk jerk jerk of a Plaice. At about 2.5lb she was no monster and was still fairly thin, but she was very welcome and spirits on the boat were lifted. By half past nine, Paul had had a fish that must have been the twin of mine and Mark had also caught, with his being better at a bout 3lb. The the tide eased and so did the fish. To catch the ebb we steamed to the North East of the bank and started our drift there... nothing. As it was a neap we tried a spell on the anchor.... nothing. A quick conflab and we hauled the anchor and headed for the mussel beds nearby where we new the Plaice sometimes laid up, but so did a few other chappies. Pretty soon the rods were rattling to bites of various types and we ended up here with a whole stack of Doggies, loads of small to medium Ballan Wrasse and a couple of small Bull Huss in the 5lb sort of bracket.... but no more Plaice. It was now about 14:15 and the tide was just easing so back to the bank for another try at drifting. This one was long, maybe a mile and a half. I was about to call lines up when my rod was all but wrenched out of my arms by a very violent take. Again I spooled off and again the now more familiar jerk jerk jerk of a Plaice could be felt. This time though it was pulling a lot harder and taking a few dives as it neared the surface and when it did I decided not to risk swinging it in and slipped the net under it. On the scales she went 4lb 4oz. Not the biggest Plaice ever to come off the Shambles, but my best for quite some time so I was more than happy. Unfortunately that was our lot. By 15:15 the wind whipped up to a good 6 creating a very uncomfortable short chop over the bank and with the wind came rain. I hinted I was ready to head back and luickily everyone else took the hint so we had Quest II back on her moorings and looking ship shape by 16:30. Not the best day ever and very hard work, but we got our target species and by all accounts did as well as the charter boats have been recently. Tom This pic is the tiddler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted March 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 And this one is the big fat biffer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 Well done Tom sounds like you had a reasonable day, must be better than working . Cant wait til I get our there again Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 Nice one Tom - as Martin says, better than a day in the office! I was tempted to go out today, if I had known I'd have come and joined you - mind you it was bitter in the wind today and the rain wasnt nice, wonder how the others got on with Shogun?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 Like wot Duncan does: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swainiac Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 100% specimen Tom, well done.........fish of the month maybe?? We did shite today.......btw!!!! Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 Sounds a good trip to me Tom! Nice plaice! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 Nice Plaice Tom, I have never had much success with Plaice. Managed the first Pollock of this wrecking season on Shogun though Got a second one ( about the size of the one Tom is holding on the front page ) and that was it for me and I did really well !! Pleasant day out though and not as cold and windy - the sun even came out for a bit as well. Will have to book another trip for later in the year when the fishing has improved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coddy Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 Well done Tom and crew of Quest 11 At least we now know the fish are about I was off collecting a speed boat for my son, so we are now a two boat family! I am glad it wont be me that fuels it however, 130hp inboard petrol!! Coddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted March 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2007 (edited) 100% specimen Tom, well done.........fish of the month maybe?? We did shite today.......btw!!!! Rich What were you on Rich? Was that you and your Friday gang out on Flamer? Edited March 31, 2007 by TomBettle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted April 1, 2007 Report Share Posted April 1, 2007 Rich was on Shogun along with a few other club members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted April 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2007 (edited) Rich was on Shogun along with a few other club members. Bad luck guys. I bet Rob would have worked hard too. The best wrecking is still way West at the moment and that is being made difficult by the countless numbers of pair trawlers working around the ironwork. Nothing is guaranteed, but the most and biggest fish do seem to be coming from the wrecks to the South West of our club waters and those that fall inside are hard going. The wrecks fishing well are going to be the best part of 50 plus miles from Lymington, more West than South. Still, give it another month or two and the fish should be through the channel in good numbers. Edited April 1, 2007 by TomBettle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted April 1, 2007 Report Share Posted April 1, 2007 100% specimen Tom, well done.........fish of the month maybe?? Not quite big enough mate Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted April 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 100% specimen Tom, well done.........fish of the month maybe?? Not quite big enough mate Charlie Charlie Do you think if I passed you a tenner and told you it was 6lb then that would help? ...I am sure no one would notice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Removed Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 hi tom nice pic m8 will give you a shout in the near future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted April 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 hi tom nice pic m8 will give you a shout in the near future Hi Rich Nice to see you over here at PBSBAC. Get to know these guys and it will be a huge boon to you on your visits up to see your Sister. For anyone who doesn't know, Rich is from WSF and has family in Poole. Please make him welcome. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 For anyone who doesn't know, Rich is from WSF and has family in Poole. Please make him welcome. well I would offer you a cup of tea Rich but it's a touch difficult in the virtual world............ 'fraid you will have to settle for a 'welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newboy Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 A nice cup of tea and a piece of cake too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Hi Rich WElcome to our home on the net....ENJOY Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted April 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2007 As you can see, they are, in fact, a total bunch of loons The web address should have been www.plaasnc.co.uk Not www.pbsbac.co.uk But the web master typed incorrectly when he registered the domain. Stands for: Poole Lunatic Asylum & Special Needs Centre Not Poole Bay Small Boat Angling Club I asure you that the nearly sane ones have responded so far.... ...wait until you meet the actual nutters. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted April 3, 2007 Report Share Posted April 3, 2007 I asure you that the nearly sane ones have responded so far.... I resent that Tom.......... I think well maybe not - better think about it some more................ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted April 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2007 I asure you that the nearly sane ones have responded so far.... I resent that Tom.......... I think well maybe not - better think about it some more................ OK Duncan, I agree, you are more bonkers than most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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