Leaderboard

We had plans to fish Sat and Sunday after a sleep onboard. When we realised Sam and Family were out and heading for Chapmans Pool, it would be rude not to take both Chapman boats over. Tied up together in the sunshine, we had lots of fun and even swam ashore. After they left we moved out a bit for a fish by the charter boats, then popped back in just before Ben arrived and tied alongside for a chat and a beer. Sunday morning was so lovely , Wendy stayed in bed and I moved out onto the reef, 8 Undulates and several small congers before 0900. After breakfast had a few more but at a slower pace The fishing continued to slow down through the day but we did find tope to over 30lb and larger congers Came in early at 1600 as we were getting a bit overheated. Great weather for boating and the fishing that we did was good

Passed through the Bridges at 7.30 am. and stopped in a couple of places for Mackeral. Our first mark only produced small Bass and was very weedy. The second mark was a bit hit and miss but gave us some nice chunky specimens and some Scad. We then tried a couple of spots about 6 miles south of Swanage about an hour before low. During the day we spoke to several Club Boats and heard Marichelle, Jojo, Alfresco and Hydra. The next hour gave us a steady stream of fish. There were plenty of Tope up to 25lbs. Conger to 20lbs, a good selection of Rays up tp14 lbs. A couple of specimen Red Gurnards just under the 1.5 lbs mark, Pout, more Mackeral and Scad and the inevitable doggies and bream. Late afternoon, we moved inshore for a few Plaice. We managed around 20 plus with three keepers on the 2 lbs mark. While we were Plaicing we were listening on Ch 16 to all the Maydays and Pan Pans which seemed never ending. One call was from a small 15 foot fishing with four on board. They were out of Cobbs. Initially, they put out a Mayday, but they had managed to tie onto a red can before the Ferry. The owner explained to the Coast Guard that he was new to boating and had only just got the boat and was using it for the first time. There were four on board with life jackets. The Coast Guard was very sympathetic and professional and explained the difference between a Mayday and a Pan Pan and put out a request for any vessel able to assist with a tow to Cobbs. We thought nothing more about the Pan Pan Relay and proceeded to the Secret Ray Mark. The Rays were very co-operative, especially the Undulates, and Mike managed a Spotted for his Species Hunt. Around 20 hours, we upped anchor and headed in. This was a good couple of hours after the original Mayday/Pan Pan. We came past the Chain Ferry and saw the broken down vessel still attached to the red can. The tide was now ebbing around 5 knots and they were beam on to passing boat traffic and really being bashed about in rough conditions. There was about just over an hours light left by now. We decided to respond to the Coast Guards Pan Pan Relay and were able to lash the vessel alongside with Mike and Jan's help. I was a bit concerned about the height difference of the two boats and had I not been happy at this point, we would have asked for a Lifeboat. Fisheagle was able to protect the vessel from several idiot Gin Palaces speeding through the Harbour. Most vessels slowed down when they saw the situation and a good blast on the horn caught the attention of others. Once we got out of the rough water and near the Island, things improved and we were able to proceed at 4 knots. We did not take any photos of the incident as we did not want to embarrass anyone. The owner could well become a Club Member in the future and will go out with a buddy boat next time. A big thank you to the female Bridge Officer on Condor Liberation who had been monitoring my conversations with the Coast Guard and Harbour Control and who, when I asked her, ensured that the Condor passed with minimum wash. Also, Bridge Conrol for ensuring that our passage through both Bridges was traffic free and unimpeded. Thanks also to Mike and Jan for a nice clean boat and a great day. Finally, a reminder to self after such a stunning day, that there is not much sun cream left on board. Now the fun starts, trying to upload a few fishing pictures.

Aye Rob it was great to be out, long time no meet! Yes when I heard Jojo of the radio, I was like, could it be Rob, nah. Roll on the club meeting. The plaice fishing was a bit slow for me, got 10 and some small black bream, some would be keepers I guess if the stocks at home were low. The offshore wind really affected the presentation. A bonus 4 macks on the lazy line, rather to big for livebait but gave it a go, zippo, not a surprise. Finished with a few wrasse. We ate the macks. Diane was going to go but bailed when I got up a 7:30, she missed out, it was sooo nice out there.

Secret ray mark

Well that was a failure, in as much as fishing! Popped out at 9, car park at Mudeford half full already. Saw Steve on Tigerfish (he was in shock hearing "JoJo" on the radio to Mick), had a chat, went off to looks for macs. Nothing, until 40 mind before coming back in. 1 large Mac and 4 pollack (2 big and 2 large Mac size), not good livebait. Gave them a go anyway on a few drifts, last drift, the mackerel is grabbed, gave it time, nothing. I assume its eyes were bigger than its belly! Anyway, nice morning out with eldest daughter, sun shone and it was lovely out there. Usual carnage at ramp on return, very nice of the lad on the gate to offer to help with trailer etc, but I was ok, done this many a time. Nice easy retrieve away from the slip, not sure when others will learn the slip is not the place to leave, deposit, inflate, deflate your craft. Anyway, home for 1 and a single Mac for the BBQ later. Lovely to be out, Rob

well done Terry [and Martin] I have used that system of a pump over the side a lot Terry , but got fed up with chopping the pumps off when we forgot to bring it onboard. I now use a tee off of the deckwash system, via a larger diameter pipe and plastic valve it gives a good volume of water to the blue drum, without too much back pressure on the pump.

Well done Alan Good seamanship and good fishing

well done Alan, i could not find any Mackral yesterday and tried from Anvil point back to Studland, but noting taking. Well done for rescuing the Boat and taking back to Cobbs , gies the club a good name and as you say may entice a membership out of him.

I'm having a bit of a tidy up and I have a small anchor free to whoever thinks they can use it. 2.5 kg, looks unused. Collect Upton or I might even get to a meeting some time and can bring it there.

Well done Allan on two counts

Maybe we just need to be in the presence of greatness Jim? R

Update. Stainless rod holders mounted on the side overhang of the wheelhouse roof which gives me storage for 8 rods and doesn't affect the overall height, should be enough for two! Bait tank sorted thanks to Martin who just happened to have one about his person and, pro tem, I am going to use a small bilge pump hurled over the stern when stationary with the outlet pouring out over the transom. At some stage I will get round to fitting a deck wash pump but that may wait until the season is finished, no point in wasting good fishing time. A little cruise next week to Yarmouth (IOW not Norfolk) with Dilys and number 1 daughter with a nice lunch thrown in. Might have time on the way back for a mackerel or three. Terry.