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The long way home. After missing a day we were all up for a long last day. We settled up and thanked Mel for a good stay and called a cab for the bags Down to Bray and a few of us went over to bring boats to the jetty to be topped up with fuel from the bowser. This went well, then we started the run to the first wreck some 15 miles away. Just as we arrived we were met by a pod of dolphins 20220509_151925.mp4 Even with these about the fishing for us was a little better than on the way out, the boats stayed together for 4 or 5 wrecks. Then we split up to hunt for better fishing. Dave had a little one he wanted to try to find, and the hunt was good We had as many fish off this as any of the bigger ones, including this surprise. and a few better pollack Craig had done a lovely Curry for lunch , but the day was getting late and we also squeezed in a Lasagne for dinner At about 7 we stopped fishing and started the run to Poole, in the calm Misty weather Eventually arriving at the chain ferry just as it started to get dark. It was late but had been a great trip. Thanks to everyone for the great Craic, for Dave for making room for me while Alfresco is repaired. Although the fishing is tougher these trips are still great fun We will no doubt be back again.

I thoroughly enjoyed crewing on Loobie IV, plenty of banter, thanks for the invite Jerry. The fishing was ok really and a reasonable haul of turbos considering we only spent a day and a half on the banks. Most of them were just on or just over the size limit (41cm) After the diesel spill... J2 was right onto it, some mega scrubbing, all you need now Jerry is to learn to draw and you will be in the British team 😀 For anyone at loose end on the Island I can recommend taking shanks pony for a tour, some parts are spectacular.

The build up was busy as usual, made worse by two boats having to drop out with mechanical issues. Thanks to Dave and Jerry for making room for myself and Steve to join their crews. Accommodation was booked for all of us and fuel arranged for a single top up on Monday morning. Multiple weather checks, it seemed to be OK for at least three good days, so its thumbs up and off we go. 0530 bumped into Jerry in the car park at Cobbs as I loaded trolley with kit for the 4 days [Why do I take so much ??] After a quick check of plans and good luck messages its off to the boats, kit on, kettle on and off to Swanage A brief stop saw a few fresh mackerel added to the bait cooler.😁 Off we go again 25 miles to the first wreck for us, with Jerry choosing another a couple of miles away. Great expectation but fishing was slow with just a couple of pollack. Loobie 4 joined us as their wreck was dead. The usual couple of stops followed as the breeze started to increase and boat speed cut back a bit as we motored past the caskets lighthouse towards Dave's favourite bank. Lures changed to traces baited with mackeral and we started the first of many drifts, my rod nodded very slightly and its fish on, the first turbot that was just in size and off to the bait tank. There were a few more dogfish than we wanted to see, but we did have four flatty's including one of 7lb 8 oz for Craig. We were getting a few mackerel and Launch right on top of the Bank where it was a little choppy. !600 its off to the moorings in Braye Harbour. a quick clean up of the boats and change . Call the water taxi and its off ashore to the Moorings Hotel for a beer or three. We grabbed a burger then walked up the hill to book in the Bonjour and have a shower. before hiking about 15 yards to the next pub. Day 2 Up at 0700, grab the pack breakfast and stroll off down the hill for the first water taxi at 0800. The breeze had dropped so the two boats headed back to the same banks. Fishing seemed even slower today, with more dogs and just a few flatties and gurnard Mark had a lovely fish that was a PB just short of double figures at 9lb 8oz. Best of 5 today. The lads on Looby 4 were getting a few more flatties than us, but it was tough going. at 1700 we packed up for the run back to Braye usual routine, water Taxi ride and a stroll to the bar in the Moorings. For planning over a couple of pints. Craig called his new mate Bill, for a taxi ride up the hill, he did not fancy that walk again. Shower and change then off to our new local next door for dinner, before being joined by the Jerry's and Steve later Checking the forecasts in did not look great for Sunday. Day 3 Woke up and checked the forecast, which if anything were worse with a fairly stiff NE breeze. We all decided to head down to the Harbour and taxi to the boats. Good job we did as Looby was a little close to a French Yacht, the crew of which had not enjoyed their night in a choppy harbour and were too ill to move. Our mooring buoy was hitting the anchor so adjustments were made. We had a coffee then decided to go for a walk around the island [ Mainly to stop us going into the bar too early] As we Past our buddy boat they were all having a fish , so we wished them luck as we tried to stay dry on the taxi boat. We learned later that Steve also went walking Jerry retired to the hotel and Jerry 2 took a spinning rod ashore to try his luck on the rocks at Fort Clonque. We strolled slowly around to the southern end of the Island, seeing some interesting sights on the way After a stop on the way, when a friendly local gave us a tour of some German buildings from WW2 we arrived at the Gannet sanctuary that looked fishable if you could endure the rough ride to get there. We arrived in town at 1330, just too late for lunch which was an error as our food was all on the boats. A quick pint with Jerry in the Marais Hall, then its back to the guest house for a quiet afternoon, before all meeting up for dinner at 1800.

Having only crewed previously to Alderney I left with trepidation knowing the trip ahead.We left on the 6.30 bridge with Reel Magic going on in search of fresh bait, we joined them adding a few to there cousins in the cool box. We headed mid channel and found a few Pollock to break up our journey, heading on to the Casquets the weather deteriorated and we had 1-2 hours at around 12knots which hurt our mpg and crews health. We arrived and soon found Launce and Turbot, along with good old lsd. We left the banks that day with 6 Turbot, 4 keepers, launce,Mackerel, and two Pollock. Arriving at the harbour I gave a perfect example of how not to leave a water taxi going a pearler on the dock🙈 Getting to the Moorings we had a few beers with Reel Magic crew before heading up “The Hill”. We headed to have dinner where Steve had booked which was great except we had to walk back down “The Hill”! Day Two the weather was good and we headed out with our breakfast butty at 8am . We had fish throughout the day with a double hook up of a 21lbs Blonde for Steve and a PB Turbot for me of around 7.5lbs (gutted before weighed properly 🤣) We had 8 Turbot, Blonde Ray, LSD and Gurnard . Sundays forecast came true unfortunately and after a couple of hours trying for Bream in the harbour, none were found, even though various French yacht crews were throwing up and groundbaiting for us!! After a coffee at the Moorings J2 went lure fishing, Steve did a 20k March round the island and I crashed!! Monday we were heading home, after filling up with the fuel bowser, and a horrible blow back and using a dozen towels and J2 scrubbing like he was on the UK Curling team we headed out. To cut a long story short we travelled 99nm fished 7 wrecks and caught 2 Pollock and two Pout!!!! I believe it was put down to lack of tide. Dave did better than us, a beautiful day for a crossing. Steve hopped ashore and found fish and chips at Rockfish which really ticked the box before going through the 8.30 bridge.

Thanks for posting jerry, sounds like you all had a good time, and some nice fish. Colin.

Sorry lack of technology!! Pollock and home home grown garden asparagus for dinner tonight😄😄😄 A great vote of thanks to Steve and J2 for crewing, Steve for tech questions and answers and more and J2 for tidying up after the skipper spilling fuel and much more. Well done guys until the next time. PS Reel Magic crew were ok to!!!!! Some of the time🤣🤣🤣🤣

Great report and pictures guys Thanks for your company No doubt we will be back again

Here's a Mullet

Stuie you do realise your going to get some flippant hairdo pictures from Jim don't you.

Thank you Jerry, Nine years of being a member and taking part in club competitions and this is my first win 😁 The fish was a beautiful specimen and would have adorned the plate in the finest restaurant. Notice, I said would have !!! Whilst I was cleaning said fish on the rear bathing platform, I had just finished gutting it and was throwing the bucket of entrails into the water with my right hand and the bloody fish popped out of my left hand straight into the drink and went straight down !!! I was gutted, Stuie laughing didn't do anything to help either. 🤣🤣 I must admit I felt a bit of an idiot!! Oh well, you live and learn - again !!!! Here's to the next comp