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Good afternoon all After several long but unsuccessful trips last season, Dave and I both applied once again for 2025 BFT licences. Hoping to use the knowledge from last year, and all of the kit to have another go at these mighty fish. Two weeks ago I received a message from the MMO, saying there was an error in my application and I would loose the priority that I gained from holding a licence in 2024. Thankfully a few frantic emails and phone calls later, the mix up was sorted out. I received an email this morning, with good news. Success I have another licence for the 2025 season starting 1st August. Sadly when I called Dave, his email was not so good, due to considerable No of applications, he had been unsuccessful again. Later this morning another email from the MMO, correcting the season start date back to the 18th July. as it was said to be when we applied. What an organisation they are, having worked with them for many years while managing a Marina, I should not really be surprised. Many Members followed our exploits with interest last year so hopefully we can continue to interest you once again. Wish us luck. In case you have forgotten, this may show why we got so excited just seeing them off of Portland last year Tuna Bust, best one long version.mp4

Well done charlie,glad you were successful, shame Dave wasn't but sure he will be a keen companion with you perhaps. Your going to catch one this year, we are all rooting for you , it's going to happen😄. Keep up the effort, perseverance will pay off, good luck. Colin.

Excellent news Charlie, let’s hope you have more success than last year

That's Good news Charlie. Let's hope they show up in larger numbers this year and closer to home. Good luck. Greg

These trips are a real bonus and help warrant having a boat in a short season harbour like Christchurch, this is only the second or third I have managed this year 😔. Knowing the wind was likely to rise later I decided it would be a following sea for the trip in. So with thoughts of fresh mackerel and frozen offerings I set out in calm seas and choose to anchor off the end of the ledge, I managed a couple of full strings of Mackerel but very little else, so a move was in order for the flood. Anchored on the Western side this time with some confidence it was a decent area. After the fresh scent trail was established, I had a conger of 20lb, followed by a few smaller ones. For some reason I was still upbeat something else would turn up and It did. A plump 6lb Bass who gave a good scrap, It was returned. Then a rare Thorney turned up which was welcome, shortly followed by a Bull Huss of a similar weight. Another 2 full strings of mackerel, then the wind was building and thoughts of a wash down and good tidy up was entering my mind, whilst the body and mind were weakening. Strong tide and large waves on the way in had me dodging loads of semi submerged net or pot buoys. As often happens once in the wind dropped off and a clean up followed. A good decision to go out, my spirits and thoughts of the boat and the costs with very little use has been weighing on my mind, also with the threat of a large increase in mooring fees in Ribs pond. The engine went well and sounded much better than recent past trips following the new injectors being fitted.

The way cod fishing is going these days Charlie, it could very well end winning the cod comp! I've only tried it with flubbers Graham, never tried on the pollock so far. It's not a 100% success return rate but the majority do swim down.