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Duncan and I had a red letter day today based on the year so far, 16 rays or one or two more. Nothing bigger than 12lb but plenty of them on two different marks. Our Trawler got close at one point and made us move away further out and it turned out to be a good move. Really tired tonight so this post will developed with some pictures and more stories of the day.

Yesterday my 18 year old Grand Daughter passed her driving theory test which I'd been helping her with. Today at about 3am ish my 23 year old Grand Daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. So . . . . . Yesterday I was a good Grand Pappy. Today I'm a Great Grand Pappy. 👍 Can you imagine just how proud I'm feeling today ? 😄 🥰 👍 😊

Today’s target was squid & cuttlefish - despite trying for ages I had nothing, even though they’ve been showing from the piers. So, plan B was a go for the rays which had been conspicuous by their absence; here I fared better with 6 or 7 nice small eyed to mackerel strip. Lovely & flat out there today, I might go for more of the same tomorrow

Sun no wind flat seas and fish what more could we ask for? Arranged a trip out on Madness and press ganged Tony D and Graham N to crew with me. The weather men actually got there predictions spot on for a change and we we headed out on flat seas with sunny glimpses cruising all the way at about 20knots. After a little issue with Navionics playing up on the iPhone sending us past the mark we eventually anchored a bank in 90' of water. Turns out not to be Navionics fault but my new iPhone couldn't see the satellites so wasn't updating correctly (lesson Learned) Virtually zero tide running for a few hours but average sized Bream were caught from the off. Our club chair joined us on Y-Knot just as the tide was about to turn. We were not positioned quite right for the changing tide so re-anchored just as the tide began to run and bagged ourselves a better spot. Here we had a solitary Mackerel on the lazy line, several rays a nice Tope and more Bream The fresh Mackerel definitely upped our catch rate Thanks Tony and Graham for being such good sports and great company

Our day started with a lovely sunrise over the IOW and the a great view of a Peregrine Falcon chasing a pied wagtail. There was plenty of Guillemot's, Razor bills and Gannets about. Our fishing started well with Rays coming soon after the start, a run of Smalleyed and followed by some Blondes. The uptider rod was fishing well. We were gradually losing the ebb and the bites with it, unfortunately we also had the SM 75 the trawler making tracks close by which sealed the deal, we moved out for more tide. With some careful planning using the mobile app from Navionics we positioned the boat for the wind and tide at the time allowing for the move to the East as the tide flow built. This gave us a very good second part of the day with many Rays, Tope, Mackerel and plenty of Black bream of a decent stamp. The Tope gave me the run around and tangled a few lines. We had Martin and crew on Madness close by so some banter between boats and crews was imminent and great fun. Duncan was great company and enjoyed being on Y-Knot and stayed behind for a good cleaned down.

For the avoidance of any doubt, it was Y-Knot who had the good clean down, not me 😜 A great day out from start to finish, thanks again Mal

I know what you mean Mal, Having just got back from a long haul flight and a very long day. Last night I decided to catch up on the Women's Rugby World Cup Final footage from the BBC. Even though I knew the result, I still got emotional over all of the back stories. OMG get a grip

Aah you big softy, you've got to watch out being so in touch with your emotions, you will end up as bad as me. Teary eyed at anything remotely touching😏

Congratulations Jim, I know how proud you must be. I've just come back of holiday and spent 10 glorious days with 3 of my grandchildren. Words cannot express the feeling you get when a 13, 16 and 18 year old grandchild enjoys spending time with you.

Heard the bragging on channel 6 😂. Well done, I had a day on the bream…was like it was May time…loads of them about.

main channel speed limits are relaxed from 00:01 on the first October. All other areas the speeds limits ie quiet areas 6knots other areas 10knots including from Brownsea bell bouy to 1400 metres south of the ferry