Leaderboard

I said to Mal last autumn that I sensed a long lazy Indian Summer was coming . So that didn’t happen but it’s happening now and I abandoned the silage fields for yet another three day dose of Dorset Madness. I towed the boat to a secret location near Wareham where I could safely abandon it to attend the meeting. Great meeting and thanks everyone for making us feel so welcome. The talk was fascinating but I don’t think international fishy fame is part of my destiny. At the meeting Rob helped me form a plan for Wednesdays tidal expectations. Plaice drift on the rise. Visit the patches and get pouting over slack Ebb starts at 2.00pm , drift round old Harry using live bait. what ‘appended waz; plaice drifting but I got distracted by the possibility of a bass from the training bank. What do you know ! I caught one with a rusty metal mackerel but only because he was too young to have good taste. The patches refused to yield bait fish although I persisted tried different spots and stayed too long. on my belated way to old Harry I had a brainwave. Squid ! Colin taught me how to catch squid last week . It only took me two hours . I might get really lucky this time. So I arrived at old Harry with only lures to play with at 3.30. I worked that rusty metal mackerel like fury until the tide turned and rocks might be a concern. These Bass had too much panache about them and dined else how .Sorry Rob, I screwed that plan. A bait robbing baby bream fell to my last chuck plaice rig on the way in Today , after sleeping on the boat again I motored across the bay to the Christchurch ledge. Most others chose plaice fishing off Bournemouth beach. I wanted to try for bream and then whilst it was a big spring tide it had a double high which meant a long period of slack water. Ideal for plaice jigging I thought. The tides did what it said on the tin but the bass didn’t . I had one bite all afternoon and that was off in a flash. The plaice drifters did quite well I believe. Let us know Colin. I needed to beat the falling tide to get the boat out or else have to wait till eight. I stopped a few times as I came back across the bay to try and find a mackerel or two but they are scarce. So it was a blank for me today. But it was two days of solo boating . I beat the tide and got the boat out at baiter slip single handed. That was my win from this trip. Special thanks to Dan Barnes for accommodating E3 and Colin for company, logistical support( worms etc) and tutoring on the solo launch and retrieve.

Due to a full on work week, I have revised my plan and decided to finish of my reports and then take off in the camper with my lovely wife for a chill lax. So I will be fishing with you in spirit, put a rod uptide for me. Don't forget those reports they are a vital piece of our successful club, Stu the Wales International was so impressed with or Club and turnout at the meeting. Tight lines everyone, keep your eyes peeled for that jumping visitor.

Madness ventured out again on Thursday with Terry B and Phil T onboard. We stayed very inshore along the beaches and had plenty of plaice mostly small but we had a dozen keepers between the 3 of us. We also had a smattering of small bream, gurnard wrasse and even a few mackerel. Lovely weather and company made for a good day out.

Thanks for sharing, we need to talk I think I can provide a day out and an overnight van stop.

Thanks Mal All done today and and all went well, currently in the hospital bed overnight and home tomorrow [emoji1][emoji106] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Went for a walk over Arne last week and on the way back to the king's arms at Stoborough we stopped at Ridge wharf for a look. ( probably nearly 50 years since I was last there. Cor ! It's grown a lot since then. 🙂 My Dad had a yacht at Redcliffe and it's a long slow run to the sea but I believe the costs make it worth it. This time of year it must be great to get the speed up a bit. 😃

Well done Mal, You have been doing so much for the club and you need some time out. I hope you and Laura find some quality time to chill. Because of you and your energy I am in no doubt the club will turn a corner. Bon Voyage ( I don’t know how to say in Spanish [emoji1][emoji1] Greg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I saw you solo launching at Ridge the previous week (which I always find very daunting with such a steep slip). How did you find it at Baiter? I'd guess much easier (although wetter).

Take the offer Martin and soon you will become the great fisherman you strive to be [emoji3][emoji106] I would also say, keep things simple and don’t try to run before you can walk. You can not build a mighty castle without a good foundation !!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great offer Mal, hope Martin can take you up on it.

I pay about £1500 a year on the trailer. I think it was £2100 last year on a pontoon. Remember there's extra time and fuel for the 3 or so miles extra each way each trip.

Make the most of the food! Terry.

That’s good news Greg, wishing you a speedy recovery

Good luck with the operation