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The plan day two was to go sharking but unfortunately J2 couldn’t make it so another plan came together and Stuie was collected to make the 9.30 lift. Traffic was much better than i expected so we had plenty of time to tackle up and a cuppa before leaving Cobbs, arriving at the bridge we were told there was an RTA and the 9.30 was not going to happen. Thankfully we only had a 15minute delay. I still needed a Thornback for the species hunt so that was the plan. After Stuie had had five congers and me two with other bits and pieces in 30 minutes we moved!! This proved a good idea, however no Thornbacks, Stuie was on fire and we managed 9 Small Eyed and a nice Undulate of 12lbs, I had the dogfish side of the boat but still had a few Small Eyed and a Conger or two. We fished for under four hours and caught a lot of fish but unfortunately not the target required. Returning at the 14.30 bridge, a great day out with Stuie, lots of banter and a happy tired angler was dropped back at Cobbs at 15.00. Oh if only the weather played ball a bit more!!!!!

With the weather we have had the last few days I-managed to squeeze in two trips. First day was chasing Bass with a huge tide and J2 and a friend celebrating his 71st birthday, 7.30 bridge and we all felt a few live bait would help our plan, no birds no mackerel or Scad so we managed enough Pouting, though not easy. Off to our chosen bank and fish from the start, smallest probably 3.5lbs most around and over 5lbs and best going 9lbs. We had two triple hook ups and and lots of doubles which caused chaos with the landing net. J2 stuck with Shads which produced the biggest fish of the day, Martin the birthday boy used live baits and dead baits, I did initially but went to SPJ as the tide eased and even had one drift with a whole squid on a circle which again produced a fish. We only had 2 blank drifts all day! Saw Kingfisher who had also had a red letter day, if only we managed a few more wind free days

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

As the species hunt hots up I thought it was time to get off shore for a few rays and a tope. Went out to our mark south of St Alban's. Despite the promising weather forecast, the sea was horrible. Moved to an Inshore mark and caught all day, but no monsters. Plenty of Bream to 1.5 lbs, congers, dogs, wrasse, small rays ( not the ones I wanted). Some large ballans and other mini species and one three beared rockling to Ray Ashby. We took special feathers for mackerel but didn't use them. Had a nice Cuttle that left its mark behind.the

…were the target today on Christchurch Ledge &, for once, the plan came together!

We have camped in Burnbake site on the Rempstone Estate, not much has changed here for centuries and it shows with the bird count for two walks totalling 19 miles. The tally is impressive and a first siting for me. Cross bills. Coal tits. Kestrel. Jackdaws. Curlew. Chaffinch. Wren. Buzzard. Wood pigeon. Greater spotted woodpecker Serin. Robin. Raven. Collar dove. Dartford warbler Goldfinch. Song thrush. Rooks. Tawny owls overnight. Siskin Long tailed tits. Meadow pipits. Crow. Pied wagtails. White throat Blue tits. Chiff chaff. Jay Gold crest. Cormorants Great tits. Green finch. Magpie. Fire crest. Egret The crossbills have eluded me for decades so I was very pleased to see so many. Such beautiful scenery especially up above Corfe on the ridge that runs all the way to Old Harry. Not so good on my Deer’s maybe Sika and Fallow

Great news Greg. Glad it went smoothly. 😉

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.

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.

Looks like it's trying to phone home! R

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.

Sometimes I m my own boss and sometimes I’m told I’m not. We have a farm standards inspection looming and that is derailing my fishing aspirations a bit. so martin , it may not be soon but I’d love to Be a guest on madness in due course.

Martin you would be more than welcome out on Madness. keep an eye on the crew threads or message if you would like a message when I’m going out. Wind and tides look great for next week but I’ve not checked with the other half yet

Thanks for the interest. Offer noted Mal . You are right Greg . Going on other boats as a guest is a great education . Hopefully it’s good craic as well. Shallow baiter versus steep Ridge? Baiter is what Baiter is . I often go there . I think the hazards are straightforward and easy to understand. Doing long belays amongst the general public requires care and don’t let your trailer go off to the side. But I’ve never had any serious issues there. (It helps if you put the bungs in). The max length you can launch at ridge is 6 metre. Mine is six meter. High tides are 1 hour after the Poole quay tide.Its best if you can use them. I launched with a lunking great merc 90 on my boat we took water over the transom. with the benefit of hindsight I should have instructed my assistant to pull me straight out. In the heat of the moment , once it was uncoupled I used a blip of throttle to heave it off the trailer nd level the vessel up with its cargo of salt water. Later that day my merc exploded in a fireball (see post “It went with a bang”). The bottom carburettor had malfunctioned and dripped petrol . Was it the launch that damaged it ? I’ll never really know. My new motor is smaller and lighter and I always unload all the petrol cans to lighten it more before launching . water can still come into the well past your steering cable grommets etc and onto the deck. Hope you were impressed withtheperformance of my new deck pump the other day Graham. So I. Agree with you Graham Ridge is tricky.

Nice one allan, but don't buy that racing pigeon unless it's on its way home from africa! 😄

Doh! I was out there. Should have run a squid rig😞

Thanks Jerry

Great news all went well Greg, now for a speedy recovery. 🤞👍

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

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.

Thanks Chris and everyone for your kind wishes and comments. Although the op went well the recovery time is going to be far more than expected. Typical me impatient!!! This year’s fishing for me has been pretty rough due to the knee issue. However, looking forward to getting out in about 4 to 6 weeks time[emoji106] And yes, that is when the weather will change!!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk