Leaderboard

Guys and Gals, following last nights well supported and lively meeting, I was informed of some sad news from one of our long standing members, their support and his attendance record at meetings is outstanding. His wife Elizabeth passed away during our break and we send our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Sole Hunter John and his family. I knew his wife well and her longstanding illness was a very challenging time for all of the family. That did not stop her attending BBQS and the odd meeting between times of suffering. Rest in peace Elizabeth. John was a long time carer and expressed a wish to get back to fishing, his passion. He has a place on my boat whenever we can match up. If you have a comfortable place on your boat trip for a long time member please invite John Dunster out.

Sad news indeed, Rest in Peace Elizabeth after your long illness. I was going to suggest we organise a short trip especially aimed at the older Members, then I realised that most of us fit into that category. Charlie

I think there is some mileage in that idea.

Thanks to Mick for joining me yesterday, even though the forecast showed a lot of rain possible and the tides were on the large side. 0800 at the boat and off we go to see what the sea state was like, it was a bit better than expected so we pushed out, to make the most of slack tide in 27 metres of water. For my first trip of 2026. Even though the wind was light there was still a big swell. We had a variety of baits out and it soon became apparent that most of the whiting had gone, while the weather was rough. The ones we did get were small and went back. The usual species started to nibble. Whiting, Pout and a few congers, then Mick had a couple of Blondes. Well done on getting them up on your whiting traces and 18lb traces. After the swing of tide I joined in with a nice Undulate that bounced the scales between 17lb 2oz and 19lb. I am happy to take the lower weight. At the end of 2025 I tried several places to get one of those, with no luck. Yesterday I had two.😁the second one weighed 9lb 8oz after three hours the tide beat us, [as expected] and we moved in. we tried half way to Swanage, but even though we were getting a few fish, the tide was ripping. Big weights are not really Micks thing so we moved again. finding a calmer spot on the edge of Swanage Bay. The usual doggies were about but no sign of the rays I had hoped for. One more move to the secret ray mark also proved fruitless. By 1600 it was lines up and run for home in fairly heavy rain. For Feb it had not been a bad trip. Great to be out fishing again and in good company, even on a very damp day. lets hope for better weather and calmer seas next time. The de humidifier is running hard today, trying to dry the cabin out.