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Big fish on, very local

Sorry Colin new Club Record. 4lb 6oz Fought well.

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

Our Chairman into one of his beloved rays

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!!!!!

I am in Guernsey for a few days, obviously an island hugely dependent on fish, especially Mackerel which is in every restaurant either as a starter or main course. Perhaps we as a club and individuals we could have some copies of the above to give to restaurants on our travels and even invite a local paper or papers to a club meeting to explain what is happening to the Mackerel in our waters which could lead on to the f——g trawlers we all hate!! &nbsp We all know how much the fishing has deteriorated over the last 10-20-30 years, everything in the ocean is being raped and pillaged, so maybe the humble Mackerel would be a good one for us as a club and individuals to get on our soap boxes about???

How do we as a Club or individuals get behind this urgent need for change?

This is something we have saying for the last 6 or 7 years. Mackerel are a now rarity in our area and year on year becoming harder and harder to find in fact most of us, apart from a lazy line have given up.

Two Gordon’s and Andy on Isabella out of Burravoe Cod! Haddock (preferred target), mackerel, wrasse and dogfish and maybe ling. Nobody buys fish on Yell.

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

This is my first sight of this post, it has driven an intelligent discussion and debate within the Club and no doubt beyond, in turn this generates website posts and stops us all from becoming unmotivated and not having an opinion, whilst of course entertaining Greg's during his rehabilitation. I think you could change the title from Mackerel to a number of fish and Creel the food for fish. You should watch Natural Geographic Tv film on Tuna. Greg, it is worth a watch if you can find it. The Environmental Scientist have done extensive research into fish stocks taking over twenty years around the world especially on valuable and most consumed and over fished. They then inform the fisheries agencies around the world what they consider sustainable quotas, the Agencies and Local Governments around the World then rip up these suggested Quotas and set the tonnage sometimes five times higher to suit the local and worldwide markets to aid them in becoming very rich, whilst they suggest the business is valuable to their local economy. Unfortunately the fish markets and selling of fish has always had a large black market operation which drives owning bigger ships and profiting on greed from a free resource. They have even bought Aircraft to fly over the Seas to spot shoals of fish and direct their fleet towards the fish. This is how twisted it all is, they know it will lead to depleted stocks and no fish to catch in the very near future. But they won't stop because they risk someone else jumping in and profiting on what they see as their free resource, when in fact fish stocks are a world wide economy and should be protected by a World Wide Agency with teeth that actually control the quotas. All these practises and mistakes have been made before with Herring and Cod to name just two, Nova Scotia was built on Cod Stocks until it emptied the waters of Cod. Now the ships are bigger, the search equipment and technology so good very little escapes a deployment of the factory ships nets. Whole shoals are wiped out never to return unless the world unites on fishing. Guess what it is unlikely to happen and on that cheery note I will end.😒

We cannot say that Terry, I understand where your coming from, but we must be able to do something as a club and individuals surely? I have told various non angling friends about this over the last couple of years and no one can believe it.

Looks like it's trying to phone home! R

Nice one Charlie. We are in Alderney for the festival,I expect by the time we get back the Triggers will have gone, so will have to wait till next year to beat that one.

Thank you Colin for your wise words as always. Much appreciated [emoji106] Greg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hope it's short term pain but for long term gain Greg then happy fishing and happy life will return, go careful and be patient. 👍. Colin

Dan and I are hoping to go Thursday, he has work booked in Friday

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

I didn't hear it tweeting on channel 6. 😄

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.

Don’t worry Greg we will take advantage of your gift of good weather 😂 hope your recovery isn’t too long even if it does put a damper on the weather

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 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

Home NewsMackerel Meltdown: Industrial Greed Pushes Stock to 20-Year Low Marine 30 September 2025 Mackerel Meltdown: Industrial Greed Pushes Stock to 20-Year Low The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has delivered today shocking advice: commercial catches of Northeast Atlantic mackerel must be cut by 77% in 2026 if the stock is to stand any chance of recovery. Mackerel populations are now at their lowest level in more than 20 years. Once one of the UK’s most iconic and accessible fish, the humble mackerel is facing a crisis caused by decades of political inaction and industrial overfishing. A Story of Mismanagement Since 2010, quotas for mackerel have, on average, been set 39% higher than the scientific advice. In total, over one million tonnes of mackerel have been taken in excess of what scientists recommended in recent years. This is the direct result of coastal states failing to agree on a sharing arrangement, leaving the door open to excessive quotas and free-for-all exploitation. Why Anglers Should Care For recreational sea anglers, mackerel is more than just a species – it’s a symbol of summer. From jigging feathers off a pier to introducing children to their first catch on the beach, mackerel fishing is one of life’s simplest and most joyful pleasures. But while families with a rod and line make memories along the coast, industrial-scale pelagic fleets have been scooping up vast quantities of mackerel and undermining the sustainability of local coastal communities that depend on healthy seas. If this trajectory continues, the David vs Goliath battle between coastal communities and industrial offshore fleets will only end one way. What Must Happen Next The Angling Trust is calling for: Coastal states to agree on a sustainable, science-based sharing arrangement for the Northeast Atlantic mackerel. Governments to stop ignoring ICES advice and cut commercial catches by 77% in 2026. Recognition of the importance of mackerel for recreational anglers and local communities, not just industrial fleets Stronger international accountability mechanisms to prevent chronic commercial overfishing of shared stocks. A Fight for the Future Mackerel should be one of the UK’s great success stories: abundant, accessible, and vital to the marine food web. Instead, it is now a case study in what happens when short-term politics trumps long-term sustainability. For sea anglers, the thought that a family might no longer be able to go down to the beach, cast a line, and catch a few mackerel to take home is heartbreaking. That simple pleasure is being stolen by industrial greed. The Angling Trust will continue to fight to make sure the voice of recreational sea anglers is heard loud and clear in this debate – and to ensure future generations can still enjoy the thrill of catching mackerel from our shores. You can join the fight by becoming a member of the Angling Trust today.

I'm shocked to learn that us and the Norwegians are, arguably, the biggest harvesters of Atlantic mackerel. So, perhaps we could do some good. Terry.

Its not just the Russians though, there are Scottish super trawlers getting a million pounds a time, for their catches by taking them alive to Norway. For export to Japan

Unless they can bring the Russians on board who have the biggest industrial harvesting machines which seem to operate anywhere they like, very little hope. Terry.

Madness is going out this coming Friday with Tony D And Phil T onboard Anyone else taking advantage of the light winds? If you are we will be monitoring Ch6

Will be out with Nigel on Lady V

Hope the walk goes well Graham

Ill be somewhere up Snowdon this weekend. Tight lines. I hope we all have favourable weather.

Thanks Charlie, You are totally correct Charlie. The problem is they discharge you so quickly that it is difficult to take everything in. I did accidentally overdose on the Morphine at home on Saturday afternoon and I would not want to do that again!!! Nearly had to have the ambulance out as my oxygen levels dived. But all good now and as each day goes by it seems to get a bit easier to cope with. Greg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Speedy recovery Greg Try to be less impatient and follow the medical advice. Sounds a bit tough to do though.

Brilliant report Jerry after what looks like a great use of a couple of calm days. Some excellent bass fishing. Great to see you had Stuie onboard on a day with plenty of fish and a nice calm sea. I bet you both really enjoyed making the most of your day. The sharks can wait for another chance. Charlie

Well done for getting lots of steps in and fresh air over the weekend Mal That is a very impressive list of birds spotted. Charlie

Our waters, so chuffed to get it really close to home.

Great report Mal. And a brilliant walk. Even better seeing the Crossbill, very common in the North. I would say Sika. Thanks Greg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Brilliant reports Jerry Also great to see Stuie out with beaming smiles[emoji3][emoji3] Thanks for sharing. Greg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'd suggest Sika, I'd confirm if in focus! R

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! 😄

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. 😃

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.

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.