jack

Congratulations Chaps,it's nice when things come together...jack

Andy and I left Poole,slid under the Bridge,and stopped at the steps for worm.Disaster,worms all gone by 9'oc.Had to make do with Squid,not too good for our planned activities. However the sea was beautifully calm,and the Sun shone upon us.We headed west,surprised at how few fishing boats were about.Anchored up and found the tide slacked off,so were fishing with 1 & 2 oz.leads.Then for the next 3Hrs we were forced to laze in our directors chairs in the sunshine as we peeled off layer after layer of clothing.Our reveries were interupted only by the need for pots of tea,pork pies; Pasties,and the need to unhook doggie after doggie. [over 30 in all ].My lighter rod baited with a 1/0 and a squid head kept indicating bites and was retrieved each time with the tentacles gone.I thought it might be crabs. Then as we were packing up ,My first rod whacked over and started to click away,leading to the landing of a very handsome thornback [returned with a smile on his face ]. then as I wound in my final bait,I was treated to a wonderful head shaking take,and landed a nice Black Bream,caught on a Squid Head hung on a 4/0 circle hook.I found this hook to have been ideal for the doggies as it cleanly hooked every one in the corner of the mouth where it was easily unhooked.The Bream went back to make lots more. In all nothing to shout about Fishwise,but a "Grand day out".looking foreward to lots more like it... jack

Well done Sam.Great to see a youngster who is actually expecting to have to earn his living in this world [don't get me started on my "media studies " grandson.Keep it up.I am sure iy will all pay off in the end..Good Luck..jack

Thanks Adam..Just the job..jack

Thanks for that Matt.sounds just the job and nicely portable.jack

Great name,say's it all,and one I havent seen before [perhaps the hardest part in boat naming]..jack

Thanks for that Kam.. Andy carries 2 Directors chairs on board,and I spend most of my time sat in mine on the deck,I always stand up when there is a"fish on",I just need to adapt to fishing sat down,! bloody obvious when you think of it !! jack

Thanks for the assorted advice and comments,My last congering episode sparked all this off,and as Duncan said, perhaps I should not set out to do it[congering] intentionally. jack

Did'nt mean to upset you Duncan.I've been told that I cant have surgery on my back,so rather than finishing up unable to fish at all,I was trying to take a few precautions.If push comes to shove I can always get Andy to "crank up" for me,but it's not the same,is it.?.. jack

Congratulations Mike. Andy and I will watch out for you.We have Pal-o mine. on the stack.Hopefully out on Sat.Rapeing the seas again.!!

I remember Mad Mike being advised to get a shoulder harness to help his back problems.I have looked at this solution to ease my back. [yes I have caught fish big enough to strain it !! ]. I see from pic's that the belt clips to the reel lugs.I have them on my 2 largest reels,but not on my most often used ones. Is there a way to secure to the rod in use,or is that not practical ? jack

And to..;.. Buy lots of tissues. Learn lots of new swear words about the E.U. Get several good sets of oars.[contact job centre for Polish workers,said to be cheap, and efficient too.] Look at the possabilities of adding a sail. Explore closer fishing options,i.e, Cobbs marina,or Salterns[which is better ? ] Or just "bite the Bullet". Top up your Diesel boat and "off road Juggernaught",and carry on supporting our wonderful country. jack

Just as if we would...!!..jack

I really don't know why this chap doe'snt give up fishing and turn full time to "Charlie Chaplin style" movies.He's certainly got the aptitude for it. jack

Hi Alun.Andy and I gave you a wave when we were coming back in from our engine warm-up ride.Did'nt realise it was you and Adam. I do admire your new boat,and remarked on how business-like it looked and was handling well in such lumpy conditions,well done on the fish too...p.s where's your pennant [or was it too windy ?]...jack

I have SIX hooks from very little to quite large.They have lasted me well for the last ten years ,but are getting a bit thin now,due to having to scrape the rust off them for the first 4 years.I now keep them in an oil filled Tupperware box,and take them home every couple of months to wash/polish and examine them.Fortunately they don't often get messy fish on them ,so I expect them to last a little bit longer yet.I keep the points in trim with a diamond nail file,aas I find this does not remove too much metal.then a light rub over with jewelers rouge,and its just like new. jack

Sat.17th ..Andy & I went out P.M. just to give the engine a run,Poole harbour was "lumpily slight; Swash Channel was "windily Slight".and off old Harry,was "very roughly Slight". The wind was'nt too tropical either. jack

Thanks for tips and advice,I will start afresh,I don't catch enough to risk losing the ones that I do,through faulty gear. jack

some old some new.entertaining nevertheless. jack

I forgot to mention in my last fishing report,but my 35lb. braid line,purchased about 18 months ago.snapped twice. there did'nt seem to be any abrasion damage,just a clean break each time.Doe's braid deteriate if left wet on the reel.or doe's it just deteriate with age? or did I just have crap braid [it was a good brand name ], it may have been fresh-water braid.is there any such thing? jack

Does'nt matter who was first Terry.A good report from both of you.Cheered me up after checking this week-ends weather,I can see Andy getting suicidal soon.!! jack

I often walk out along the road to Hengetsbury head.Can I fish from the roadside? I have a rivers licence but not a permit from Christchurch A.C. .Or hopefully is this classed as the sea.?If it is'nt the sea,where does the sea start ,as seen from the "little train" route ? jack

Crikey Terry,You found something my Mrs, would'nt be any good at.!!jack

Nice one Lads. Good to see everything coming together for you.Lets hope it is a sign for a good season to come....jack

Nice Graphics and name choice Adam.Although I am not altogether sure that "Into the Blue" would not be more appropriate,in your case.Cheers...jack