niggle

Great crack was always guaranteed with Nigel onboard. Us old danglers can always come up with a tale or two.
 
Good to see the codfather back on the end of a rod

A long standing retired member Nigel Allen excepted an invite out on Kingfisher whilst on holiday from work. We set out from Cobbs on Sunday for a mixed fishing day. Mal got their a little early as most of you will know and set up Kingfisher for the trip, kettle on and raring to go.
The day started looking for the elusive Mackerel, which I think ended up as 2 individually caught by NA and one joey later by MT. Many hours with 2 rods and lazy lines over the side, how ridiculous. As you can imagine that started the I remember when stories, you only had to go outside Swanage and drop some feathers and you had bait for the day. Those days are long gone along with other species. With big tides we managed our time in deeper waters, after a few bream and one small undulate we made our move out towards some banks for a drift.
Bass first drop and then 3 on a line of feathers with a slow jig, only two made it into the net. Good size for eating so we took some for the plate and returned the rest for another day.
The banter was wicked as always, nothing was missed and everything got a cheeky comment followed by a chuckle which often ends in a coughing session with us old gits.
Just enough fish to keep us entertained, later in the afternoon the white tops made a show beam on and bumpy, as always Kingfisher just keeps pushing on through it and is so reassuring. By the afternoon a beer was calling before we needed a knap before bedtime.
Great day with old buddies, such a joy to have Niggle the "Cod father" back out fishing.  

As you can see above the original plan was cancelled due to the forecasts, but Dave and I were still keen to try and make the  most of it. Especially as I had invited Will and Gordon . Ten years after we had a fantastic fishing holiday together, on Ascension Island.
We met up for a curry on Thursday evening, trying to limit the fishing chat, because Wendy and Aide joined us.
 
Fridays new plan.
On the boat at 7am and off out to look to find some bait fish. Then out to try a few wrecks
With the company of our friends on Reel Magic.
First time this year, part A achieved. 30 of these in the coolbox

 
Lets push on out 20 miles and hope for some clear water. Great to have the team back together again

 

 
Catching up.
 
The first wreck was barren in a fairly choppy sea and stiff breeze, so on we go.
Its been a long time since I had Gordon onboard so a few reminders were needed on techniques.

 
he must have been listening as he kicked our butts.

 
Breaking his PB 3 times. First at 9lb 8
 
We all had a few fish, but it was more them than me as I kept snagging up

This one 14lb
 
and finally a beast of 17lb

 
Dave even added a small cod to his species list, a very rare fish indeed over recent years. Well done mate.
 
After we had plenty on Ice, and a very nice chicken curry. we headed off to a deep spot and dropped anchor.
There were a few tope about but at slack we had quite a few Huss

 
 
 

 
Nothing huge, but at least we were getting some fish.
All too soon it was time for home.
 
Wendy was away and Will was staying. so we decided that cooking up some fresh mackerel would make a fine dinner, washed down with something cold.
 
Saturday day 2 would start the same way , except Dan was able to join us, 0700 at the boat, some hellos and off we go.
Stopping briefly to pick up some more bait.
 
As  sometimes happens on day 2, the wrecks were slower.
Although Gordon did have a small cod, with some pollack. 
Dan managed to Christen a new rod with a fish of 11lb 8oz

 
Once again we enjoyed a great lunch then set off to anchor a really deep gulley.
Dropping fresh baits into that was very exciting, the Tope were on them within minutes, there were plenty of decent ones and they were hungry.
Dan had the biggest, but it escaped as I attempted to lift it onboard so no photo sadly
 
After the tide started screaming we headed off for some banks on the way in and got the lure rods back out.
We struggled for a few drifts, but Dave's crew were getting lots of bass.
A tweak of tactics had us joining in.
Final score Reel Magic 20, Alfresco 6
You cannot win them all.
 
In late after a calm steam back to Poole.
Mackerel had been so good last night, we took more home to enjoy again with Wendy
 
Sunday Day 3
A much smaller tide, but still an 0700 start
 
Bait was hard to catch, but we had plenty onboard so headed off to the Shambles
Passing the ledge there were lots of birds , but we decided to stick to plan
 
A fish on the second short drift seemed to feel good

 
But it was a tough day

 
We only managed 5 and only took one home
 
No sign off feeding birds on the route home either. It had been a much slower day.
But still enjoyable seeing Chris and Kev on the banks and having Dave in company once again.
 
We had made the very most of a few days with poor forecast, enjoying some great sport on two of the days.
Lots of miles covered, excellent company of good friends.
Even the sun shone.
 
Ended on Sunday night by going out for dinner again in Wimborne. Home for a few drinks and an early night.
 
Great fun 
 

Happy birthday Nige

Hope you had a great day


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Have a good one Nigel

Another one sneaks by Nigel, hope you’ve had a good un. 🎂🎉🍻

Happy birthday Nige 
hope your having a great day 🍺🍰

Happy Birthday Nige 🎂🍰
Enjoy the day 🍾🍺🍷

Happy Birthday Nige

Have a goodun 👍

Wishing you a very happy birthday Nige

Happy birthday Nigel 

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to Nigel
Happy Birthday to you.
 
 

 
 
65 eh?
One more year and you can give it all up. 👍
Then you'll find out what busy REALLY means.  🤣
Enjoy your day.
 
 
 
 

I hadn't had a Sole this year so a good window appeared Saturday/Sunday night, the weather looked good both days so we organised a day out Sunday to. 
We left Cobbs for the 5.30 bridge having had a bad run down, a huge amount of unhealthy food that could be microwaved and a good supply of Guinness zero we got to the bridges.
 Crew looked upset, "I've left the Guinness behind!!" hey ho. Our plan was Squid, Cuttle , and Sole  Saturday night then Plaice on Sunday with Stuie. We got down the front trying for Macks but none obliged, an hour of daylight and a couple of drifts produced some Plaice but all small. Down with the hook as darkness fell only to find my anchor light had blown which left me a bit twitchy, luckily flat calm and no wind except 3-4mph SW. The fun fair raged on the pier followed by a firework display just as caught my first Squid on a jig. The Squid and Cuttle were not throwing themselves at us but a steady flow gave us nearly a bucket full. All this time we had 4 Sole rods out, every single cast single or double shots of Pout, then the Congers started, from bootlaces to feisty 15lbs EVERY SINGLE DAMN DROP!!!!! Usually taking the Pout which had just eaten the Sole bait, we had one occasion where a Pout took the worm, a conger about 3-4lbs took the Pout and a 15lbs Conger then ate the pair of them!!!! Cannabalistic Congers (could be good to thin them out!!)
So we moved, the disco at Studland was that loud we could pick out the tunes and sing along, a lot of Bowie which i like. MORE Conger and Pout, another move and same again. It was about 2am now and i was getting fed up with straps and Pout so said to J2 i was going to put my head down for an hour. He was into another fish and suddenly a shout, grabbing the net i looked over to see a Turbot i thought which turned out to be a lunker of a Plaice on the first dropper, followed by a Pout on the second and b----r me a chunky Sole on the bottom dropper!!!!! My crew really do have golden goolies!!!. Obviously sleep was forgotten but only more conger, and pout and small Bream, a few squid and Cuttle followed. I did mange a great Red Mullet and a few strings of Scad as daylight broke.
ALL night a trawler was working south of us around Dolphin Sands and another just East of East Looe in front of Sandbanks and Canford Cliffs really close in.
We headed in to get Stuie from Cobbs on the 7.30 then out with him on 8.30. First drift in the Swash as per usual Stuie had the first Plaice, some Wrasse Giltheads and Plaice to follow. The weeds and crowds started around 10 so off down the front. A few bits and pieces but nothing exciting, around 12 j2 and me were begining to flag and the wind was getting up, so we tried the Patch, with no new speices and wind getting even more we headed in for a Gilt in the harbour before getting the 2.30 bridge.
We had a great trip ticking the boxes but a shame we didnt find a few more Sole. Brilliant to have Stuie on board showing us how to do it, but i have to say the body does not like doing straights any more!!! It never used to be a problem but i certainly new it after driving back to Wiltshire. Hopefully a photo if i have sorted out my JPEG from my HEIF!!!! 

A great day out for me on Y-Knot with Mal, thank you. Lovely day in great company. Photos to follow. 

11LB smoothound.

Out on Friday and Saturday in Poole area with the two Trevor's. Both days went well with plenty of fish, Tope to 30lb, Smooth Hound 11lb, Congers, Bass, Bream.
The weather good both days with some intervals when it got a little bumpy. Both Trev's are good company and a very sociable enjoyable weekend. Plenty of laughs and a bit of banter and a few dodgy knots to laugh about. 1 mackerel over two trips and 4 lazy lines out most of the time.
Martin was along side on Saturday. (They get up late in Poole). We had been on anchor for a couple of hours😄. In good club spirit, we delivered some bait over as we past by.
On Friday TT and I spotted a Sib by Hengistbury going back to Christchurch and we both said ‘sod that for a game of soldiers’. Today, at the boat show, I spoke to a couple and … guess what? ….it was them. What are the chances of that?
TW done a great job on the wash down and left me with little to do. I was pretty exhausted after two days, definitely feeling my age, but still had a blast, thanks guys for a lovely weekend.

With a changeable forecast we had a few alternative plans, hide or run deep, run deep won, we really like that unknown catch element. The sea was moderate with a forecast to reduce and it did. It turned out to be a calm day at Sea with limited visibility all day, the Needles were not always there, similarly Old Harry. Inshore mackerel were elusive, but we had some on anchor, just enough for the day, plus frozen for chopping up and feeding at the stand. The day was even longer than my last at 14 hours, but every minute was nearly enjoyable.
On this mark, on two visits, I have been beaten up by something very large, that was the not so enjoyable bit. Both times it has bitten through immediately or swipe through 80lb hook length way up the trace. New hook length 130lb, and if it is what I think it might be, I will drop a wire down for good measure as well on the next visit. Dropped the anchor down about 8.00am, we had a bit of flood and all the Ebb before we headed back to port. We have never seen so many 12 inch congers, we moved 500yards and left them behind. The witching hour was upon us and the rod tips did not disappoint, plenty of fish including Blondes up to small doubles, Tope and a good Bull Huss of 10lb. We really need to keep an accurate tally, we had plenty of sport all day and all fish returned except for the mackerel. A good smooth run in followed by a good wash down and a pint of Guinness to end a great day with my good buddy.

Had a trip out Saturday as the Easterly was low enough to give it a try as the rest of the week looks a write off. 
Eldest son James asked if his father in law Tim could join us so off we went. Comment as we went under the bridge never been sick on a boat ever from Tim 🫣, his daughter suffers from travel sickness if she isn’t driving and Lenny my Grandson has been seasick both times he’s been out, 🤷. 
Anyway, cracking morning and no wind at all until off Old Harry and then not too bad.
Plan was some bassing then anchor over the slack etc, I decided I would try for some fresh Maccy’s while the others went for bass. 
Well the bass came quicker than the mackerel again after several drifts producing fish every drift but nothing for me! 
Then James and Tim managed to tangle on the way down and I got hit at last, only problem was it was bass on the feathers all of them and the Dexter lure. 
I got them up and James managed to get three into the net the biggest on the Dexter snapped off in the commotion but the others were all keepers so can’t complain. 
By now Tim had started to ground bait for us which really wasn’t working because of the tide. 🤷🤮 so we now know what side of the family the motion sickness comes from.
We carried on until the tide backed off and dropped the anchor for a bit of fun.
Still no fresh mackerel but had squid, frozen mac etc, we had congers, some lovely bream and again a screamer run off but as soon as pressure put on the line the leader cut through 6-7 from the hook, thresher tail maybe? 
By then the small showers were getting heavier so we decided a couple of bass drifts on the way back and call it a day.
It started blowing abit and the rain heavier we had a drift and called it a day as we were drenched through. 
It never stopped all the way in, bumped into Martin B on the pontoon who kindly bought us a pint, a coffee and shower should have been what we needed, but what a gent. 👍👏
 
Boat didn’t need a wash down after the last couple of days!! 😂
 
When James got home Lenny had drawn a picture of his dad and both of his grandads out fishing together.
 
 

Weather window was ok until Sunday lunchtime so J2 and i escaped Wiltshire late Saturday afternoon, rain seemed to follow us unfortunately so early bridge 6.30 helped us get out to the banks with the tide. I again got the tides wrong but luckily spoke to Charlie and Dave the day before who said they were much bigger than i thought. Fishing lures as Macks didn't show, we found Bass but not in great numbers, J2 led the way and showed me how to do it, most were in the 4-5lbs class so we had fun on really light lure rods. Lazy lines produced a few Mackerel for anchoring at slack water.
We dropped the hook when the tide dropped to 2.5 knots!! Hoping for Tope and Rays J2 had a goof bite and played a really good fish on a 20-40 Century boat rod for 10-15mins, just as the fish was getting under the boat BANG, the rod broke 18 inches from the tip, he played the fish for another five minutes until it cut the braid well up the line, Tope????!!! 
We then started to achieve and get decent Tope to the boat with two over 30lbs, Alfresco was close by so called them up and they joined us, unfortunately everything went quiet except Congers and a Blonde Ray. Alfresco headed in and we decided we would use the last two Mackerel and then follow them, two more good Tope and a Blonde followed quickly and we headed to get the 4.30 bridge.
I am still struggling to download pictures but Charlie is going to help out!!!!
PS we found a Whiting in one of the Bass we kept, oh dear Autumn is coming.

Left Cobbs at 6.45am on Sunday with my eldest son James and his son Lenny , his first fishing trip with his grandad and he had been telling me the night before at a BBQ at theirs he was going to catch a shark, so no pressure! 🫣
While leaving the harbour through the entrance I noticed a marker bouy with a small fender being used as a Taylor bouy in the tide just off North Haven mast. Suspect fishing nets been laid overnight across the entrance!! 
As it was and would become a hazard as the traffic increased I radioed Harbour Control and reported it and they sent someone to investigate.

 
i listened on Ch 14 and when they got there the fishing boat was trying to retrieve their suck net! 
As this was going on Barfluer asked for permission to leave their berth to go to France and were refused as there was a hazard in the shipping channel and were asked to hold station. They were soon on their way but it shows the impact peoples actions can have on others. First thing worth reporting.
But the main thing worth reporting is we went Bassing, and James caught a mackerel on a Bass lure, what a result a mackerel and we weren’t even fishing for them. 👏👏

 
As Lenny wanted to catch a shark I hoped a fresh mackerel may encourage a tope or two over slack water, by then Lenny was producing his own ground bait, bless him as the wind had started to increase.
The tope didn’t show up but an LSD did so managed to blag him with a mate of a shark story.
Took his mind off the waves by letting him drive back so he was happy, auto pilot worked overtime though.
He slept well and has been telling his mum all about it today so it sounds like it all worked out fine. 

 

I will try to do these in order

Fish on

Hang on Dave
 
 

An idea of the tackle being used, to look after the fish's welfare and keep the fight short.
 
 

Colour, Wow a thresher!!



 
It buggers off again

 
Great fish , well done mate

 
Well deserved reward

 
Nice fish. 

Haven't done one of these for a while 
As Charlie is  much better at doing them
With the weather looking reasonable Sunday and me and the crew having other commitments Saturday 
A quick plan was made Mark and Mick met at the boat just after 8
We headed out to see if we could find any fresh bait nothing found so with the frozen bait decided to have a go with that
Quick chat with Jerry and we were anchored about 100m apart a bit slow with only a few strap congers a small bass and then I managed a tope to about 30lb 
A decision was made to try a drift for shark's now I've been trying quiet hard the last 2 year's to get one so conference wasn't high but the crew agreed to give it a go 
We started drift about 1.30 and was going to give it a few hour's 
Well we started getting a few mackerel after about an hour so they were changed from the frozen one's 
Which seemed to do the trick as we had a big run On the furthest rod out but as we were clearing the other rod's the fish spat the hook 
But it had really but a good bend in the rod so confidence was high and the rods were deployed again 
Which was good as about 40 mins later 2 of the rod's showed some interest 
Then the second closest rod screamed of the other rod's were cleared and the fight began fighting belt attached and 30min later and a bit of dancing around the boat we get estimate 200lb thresher shark upto the boat were we leader it take as many photos as possible then released it mission accomplished 
Hopefully some one might be able to add some photos