wilful

Tarka V , Gordon and 1 non member

There was a lot of work done on this subject with my dad and the fish recorder for Scotland who was an ickthiologist back in the 80's. The sticks, disgorgers and various other methods, including cutting the hook out (!) were tried on cod pollack and dabs in the Clyde estuary. By tagging these fish and recapture data, the most successful method was one I have adopted since, but see very few anglers use. Not only is it better for the fish, but quicker and easier for the angler. Simply go in through the final gill slit closest to the aftermost part of the gill. ie the closest to the belly. There are no gill rakers to damage or get damaged by. Using either a dexterous finger or long nosed pliers, grab the hook (nb you are level with the gullet, so you don't need to dig unless it literally IS inside the stomach) and reverse its hooking path. Pop it from the flesh and push it bend first up to the mouth. Then simply remove from mouth area. Done in seconds, doesn't rip the flesh as the stick does and leaves only the 2 puncture wounds of the normal hook hold. With practise It is faster than finding a twizzle stick on the other side of the deck and then using it, and you have the necessary wherewithall on you (fingers) to do it anywhere. On very small fish long nosed pliers work fine, whereas a reasonable cod or Pollack is easier with fingers. There is a surprising amount of space in that last gill slit in a fish of even 3lbs. Bass obviously need special care due to the risk of finger slices in that area, so noseys are better......it also helps to get the fish off the hook quickly and get you back in the water for a second stab at the wreck before you've gone over it !! Gordon

Happy New Year to you all! I'm looking at the wx window this weekend, so heading off with 2 crew from Christchurch on Friday pm for Yarmouth where we will overnight. If any of the other members are about, we'll be in the Kings head sampling apple juice and evian!! if you would like to join us. The intention is to get an early start on Saturday on the car park. I know the weather has been prohibitive, but is there still plenty of whiting and cod there? We'll be on channel 6 all day, give us a call if you see us.... Gordon

I'm probably being thick, but I cannot find a way to pay my subs via the paypal link. It takes me on a new member route, but I can't find renewals....HELP ! Gordon

Results! Kind of Magic Black Bream 1lb 11oz - Dave Samuel Court Jester Black Bream 2lb - Neal Sturt Alfresco Black Bream 1lb 15 oz - Stuart Summerell 2lb 0 oz - Charlie Chapman 2lb 3 oz - Will Summerell Wilful black bream 2lb 01 oz Cam Elder (jr non mbr) 2lb 7oz Gordon Elder 1lb 14oz x 2 Martin Jones

1) Allan Green. Crew Dave Samuels and one other on Kind of Magic subject to weather and crew confirmation 2) Graham on Mistress with 2 non members crew (weather, crew and boat dependent) 3] Alfresco, Charlie, Dan, Stuart and Will [Possibly Gordon Moore as well] 4) Neal Sturt - crew tba 5) Chris, Kingfisher with non members as crew 6) Wight Magic Dave - crew tba 7) Gastronaught.........Alun J and Paul F. 8) freeboyz matt+ peter 9) MONDAR - Toby + Crew 10) Gordon Elder on Wilful + 3 non members (Wx dependant)

Some very useful information, Thank you. I think we may have hit on the potential problem. The vendor tells me it is running on a 17" alloy prop 13" dia. He has ran it so few times he says he wasn't aware it could rev more either empty or laden. The guys from the local Mercury/Mariner dealer are going to give it the once over for me just in case there is a cylinder down, but I doubt it as it is purring sweetly (not a missed beat). I have put in a call to Dave , Brian and we are going to go over the stats for the different uses and see if it concurs with the revs expected from a 17" pitch prop. Having fished the Arvor 215 in Norway, I must say I am rather taken by the QS640 and if the way they hold value is anything to go by, they are sought after. Is there anything I should be aware of specific to these boats? Cheers Gordon

I am looking at buying a quicksilver 640 pilothouse and test drove one abroad over the weekend. It is nearly unused and has a 115hp mariner 4 stroke efi on the transom with a 17 inch prop. It stopped revving at 4200rpm which seems shy to me. Is this too much for this setup or is there a more serious problem? I know there are a good few of these in the club so would be interested to know what is working on the prop setup and whether there is anything I should be looking out for please.. Wilful, my beloved 28ft bertram flybridge moored at Tuckton bridge, Christchurch is still for sale due to a buyer who had no money !! I will let her go to a club member only at

1.) Ian Jones - JV 2.) Bob F - JV 3.) Alun J - JV 4.) Martin B Awol 5.) Dean B Awol 6.) RobF - JoJo - with non member 7.) Alfie and Stuie on Dream Drifter [defending Champion 2010] bring it on 8.) Graham + non member Little sal. 9.) Charlie A - AWOL 10. Charlie C Alfresco 11. Dan C Alfresco 12. Gordon Moore Alfresco TBC 13 Stuart Summerel Alfresco 14.Nigel Allen. wishin 15.Mike Toms wishin 16.Craig Jackie Abode 17) Bobi and Colin Boblin 18) Andrew + non member - Conyn Du 19) Chris Enstone plus brother (non-member) - Hilda Maud 20) Tony Deavin - Serenity 21) Paul Dore - Serenity 22) Kev Couzens Yelo 23) Mick Pike Yelo 24) Toby + non Member - MONDAR 25) Jonk + 2 non members clare ann 26) James + 1 non member Dawn Raider 27) Mike Fox as crew on Court Jester 28) Mike 02380 + Mick B (Barney) on R2D2 29) Gordon Elder & Cameron Elder (non member) on Wilful

Strange there is relatively little distance between the spots, but they are holding in the bay. Looks favourite for a trip up to see you all then. I,ll be on 6 and probably the only numpty driving from the flybridge (the joys of having no wheel inside)!

I'm Looking with great interest at the reports of the bream numbers increasing.....Just got to make the time to get out. We are looking at Sunday or Monday for a crack at them and would appreciate some guidance from anyone who has been out more regularly as to whether we stay off Christchurch or head into the bay. Have the bream shown in reasonable numbers off Christchurch yet?

Sounds like a good trip. I am berthed at Christchurch. Are any of the other boats from there ? Do we meet up mid channel or closer to the Mainland? Gordon

I may well be able to bring Wilful on the Alderney trip. I have done Alderney a couple of times without the backup of other boats. It would be goood to know a friendly face is not too far away mid channel. Could you let me know the SP on the trip please, Gordon

Some very sensible comments ! I am an ex master mariner, initially trained with P&O cruises then specialised in dynamic positioning vessels in the oil industry. Our biggest problem with small boats was the inability of radar (3cm or 10cm) to pick up small craft made of wood or tupperware. The existence of an engine which is made of metal does have a marginal effect, but it is just that and can easily be lost in clutter. The height of the radar mast on a ship has a bearing on its efficiency but cannot get over the issue of "black spots" or shadows caused by masts, containers or superstructure, all of which are common problems on the modern ship which has accomodation 3/4 aft.........................the bow alone throws a large blind spot. The point of this background is, we are practically invisible to radar in fog due to our lack of mass and therefore lack of radar reflecting surface and the high absorbancy of our hulls. By the time a large vessel is close enough to pick us up on radar we may be inside a shadow or blackspot on the screen ( Liverpool Bay, an old container ship I was 2nd officer on had a complete blackspot on the radar of 4 degrees either side of the bow for about 4 miles when we carries full height containers on board!). Sound signals in fog are difficult to make unless you have an automatic function on the horn and are in any event of little value to a large ship due to engine noise and closed bridge wing doors! but nonetheless SHOULD be sounded in fog, They certainly assist those of us in smaller boats. Given that we can't change the reflective surface of our hulls, nor their size the problem would appear to be insurmountable, but in fact is relatively cheap and easy to rectify. Radar reflectors have got more effective since the days of a galv pail up a mast and are inexpensive. If you haven't got one and you are in a "non metallic" boat, then assume you are invisible! I have a plotter with excellent refresh, a corrected compass And a reflector, yet of all the things I could mention that were hazardous at sea, fog scares the hell out of me the most. Give yourself a chance and fit a good reflector to cover getting caught in fog at sea, and if you haven't got a radar and the training to use it properly in fog, simply don't chance it and stay in port. No big cod is worth risking the lives of your crew and yourself, though as an angler for 40 plus years I sympathise with that urge to get in amongst them when it's calm! Gordon

I had 2 conger bite through 50lb mono last week so upped the anti and put up a sliding pennel on 130lb Maxima . That stopped em biting through, but not convinced it helps with presentation if the cod are picky........ Lengthwise, about 3 ft seems to do the trick and the extra length helps with presenting on stiffer/thicker line. Gordon

I am a new boy to the club. Gordon Elder with a bertram 28 out of Christchurch. I have picked up that there is a May trip to Alderney in the offing. Would anyone be able to bring me up to speed on it as I may well be interested in tagging along if poss............I am booked for my summer hols taking my boat over in July so would appreciate the run over in May with some other boats. Gordon