lofty

Part two on next thread

Spring heralds the proper fishing and as the plaice chase was held a bit later, it coincided with the arrival of the big black bream, and Swanage was on fire. Everyone fished by the top secret blue boy and bagged up. This was a small one around 2, but I know of some nudging 5 lbs. Its been an exceptional year for black bream locally Swanage also saw me get my PB small eyed ray, and then beat it twice Swanage was the first of the "Big" competions of the year as far as I was concerned and we had a fantastic day, if not marred by the result being controversial. A few from the day Spot the Stugeron I was put off of Tanners Lane this year after hearing of car break ins, so I tried a new spot,lepe, with a new chum, Digger, and we had a good day on the bass. No monsters but good sport

The trophys from the plaice chase, supported by Pbsbac, and support boats. Cam won year one Jason Stanbridge won this year There are no sponsors for this meet, no big prizes, no caterers, but it always impresses me the effort my chums make to get a launch at this meet. Fabulous to meet friends old and new This is where many off us said goodbye to Cam, without knowing http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g388/photolofty/april/IMG_3377.jpg

Bear with me, there's a few posts Here goes With some time to kill I thought I'd review my kayak fishing year It started with me purchasing a marlin from Kaskazi UK. I'd tried one out at a meet, and really enjoyed it, but after using mine for a while I found it didn't suit my style of kayak fishing, although I did get some good fish across the gunnels I had a few warranty issues with the fish box and Simon was an absolute star when I asked about the possibility of moving to a Dorado 2. I can not emphasise enough how good the customer care and service is I've received from Simon. He bends over backwards to keep the customer satisfied. That sort of service builds brand loyalty. I excitedly took possession of "Slice of Life" As many are aware I put on a meet each year, the Poole Bay Plaice chase, and this years was to be memorable for good and bad reasons. In the autumn of 2013 I had a very public and upsetting falling out with Cam Clearie on AA. Regretfully we stopped talking and fishing together. Following the winter flounder meet Cam was to get the tragic news that he was dying of cancer. We started to correspond again and had many phone calls regarding his awful situation, but mostly we talked about kayak fishing. We were both eager to put our falling out in the past and move on, and I was proud to have him participate in the 2014 plaice chase. It was to be his final meet. Cam and Si at lake I tried Lilstock in the spring and had my first ray on the D2 In April, the Plaice Chase I love this meet. It's not about the quality of the fishing, it's about kicking off of the seaon

They're tough little buggers that's for sure. I knew this tiddler wouldn't make the grade so I decided a drive across town was not on the cards for this flobber

Went down Branksome at 9 knowing what I'd find but hoped against hope. White horses meant a no go. Back home to swap out my rods for flounder gear, popped in Wessex and grabbed some rag, and headed to Lake. What a stunning view The usual beach shot Launched and paddled over to the bridge. Spent an hour here but nothing doing. This put a bend in my lrf gear These didn't What do you expect on the 31st December? Great productive spot I found Right on the curve of the river, funnelled them into a channel Five in an hour and a half And as I use kamasan size 2 match hooks they pull out easily and all flobbers swam away strongly from the beach Great end to my 2014

Sorry. Posted to soon. Would love to see a photo or two of those lovely beastys

Photos?

Went looking for a flounder for the comp today. I've been off the water for three weeks and going a bit stir crazy. Well I probably bit off more than I can chew by the Popeye shoulders I've now got. Launched at evening hill at 8ish and headed over to Brownsea. Round the back and past Furzey and Green Paddled across and drifted the channel down to Goat Horn. Had a seal join me but was brilliant at submerging when it came to photos About here Anchored up and within 5 minutes had my first and only flounder of the day Popped him in the bag and over the side. Later tried the castle for a mini species Stuck on 30( same as last year) Paddled back to evening hill and weighed my weenie flatty. 14-8 Not worth a drive to Cobbs to kill it Still kicking and going so back it went Landed ,loaded, and left by 3.40. A good day for my soul

Definitely

My effort today 14.8 oz or 420grammes Didn't think it worth weighing in so back she went

Well done you hardy souls Bring on the flounders ( lol)

I'm sure it's cod on Sunday and flounder on Monday . Neal will confirm I'm sure

1) Court Jester Neal + crew TBA 2) yelo Jacob, Kev, plus more 3) Libby.. Martin c + crew TBA 4) Warren Rich + Alun 5) lofty - kayak

It's looking great

Merry Christmas gang

Happy birthday Neal

With bad weather forecast we were down on number this year, with only 29 brave souls taking to the water. After the safety brief we launched into a constant 20+ mph I headed straight for a mark that served me well a week before It was crap. I flounder that I knew would be too small and straight back it went. Horrible squalls occasionally pushed through so I decided to not have a move but to feed the crabs from this one spot. 3 hours later and most people had had enough. Steve "maver" was fishing next to me and he must have read my mind as he was first to pull the hook. There were lots caught but seemed to be very area specific. If you were on them you were on them. A very fast paddle back with the wind and tide doing the work I watched all of these swim away strong The weigh in saw a clear winner just shy of 2 lb. Martin Collison ( paddle) was the winner, with Pbsbacs Paul Fennel from HOW sharing the funds raised with Poole Rnli . A great last meet of 2014 and looking forward to seeing my mates again soon

That would be good Mike. There's 30 + going on Sunday Perhaps the Rnli might bring some down?

Weathers looking a bit iffy. Ok for me but what about boats?

Saw the window and went for it. Wasn't as big a window as it was horrible by lunchtime. Loads of whiting , a few keepers. No takes on the rag. All action on the squid The launch was beautiful This is what it looked like at 8.30 And two codling, bonus Midday it turned nasty and I was back on shore by 2.30 Enough for tea for two. Watching the weather for next week now

1) Kingfisher - Chris Witheford crew TBA 2) Court Jester - Neal, Stuie 3) Marlin - Greg Toms Crew TBA 4) Slice of Life - Lofty( kayak) 5) Geordie Bri- Brian Chapman(kayak)

Me ,Bri and Matt launched at lake in a dark and gloomy morning. Crap tides too but nice to get a launch when the weathers been so crap. We wanted to see if the flounders were here in any numbers. We all caught today. Six for me. Five for Bri. Two for Matt. A hundred crabs per fish seems to be the ratio. Also loads of silver bait robbers The wind eventually dropped and the sun came out as it went down. A few photos from the day

If the cod grounds were in range for me Id be going cod fishing. I say rerun the comp on the same day as the flounder comp. Cod fishermen will be doing the other comp anyway. Catch a flounder on the way home. Win both. So my vote is to put both on the 7 th

Nice little window,once the heavens had emptied. Up at 5 and on the road. 2 hrs from mine to BA ( plus a 15 coffee stop in Narnia to pick up some bits), set up and on the water at 8.15 Once the clouds passed the sun came out on my upturned rosey cheeks Lovely day but the dogs came out big time. Had a small pouting which went down as a lively. Didn't last long with a long slow pull. Conger I reckon Ebbing tide bought the best of the fishing. Fought my PB BA snake to the side, probably high teens, but cut him off as he looked 'orrible and was deep hooked. More dogs then a typical ray bite and a monster thorny graced my deck. Biggest I've had. Two more smaller ones kept it interesting Water the colour of sh1te Target species didn't show for me but great to get a launch at a great venue A few scenery shots to cheer you up if you got wet today Off the water at 1.45 http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g388/photolofty/knobember/B494DC5B-B16B-4483-87B4-856B44566AA8.jpg