Stuie

Good update Steve. Looking forward to reading further. Some of us can only dream.....

Inquest report here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-24451162

Went out mid morning today with No 1 son intending to target plaice. tried several spots.... in the harbour but there was insufficient wind and/or tide to set up good drifts so out we went into the bay. More wind helped here althouth our first drift was unsuccessful. The second drift ws a different story. Glen snagged a plaice and then I followed suit. Glen had another and I then had .......... a brill - and a keeper too. Four fish in one short drift, it was like someone flicked a switch. We had a couple of good tubs too, and Glen also boated a smaller brill. Wind, tide & weed became a problem so back into the harbour to drift the main channel. Bingo again, four fish in a single drift. We called it a day mid afternoon - fresh fish on the menu again.

Careful Steve, don't go overboard!

Neal took us out to try some inshore banks where we had doggies and smoothies. A move into the bay where we drifted finding plenty of plaice, tubs and scad. Then Neal latched into something that took line. After a brief tussle a good trigger fish surfaced - 2lb 14oz. A short while later my fancy plaice rig was snaffled by a 3lb codling. Not to be outdone Neal found another trigger. A most enjoyable day, thanks Neal.

Ditto Dave. I'll swap one for the two you've already done. Thanks

I use 20lb mono as a leader when using 20lb braid and 30lb mono leader for 30lb braid. Others I know use stronger leader than the braid. I find that usually when I snag i manage to get the leader back. I try to step down breaking strains for rigs which also helps this. I'd be interested to compare braid to leader knots too.

I hope you have a good one - your first boatless birthday for how many years?

I hope you also had a memorable day Mick..

Belated best wishes Nigel - too busy fishing yesterday.....

Great reports and well done all who took part. A special well done to Neal too. A pity to have missed the day. (I had no chance of wetting a line while holidaying in Italy)

Best wishes Allan. I thought of you earlier today when Kind Of Magic motored past us near the training bank. Did you get out for a session?

You MUST be getting another fishing boat, surely........

Plenty of good advice Nick. Also check out the list of marks in the club only section - assuming you have a plotter. Several boats have been catching well in the harbour recently, with plaice and all sorts being caught.

Yes, welcome to the club Dave. 'catchy....... title' Have a good holiday.

Great report & picture too - well done Duncan.

Wow, I reckon we'll all struggle to top that.... dedication paid off big time. Looking forward to reading your new signature.

Good luck with the fix Nigel. Neal told me of your minor!!!!!!! hiccup when we anchored near him at the air show.

I hope you both have a memorable day. Steve you were up early. Was it the excitement of opening presents?

It would be a good idea to make the trip on a flooding tide too.

Best wishes Barry. Wet on the inside or outside?

Went out yesterday with son Glen, an occasional angler, not too early. Stopped on the patch and found mackerel straight away. Baits lowered and straight into numerous wrasse of varying types, bream, Pollack etc. Non stop action for an honour or so on the drift. Saw Brian on Megabyte, no doubt trying out his new bait board.... We moved out and anchored a couple of miles further out. Big baits lowered, one on the uptider. After a few minutes some interest for Glen and his rod took on a satisfying bend. While moving another rod out of the way the uptider showed promise as well and I was able to bully a thornie quickly to the surface and into the boat so as to be free to net Glen's obviously better fish - a good undulate, and his first ever ray. After celebrating the double hook-up we started again. Glen then boated his first tope and we continued with small tope, smoothies and doggies. Back at Cobbs for 5pm - a memorable day.

Good luck all.........

Yes Steve, fortunate to be able to return under your own power - although that is only a small crumb of comfort I'm sure. Good luck with the repairs.

Kayak boots? Are they to help you walk on the water?