Stuie

Can't see any flower pots Jim. Are they on order?

Too cold for the fish? http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/10353193.Big_fish_found_on_beach/?ref=mr

A lunchtime start so as to try and make the most of the calmer?? weather saw Ken catch the only fish of a day spent mainly drifting. We started on the patch and his rod hoop over as a 2lb pollock took his bottom bait. Despite several more drifts nothing else showed any interest and a brief spell at anchor - when we were joined by Alfie on Dream Drifter - produced only a few small whelks. A few drifts along the training bank - meeting up with Big Col - were also fruitless. Still, it was good to get out in the balmy sunny weather - I wish... A man I know suggested that the season is 6 weeks late for summer species.

With regard to hooks rotting out - I landed a bass at Hurst last autumn, it was very long but extremely thin and emaciated. It weighed in at 3lb when normally it would have been at least double that. On examining it more closely it had an old looking bronze hook inside and across its gullet, with line attached. Even though it had taken my tiny bait on a size 4, hooked in the mouth, I believe that the other hook may well have been the cause of the fish being so emaciated, possibly preventing the fish from swallowing a substantial meal. I'm sure other anglers have also landed fish with old hooks still in them.

Dicky explains some of the procedure above. The stick is carefully put into the fishes mouth and down past the hook. Spinning the fish wraps the hook around the stick and the fish drops off. It certainly works for me, especially on the smaller species.

I believe that a twizzle stick is a necessity in these enlightened days of catch and return. It makes retrieving hooks from deeply hooked fish so easy and the fish invariably swim off too - that's if you catch one of course. I use a hardwood chopstick, the thin end for tiny hooks and the thick end for bigger hooks. They're simple to use and anyone who doesn't use one is missing a trick in my opinion.

Update - fisherman tells his story. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-21874063

After that catalogue of events it's just as well that you caught, Terry.

Good report Alun, and great that you found the target species after trailling down there.

That's reassuring Brian - well done.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-21782122

Out again this morning - not too early so as to avoid the frost - with non-member Ken with a plan to drift for flatfish in the Bay. We had a steady day managing half a dozen plaice to around a pound. They all came to ragworm despite other baits being tried. They were in 12-14 metres of water and we found nothing closer in. (They don't like the cold either!) Ken broke his duck on a spreader too. Cabin Boy will be having fresh plaice again...

Went out a few miles on some banks off Bournemouth. Drifted unsuccessfully then dropped the anchor. Found plenty of hungry small whiting and the odd pout. Drifted again when tide eased and found a dog as well as more of the above. Coming back in was interesting in the patchy fog - only 100 metres vis near the harbour entrance. Boat worked well and thankful for the GPS in the fog Had to sound off a few times on Big Col's vuvuzela foghorn thingy. Got some funny looks from passengers on the Brownsea ferry.

PM sent

Too much information.

bump

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21598367

Should be published in the 'archives' not in the news... Another heading for the forum???

On the same theme as martin - I use the 'view new content' tab and find it very useful. However - and this may be geriatric me - after viewing the first 'new content' I click the return arrow in the top LH corner of the screen to return to the list of 'new content'. I'd like to be able to go to the next 'new content' without having to go back to the list. Is it me? Stuart

Great news for the good guys - for a change..

Thanks Paul, no problem getting a new password - didn't need any inyourface type account. Can't wait to try uploading pics.

Thanks Martin, I checked with the marina earlier and it it as you say - no cover for theft per se but cover if the company's negligence causes boat owners a loss.