Stuie

DREAM DRIFTER FINDS A COUPLE OF COD Alfie's uncanny nack of putting Dream Drifter over a good cod carried on in this year's competition. Leaving Cobbs with several club boats for the 7.30 bridge Alfie wisely followed Abode 11 through the variable conditions until we arrived at the parking area. After pin-pointed a suitable contour where we dropped the anchor and began the wait for the target species. After about an hour Alfie hauled in a whiting. A while later - still on the ebb, a good bite to Alfie's rod saw the tell-tale nod of a cod, and a good looking specimen of 11lb 12oz graced the deck. Mission accomplished. We persevered with regular changes of bait through the change of tide and after the flood started in ernest I had my first (and only) bite. A slow tussle and retrieve saw a better cod on the surface, with Alfie struggling to fit it in his net. Were we excited or what - 23lb 12oz and my personal best. A further hour saw a pout and a tiny conger to Alfie before we made for home. Alfie took pics on his mobile but we'll have to wait for his computer to be repaired to look at them. Fortunately my wife Barbara took a pic of my fish which still weighed the same at home as at sea. Thanks Alfie for another memorable cod comp - can we make a date for next year?

1.) Martin cherritt. 25lb 2 oz, Branco 2.) Mick Barnes 20lb 1oz, 3.) Tony Deavin 11lb 5oz 4.) Charlie Annear 17lb 1oz, AWOL 5.) Toby Randle 7lb 6oz MONDAR 6.) Alfie Tucker 11lb 12 oz Dream Drifter 7.) Stuart Cooper 23lb 12 oz Dream Drifter

I recently bought a Standard Horizon plotter - after seeking advice from a very experienced and respected charter skipper. I have the CP180 which I bought over the net from Gael Force in Scotland at a respectable price. They do a range of machines - I suspect you may need a larger screen than I do though. They all take the C-Map chart cards. I am really impressed. Have a look Here

Nice session Mike and great variety. Oh to get out there...

Great cod and good read Col. Nigel's Saturday cod isn't to be sniffed at either. Due to commitments it's going to be at least a week before we can get out there. Frustrating or what?

Good report Mike - fishing wasn't bad either.

A great fish and a great event - which seemed to run like clockwork. (I expect Rob & Co will know differently though.) Even the five times thawed curry & chilli tasted good. Can't wait for next year's event.

Great fish and great report Nigel. You weren't tempted to throw it back then I see you already had a cod on board in your species list.

Nigel, still after a new boat? Look here

Cabin Boy was having withdrawal symptoms and needed his string pulled so we had a late trip into Poole Bay dropping the hook north of Old Harry around 1.30pm. Straight into dogs with several double shots. Then a change when sizeable pout travelled through. Another change saw a number of small smoothhounds come aboard. A good session in reasonable conditions with the uptider working well - I don't use it enough. As always, great to be afloat. Looking forward to the next trip - Sunday.

Friends of a friend in Corfe Castle raise money for Cancer Research and they have been given a KILEY RIVER BOX in very good condition. Would anyone be interested in buying it? It's got the drawers, waterproof cover, individually padded buttock cushions and a carrying strap. Anyone interested contact - BOB RICHARDS and his tel no is 01929 480213.

Reckon I'm a nerd then Charlie - a great read.

You got your fix then Nigel - nicely done.

A lawyer boarded an airplane in Halifax with a box of frozen crabs and asked a blond stewardess to take care of them for him. She took the box and promised to put it in the crew's refrigerator. He advised her that he was holding her personally responsible for them staying frozen, mentioning in a very haughty manner that he was a lawyer, and proceeded to rant at her about what would happen if she let them thaw out. Needless to say, she was annoyed by his behavior. Shortly before landing in Toronto, she used the intercom to announce to the entire cabin, "Would the lawyer who gave me the crabs in Halifax, please raise your hand?" Not one hand went up ... so she took them home and ate them. Two lessons here: 1. Lawyers aren't as smart as they think they are. 2. Blonds aren't as dumb as most folks think.

Why's that Mike - so you can head off in the opposite direction?

Didn't go too far out today - a small bass in the haven, further into the bay we had many dogs, a pout and gurnard which kept the interest up. What a lovely calm day!

Sea Dream may well be heading out too - not too early though - with No. 1 son aboard.

Hope it comes complete with window box - Jim needs to keep his hand in.

Many Happy returns Graham. Even if you can't get out today you've had some great trips already this year to remember.

Thanks gents - almost a year in the club now - it's flown by. Great meeting you all.

Out today with No 1 son Glen (with permission of Cabin Boy) Awkward start when engine misfired and shut down twice before starting and running normally. Suspect this was nothing serious as all engine warning lights cleared. Decided to try in the main channel near the Ro Ro for plaice, and to give the engine chance to misbehave. Glen snagged a plaice followed by a feisty 2lb wrasse before we ventured out to the swash. Glen in again - a red mullet. One or two small bream became a nuisance so it was out to the spoils to meet up with Dream Drifter at anchor. Dogfish and some good red gurnard obliged before the tide dropped and interest tailed off. No whiting or cod. Up anchor to drift towards the Whitehouse grounds with more gurnard and a nice bream. Old Harry was 'interesting' on the way round to the bay - and that was it bar an abortive drift south of Hook Sands. Great to be afloat again and engine was fine. Must get organised with an Alderney rig as lifting the anchor doesn't get any easier.

Misleading - no -no surely not the club treasurer. Maybe just a little coy??

Now sold.

So did I Paul - a very belated best wishes from Sea Dream and crew.

Pleased to hear that it's good news Mike - for a change.