Mal Thomas

Happy birthday Graham ,we have been missing your reports. Hope your keeping well.

I have just bought a dream left hand lever drag two speed narrow spooled penn FTH25nld2lh. I have been waiting for this reel for a while to come to the market and now it's here, you may share my excitement.

Birthday wishes to a gentlemen who gives so much to this club. Hope you raise a nice glass of the redstuff and have a good celebration. Cheers

Roger, a great report and very enjoyable read, the more banter the better. Good company and a very enjoyable day out.

The spool tensioner on the side will stop most over runs, I assume you mean a 30yrd lob rather a full on cast.

Having seen the comments, spoken with Neil and looked at the weather, we have taken the decision to CANCEL the comp this weekend and hope for an Indian summer, you never know. Sorry guys but we have to think of everyone. No doubt some may still get a trip in on Saturday as a consolation.

The weather is definately changeable for the duration of the competition and giving us problems making a decision, saturday always has looked the best day. I wonder who is thinking of going out when?????

Hi Pete my name is Mal, my boat is Y-Knot 695 merry fisher in ribs christchurch, will listen out for you on ch6.

I use Lh winds, For £130 ish you can get a good all rounder with a penn fathom 25 good for all uses, will cast no problem, handle big fish and easy to service and maintain. The abu7000 does a LH wind but not as good and the swedish are not manufacturing anymore and quality is down the pan, I took two back with faults. Avet do LH winds and quality but more expensive.

With regards to reels you need to speak to Dave lynes, the reel wizard and a very good angler with a intimate knowledge of reels both from a spares and maintenance view point and usuage. It will probably be easier to tell you the reels to avoid and there are a few that disappoint. Finor reels have a good reputation for build quality, it is all about keeping that salt water out or the ability to drain out after a rinse off. Good luck.

Happy birthday Nige and Barney, have a great day both of you.

I personally believe the specimen weight for Blondes and undulates are out of balance when using the specimen fish calculator for Dorset and Devon, compared with what we are catching. Neil will know better than I, but I bet we had a number of 100% undulates and over. Yet a nice sized blonde ray was caught on the day in the twenty pound range which did not even make the 23lb 100% specimen weight . In my opinion that fish should have one on size and what is becoming a rarity. Just athought, I think we have had very few 23lb specimen Blondes caught this year, or years before, btw I will be happy if Iam wrong, I think specimen undulates are quite regular. May be just for our comps we should adjust the figures on our history of fish caught.

And the water based product is called...........

Does anyone know where the line actually is in the western solent, I dont have a chart to hand. Is lymington in, bramble bank?

Happy Birthday Alan, hope your having a lovely day.

What's the Axiom like, I was going to take a peak at the boat show. Are the images useful to us fishermen?

Mel, has the trim tab had any intefering effect on the transom transducers, ie turbulence when scanning the bottom with sonar.

Welcome to the club Mel, this will lead to confusion no doubt a Mel and a Mal, should be quite amusing. If you need any safety or Vhf courses, send me a message and I will put you in touch with our trainers. Tight lines.

Ray welcome, I would like to offer you some advice, but launching and recovering is not something I do. We have members who may be watching who have plenty of experience, so watch this space. As a new member and a new boat, can I ask if you have had a safety check and engine service on your new boat and whether the vessel is equipped with all the safety equipment? We can organise for all the services if you require help. This may also give members looking on some idea of your approach to boating and safety. As mentioned we can help with VHF radio courses for the license you require to operate a VHF radio. We all listen in on channel 06 if you require some help or advice or would just like to know other club members are near by. Please make sure you are planned and considered with the launching of your new vessel, this can be a tricky maneouvre a few of our members can recall with slight embarrassment. I will watch with interest. Mal Thomas Safety officer.

Happy birthday Lofty.

Good to see you have mastered the web site this is your fountain of all knowledge, the members will always offer help and good advice. Welcome.

Yes still got a new 5kg bruce pattern, £25.00

I would check Christchurch or Poole, they might be heading for Mudeford Quay. In which case it is crabbing with a bucket and crab line.

Some are marked out on the top of igloo fish boxes or similar.

The forecast for the weekend looks good, Iam away on the weekend but I do not think this is going to change, sea breezes this time of the year can make for choppy conditions, so be prepared to take some shelter if it becomes uncomfortable. Tight Lines and enjoy the day, please wear your lifejackets they are no good in the cupboard.