bootlegger

Myself and Dan, after a very hot and enjoyable 4th of July out on Bootlegger down at Swanage decided to venture out again today after the storms. We decided to feather for mackeral of Bournemouth pier and then try and locate a nearby wreck. After feathering for only 10 minutes we had a good half a bucket of mackeral, unfortunately that was the highlight of the day. The wreck was vey small and although accroding to our charts, chart plotter and GPS we were over it we couldn't locate it on our sonar. So after searching without finding we decided to run the marks along Bournemouth and Poole. First stop was Southbourne rough, fishing just off the pipeline we caught a couple of late Bream, lots of bites but nothing else. We then moved off the fish Bournemouth Rocks, after drifiting and losing a load of gear we caught nothing. We then fished both outer and middle patches, we tried at anchor, drifting and spinning, we even deployed our lobster pots, despite numerous small bites, there again was nothing, numerous rigs, baits etc were tried but just not happening. Finally on our way back we decided to stop off at the inner patch. We had noticed a large amount of buoys, as usual at the patches and put it down to pots as there was nothing to indicate anything else. We dropped anchor at the edge of the patch and after the last 90 minutes the only thing we had to show was a couple of smaal wrasse in the lobster pots. We then started pulling up the anchor, I got to about 6 feet from the anchor when it stuck fast. Looking over the side whilst hanging onto the anchor chain I realised it was snagged on a net and no matter how hard I pulled I couldn't free it. The surreptitious use of the boat hook, brute strength and a 75hp Yamaha in reverse after about 15 minutes we managed to free the anchor A minor victory of a poor day. After mooring I drove up to the Commodore in Southbourne and with my binoclulars surveyed the patches, it does appear that not only the inner patch has been completely netted but also the outer patch as well. This is not surprising but is a little wearisome, as I hope the patches don't become like Evans rock, which is just a snag fest now, caused by the amount of discarded and torn up nets where commercials tried to net the rock, this has just resulted in a hazard for anglers and the fish themselves. Speaking to a couple of local charter men Evans rock mark no longer produces the amount of fish it used to and their opinion is because of the reasoning above.

Putting halfpenence in, the true Romanies try and distance themselves from the 'travellers' as they have in much in common with them as we do with white mice. With regard to Travellers residing (or attempting to move onto land in order to reside) on land, there is specific legislation under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, where it gives a power to a constable (or local authority) to remove travellers if they have three vehicles, or one vehicle towing a a caravn, and tresspass on land with a view to residing on it. Or commit criminal damage, or threaten any person working on etc...... If the travellers have been asked to leave by the land owner or employee then the request need not be made by a constable in uniform, therefore a techo or an off duty button can remove them. Finally a refusal to move is arrestable under the Serious and Organised Crime Act of 2004 (enacted Jan 1st 2006) this gives the public a power of arrest without warrant for any indictable offence committed, but more importantly and more specifically in this case it empower a constable in or out of uniform a power to arrest for any offence whatsoever so long as the arrest conditions apply ie.immeidate need to investigate, to prevent the offender escaping, public safety etc, as powers of arrest under Sec 25 PACE no longer exist (the general power of arrest with conditions for those offences which were not defined as arrestable under Sec 24). Therefore all that needs to be done is the council to be informed, or a council employee (any will do, street cleaner, street warden) to request them to move and then the bill can remove them asap, without the need to apply for a re possesion order and if they refuse or resist they get nicked, their vehicles and caravan towed away and squashed etc. With regard to the Human Rights Act as usual there is a misunderstanding with this legislation, it does not supercede previous or sovereign legislation, action as described would not breach the articles of the Human Rights Act and even if the authority's behaviour did breach it (and not many people know this) there is no requirement for the Government to alter legislation or indeed overturn a court decisicion (although a statement of Incompatibilty can be issued) the Government can ignore it in order to maintain soveriegnity over it's own country's laws.

Myself and Dan set off at 7am yesterday for a morning session, but due to the very gusting wind decided against going out to the bay so decided to stay in the harbour. We started fishing very light down at the platform near RYMC just off the main channel and first cast Dan got a repectable checker of about 1 1/2, and that was the highlight of the day. Yours truly blanked, and despite us making all the way to the Wareham Channel past Rockley and past the water skiing section to try for a few plaice or bass didn't get a single bite. Was back at the moorings early afternoon in time to watch another dissappointing performance against Paraguayand got a severe case of deja vu, i.e. a result of sorts but certainly nothing worth shouting about. PS If any of you have got any marks inside the harbour you'd like to share I'd be obliged, I've only got a few (i.e. drifiting off Lake Yard etc) but nothing ever seems to produce. Cheers

Good Thread, Adam is perfectly correct in his presentation of the RR. The presumption of might is right in all cases is incorrect as is the assumption that power always gives way to sail, there are numerous examples of where there are exceptions to both rules of thumb. EG Vessels ability to navigate constarined by depth, vessels manouvering accross channels, veesels under tow etc, etc

For sale less than 12 months old a 9 feet Seahawk 500 inflatable boat complete with outboard bracket, suitable for 3hp engine and will take 5 adults, inflatable floor, god awful geen colour. Was used as a tender for Bootlegger last year at Rockley and ideal for potting about the harbour etc, complete with oars, grab rail, and pump. Don't expect it to be like an Avon or Bombard, but is advertised on Boatsand Outboards via Trade-u-post. Cost me

For sale, an unwanted Vortex Aluminium Prop, purchased by a so called marine engineer to replace my stolen one. He was directed to obtain a 13 3/4 diameter with a 13" pitch, what I got was a 13 1/4 diameter prop with a 17" pitch, hence I lost the best part of 1000 revs and about 7 knotts top end. So I bought the next one myself which works great. The prop is self is a Michagen series 2 which has it's own hub fastening, (I haven't got the hub fittings but they can be bought from Cobbs). It was bought for a yamaha 70 but I dare say it would fit any number of outboards, it was on my outboard for the length of time to discover it was the wrong prop, it still has the manufacturers sticker on the blade. These props without the hub kits cost about

Thanks for your reponses. I have read about the voyage of Jura Pilot, I followed it at the time, not least because Bootlegger is the same marque. I'm not that surprised that a Pilot could circumnavigate the UK as they are tough little boats and really very seaworthy, but perhaps I am also a little biased. I do seem to remember that Jura Pilot was advertised for sale last year, but I don't know if she was sold on to a new owner.

Myself and Dan taking advantage in a break in the weather took Bootlegger II out from Parskstone Bay at 7am this morning. Lovely calm conditions saw us out into the bay and then a quick run to Ballards saw us fishing there at about 7.30am. Also present was a couple of other boats, but during the morning we were joined by about 30 other boats including half the Poole Charter Fleet. A very nice morning and early afternoon fishing the flood was had, we had 18 bream, returning over half back as they were a bit on the small size but kept 8 all around the 2lb mark. By the time the gin palaces and the hoorays started blatting past at 30 knotts in their untrimmed steeds started churning up the sea and the louts on their jet bikes started their usual mating ritual we had had our fill. Back at the moorings by 1pm, fish in the freezer by 3pm. Thats it for a couple of weeks until I escape from London. Best of luck

For being joint winner of the Bream Comp with a winning fish of 3lb 11oz, I think that's right. I couldn't take part this year but was present at the weigh in. And well done to my crew mate Dan with four Bream, unfortunately all under 2lb but got the most on his boat I understand.

Yes it was, I've checked and a specimen weight is 1lb 4 oz, it's a fish I normally don't bother with so I didn't properley weigh it, just slung it in a bag quickly zeroed the scales etc. When I realised I rang Dan up to weigh it properly but he had filleted it and it was in his freezer. I did the same thing with a Dab I caught of the Skerries a couple of years back, it too was about 2lb mark, I caught it with a load of plaice and gave the fish to the resturant at the guest house we were staying, it was only when I got home I realised that it was only a couple of ounces under the then British rod caught record. Guess that should tell me something.

Myself and Dan left Parkstone Bay at 6.30am this morning, a quick run saw us at Ballards and fishing just before 7am. Caught the last of the flood and Dan got his PB for Bream within 20 minutes of fishing with the first of the day. A very nice 2 1/4 lb. Bites were steady and the fishfinder going off regularly, we followed up with a brace of undersized pollack the biggest being just over a pound and my by now obligatory wrasse. Dan then caught a very nice Garfish just under 2lb and I was now feeling left out with a 1lb mackeral to my name along with the Wrasse. Finally with the tide on the flood again I got a really cracking bite on my light spinning rod and 8lb line, result a 3lb Bream, which is my PB. We were well happy to catch let alone one half decent Bream let alone two. The resot of the day we were plagued by small pollack and eventually called it a day getting back to the moorings at 3pm. Very Happy.

Beefed up security, that's a laugh. That can't be difficult from last year, several outboards stolen, a number of props stolen off engines including mine and a Merry Fisher stolen from the pontoon and abandoned in Lychetts after they tried to drag it off onto a trailer and stripped. Their security last year consisted of defective CCTV which didn't cover the yard and a couple of 'boys' in white Fiesta who drove around the beach and never actually got out the vehicle. Probably why I received a discount on my boat insurance when I removed my boat from Rockley to Parkstone Bay.

cannibals, that's the word I was looking. Mental blank you know, years of being a proof reader for the guardian you know. Wish my typewriter had a spell checker.

No I'm not going to say the obvious, how tired is that ? It just I got talking to mate who fishes the Bristol Channel and North Wales coast (lucky b***er). He told me of a chap, used to fishing Weymouth and Chesil etc, moved up to Avonmouth and started fishing locally. One of the marks is a very popular inshore cod mark but try as he might he couldn't score, the reason being is that the bait he was using, black lug, squid , etc was being stripped off his hook within seconds by the huge amount of crabs that were present. My mate who was fishing with him pointed out that there was nothing inherently wrong with his bait it's just that it was gone before any fish could locate it. My mate pointed out to him the best bait to use was crab itself, not because of the proliferation of them in the locality, but because crab was the only bait that would stay on the hook as crabs are apparrently not canabals (I'm sure I've spelt that wrong) anyway they won't eat each other and therefore the bait is not stripped. I never knew this, I wonder if anyone else has heard a similair tale, if true it seems the obvious bait to use at marks where crabs are present and other bait is being picked off (especially in the harbour).

I was over at Rockley on Tuesday blagging a cup of tea at Polaris and got chatting. Apparrently the bass are in and around the new pontooms and under the bridge at Lychetts. They are after the mullet fry and I stood and watched airborne mullett jumping out of the water as they were being pursued. At the moment the bass are only intersted in fish prey, but live baiting or using a lure would appear to work. Best time would appear to be on the tide as the fish are attracted by the movment of the water over the bar under the bridge. I know of course that this is not strictly a boat mark but good for a couple of hours in the evening when everyone has gone home and you can't be bothered to get the boat out.

Someone's dropped their acquariam on the beach. Poor little blighter. But my cat would look after it.

On Friday myself and Dan and going out early for a whole day !!!!! I've got 50 liters of fuel to burn and apart from the patches and the rough can anyone help with a mark that is fishing well, or at least consistently. (Dan suggested Swanage Bay but thats a lot of fuel to fish off the pier) Cheers

Finally the refit for Bootlegger is complete and with my bank balance considerably smaller we headed out for the first trip of the year, (the first fish of the year was two weeks ago when we moved bootlegger from Rockley to Parkstone Bay and fished off the mooring, result a 1 1/2 lb flounder. We arrived on the patch at about 9.15am, there being about 7 other boats on station and that increased over the morning. We started fishing directly over an outcrop on the sonar, and initially we started losing gear very every cast, then we decided to fish with a ledger rig with long traces, bounce the lead off the bottom and wind back on the reel by two revs. For the rest of the day no tackle was lost, there was some 40 feet under the keel and so the fish were obviously not spooked by the boats and as a result some 2 dozen fish were caught. There was a onsiderable lull at slack water but when the tide started moving again the bites commenced again. The baits used were rag, squid, and mackeral. Rag was by far the most succesful bait The species caught were wrasse, pollock and pout. All were undersized fish (especially the pout) apart from one reasonable wrasse of about 1lb and that was nothing to write home about. At about 2.45pm we spent about 45 minutes drifting off the inner patch, nothing doing. Apart from the fishing which was ok, it was a lovely spring day, conditions were perfect and if nothing else it was nice to get out and look at all your really nice boats.

Man goes into a pub with a newt on his shoulder. Barman espies the newt and asks the man, "What's that on your shoulder ?" "That's Tiny" the man replies "Why do call it Tiny?", queried the Barman "Because he's my newt." Q Why are Pirates called Pirate ? A They just AAARRRRGGGHHH A priest, a vicar and a Rabbi are playing poker for big stakes in their local when it gets raided by the Old Bill. All three are nicked and are arraigned for trial. The Judge wishing to take a lenient view on the three religious types firstly asks the vicar "Well reverend, were you gambling ?" "I swear on a stack of bibles a mile high I was not gambling" the vicar replied "Very well you may leave acquitted" the judge turns to the priest, "Now then father, were you gambling?" "I swear on a stack of bibles a mile high I was not gambling" he replied "Very well, you are also acquitted and may leave the dock." The judge then turns to the Rabbi, "Now then Rabbi, tell me the truth, were you gambling ?" The Rabbi looked the judge in the eye and replied, "Who with ?"

Can anyone help me with a local company or indivudual who can supply me with a radar arch (stainless) approx 4' long for my Hardy 20 ? Secondly last year someone nicked my prop for my Yamaha 70 (3 cylinder 2 stroke PTTL) I originally replaced it with a 15" pitch but the engine will only rev to 4200 (red lines at 5500) and will only do 12-13 knotts (before the prop was nicked it would carry three gorillas fully loaded and would idle all day on 4000 revs and hit 14 knotts on the plane). I am therefore going to change the prop to a 13" diameter x 13" prop as recommended by Hardy for the use of this model whilst using the Yamaha outboard. I realise that changing the prop down is never going to allow me access to 5500 revs but I'm worred that if I reduce the ptich further all I'm going to do is make souffle's. Any advice or opinions would be greatfully received. You have to understand that the use of my boat is purely for the purposes of fishing I don't profess to be an expert on the mechanics, in the words of Oddball, "I only drive them, I don't know what makes them work."

Re your last, is his e-bay membership username fatboybeermanif? If it is I've bought a couple of Abu 5500 multipliers off him last year and they are excellent bits of kit, good value as well. Can heartily reccomend if it is.

whoops, here the other

Thanks for all the replies welcoming me to the club. As promised I've posted a copule of pics of my old tub.

Hello everybody, I thought I'd introduce myself. My names Tim, myself and my family moved down to Poole from London last year (although I still work in town) and earlier this year after speaking to Martin re marinas etc brought down my boat Bootlegger 2 (hence the handle) from Ramsgate where she's been for the last couple of years initially to Rockley. After a full refit (how much !!!!!!) which has just been completed, she currently awaits the spring where her new home will be Parkstone Bay. My boat in question is a Hardy Pilot and if anyone is interested (and if it's possible) I'll post a couple of photo's of her. Since myself and my radio man and navigator Dan have sent our years subs in I dare say I'll probably meet some of you soon at the meetings. All the best Tim White