TomBettle

Very sadly the economy has taken another bite out of the marine industry and my good friends at Oceanique in Poole have been the latest to sucumb. Oceanique were Dorset dealers for Kral, Regal, Gobbi Atlantis and Quicksilver and on the whole had a very good name for customer service and attention to detail. Despite many of you thinking I have a vendetta against Quicksilver, I don't, I see them for what they are, a cheap and cheerful Pilot House. Anyway, it's sad news and sincerely hope that they and their customers are all OK. For anyone that was dealing with them on brokerage or new, please note that their broker, Claire Mein, is now my colleague here at Parkstone. If you need any help or advice then do call her and she will be more than happy to help in any way she can. ...and on a lighter note, before anyone says anything, no, we are not the new Quicksilver dealers, but we may discuss this with IBS, even as a temporary measure to make sure any outstanding customers are serviced properly. It's a very small industry and we are all good friends. News on that, if it develops. Tom

Dan The idea is that the Mothership will set a base port for each week, but may transit to a different island depending on weather, fishing etc etc. There are not too many marinas across the whole of CV yet, but even where a marina is not available, there will be a nightly water taxi bringing guests to and from the mothership. But, don't forget the all inclusive service onboard. Jim It won't be quite that much. Non fishing partners will be welcome for a considerable amount less. There fee will be the equivalent to a first class, all inclusive holiday. They will be welcome to join the boats as they leave fishing each day (if they have the sea legs) or are very welcome to enjoy the facilities aboard the mothership, join other WAG's ashore etc etc. In essence, they will be very well looked after. Your feedback is great though, because although we expected the occasional partner to come along, we had believed this would be fairly rare and in general it to be single fishing males or a couple of fishing pals. Tom PS: There is an investment opportunity here for adventurous VC. A single or several investors are welcome. This is still at the ideas and research stage right now and we are far from a full on business plan, but any informal investment enquiries are welcome via pm or phone. I'll happily discuss the basic ins and outs, an approximation of investment required, the percentages and planned returns involved.

Hi Guys "Tom's next crazy business idea". The idea: We'll have a very comfy (perhaps not Sunseeker comfy, but very relaxing) 35m to 50m Mothership that will have room for up to 12 anglers and 10ish crew. Accommodation will be air conditioned, ensuite, and twin berth cabins (can convert to doubles when WAGs come along). Facilities will include a bar and full catering with inside/outside dining. The fishing will not be from the Mothership (although nothing says you can't dangle a line from it), but each morning you will transfer to one of several very well kitted out centre console style boats with full T tops, fridges etc or a Big Game boat in the 30 to 40 foot bracket. For the standard price, you will have an all inclusive package flights, transfers, all meals and all drinks) plus four days fishing over the course of a week. This will be one day fly out, one day fly home, four days fishing, plus a day of rest. The day of rest can be sunbathing, shore time or general access to snorkels, kayaks etc. The fishing days will be 3 anglers to a boat with a minimum two crew on each boat (numbers of anglers can be reduced at a greater price). Three days aboard the centre consoles and one day aboard the Big Game boat. Additional evening trips and activities can be arranged at additional cost. The location? The idea is to base the operation in Cape Verde, with probably boat transfers from the closest dock to the main airport in Sal Island. Fishing will take place around the huge archipelago and will follow the seasons and fish. It doesn't matter what boat you are on, on any particular day as all will be capable of inshore or offshore fishing. The fishing? Obviously Blue Marlin is what Cape Verde is all about, but the area has phenomenal potential for a myriad of other species, including, but not limited to: Broadbill Swordfish, various large Tuna species, Wahoo, Amberjack, Bluefish, Leerfish, various Shark (from the beach too) including 1000lb+ Tigers. The beauty of this is that YOU choose what you wish to fish for. Blue Water trolling for the Marlin of a lifetime, or going one on one deep jigging against potential 100lb Amberjack. It's entirely down to you and your boat crew. All fishing equipment of a very high standard and different classes will be provided. Charges may be made for lost lures, if for example, you have decided to spend a day deep jigging over an old wreck. The costs? Well, I've had a hunt around other similar operations. The closest to what I have in mind are the outfit that Dave Lewis has been reporting on and Anglers World are booking in the Maldives and also an operation called Coral Star out of Panama. The Maldives operation offers stunning deserted islands to fish by, but it is a very long way to get to. Anglers world are charging just under

Nice one Sam Good to hear from you mate

I am still hoping for some more comments. To that point, the manufacturer spotted a bit of traffic from here to his site and slightly tongue in cheek wanted to point out that Paul's comments were not about the same product. The Wavewalk is definitely not two surfboards strapped together! More interestingly another site is being fairly critical of them, but possibly based on misconceptions from experience of day to day kayaking. To try and counter / answer some of those questions, the owner of the firm, Yoav, sent me the following email which has some interesting reviews and comments. I ams ure he won't mind me copying it here. Any more input would be very welcome. Cheers Tom PS: The slightly critical tone is not aimed at anyone here, more that the people responding from the other site had not bothered to look at the differences between the Wavewalk and a standard Kayak. Hi Tom, While going through our website's logs we stumbled upon your online discussion with some local kayak fishermen about our w-kayak. Unlike yourself, these people apparently didn't take the time to study what we say and show on our website, and their reaction seems to be just a psychological knee-jerk. One point they raised is the 'lumbar support', or lack thereof in our boat. Some of our customers installed seats (I.E. back support) in their w-boats just as they got them. However, none of them actually uses those seats, as basically there is no need for it. The reason for that being that our own legs support us better than any backrest, standing and riding, and as a matter of fact it's the ordinary kayaks' back rest that's at the root of kayakers' back pains (see detailed discussion in our website's 'Ergonomics' section). Here are a few testimonials from customers who had suffered from kayaking back problems before switching to our boat ('kayak', whatever): http://wavewalk.com/Fishing_Kayak_Review_15.html http://www.wavewalk.com/Expert_kayak_fisherman_01.html http://wavewalk.com/Kayak_Review_13.html http://www.wavewalk.com/Kayak_Review_07.html And by the way, I believe I've noticed a certain anti-American nuance in some of the posts, and my reaction to that is: 1. Americans invented kayaking as a sport (OK, some Canadians were involved too...) 2. Americans invented the sit-on-top (SOT) 'kayak' (well, at least as a product) 3. Americans invented kayak fishing as a sport (well, 'outdoor activity'...) 4. Americans invented the fishing kayak as concept and product, and created most of the hype related to it (e.g. 'lumbar support') You are welcome to quote me if you feel like spending more time arguing with those guys... BTW, our w-boat is a kayak only by name, for marketing purpose (Internet search engines etc.). In reality it's a totally new small-boat concept that got us a US utility patent. This concept surpasses the traditional (sit-in) and SOT kayak concepts in every aspect, and I believe our website proves it to those who take the time to go through it. And since you don't seem to be afraid of the word 'boat', I thought you may be interested to visit this other website: http://micronautical.com/ Yoav PS-- As you can see, we're totally committed to supporting our customers, even overseas...

Hi Shropshire Hope you are well mate. Are you down here permanently yet? Less than a Hobie, but more than a Prowler.

Thanks PJ for being constructive. Anymore comments, good and bad will be very gratefully received. I've scanned their website and it does look like the boats take a bit of getting used to, specifically if you are used to a tradtiional kayak... they go on to say that when you have grasped it, they have so many benefits. It's these that I am not sure about. If I was to get them in, the first batch would be bought with legendary big game skipper and former channel islander, Roddy Hayes http://www.legendlures.com The first ones would be the basic touring version without any flush mount rod holders. This will give the user bags of storage in the hulls AND the option to add marine foam formed buoyancy into the hulls. Rod holders can still be surface mounted and fishfinders can either be 100% portable or come with shoot through transducers. We are considering a custom made aluminium bracket to then take tallon fittings for rod holders, electric trolling motor, VHF antenna etc etc etc. http://www.tallonmarine.com It is still an idea, but if there is reality in the marketting and they are better than a traditional kayak or at least as good as, then I may well take the plunge and get a few. Tom

Specifically for our kayaking colleagues! ...And those toying with the idea of kayak fishing. Hi Guys As a result of an interesting discussion on another forum about mothership style fishing holidays I have been shown these. http://www.wavewalk.com Yes, I know they are pig ugly, but please can you give an honest appraisal of how you think they will operate against a traditional kayak. Before slating them instantly, please look right round the site, from information about sitting positions to the choice of layouts for rod holders, fish finders etc etc. Not for the purists, but they can also be fitted out with small electric outboards for trolling etc. What I want to know is: 1) Are the benefits shown in the website just marketting hype or are they real? 2) Can you see a place for these for fishing from? 3) If they were priced in the same ballpark as a traditional Kayak would there be a possible market? 4) Anything else you may wish to add? Please take your purist kayaking hat off whilst you look at the website. It needs a certain "outside of the box" approach. Many thanks Tom

Hi Terry Yes the rolled up trouser leg incident? errr, Masons... no..., King Buffalo Club... no..., Supreme Cock of the order of the Chicken... (Stop it!) no... Walking backwards pulling a boat whilst not looking where one is going.... Yes SPLASH! As for Robson Green? I did refrain from whooping and yeah maning or mentioning that I was an actor (not surprising as I am not). Tom

Good decision Harry. Boats are selling, but as Martin said, they have to be all but given away. Enjoy her! Tom

I spoke to the guys at PMS and whilst they said there had been a couple of minor recalls (sort of thing that would be delt with on a service) there was nothing of any consequence to worry about. If any D3 owner is concerened then please ring your local Volvo dealer for reassurance was their words.

Just after nine my ride trundled in to Wick car park. Stingray, Terry's faithful Warrior 165 was prepared and smoothly launched from the slip and before half past we were heading out through the run. Once over the shallow bits we eased the speed up to 20 knots and buzzed to a "secret" bream and trigger mark Terry knew. The secret was out, because within about an hour of our arrival we had about 5 or 6 private boats and at least three charters within about a quarter of a mile. Not to worry, Terry's rod heaved over and the ratchet of his reel squeeled as a determined Bream of about a pound and a half headed back to his shoal. Moments later, after a little gentle persuasion and last rights from our onboard vicar (the priest) he was slipped into the cool box to chill out for a while. On the other side of the boat, I was making myself useful by catching, one after the other, 5 inch long Pout which seemed as happy as goldfish in an aquarium as they started to become aquainted with their new home, the livewell. As a nice fat Trigger fish joined the Bream to cool off I started to wonder if the precision anchoring that Terry had carried out was to put "us" over his secret mark or whether our roles for the morning were intentionally differing. Another, then another and then another fingerling Pout was cruising round the nice new blue home. "G'd Mornin, g'd mornin, g'd mornin," they all seemed to be mouthing at each other. I wonder what they would be mouthing at the big Bass they would be introduced to later? As the tide slackened it became very clear that I was never going to get into the Bream or the Triggers so Terry drove the anchor out and we headed purposefully for his Haddock mark. Half an hour and about half a dozen Tuna sized mackerel later and thoughts of Haddock were getting shadier and shadier... I am almost positive the Terry's Haddock are about as mythical as Dave Lewis' Aberthaw Tarpon... oh well, the tide was turning and it was time for a go at the Silver Bar. Over to the shallows and Terry professionally set up our drift to just miss all the pot buoys and out went the freelined baits. On my 6/12 Penn Waveblaster went one of the big Mackerel. He was almost putting the rod into it's test curve as he headed from one side of the drift to the other and then back again with such vigor he was almost towing the boat. A perfect Pout (never thought I'd use those two words in the same sentence) was flicked out and then barely twitched the tip of my other rod, a very light Penn Captiva spinning rod and fixed spool. Our drift was set up to start some three hundred yards from a rip which was very apparent in the wind over flooding tide. Needless to say, the three hundred yards prior to the white water was spent unknitting lines and passing rods over and under the others. Then, as if on cue, my spinning rod heeled over and line started zipping off the reel as I skillfully set the hook (yeah right, I just about rescued the rod from going over) on a very cheesed off Bass which tried to tangle me up in the prop of the outboard. A few ducks and dives later and I swung a nice 3lb Bass over the side of the boat and after saying, "Hi", to the vicar he went to meet his mates, Trigger and Bream. Next drift and it was Terry who got a resounding smack on his rod. Then nothing. Then smack again and nothing until.... We noticed all the lines were streaming out in the tide except for Terry's which was heading under the boat. He tightened up and the familiar thump thump thump of a good fish could be seen doubling up his light rod. Try as he might, he couldn't make any progress on it so he attempted to pass the rod around the bow of the boat. "Ping", went his line as it touched the keel band and Terry muttered something under his breath. I don't think it helped that moments after this happened I was into another fish. This one was just a schoolie. Easily sizeable, but I had one in the box already. I think I was probably rubbing salt into the wounds when I offered him the fish, but the gentleman that he is, he passed up the offer and I slipped the Basslet back to get as big as the one Terry had just lost. Three drifts in and my Mackerel, now doing an impression of Duncan Goodhew, was still going strong when something put a rapid stop to it's latest 400m freestyle record attempt. The boat rod snap hard and line poured off the reel. I tried to act as calmly as possible and show that I am ever the professional and panicked, madly striking at whatever it was. A quick thud thud of weight and then nothing apart from my Mackerel was finally out of breath and was sent the way of the other, "Keepers". Then Terry's second rod did exactly the same and the drag sang out, but only for enough time for Terry to reach the rod before all going slack. Terry muttered something under his breath. One last drift and I put my boat rod away so that I could devote my attentions to the spinning rod. We approached the tide race and for the first time nothing happened as we rolled our way through the first couple of hundred yards. Terry muttered something under his breath and then commented it was about time that I got another bite and as he kicked his tea over my rod was also kicked violently over and the spinning reel spun like it had never done before. "Skillfully done", Terry muttered under his breath, as I thumbled with the rod and tried to tighten the drag a little. This fish was no monster, but fought much harder than the others which had all gone uptide. This one was using the tide to it's advantage and whilst I quickly had it on the surface, the light rod was struggling as I tried to bring it over the waiting net. After about the fourth attempt, under his breath, Terry muttered something about making a show of it and Robson Green and so with one last big heave I dragged the now tired fish over the net and it too said, "Hi", to the Vicar and joined his mates in their special insulated room. That was the biggest fish of the session at about 6lb. It was also our last as Terry had clearly Haddocknuff of things by now (get it, Haddocknuff... oh forget it) and so we turned the boat in the direction of Christchurch and in only half an hour or so were back at the slipway. Thanks Terry for a really lovely day afloat. I may not have caught any Triggers or Bream, but I managed to save face on the Bass. And as for the Haddock.... Well I guess they will have to wait for another day. Tom

About to leave now! Still looking forward to it. Just dived into the office as I forgot my life jacket. I just about Haddock nuff of all this mythical fish talk. Bass and Mackerel it is then.

Paul Both of those statements really are pretty cack mate. As Petesnr pointed out, there are just as many (more) Brits very happy to break the rules if they feel they can get aways with it. Often foreign fishermen may not understand the rules and will normally change their ways if the error is pointed out politely. As for Brits abroad. We are often some of the most ignorant, nasty, anti social thugs you'd ever not want to meet. And.... abroad, Johny Foreigner is us. Tom

Ooooooh next door!? Naaaaah, he spends most of his time in my office eating cakes and drinking tea.

Next door to who? Where? Thanks Charlie, I have been kindly sent a multimap by my captain for the day.

As a passing thought Harry. I'd be happy to offer brokerage services here, but that does cost money. PM me if you'd like to know more. She certainly seems fairly well priced.

Well I am very excited to have managed to bum a ride on a club boat. ...Anyone know how to get to Wick slipway?

Could be, but I'd love to bum a ride on another club boat...

Yes!? Let me know what you need me to bring and it will be brung

Anyone need any crew????

I do truly want one of these little tasties Terry. I would love to come out with you after them as it is a genuine ambition to catch one. Please! Tom

Terry I truly desparately want to believe you, but it is such an astounding catch for Poole Bay. It is not questioning your integrity, I sware, possibly more that it is so unusual that it's natural to doubt. I seriously would love nothing more than a few small shoals of 1.5lb Haddock to be cruising the bay. I truly, truly would be so pleased. A far nicer catch than a watery Whiting. As for Tarpon.... well Gnasher, my old mate Dave did manage to get a few going with that one and a couple of us managed to string it out further. And as for Herring... the difference is my Herring was caught (and eaten) at a time when we were all out there catching... Herring. No mistakes, they were throwing themselves on the hooks. Once again, it isn't a doubt of your integrity Terry... just I wish someone would have photographed it as it is an awesome catch for our location. Tom

I've always wanted to catch a Haddock. It's my favourite eating fish, but I've never ever seen one. Not wishing to doubt you as I am sure you know your stuff, but this is sooooooo unusual, particularly as you say these were in two locations.... Are you 100% positive on the ID? It couldn't have been an unusual Whiting, big Poor Cod or even a very strange looking Gurnard??? I am just trying to get my head around your capture rather than dispute that you did it, sorry Terry. Tom

That is truly an amazing catch Terry. Right up there with the Halibut a year or so ago on the Shambles and almost up there with someone getting a Common Skate in the bay. I would truly love to have seen them. Pictures would have caused quite a stir. Oh well Tom