TomBettle

And I thought you were being serious about our feathered friends!

Twitching?!!! Alun, this is a fishing forum, not bird watching. Also ornithologists will get everso upset if you take home a sweet little Blackbird or Sparrow for your bare fridge.

Adam Oddly there is quite a queue forming to come along, but rest assured, you are near the top of the list. If anyone is interested, Andrew would be happy to take diary bookings for this year (if available) and next. I'd be more than happy to go back, but it's a long way and it may be worth booking a couple of days at the same time and then staying up there. I may be able to wangle celebrity crew and you'll be sure to get some cracking photographic memories. Current boat cost for some serious fishing is

IGFA or UK rated? If Uk rated then an IGFA 30/50 will be tonnes and possibly more commonly available.

I didn't really need to Bill. I've had more than my fair share of big fish to be happy just being there and taking pictures. The anticipation Listening to the take Watching the fight Seeing the fish at the boat Seeing the fish returned Awesome! And I am back out again in October! Big thanks have to go to Adam for the lone of his camera!!!! Please can I borrow it again?! Tom

Just had a very tiring, but hugely rewarding 24 hours after being invited to join a group of anglers fishing aboard Andrew Alsop's Milford Haven based boat White Water III. It was a rather lumpy day at sea that involved several people losing their breakfast and lunch over the side and all of us getting a thorough soaking in the tide races whilst feathering up the bait and then it was time to head way offshore to the shark grounds that Andrew knows so well. Minutes after the first bait was in the water one of the guys was in, but on his heavy (by today's standards) tackle the hooks pulled close to the boat. Not to worry as only ten minutes went by before the next reel screamed off and then as that was being played another did too. A few minutes later and we had a fish of about 90lb at the boat and another of about 75lb. A quick photo session and both fish were returned none the worse for wear, albeit somewhat bemused and possibly a little annoyed by the whole experience. This pattern continued through the day which ended with no monsters, but a total of 14 Blue Sharks to 90lb along with something bigger and shyer hanging around the boat all day, but not making a personal appearance, just leaving his calling card of slash marks in the baits that were being put down. I was singularly unsuccessful! My own rod seemed devoid of life. It was the rod set bang half way between the furthest baits and the closest just under the boat. It would get the odd metre of line pulled off the reel by an inquisitive customer, but never did anything solid happen. In fact the most exciting time on my rod was when a big free swimming Blue Shark actually broached over my float and with pinpoint accuracy tail slapped it before disappeaing.... It was towards the end of the day, that after I had blanked and crew man Julian had managed to get two fingers bitten to the bone (when you are told not to put your fingers in a sharks mouth, it's worth paying attention....) that fellow angler, Steve, produced a banana from his lunch box and it all became clear! Anyway, feeling sorry for me, another angling pal, also Steve, who had already had five fish(!), past me his rod, as it screamed off with another fish just as skipper Andrew was calling last orders. I gratefully took the rod, but rather unsurprisingly, just as my luck had been all day, the fish turned out to be the smallest of and incredible team day at possibly no more than 20lb. One may think I was a little dissapointed by the day, but to the contrary. It was an amazing day afloat. Few places in the world can provide sport like that. I mean 14 sharks in one day (all returned)!!!! We had no leviathons, but Porgies regularly turn up and Andrew's anglers have beaten the British Blue Shark record on previous occasions. Plus there is the distinc possibility of a fish like a Mako making an appearance eventually. A UK first? To cap off everything else, Andrew and I had a chat a couple of nights before about trying out a makeshift shark cage and seeing if we could learn to get some good underwater footage. Little did I know quite how makeshift the cage would be, but when a laundry trolley ("borrowed" from the local hospital) turned up and they strapped some fenders to the top I realised just what I was letting myself in for... I am aware that there may be a west country outfit trying to offer shark cage diving experiences, but we don't think (please correct us if we are wrong) they have managed to attract the sharks so when our action was thick and fast we believe we may be the first to actually get underwater pictures of Blue Sharks in the UK. Initially I was planning on simply freediving with the fish... Come on, they're only Blue Sharks! But I am so pleased that Andrew encouraged me into the cage as these girls were aggressive. Just on the edge of visibility I would catch glimpses (or was it simply my eyes playing tricks on me) of dark shadows cruising excitedly in the chum slick and the inky darkness in the 300 foot depths below made for an uneasy feeling. Made uneasier by the state of some of the baits that were coming in. And then the fish that were at the cage were not happy to be there. One actually broached over the top of the cage hitting me flat in the face and knocking my mask off. Ok she was only about 75 or 80lb, but she was moving like lightening and her sparkling white grin was not coming from a mouth I really wanted to be kissing. Another fish after being returned was pretty intent on getting through the bars of the cage and came at it twice before finally heading out of sight for good. www.pbsbac.co.uk/photoalbum/albums/userpics/10174/thumb_It_didn_t_manage_to_eat_me_so_it_finally_left_.JPG The pics aren't great, but I was using a borrowed camera, I was cacking myself and these blighters weren't hanging around.... Wow what a day! Thanks to all onboard, especially Andrew and crewman Julian for making the whole day such a superb success. I can't wait to get out with you again soon, when hopefully I'll catch a couple myself and maybe we can sharpen up on this underwater malarky! Just on a final note, we were treated to a spectacular acrobatic display from a huge pod of Dolphins that stayed with us for most of the day. They were literally all around the boat and came an went for what seemed like hours. Tom

Adam you are a star. Thanks very much!

Hi Guys I have been privileged to have been invited out Shark fishing this coming Monday aboard White Waters III from Pembrokeshire. Andrew the skipper has just called to ask if I can aquire (borrow or rent) either a cover for one of my Digital SLR's (Nikon D70 or Nikon D300) or an underwater camera in it's own right. We are actually going to be dropping into the water with them if we get the chance and are taking a full cage out with us (namby pamby poofters, they should freedive with them) for the purpose. If anyone has or knows where I can borrow or rent the camera equipment it would be much appreciated. The photo's are going to be fairly widley distributed through the web and paper media as the boat basicaly has a bunch of angling journalists and fairly well known anglers and such like onboard. Please PM or call me if you can help. Thanks Tom

Big Tides next week right through to Thursday which will make fishing the Shambles hard work with Friday onwards being the only properly sensible time. Turbot will be right across the Shambles, but I personally have found the Eastern side through to the middle to be more productive... that said, don't expect them to jump on the hooks, it's hard work.

I am itching to get out after some Bass and the weekends tides look lurvely, but I have a wedding in Oxford to go to...

It's happened to us all CC. You learn to keep the different styles apart after the first experience. I think there are some warnings on the packets of some of the brands as I have read a warning somewhere... can't remember where though.

Huge tides Dan, Congering will be very hard work...

Alright then

As Martin said, one anode on top. You want as little as possible underneath. They don't need to be huge, but one on each tab.

Gordon People get dissapointed when there chosen product, whether that is an outboard or a new double divan is subject to criticism, particularly if they haven't experienced the faults themselves. I don't like it if my 695 is criticised, but I am big and brave enough to take the criticism and also experienced enough to know what is truly good and bad about the boat. I am not aware if a particular discussion on here about Mariners so can't comment on that one, but (and this is pure prejudice not founded on any fact) I don't like the American engines either. For me a Japanese four stroke is the only way... But that is just an opinion! As it happens I have been told of a number of Etec dealerships that have decided to go to alternative brands as they have simply found the reality not up to the marketing. I have used a number and apart from economy I haven't seen any benefit over standard 2 strokes. I am, of course, aware that all manufacturers will have certain faults and hic-cups and even the odd major foopar, but Etec's seem to be in the press, on forums and discussed in the industry as having far more than a fair percentage of them. This, I believe, is largely due to people believing the ridiculous service intervals and not actually doing any basic maintenance on their engines in between. I think the engines are as good, if not marginally better than a standard 2 stroke, but I firmly believe that owners need to service them just as they would any other 2 stroke or they are asking for trouble. It will be very interesting to see how the next decade pans out for the engines already in use. I suspect those that have ignored the service plan and carry out regular maintenance will be enjoying their engines well into the future... I am not so sure about the remainder. I don't like Etec's, but that's my choice and my opinion. It's not so much the engine, more the manufacturers twoddle over how "good" they are. I don't like American 4 strokes, in this case, no reason, I don't like the look of them. I am not a fan of 2 strokes and whilst I think engines like Tohatsu are nasty and cheap looking, I admit they are bullet proof and if an owner wants a lump that will last as long as the boat and they plan to keep them for a long time then I think they are great. I have warmed a little to the likes of the Optimax, mainly through information from experienced users and I make no bones about the fact I believe a good Japanese 4 stroke beats the lot hands down. My love of 4 strokes comes from owning several and finding them smooth, reliable, quiet and economical. I am not slagging off any competition. At the end of the day, I am having a discussion over a particlar brand of outboard. If I was sat in my showroom, as salesman Tom, and I said that this is cr@p because this will break, that will break, this will go wrong and you'll be paying out extra money for this then fair enough. As a salesman, it is my job to try and sell the benefits of my own products and suggest areas where the competition may be weaker. That's when I am in my office, talking with a customer about an imminent purchase. When I am online I am not, I am participating in a forum as individual forum member Tom. My opinion as an individual is as important as your opinion as an individual. Both are valid and both should be put forward or a forum would be a very dull place if we simply agreed all the time. Yes your engines great Yours is too I love your boat Yours in beautiful too ...bit dull don't you think You and I usually get on very well, aren't we allowed to disagree sometimes? Tom

Alun Shame on you! And you a retired school teacher! I almost detected a neagtive comment then and your not even a Boat salesman or marine engineer. You bad, bad man. I heard you eat the fish you catch too! Tom

Do all minority groups carry that waft of 2 stroke oil with them?

...forgot my coat Gordon? You may want to pop back to WSF and say soemthing to ChrisP. Your comments about his wife weren't taken too well.... Anyway, just as an add on. Why is it that an outboard engineer or a boat salesman aren't allowed to express an opinion, but it's fine for everyone else to do so....?

The comments from ChrisP (very good and respected outboard engineer not a salesman like me) over on this thread at WSF sum up my feelings.... ...I'll get my coat Tom

She is most certainly a head turner Simon. Looks very smart indeed. For my information more than anything could you PM me the total cost from purchase to being on the water (useful in my job to know the sort of differences we are talking about!). What age is she too? Finally..... If you trimmed the engine out a fraction more in a flat sea like that, you'll gain another 2+ knots and are likely to reduce fuel consumption a smidge.

....lets see if we can get something organised when a few of us are free.

We've discussed it before, but never got it off the ground, but I'd be happy to do a proper photo shoot for club members at some point. Pics in either Jpeg or ultra high res Tif's. I seem to remember that it was Britboard who was going to help wih his video camera too????

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Guys Please keep an eye out for a stolen Tohatsu 8Hp outboard. It has been stolen sometime between last Saturday and this morning from a boat on a swinging mooring at Parkstone Bay in Poole. Model: M8BLEX S/N 010266 If you here of it or stumble across it, please can you let us and the police know. Our customer, who's boat it was pinched from is going to the police station now and will be getting a crime number. Thanks for your help and vigilence. Tom

Come along to the meeting next month Simon. Ask there as there will be dramatically differing opinions, but they can be properly backed up with "Why" the members says what they say. Have an idea what you want to spend and some idea as the fish you want to catch. We'll guide you as best you can. Personally, I loathe the Solid C's with a vengence. They are better off holding up your beans, but will probably bend too much. That said, other budget rods are serviceable.... Spend as much as you can afford on a reel. Rods will moe or less work regardless, but rubbish reels will let you down on a dream fish. Charlie had some super advice, but I'd save InExcess until you know what you are buying. Stick to the tackle shop to start with and initially buy from our local guys as they are there for us. MOst will price match the mailorder companies too. The tackle shop will offer proper advice. InExcess will try and flog you some secateurs too.... Once you know what you are getting, get it from whoever gives the best deal. Once again, come along to the meeting and ask us all there. Tom