TomBettle

Bad luck guys. I bet Rob would have worked hard too. The best wrecking is still way West at the moment and that is being made difficult by the countless numbers of pair trawlers working around the ironwork. Nothing is guaranteed, but the most and biggest fish do seem to be coming from the wrecks to the South West of our club waters and those that fall inside are hard going. The wrecks fishing well are going to be the best part of 50 plus miles from Lymington, more West than South. Still, give it another month or two and the fish should be through the channel in good numbers.

What were you on Rich? Was that you and your Friday gang out on Flamer?

And this one is the big fat biffer

Quest II owners, Malcolm, Paul, Mark and myself met at the pontoon at 07:00 this morning for a day on the Shambles. By all accounts, fishing had been hard with the charter boats recording small numbers of fish and sometimes even blanking on what should now be prime Plaice time out on the famous Weymouth banks. Into the tackle shop for our rag (which I have to say was atrocious and more like maddies than King Rag - maybe the neap tides prevented better worms being dug) and then off under the bridge. We followed Peace and Plenty who was off to the islands, Revolution had left a short while earlier and Flamer was close behind us as we steamed the half hour or so to the mark. Malcolm set us up on the first drift which was fine, but we skimmed the bottom section of features and so we headed up a little further North for the next drift. It was brass monkeys out there today and I was pleased I was wearing my long johns. The stiff Northerly wind was kicking up a nasty short chop and sending teh boat at a slightly awkward angle in the tide, but we are fairly experienced anglers and avoided tangles like pros..... NOT!!! Malcolm and Paul seemed to become very close throughout the drift. Infact they were attached and spent most of the time (and the next few drifts) trying to untangle themselves. It was only 08:50, but I was already feeling a little dispondent. Naff worms, freezing, North Easterly 5 to 6 and reports of little or no fish were making me wonder if I should have settled for a lie in... Bang the rod lurched violently and shook me from my day dreaming. Bang! Bang! Instinctively I spooled off about 10m of line and then allowed it to tighten in the tide seconds later there was a good bend in the rod and the familiar (or not so, it's been about 5 years since I had a spotty) jerk jerk jerk of a Plaice. At about 2.5lb she was no monster and was still fairly thin, but she was very welcome and spirits on the boat were lifted. By half past nine, Paul had had a fish that must have been the twin of mine and Mark had also caught, with his being better at a bout 3lb. The the tide eased and so did the fish. To catch the ebb we steamed to the North East of the bank and started our drift there... nothing. As it was a neap we tried a spell on the anchor.... nothing. A quick conflab and we hauled the anchor and headed for the mussel beds nearby where we new the Plaice sometimes laid up, but so did a few other chappies. Pretty soon the rods were rattling to bites of various types and we ended up here with a whole stack of Doggies, loads of small to medium Ballan Wrasse and a couple of small Bull Huss in the 5lb sort of bracket.... but no more Plaice. It was now about 14:15 and the tide was just easing so back to the bank for another try at drifting. This one was long, maybe a mile and a half. I was about to call lines up when my rod was all but wrenched out of my arms by a very violent take. Again I spooled off and again the now more familiar jerk jerk jerk of a Plaice could be felt. This time though it was pulling a lot harder and taking a few dives as it neared the surface and when it did I decided not to risk swinging it in and slipped the net under it. On the scales she went 4lb 4oz. Not the biggest Plaice ever to come off the Shambles, but my best for quite some time so I was more than happy. Unfortunately that was our lot. By 15:15 the wind whipped up to a good 6 creating a very uncomfortable short chop over the bank and with the wind came rain. I hinted I was ready to head back and luickily everyone else took the hint so we had Quest II back on her moorings and looking ship shape by 16:30. Not the best day ever and very hard work, but we got our target species and by all accounts did as well as the charter boats have been recently. Tom This pic is the tiddler

Nice one Adam! I wish all sellers would use them as it would make my life sooooooo much easier when it comes to proving title etc. You can also get them (along with every conceivable other document direct from the MCA's website. Tom

Hi Mike Look at the Rigiflex range. Rigiflex are a part of the Jeanneau group (I don't sell them - try Sea Ventures in Lymington). They have a sportyish one called the Cap (in varous sizes) They have one called the Aquapeche (littel fisher for rivers / lakes etc) And then the standard Rigiflex which is much like the Pioner and used by loads of people as a work launch or safety boat. All injection moulded plastic. Fairly basic and fairly bullet proof. Suited to being dragged up and down beaches and neglected.

Please note, price change. Now asking

far too similar - for you and me Tom! Ooops. Should have read the replies already given. The only difference is the windlass on Jason's boat should be a Lewmar and the particular modle requires 8mm calibrated chain.

Hi Jason That's a lot of chan and not much warp. Cut off the 10m of warp that is there and use it as spare mooring lines. Get yourself a 110m drum of 12mm or 14mm (check the existing ropes diameter) "Multiplait" rope and have someone splice it onto your chain. Job done. The multiplait is soft and supple and therefore stows nicely in the rope locker. Normal three strand is to springy and you simply can't keep enough in the locker for teh windlass to work effectively. Even with multiplait you may need an anchor monkey to sometimes help spread the rope in the locker or ease it through the windlass gently (it sometimes gets picked apart a little by the teeth of the windlass). Tom

I did promise to do this last year and almost got organised, but pressure of work got in the way (no laughing any of you that no my job!) and it never happened. I'd love to try and help and feel sure I could get a camera boat to use given half a chance and a little notice. Tom

Mike I am really pleased that yesterday was as much fun for you as I had hoped. She is a great looking boat and I sincerely hope you have a tonne of fun onboard. All the best mate Tom

Just had a chap on the phone, very nice guy, Kevin Cousins with a 695 called Yelo in Cobbs Quay. He is keen to join up and become part of the PBSBAC "Jeanneau Owners Club" and possibly another to chalk up for the cross channel brigade too. He's been spying on the forum as a guest for quite some time and I got the impression he used to be a member of the club so I am trying to convince him to rejoin.

BB Don't have a tide table, but the last Spring in December is 24th (full Moon) to 27th. This suggests that the last neap would be New Years Eve and the next Spring from the 7th January or again from the 21st. ....I think

What, the commode....

Please can I join! I only own one, but look after loads of them, does that make me group "Commodore"?

Charlie it would be a pleasure having you guys along as a buddy boat. There are a number of wrecks we fish in the Summer which are half way between Poole, Weymouth and France! we could probably meet over the top of them.

Congratulations mate!!!! Really pleased for you and looking forward to seeing you out on the briney. As previously promised, I am very happy to help you get to grips with 695's (I am sure my coleague Mike will be too), there great points and of course there limtations (believe it or not there are some). Quest II is supposd to be getting lifted down at Portland Port next weekend (Easter Saturday) and we are antifouling, anodes and a damn good cleaning her up for the season. If you fancy coming to see what we do then you will be more than welcome and likewise, if I have time, I would be very pleased to give you handling tips and tricks, along with some top secret fishy marks . Tom

Mike On a cold, wet and windy day. You are a ray of sunshine. See you Thursday, Skate round here at about 10:30. The kettle will be on. Tom

Rich Don't know on prices, but I susepect on all but the first you will find them "slightly" over budget. I have tried all but the first, but heard very good reports about it. 1) Penn Giller Thriller 16lb class. 2) Geys Longboat 12/20 or the cheaper 20 (had the chance to test a very early prototype with the adjustable reel seat when the Greys boys joined me in Alderney in '05) 3) Shimano Speedmaster 12/20 (Love this rod, I own the 6/12 and it is a joy to use - comes in both standard and longer lengths - the 8'6" is the kiddy) 4) Abu Suveran Uptide (Don't knock it as an uptider as it has the adjustable butt making it a very practical light / mid weight downtider. Watch you don't get sand in the butt though!). All the above are the mutz and would do you proud, but I guess they may well be over price in most instances. Sorry I am a tackle tart.... what can I do?

I have to say that I agree wholeheartedly with both Rich and Dean here. Personally I loath the Solid C's. They, to me anyway, are Dean's Rhubarb. You most certainly do get what you pay for, to a point. The difference will be shown by the fixtures and fittings on the rod, their longevity and suitability for use with modern lines and such. In addition cheap rods "blanks" are one of two things, either absolute broomsticks or rhubarb. I had a suite of maximuss rods from the 6lb class up to 30lb class and when new, out of the packet they looked good, but a little abuse and they were pants with rusty rings, corroding reel fittings and so on. They caught me just as many fish as any other rod, but the action was sloppy and no fun. I flogged them at a car boot as soon as I could. VERY rough analogy: A typical

Arr but Kam The only way you can fish light is the first way. Not much fun hauling a 3lb schoolie in with 12oz lead hanging from his nose. Tom PS: I am only winding you up mate. If you are fishig for the pot then fish whichever is most productive for you. In the same breath, it's none of my business what method you use, I just hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine

One or two manufacturers stamp IGFA xyz class on their rods without actually paying too much attention. Some of the UK / European builders simply use the UK style ratings and slap an IGFA stamp on (they haven't been checked over by IGFA). ...Ever wondered why when you watch a video of someone playing a big Marlin (or whatever) on 50lb class...? The rod doesn't appear to be bending that much compared to if you had been using your "heavy" wrecking rod. It's because the 50 set-up the angler on the telly is using is more like our 80 or even heavier. Check out the test curve on your St. Croix Duncan. You may prove me wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is heavier than you think.

I'll be fishing the bank Good Friday and if we can get it booked, "Spring Cleaning", Quest II at Portland on the Saturday.

Adam UK 6lb class rod arriving in a couple of weeks. Standard butt length and fractionally more through action has been discussed. In this instance we are fitting cheaper, alconite, guides which are usually cr@p with braid, however they are to be chromed to give the hardened edge to them. The standard rod would also have a long butt, but this is being cut down to give a shorter overall length and the butt re weighted to balance the rod. ...It is this one that I think you'll be particularly keen on. They even have a UK 4lb class for the masochists! Developments will continue on the rod I have just tested and the mark II will still get a good going over when it arrives. As mentioned before. Anyone else is welcome to have a go. Infact when the smoothies are in the Solent, if anyone is having a bash, let me know and they can try the mark one out with the long butt. I am convinced it will be superb sport for them and great as a light uptider.

Kam You were right with the latter... ....It's stupidity! I am exactly the same. The thing is, it is great fun and so long as you don't over step the mark where the fish begin to suffer (incredibly light gear will still catch VERY big fish, but they tend to die of exhaustion in the process so no chance of catch and release). This year the UK 6lb class rod I am about to get from Alba (buying by the way) is going to be used on Blue Sharks with the little Avet reel I mentioned before. The reel has stepped up braid on it to allow me to put some back into it so although the rod should bend a little the gear should cope. That is why I use my formula above for downtiding / drift fishing. I base the rod I take fishing on the day to the conditions, not the fish I catch. I've never needed anything like 12oz in the race? The commercials use very light leads 3oz / 4oz and literally bounce the bottom and float about in the tide, spooling line at the "hot spot" to keep it there. Rich knows more about the technique. heavy weights are often suggested by the charter skippers to us grockels who are not so skillful. It allows us amateurs to fish straight up and down. The size of the Bass in the race is fairly small on average (sub 7lb) and the idea of using 12oz lead to catch them kind of defeats the sporting element in my mind. I'd rather go for the 7lb plus fish either on the Poole / Lymington marks that we can catch using just a couple of ounces or freelining or the big doubles out on the wrecks using just 8oz.