TomBettle

Well done Allan. I would hazard a guess that most of these boaters were actually oblivious. I have been out with a number of people who simply pay no attention. ...I can't truly believe that people would ignore others in difficulty... surely? Anyway, you certainly did the right thing. Tom

I have to admit, despite fishing like a total tw@t all day, a day which started badly at 04:00 I had a great time with the guys on Aquafresh. I haven't sussed out this Eastern Dorset Bassing malarky yet, but despite the frustration of not getting bites whilst the boys were it was facinating to watch them work. Definitely demi gods in the world of Bassing and amazing to see such great fish coming from inshore marks. Well done Rupert, good fishing Al. Hope you will both let me come again and gradually work out how to weedle the bu@@ers out myself. Thanks chaps Tom

Bad Luck Paul! At least you got in safely. I suppose on the positive side it gives the chance to look at one of those nice new engines with power trim and practise all that stuff we did on the training day Better still, I am happy to px your old boat against something nice and shiny

Hold that thought! The FPO has decided that if we go she wants it to be just the two of us . I am not sure how, but she has in her head that it will be a romantic day afloat! All that rubby dubby, mackerel guts and potentially very macho grunting and groaning (playing a shark, nothing else lads). HOWEVER I am planning a few shark sessions this year so if you fancy crewing please put your name down and I will try and fit you in. Tom

OK Guys Just a thought and nothing set in stone, but I am contemplating a day attempting to track down a shark or two on friday 14th. Big Tides aren't totally ideal as it will my first effort and I would have liked something a little slower, but beggars conat be choosers. I am looking for 1 crew man for the day to join Abbie and myself. The crew man must be capable of handling the boat if it is my rod that gets the strike, for if it is a biggy we will need to use the boat to it's full advantage. The chances are it will be a day of not much apart from seeing what exciting beasties arrive in te rubby dubby slick, however if it comes good then it will be one hell of an adrenalin rush. I have traces hand built by the UK's Big Game guru's "Rok-Max" and a harness. All you need is GOOD quality 30 to 50lb class gear. A decent reel with at least 350m of line on it. Ideally bring 2 set-ups as I want to have four main rigs at varying depths on balloons and a final set-up tight to the boat with a livebait. So if you can be ready for Friday 14th with a couple of good rod and reel set-ups, can handle my boat if we need to chase a fish and don't mind Abbie and me having the odd smooch then please apply below! Oh costs will be half the fuel (cost depends on what we burn - probably

Nice report Damon Always good to hear what is happening away from our little patch. Tom

My one and only Bluefin went 343lb. Stunning fish and i would have loved to see it go back and thought it was going to be released until the skipper shot it at the boat with a spear gun, hauled it through the transom door and got some pittence for it at a local restaurant (Benalmadena). He didn't even sell it for something justifiable, I was really p1ssed off and refused to use the boat again.

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Well done James I can't wait to lose my double+ reef Bass virginity .

Despite getting on their wick occassionaly (never intentionally I may add), I am always VERY grateful to the sound advice, tips and from time to time help beyond the call of duty of "my good friends" down in Weymouth. One or two in particular do certainly keep a "Watchful Eye" on myself and other crew who use Quest II down in Weymouth and at times, once in particular this was very welcome!!!! (Some of you know what I mean) I don't know them as well as one of the other owners of Quest II, but am always very keen to hear anything by way of tips and tricks and with absolutely no need or personal gain they always offer sound advice. In addition, admittedly not very often, but I do still very much enjoy time onboard their boats as the learning continues everytime I go out. Based on that and also based on the fact that I do enjoy the forum for all the usual reasons, plus the fact that from a work point of view it gives a higher profile to the product I promote, I hope I don't tick "my friends" off too much. Peter, not so much a bite, more a little nibble of concern that "my friends" feel my deck boots are no longer large enough. I can asure them that this is not the case. Tom the Tope

Certainly a trip to remember Adam. And on BW you should be proud of yourself! Great achievement! Tom

May well be sender on the engine. Had this on one of ours recently. Depending on the engine it was a part of about

Finally, after a long day mid channel, Quest II comes back to her moorings. Flat Sea Fat Fish Glorious Sunshine Sunburnt Backs This is why we go boating and why we love our fishing. Tom

The newbie Brian had a crack at filletting some of the catch on the way back after expert tuition from Terry.

And a reasonable Pollock for me...

Nothing ENORMOUS, but we did weedle out a couple of lunkers during the day. Here is a nice Cod for Simon. A new PB for him too.

Terry's Ling may have been small, but it made a welcome addition and was a new species and subsequent PB for him.

Then the fish started coming in fast. The average Cod wasn't huge, but a perfect size to have with chips!

In the shipping Lanes.

Unbelievably, the folllowing 2 pictures were mid channel!

Steaming Out and chatting about the day ahead.

Brian our Canadian crewman for the day took a number of pics so I thought I would show them in a photo diary of sorts. Incidentally, as Brian is fishing mad and now a permanent resident of Poole we are trying to get him to sign up to the club. Come on Brian! Quest II on her moorings at the start of a glorious day.

Cracking job Martin. It's great when a plan comes together!

Paul the cuttle often attack when the tide is relatively slow. We had this a lot last year in Alderney, as soon as the tide began moving again at any speed the cuttle disappeared. Tom

Cher Peter... I did not ask for the comment, nor did I agree with it. If you would like to take a gander further up the post you will see that whilst I was very honoured with the suggestion I also bowed down with respect to those who do the job professionaly, a number of whom I consider to be friends from whom I have learned an awful lot. I believe the Watchful Eye is more than aware of the gratitude and respect that goes his and others way and that I would never expect and never will be considered with anywhere near their level of ability. 'Tis their life's work and and decades of knowledge. For me it is fun and a past time that on the odd occassion, chucks up success. ....That's the fishing part done and dusted, I can however handle a boat with a modicum of skill and only occassional pontoon bashing.... Tom