TomBettle

I use a Tek Tank livewell and it is very good. Got to rate the well and pump, but they are pricey, maybe members will get a discount? The only other thing I am not completely pleased with is that whilst the aerator diffuses huge amounts of oxygen into the water, the actual water doesn't circlate or get refreshed with cool new water so it doesn't take a long time for the fish to go belly up. Hopefully they may read this (as the product is generally excellent) and one of their boffins can offer some advice. I know the answer is to chuck away the diffuser and simply pump water around with the deck wash, but then I may as well have used an old bucket instead. Tom

Will you will be best asking at a local prop shop. I think the local Poole guys in Cobbs Quay are called Propeller Revolutions. Someone else will be along shortly who may be more helpful. Tom

Hi Allan and welcome onboard. Not that many people flyfishing around here so it may well have been you I spotted last Saturday thrashing the water out near those funny shaped rocks towards Swanage on Saturday..... Hope to see you out there soon Tom

Super job Fred. Really great read and nice few pics. Only one question...... In the last pic, who's driving the boat? Tom

It's a big fishing comp that's on at the moment....

would have got there before Adam, but got caught up in a meeting. Pretty much the same I think...... Tom

My solent smoothie marks tend to be further East towards Hill Head, but to be honest you should find success on any likely looking bank or contour. Don't make the mistake of thinking you have to be in the deeper areas, you don't. Find yourself a nice wiggly contour on your plotter (not a boring long straight one, but one that shows somethign of a feature). It may drop just a smidge from say 10 feet deep to 15 feet deep in a small and specific area. Fish that spot at the start of the flood or ebb tide and assuming you can avoid the banks of weed (the deeper water is often worse) you should have a couple of hours of non stop action. Frozen Hermit bought from most tackle shops has always been tops for me. I've never got on with peeler, but hardbacks are always a good second. Not pleasant so turn off if you are squeemish..... I simply take the hook and stick it up through the bottom and back of the crab and out the top. The crab will stay lively for ages and is likely to dig you into the mud or any possible snags so sometimes removing a few claws is beneficial to the fishing, but not to the crab. If you are concerend about using live crabs then keep them alive until you are about to use them and then kill them cleanly with a baiting needle straight between the eyes. Lightly tap it over the shell to let a few juices out, but not so much that it falls apart. Hook it the same way using a really sharp 4/0 aberdeen.

Hardbacks, Hermits (frozen is fine), Squid and Rag are all just fine for Smoothies. Before you launch spend 10 mins with a bit of macky getting yourself some crabs and you'll have a ball with the smoothies.

Luckily all that I believe is public knowledge is that the fish came from somewhere within the Bay.

Adam Next time try plugging crazy in to the electrics and see if either "growl power" or "wind power" make a good substitue generator. Tom

More please, more please. ....I am sure that Tin Tin's dog wasn't called Growler?

I have heard a report of a 16lb Bass caught and returned, does anyone have any info to back this up? The location of the catch is a little vague, ine report is giving it from the big light house at one side of the bay and teh other report is giving it near the funny shaped rock this side of the bay. Apparently the boat that had the fish, had several other doubles too. Tom

Absolutely cracking report Fred. You certainly have a way with words and poor old Adam will never be the same again.... Tin Tin roflmao!!!! Tom

Hi Mike I was asking Jack if the brand began with a "J", not the name. I have one particular "new" owner who hasn't yet worked out that he shouldn't use other vessels as waypoints. I have had discussions with him, but he hasn't yet comprehended what he is doing despite having completed a Day Skipper course and joining us on our West Country cruise and even the instructors telling him not to. During our cruise he "buzzed" 5 or 6 boats, actually going out of his way to pass them fairly closely, often MUCH too closely and I am starting to get a little angry with him. His boat isn't wuite a gin palace, but is approaching the status so I wouldn't be surprised if it was this culprit that got too close to Jack. Tom

Nice Undulate Jack! What was the boats name, even if it isn't my throttle happy customer I may know and can have a quiet word about common sense, safety and courtesy to others on the water. Tom

Jack? I couldn't pester you for the name of the vessel and did the brand begin with a J? If so I think I may know the culprit! I have been trying to explain to him that people aren't actually waving at him when he "buzzes" them to say hello. If it was him, I can assure you he will be repremanded. Tom

Fantastic day Alan. Well done to Rupert. (all typed with absolutely no jealousy from my desk in the office where I havebeen for the last two days!)

Chris, one of the owners of Quest II phoned me yesterday bragging all about their trip onboard the boat. All the other 4 owners were onboard plus a mate and they headed 30 miles South sticking just inside club waters to a couple of favourite wrecks. Arriving just as the flood tide started running they managed 50 Pollock to 16lb and 12 Cod to 12lb. All taken on sub 12lb class gear and live eel or shads n stormies. Absolutely gutted! One of the best ever trips onboard Quest II and I missed it. Oh well, well done to Chris, pity he never renewed his membership! Tom

Well done Paul Alan and Rup are stars at this method. Isn't it great fun to teach an old dog new tricks!!!! (I meant me, not you, but then you are a couple of years my senior... ... I am rambling.) What a method though! Very visual and still uses light gear to maximise the sport

My little girl...

Welcome onboard mate! Nobody else in the club has a boat with a name like yours, but many of the club members are often called it over the VHF! Tom

Phone isn't off, it is lost!!!! I parked the truck in the garage last night and remember seeing my phone in the centre console and thinking, "I must grab that". I must have grabbed it as it isn't there now, but where I put it is a mystery! I have a horrible feeling that I put it in a plastic bag which I then used for the fish guts and it is with them in the dustbin outside . Oh well.... I may have a new number soon....

What Lighthouse?

Hi Steve Would love a run out, but am working the next two weekends and only hvae the Saturday on the third weekend. As mentioned above, I am free through the last week of June though adn would happily take you or anyone else out on Quest II and just as happily bum a ride on their boats....

Sam As you know, Quest II lives in Weymouth so probably fom there, but I may be tempted to bring her round on the Monday morning, try in vain for Tope in a strong tide at St Albans, fish a couple of days from Poole and head home via the rips the end of that week. Wherever I depart from, I'll give you a lift! ...I am nice like that Tom Anyone else fancy a trip between 26th June and 1st July? Possibility of Bass, Tope, The Rips (never fished there except on a charter so some guesswork) or a wreck or two. All depending on the weather. Tom