TomBettle

Adam Guess what. WAC, no Calcutta Silver Shads! We'll probably have a bash for macky at the Bill and then see about the weather and either stop a few times half way or go straight over to the deeps. Tom

I am actually a tad concerned that my lack of structure will be my downfall. I aim to drive along until I find a lumpy jagged bit of metal. Drag about some bits of rubber with pointy things in for a while. Then drive along to another jagged lump of metal stuff and do the same. Then in Alderney I aim to drag some badly cut lengths of mackerel or any other fish we can find along some sandbanks for a while. Do that for a couple of days and come home. Is this organised? Tom

May see you tomorrow night then? Good luck Tom

Fred Have a safe crossing this evening. How long are you over for? Are we going to see you over there? Tom

I have managed to get the clock right on th actual post, but not in the last post section. Was confusing to start wit, but learning to live wit it now.... Life is hard

Happy Birthday Guys

to all of you ..anyone for a Wicked Vimto?

3.3/4? Very nice fish! Good going Tom

Monday is supposed to be cr@ppy according to Solent forecast pinned up in the marina, dropping from 7 to 5 during Monday night. Taking my mind off things tomorrow: 1)Lie in - I deserve one 2) Call Weyfish to ask tem to get the ice machine on 3) Get tackle ready and short shopping list from WAC 4) Call Mark B - see if he wants to come down to the boat to get ready 5) Abbie and me go to boat with all gear, load boat, upgrade software to fishfinder, meet Andy the fuel man at Kingfisher and fill tanks and spare 105ltrs of jerry cans with diesel, nip to Weyfish and load coolboxes with ice then nip to WAC to get essential tackle 6) Return home with nice big Lobster from Weyfish to grill with garlic butter 7) Eat dinner, whilst cooking check weather one last time 8) Call Mark and Malcolm with all plans 9) Collect Mark at about 05:30 and on to Weymouth Ferry Port for the best breakfast, way better than the sailors 10) Meet up with Malcolm at the Ferry Port at 06:30 and enjoy a full English and cup of tea 11) Nip to Spa to top up with tea bags, milk and a few cold ones 12) Untie lines at about 07:15 and head SxSSE for the first wrecks about 14 miles off the Bill, stopping first to feather up about 40 very nice mackerel, 15 of which are perfect Joeys and used for live bait 13) Meet Phaeton if he hasn't "bottled" about 18 miles SxSSE of the Bill. 14) After a decent fill of 20lb + wreck cod, fillet down, set on ice and head for the Deeps 15) Take a couple of 15lb plus Pollock before heading to the moorings in Bray, followed by a short water taxi to "The Moorings" in Braye 16) Meet the rest of the crews and up to the Armoury for a S,S & S and then across to St Anne's for some grub and a Wicked Vimto Well that is Monday and Tuesday covered, what are you guys up to? Tom PS: Wednesday and Thursday involve much the same, but primarily include several 20lb + Turbot, a confused 12lb Bass, a plethora of Bream that we decided to go for whilst waiting for the right state of the tide and about 10 Tope over a nice little mark several miles to the SSE of Alderney (all 40lb+ and on 12 to 20lb class) Friday involves a steady steam back to about "half way" where we inadvertantly pass over an unmarked wreck to find it teaming with British record Cod which each of us break in turn, the smallest of about 63lb goes on as bait for the large shadow that has been tailing our drifts and results in the UK's first Great White "tag and release" at an estimated 1050lb, caught on the heaviest gear we have onboard (20lb class), but aided by expert boat handling. Love you all TB

I couldn't possibly say a word, but you may want to ask a relatively new member about his new girlfriend. The rumour is that she is a rather big girl named "Christina"....

Looks a little lumpy bumpy, on the nose going over Tuesday and really good the rest of the time on Metcheck and "OK" on XC. Appears to be staying dry with mixed cloud and sunshine. On long range forecasts great! It will probably all change again by Monday night!!! Tom

What's your boating area? I have a couple "spare" which may be suitable. If the correct patch, yours for

errrrr I guess so

Lovely looking boat Fred

....All becomes clear!

Nice first pic Kam and a good looking fish. What Rod is that in the background, looks like sharking tackle! Fingers crossed for a few like that next week!

If it is on good gel coat then some very VERY fine sand paper and plenty of elbow grease will do the job. Once done, I rub of some cutting compound (even Cif will work) followed by a good polish will bring it back like new. Don't go further than you have to with the sanding and try and work an even area, but it will bring it up a treat. Tom

I reasonably treated (Not brought in the boat and allowed to thrash themselves senseless on the gunnels) I would be surprised as they always seem quite hardy. I have caught the same eel a number of times in the past. On several occassions we have hooked the same eel twice in a day and on other occassions we have hooked the same fish a number of weeks later over the same wreck. Although it pains me to say it, I would find it more likely that some idiot had dumped a load of fish for whatever reason, or they had bveen very poorly handled. Tom

That sounds absolutely spot on! If the battery didn't fractionally charge beyond (to approx 14.5V) 12V you would have a problem. The same will happen on cars. Mt L200 has a simple voltmetre and it reads 12V when the engine is off, but turn it on and the charge jumps to 14.5V. Relax, you have a healthy battery. Tom

I have to agree with Scott here! The skipper - the guy at the helm at the time - is responsible for the vessel and should take full responsibility for any incident! I did here rumour of an "emergency stop" procedure required whilst near Wareham. Can anyone produce any more light on the subject?.... Tom PS: This leads me on with a feeling that I MUST explain that whilst I was with Mark whilst his boat was going into Mitchells boat yard, it was Mark at the helm when we actually ran up on the mud (I simply helped get us off the mud). With this in mind and remembering it was Marks new boat I believe we should pass the title to Mark and name him "Virgin Mudhopper"

....So Mark? Which "Monkey" got all the fishing line round the prop shaft? Tom

Where are you looking Duncan? Put Alderney into Metcheck and 19mph / 20mph over first two days.... I prefer the better forecast so please give me the details and I will watch that one until metcheck is better again!

Adam try posting on WSF they may well get a taker if you can't from the club. Alternatively, Chris will almost certainly fill the place. I would suggest Chris asks Phill Denton. He is always up to fill space on Alderney trips, knows Chris very well too. Phill is an absolute looney, but a good angler and a decent bloke. He is the guy running around naked onboard Tiger Lily on Chris' gallery..... Tom

Just checked the long range forecast on metcheck for Alderney. Slightly damp and drizzely which I don't mind, but winds are freshening with 4 to 5's West or SW for Tues / Wed and 3 to 4's the remainder from the South. 4 to 5's are OK by me, but will make for a somewhat lumpy first couple of days.