Fugazi

As this is only my second attempt at competition fishing, what are the rules, apart from sign in on the night before? Gordon H

Andy, It's Beaulieu boat jumble this weekend, check it out first before giving up on the radio. Gordon H

Don't worry about the trim tabs falling off, providing the screws are tight and secure all the load being applied through them is in shear. I don't know how many screws there are, or the diameter, but assuming they are stainless steel and around 3mm in diameter it would need tons of force to be applied for them to fail. Water pressure on the surface area in question will not be able to generate such a force. I could work it out but I'm on my third glass of wine and watching Grand Designs while I type, but I would be dissapointed if Mad Mike or Affishionado didn't do it for me. Gordon H

Reading the threads relating to problems with GPS and radio interconnections, I thought it worth mentioning an alternative option. My radio is connected directly to an independent GPS smart aerial which is simplicity itself and gives me the benefit of dual redundancy if the chart plotter fails. A cheaper option than buying a duplicate GPS unit for back up. Gordon H

Only two ways of catching these, dredging or diving for them. Regarding the issue of space that pots take up, have a look at the folding ones advertised in BFM. I bought one earlier this year for prawns and its brilliant, just looking forward to trying it out asap. Gordon H

If nothing else, it should make an excellent drag anchor for fishing the Shambles! Gordon H

I'm with Mike on this one, following the conditions and fishing on Friday I decided to stay in the garden and score brownie points as well. Having seen the reports today I'm glad I did, but hats off to the guys who did go for it. Fingers crossed we must be due some settled weather and improved fishing soon. Gordon H

Charlie, I've e-mailed you my tally for Friday but as I'm new to fish reporting not sure if I was supposed to have weighed them? Guess I thought only specimen or really good fish needed to be weighed and recorded, not every fish. I must get some good accurate scales on the boat for the smaller catches, my existing ones are not suitable for weighing 1oz pout etc. Gordon H

Paul, Based on the forecast being a repeat of Friday I'm switching to plan B and launching from Baiter to try fishing the bream marks in the shelter of the Purbecks. Gordon H

Paul, If the weather gods are kind to us Monday I'll see you out there. May even try one of the close in wrecks like the Venezuela. Gordon H.

The conditions on Friday were not the best, considering the forecast but we did manage to catch 3 dogfish on the ledge (2 dark brown ones with large spots and 1 light brown one with small spots). No bream about yet. It was nice to meet up with Coddy, Marine Boy and Paul D plus finding out where X-Ray was, if the weather improves I'll have another try on Monday. Gordon H

Coddy, I

Adam, Youv'e got me all fired up for this trip, so bring it on! Gordon H

It never ceases to amaze me how many top quality anchors and warp are left discarded lying over wrecks that abound locally. If anyone would like pre-owned equipment of this nature I

We also managed to get out christchurch at 9.30am and headed for the bream marks, lost a lot of tackle and only caught a spotty dog. It was well lumpy further out but we stuck it out until 2.30pm when the wind veered round to south west and it was time to call it a day. Stopped on the way back close in but blanked there completely, still nice to be out again getting a sun tan. Gordon H

If the weather really is 10mph westerly tomorrow as forecast, it will be my first trip out since the Castaways flounder competition. "Fingers crossed" Gordon H

I did once have a problem at Wick due to a strong easterly wind blowing the boat round against the concrete pillars. Father in law couldn

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OK Yah, it's this years must have boating accessory.

Yeah but, Yeah but, Yeah but Not if you then have to wait up to 4 hours for the tide and when you return can't get your trailer out cause its first in last out. Gordon H

If you must go to the Carribean, try Granada as the fishing is good and so are the hotels and food. Only caution is that we went 7 years ago and although it was fantastic then, things might have changed. Gordon H

Nor do I, but I hope they do have advantages as I bought two new onesl last week.

Until now I've only used Wick through the winter, being on a pontoon berth during the summer months. Don't know how difficult it

I need one of those coathanger anchor stops but couldn't find one on Stainless Steve's web site, does anyone know who else supplies them? Gordon H