Paul D

My insurance up for renewal ( Boatinsure.co.uk who are same people who Porthcall use - Amlin ). I have Neo insured for

I'll be in southend

Squid when you can get it past the bream ( We were using whole squid to give the smoothies a chance to get to it ).

8th July is penned in as the Trailaway to Utopia ( Trailaway 15th July is the Bass Specimen Comp

Like this ( but a big common this time ) :-

You should have recorded at least one of the well over 15lb ones as the club record for Smoothhound ( undistinguished ) is only 15lb. The fat females are biggest when they are pregnant ( I've got a picture of Mad Mike with a pregnant female somewhere ). I think in that area the Starry Smoothhounds are the common ones ( if that makes sense ).

You could be weighing anything in that bag though

Should have worn your dad's - that has been waterproofed !

Squid and you almost had one for lunch Alun as it attempted to decapitate itself in my line. Went back OK though.

For correction - It was Dean's fish that held the Starry record for an hour or so. I am assuming yours was a Starry as everyone we caught today were Starries. Was it a fat female fish by any chance ? Re: The fight - I nearly had one break my rod at the base as it charged off to the horizon whilst I wasn't concentrating. Fortunately Dean spotted the bent double rod !

22nd please ( and for the Nipper crew ) PS: Lets hope this bad weather stays through next weekend to be sure ( only kidding )

Due to the forecast decided to switch from fishing out of Christchurch and moved to Lymington. Launched in lashing rain and wind was around a F4 at times but not too lumpy running out. ( Glad I tooka spare key as managed to snap off the existing one but pulled the remaining bit out with pliars. ) We had 6 charter boats fishing with us as it was too rough outside. Back early as coastguard were forecasting a strong wind warning - cyclonic up to force 7, so decided we didnt want to stay around to see what that would be like ! ,plus we were already wet. Definitely the right call re: competition. Smoothy fishing was good though. Starry Smoothhound record now stands at 10lb 8oz to Dean Burt. ( I initially weighed the fish as 5lb and myself and Dean are looking at each other thinking this is a much bigger fish than that - doh - I am looking at the KG scale ! Had around 6 fish each ( enough to lose count actually - think I had 5 and Dean had at least 6 ). Dean had 3 10lb+ fish and I had 2 to 10lb. So a good days fishing. Must re-waterproof my flotation suit now !.

Though so. Here is a picture :- If you have any information regarding this bulletin please contact the Marine Unit 0845 0454545 marine@hampshire.pnn.police.uk, website www.hampshire.police.uk Crime Stoppers 0800 555111

Did this download OK for you or is it shown as a load of gibberish ?

Stolen from Minstead, Lyndhurst on 14/06/07. Stolen from the aggrieved

Not in the market for one myself, but that is a reasonable price I feel ( cost new is

Not heavier but something like 50% out

Yep - That is definitely an Undulate ( although I suspect your 18lb estimate may be slightly out ) .

Now I am puzzled. That reference quite clearly shows that Blonde "Rays" are really skate........ For example a RAY tail is described as follows :- "tail relatively slender to whip-like, usually with a saw-edged stinging spine midway along its length " whereas a SKATE tail is "tail relatively stocky, without a stinging spine " Now looking at your picture and the way you are holding your fish - tell me where the stinging spine is ( in your hand maybe ! ) and the way that the tail is "whip like" ? Common name is Blonde Ray but it is really a skate ( as is a Thornback ) - and the article referenced says exactly that. I quote :- "The problem is made more difficult by the fact that many of the species around the UK coastline are misnamed. For example, the thornback ray is actually a skate!" PS: Any chance of a picture of the Undulate Ray, just so I can be sure it is not a Thornback ?

Trev, Did you get the tape measure OK. ( I assume so as you mention BASS length / weight scale )

You're more than welcome Alun. Shall we see how many people and boats we end up with and decide then.

What about the fish Well actually no - It is a SKATE but commonly known as a Blonde Ray. Remember

and I have the numbers for the good marks

I had a relaxing day until lunchtime when decided to go and see Muse at Wembley for the second day running - awesome

I too will be needing crew.