Mike Fox

Some good suggestions so far, and I'd also suggest checking the quality of your diesel. The colouration and filter blockage is typical of bugs in the diesel. These feed on the fuel itself, and if you've got a significant quantity of biofuel, or moisture in there, the chances increase. They can be a pain to eradicate, and even a small amount left from emptying and cleaning will breed and contaminate the next batch of fuel. You can buy additives to kill them, but you might need to check or change your primary filter fairly often over the next few dozen engine hours, as the dead bacteria can turn to sludge and could block the filter. I'd also run with a couple of spare primary filters (secondaries too), and practice changing them and bleeding the system, in case you ever get a stoppage at sea. Mike

I never expected to start a thread in the Kayak section, but here goes... Found this in the Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-22...ried-plane.html A new concept to me, which might appeal to some in the club! Mike

I suffered really poor starting all of last year. Finally traced it to a poorly seated secondary fuel filter allowing the tiniest bit of air in, forcing the engine to effectively self-bleed the system from cold...and with the boat being mainly used at weekends it was always cold. Replaced the filter and starting improved (but I know it will never be instant!). Think it might have been something like a small bit of grit on the seal. Mike

All, Just seen this - boat arrived at Isle of Wight with no-one on board. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-22...ning-board.html There's an air and sea search in progress. Anyone out there fishing today? Keep an eye out chaps! Half a chance is better than no chance. Mike

Cracking angling, and what a fish ! Never knew they were so close inshore. Mike

New club record! Mike

Thanks Brian! Mike

What a good turn out on a lumpy day. Can the PBSBAC club members be indicated easily? Thanks, Mike

Well done Jim - some great fish there. Mike

Needs to be mounted in the front part of the anchored vessel. A lot of the chaps mount them on a length of broom stick in a rod holder or equivalent. Mike

You're right Brian - my mistake - there is a 16.30 lift on the winter timetable, it was the 5.30 that's missing - which would be too late for the scales. Mike

Folks, a slight issue for those with larger boats: - there's a high tide at 17:00 ish (apparently) on Sunday - there's no bridge lift at 16:30 I know a few club boats would struggle to get under after the 3.30 lift. As there's no 08.30 lift either, Frisky would only be able to be "out" from 9.30 to 3.30 on this basis, so am not going to be able to fish this one, and steam out too far! Good luck all who fish. Mike

You've raised a good question Rob, about having an alternative method of propulsion. It's certainly something the RNLI recommends, and is good seamanship where practical. If two boats fish closely together as buddy boats AND have a decent tow rope AND have enough fuel for one to tow the other comfortably AND co-ordinate times on marks etc, then that can make a lot of sense, and I think it's great many in the club do this. However, if "out for a jolly with some bait" and unprepared with safety gear for the trip, and having to rely on someone else getting you back (chance of club boat or RNLI) then the situation is different. With air and sea temperatures dropping, I wouldn't recommend downgrading personal safety or contingency plans. Mike

The implication here is that this will be extended for France and the rest of Europe. I tend to fill at Cobb's with red diesel, and a tank could get me into several countries in N.Europe easily. Traces of red dye will remain for years even if I switch to white diesel in jerry cans, as I typically fill when the tank is 30% full (to avoid air being sucked into pipes etc). Diesel powered angling vessels will be similarly impacted for deliberate trips to places like Cherbourg...or in the event of callout by a French lifeboat. It's a culture shock to be charged for a rescue (as teh French do) - but to be fined for red diesel too? This might have insurance implications too - if you try to reclaim the fines. Messy. I'd like it blocked, and Belgium to back down. Mike

Well done on getting out and catching a few - the only catch report of the day (so far). Looks like the conditions were better than I expected, and unlucky in not getting something bigger. Mike

I'm no expert... but could you fabricate something such as: - One length of scaffolding pole (or similar) - total under a foot. - Cut in half lengthways. - Drill holes in each end. - Two padlocks - one each end - Clamp over the toggles in horizonal position. Not sure - what do others think? Mike

Not quite angling related, but you never know what the fall-out could be relating to French wrecks or marks... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-22...using-Navy.html Mike

I'd love a petite blonde like that on Frisky... Well done all who fished - looks better out there than I imagined! Mike

Good luck all who fish - this is one of my favourite comps. Unfortunately, have felt rough for 3 days now, and I'll be sitting this one out. Was hoping to make a late entry, but it's not to be. Mike

I like the fact there will be a 2 or 3 bridge lift sequence as required, and hope this sense persists. I'm not keen on the lack of an 8.30 and 5.30 lift. Mike

We've caught plenty of cuttlefish over the years, but it's good to see them in the water and alive. Interesting tagging programme by the MBA See here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19677573 Mike

Frisky is hoping to be out... Mike

The low is now forecast to intensify, and move further North. If this remains the case, all indications are for much more stronger winds and heavier rain. Mike

Looks like a complex low is sat in the Western Approaches on Saturday, with another over the Baltic and a ridge of high pressure over the UK - meaning Saturday is looking like fair weather and light winds. The entire air mass looks like moving to the East on Sunday, with the high pressure ridge narrowing and moving to the Benelux countries, and the Low from the Western Approaches moving in over Britain, generating SE winds that I'd estimate at F5 on Sunday from the isobars, but this could be anywhere from F4 to F6 depending on if the low deepens or not. The location of the actual fronts on Sunday are difficult to predict this far out, but the leading warm front associated with the low could be in the region of the Channel, or over N.France. If it stays South it could well be dry and clear - but if it comes North there's a risk of continual light rain/drizzle. So...still early days, but it might be lumpy out at sea in Poole Bay. Mike

See here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environme...North-Sea.html# Think a 13 year old cod would be huge....perhaps someone knows an approximate weight? Makes me wonder why I spend hours on freezing winter days being bounced around, and soaking unwashed squid, when the EEC rules mean a) my chances are low, and even if I put it back, some trawler WILL catch it, and might have to put it back dead. Grim reading... Mike