Mike Fox

Some good points on here. I have been into non-tidal coastal waters many times. Think about a marina with a sill. When the sill is closed at low water, the water is non-tidal. Not sure this is the intended definition, but if I bump into something in St Peterport Marina when moving berths (for example) it would be good to have insurance cover. The phrase in insurance policies that has always concerned me is "excluding wilful or reckless endangerment". My layman's definition of this is "doing something silly" could mean insurers do not have to pay out. This could therefore potentially include accidents during adverse wind or weather conditions, zipping along at 20 knots in fog, fishing in heavy tidal races, lack of suitable safety equipment for distance offshore, etc. Mike

I have a pass, but no crew. Happy to take crew out Sunday, or be crew if anyone fancies more than 6 knots. Failing that, I'll take Frisky out solo. Mike

Well done for being prepared ! Stick at it, and it will all come good soon. Mike

Just read this and had a few initial thoughts: - So what speed does the sea-cat travel in fog? - Was the French fishing vessel moving or anchored when hit? - Did the French fishing vessel have a radar reflector (almost certainly yes)? - What chance do we have in fog if the sea-cat can hit something that size? Mike

Well Lofty, your photo must have inspired me....I had a flounder with orange spots near there too yesterday! Mike

Hi Neal, This is going from bad to worse...I agree with you that both seem linked, and if so, you might be dealing with specialists. Just a quick check - is there any chance they might have keys for Court Jester as well - or taken anything that indicates you own that too? You might need extra padlocks etc if so! Is there any chance they have copies of keys to the garage, so that when you eventually replace the gear, they'll know where to come for some new stuff? Just a couple of suggestions, and I really hope for you there is no more instances of this! Mike

That's grim Neal, you had a great collection of reels there too! Sounds like some VAT-free replacements will be needed from Alderney? Have some bits and pieces if you need help until you can replace. Mike

What...no comment? Have had a check at the previous year's catch reports, and it looks like there's a 50:50 chance of an early bream in March. Some suggest that smoothounds might be out too... Mike

Looks like a handsome flounder to me Lofty !!! Mike

Taking Frisky for the first trip of the year tomorrow, so it will be a bit of a "shake-down" and making sure everything works before venturing further afield. Being neaps, I plan to try Swanage and Poole bays with light tackle, and wonder if anyone else will be out? Will keep a listen on Ch 6 and 16. There's allegedly a few plaice around so will drag a worm across the Swash or Hook Sands at times (between the motorcruisers being a Saturday?), but don't plan to be there all day. What else is around and worth chasing within 6 miles of Poole Entrance? A few rays over the banks, small whiting (any keepers?), doggies....and is that it? Any cod left over? Any pollack over the inshore rock marks? Anything else? Mike

You already have my red-hot mark for sub-aqua divers Rob.... Mike

It's a lumpsucker!!!! Nice one. Mike

Frisky launched this morning, and regretfully I have more jobs to do before the boat is used. Nothing major, just doing all of the jobs I should have done while ashore. Hoping for a short trip this weekend, but will have to see how it goes. Will try to keep listening on Ch6 to see who's claiming what species! Mike

Well, to answer the title of the thread.... It's an Avet SX. I look forward to testing it out in the near future! Thanks everyone for the advice, suggestions and offers. Mike

The lazy line approach is one of the ways the Alderney Ring can be used, but there is a third way. As you steam the anchor out, use a boat hook to lift the rope clear of the water, and place it over a deck cleat (or similar) to keep it in the cockpit. This should never take the direct strain of the lift, as you should continue going forward as usual. When the buoy has "popped", you turn the boat as normal, towards the buoy, but this time you accept it's going to be a midships retrieve from the safety of the cockpit. Obviously, you won't want to do this if it's lumpy, or there's breaking waves, but for a pleasant day out when it's flat (remember them?), it should be perfectly ok. If you have a Safety Check from the RNLI you should be able to discuss this with them, and a multitude of other safety points. Mike

I think there's a recurring theme here.... News shortly! Mike

Thanks folks...level wind not essential...so : Avet SX: lever drag, 14 oz, 5.3:1 ratio,

Interesting questions.....fast retrieve needed for pollacking? Can the Avet or 6500 cope? Was preferring a multiplier Stuie, but thanks for the idea! Mike

I bought a Kenzaki 6lb class rod in Guernsey last summer, and would like a dedicated reel for the rod. My trusty Abu 7000 seems ok, but doesn't feel quite right, and my TLD 15 is way too big so haven't even tried it. What do others have, and what would you recommend to balance it, and why? I plan to hose it off after each trip, target

Thanks for clarifying Martin

Knowing the level of concern by club members about bass conservation, what active support is the club giving for this? For example, if a member was convicted of breaching the nursery area rules, would the club allow their membership to be renewed? If this (or similar messages) were widely distributed it could potentially be used to demonstrate support for the concept and rules, and extend our credentials as a club interested in conservation and restoration of stocks. Mike

Interesting about mackerel - implies small livebaits would be illegal. Also, I didn't know that 12m recreational craft weren't allowed to fish within 6 miles of shore. mike

Well done all !!! Mike

With that much clearance, even our "stealth" boat could cope. No need to anchor...drop a fender on a rope....motor around the nearest upright...pick up your own fender...then you're attached! Could be dead sociable...several boats all picking up the same rope...dropping back till sterns all in line...passing coffees over... Wonder how many could attach to one? Can see the "best" ones having virtual pontoons in calm weather Mike

I've fitted my last two internal transducers on a block of plasticine inside the hull for fishfinders on my last two boats. Everything was moulded in well, and fittings made as solid as possible. Oh, and both "temporary" installations were never touched again. Reception is good, currently with a twin-frequency Garmin sonar unit connected to my combined plotter/fishfinder. It struggled a bit with clarity at 400' over the Hurd Deep however but is fine under 200', and does spot fish at these depths (funny they all swim off to the left mind...). However, I have seen other fishfinders on other club boats giving better images and clarity. Like you, am not keen on drilling a hole. It might be worth trying the plasticine trick, and seeing if it gives enough clarity/resolution for your needs? Mike