Mike Fox

Charlie, The eel with the hooks looked in prime condition, and was back in Summer 1981. It gave an angler a fish of a lifetime, and seemed to have no trouble feeding. I don't recall any "wet sack" syndrome. He kept it, I gutted it on the trip back to save him weight carrying it, and everyone was amazed. They were in various states of corrosion, all bronzed, none having rusted through at all, but there was no way to tell how long the hooks had been there. Mike

I read this too and found it uncomfortable reading. It raises many questions about hook material, how long before it rusts away "naturally", losing a big 'un, trace line strength, cutting the trace for a deep-hooked fish before returning it...etc. I bet I'm not the only angler to have gutted a good fish to have found an old hook in it, and have seen a disturbing number of hooks once in a good conger landed from a well-fished wreck (think it was 7) caught on a charter boat. Are circle hooks the way to go? Even if you lose the fish, there has to be a better chance for the fish to shed it, or continue feeding? I'm going to see about changing over to try these! Mike

Hi Zed, I think it's a good idea for more floating anglers to join the club. I believe Frisky is the only boat with sails in the club at present, is the slowest boat in the fleet under engine (and probably the slowest under sail too !), but can undertake the longest fishing trips due to the accommodation available. I've tried to compete on level terms over the last few years, but some of the anglers are really skillful, and we do struggle at times. We've certainly had fun trying, and ocasionally raise a smile when we get something decent. Kayaks joining in adds to the diversity of club craft, I for one think it's a good idea, and am envious at the level of fun you guys seem to have! Regarding safety, I am an RNLI Sea Safety Officer, and the RNLI has issued guidelines for kayak safety, that were developed in conjunction with an extreme kayak group, so that the Sea Safety Scheme can be extended to kayaks as well as other small private craft. This focusses on matters such as equipment to be carried. Would be more than happy to bring details to the next meeting so that we can discuss relevance for angling from kayaks within the context of the club. From what I've seen, most anglers from kayaks appear well equipped - there's nothing like utter vulnerability to focus the mind. What I would suggest is that the distance between two well-equipped buddy kayaks is kept to the minimum for competition fishing. If one is to be close enough to help the other, then a minute or 5 apart might just be too long to avoid a disaster. I think this will be a key matter in any decision taken. Mike

Happy to play reserve, Charlie, if you're happy? Thanks, Mike

Yup...confirmed : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8268093.stm and 9m too ! Mike

Thought this might be of interest! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8258379.stm Mike

Sorry Adam, Seems to be some demand, as I had another interest via PM too. However, I wonder if a certain club member might considering a swift profit....? Mike

Sold! Mike

I agree....well done all organisers and helpers, and it was a great location with good food! Mike

Good point Adam...original post modified, and here's another...

Well i did have two dinghies...and now I have just one. An XM235 (2.35 metres) in good condition...but lacks one valve cover! Acquired when I bought Frisky as part of the package of safety kit on the inventory. Unused for about 7 years in my garage, as our previous Plastimo 240 was bigger. Suitable for 2-3 persons in sheltered waters. Rigid transom, suitable for small outboard. Wooden seat, slatted floorboards Double-action hand pump (poor connector) New aluminium captive oars. Tatty canvas bag. Fairly small diameter tubes, two chambers, relatively light, easily lugged/stowed. Previously pumped up yesterday when Coddy popped around, and again today for the picture. Believed to be fully airtight.

and coalfish... Mike

When reviewing the Specimen weights sheet for eligible species as handed out at the meeting last night, I noticed that the sharks have sensibly been removed... ..but so has Cuckoo Wrasse....! My cunning plan must have been leaked! To avoid co-conspirators being falsely accused, lashed to the mast, and flogged with wet celery, could I ask a quick question - was this an accident, and what else has been removed, please? If accidental, could new versions be made available for Cobbs/Poole Sea Angling collection, if possible? Thanks, Mike

Thanks Martin ! and Craig.....you should know now you can follow me if you like....at 6 knots!!!! Mike

Can someone please advise whereabouts in Cobb's Quay registration and weigh in will take place? Also, is there a temporary mooring available close to the weigh-in, does anyone know? Am not sure I can manage to fish with Frisky....I have to wait for a bridge lift - say 4.30, and at 6 knots it's a good 15 minutes to tie up in my berth. Dropping and running from there means I will be very close to the 5 p.m. weigh-in limit! I can get through the 7.30 a.m. bridge ok, and register with Poole Sea Angling, but if I have to get back on the 2.30 bridge for example, my range becomes even more constrained. Shame, cos I have a cunning plan! Mike

Hi Trev, Yes, used UniPrep to do the hull on Frisky, after a recommendation from Charlie, and they were good. It had multiple layers of flaking antifoul and was flaking off after launching, letting weed grow in bare areas. We've scraped our two previous boats by hand - 19' and 28', and found it grim beyond belief. The toxins in the antifoul remain active, and even with mask and goggles they get into your system, and caused me some interesting symptoms. Scraping Frisky was therefore not something I fancied! If you do decide to scrape, a 0.75" wood chisel would be my weapon of choice, and it's best to keep a long working edge for speed! Good luck, Mike

Martin, Just noted Darrell's status is currently Forum Member, and he might not be able to access the areas. Mike

With the confusion over the NFSA and the Angling Trust, could I ask that the specimen sizes that will apply for this competition to be posted here, please? Thanks, Mike

Following an engine rebuild a few years ago, I was admitted to the prestigious "Piston Broke" club, but never seem to have been able to leave... Mike PS Great boats...Enticer won me over!

Glad you had a good time Craig and all, and impressed at the conger and bass - same mark? I think you left at the right time, as it was very quiet for us with just spider crabs (dropped) and small bream. No mackerel, no dogs and definitely no ray! Mike

Try the full screen sonar setting... Mike

Marks like this are available in the Club Members-only areas within this website. You would be more than welcome to see and use these if you joined the club - please see details on the front page. I joined a few years ago, and it was worth every penny. Mike

1.) Trev (Wedger) 2) Paul ( Neo ) 3) Paul R ( Neo ) 4) Neal (Court Jester) 5) John Young (Court Jester) 6) Oli (Sweet Chariot) 7) Nick (Sweet Chariot) 8) Tim (Sweet Chariot) 9) Alun J. 10) Bob F. .....either JV or Gastronaught 11) Dave (Wight Magic) 12] Dan C [Alfresco] 13] Charlie C [Alfresco] 14] andy (lady jane) 15) Mike (Frisky Fox) 16) Carol (Frisky Fox) 17) George (Frisky Fox)

The safety side of VHF radios is more important than the banter, even if used less often! - Keeps you in touch with coastguard and other shipping; - Allows help to pinpoint your position via triangulation; - Has a range of up to 25 miles; - Keeps you up to date with gale and strong wind warnings. Might even save your life! You will need a VHF licence for yourself, and a free one for the boat! Oh, and by the way, I have a Cobra handheld radio, and haven't been over-impressed, largely due to the short battery life, and it's ability to discharge when not used. Some claim the Cobra's are not the way to go. In hindsight, I wish I had bought a higher quality model. Mike PS Feel free to let me know whenever the fish are biting and where!

Any moorings next to you? Would love to see a picture of the red bream particularly - such a rare fish these days. Brilliant! Mike