Swainiac

Thanks Paul.

Al, very detailed analysis of the bite. They do this down in weymouth, and it was pure chance that I spooled line, giving me a "take". Then on each subsequent drift, the knock, spool, the hit, THE FIGHT!!!! The excited actions of the baitfish is very very similar to the action of a freshwater livebait when targeting Pike. No matter how big the quarry is, the bait fish will generally always give that little bit extra effort to get away from the hunter, again, pure magic. Rich

Thanks chaps. Rich

Adam, am I right in saying that if you double up the braid then tie a normal four and a half turned tucked blood knot the braid will hold?? I never use braid direct to swivel, but have been told this one works?? Rich

Actually, I lie Bob, I was so ugly as a baby, I had shutters on my pram, my mum put a string of sausages around my neck so the family dog would play with me, and at feeding time, I was fed with a catapult!!!!

I was quite a cute baby though.........well, my mummy thought so!!!! Rich

On the subject of trailers, does anyone know where i might lay my hands on a decent roller coaster, that will take a vessel, say, the size of a Qucksilver 540?? Rich Apart from the trailer shop, that is!!!!!!

I thought Al took the Bass record??

Crazy, this isnt the place to discuss the ethics of surveillance, and the handing down of orders through the chain of command. I have been in such shoes during time in the mob...it isnt funny, it isnt pleasant, and these guys put their life on the line every working day, which isnt appreciated by the likes of you. So why pass comment?? Rich

Fred, ive heard many stories about many naughty boys, and Ive spent far too long in Police circles to discount multiple sources if information. IMHO, these guys had it coming, as have any others who flaunt our regulations regarding the illegal landing of any items, be they drugs, contraband or fish. I'm sorry, but I'm not bent, and I feel that the majority of the population isnt, its the 5% who have criminal records who let themselves down, and a number of the remaining 95% of the population who insist on committing offences of one sort or another forget that people from all corners are watching, and the only thing on their side is time..........one thing that 25 years in enforcing the law taught me is that no one escapes justice all of the time. This post may sound harsh, but I'm sorry again, I cant stand villains, and they all eventually get caught.........ask Mr Noyce!!!! Rich

Another desperately great days angling from the dream team. Another brace of double to boot, well done Rup, stick in there, take that club record I sense a healthy spirit of sportsmanship between you two guys, and am dead chuffed that catches like this are shared on the club website. Thanks. I'd echo T's words re the Bass sampling, I think this is a very important survey, that can have a direct affect on the minimum landing sizes of ALL future bass taken commercially, as the findings of this survey go from us here at the PBSBAC, to CEFAS, whos scientists are reporting directly to the Minister in charge of our fisheries policies, please please please assist Trev and I in our efforts here. Thanks, and well done on another great days angling, spot on. Rich

Just desserts I'd say, the source of bad publicity for many weymouth skippers, about time too. Rich

See.......there's more in this Big Gay Bear story yet!!!!!! Rich

Lookin' guuuuuuuuuud Charlie. Such a difference from when that scaffold went up!! Only seems yesterday! Keep up the good work.......hey......now wendy can get a brew on from outside!!!! <slaaaapppppppppp> Rich

I cant do any evenings next week either two drivers have left and muggins here said I'll do their drives, as I want to go back to Florida for three weeks in september........just when the Tarpon move again Rich

I'm up for crewing if there are any takers......sole still remains on my most wanted list. Rich

Jas, if you are just starting out, then my serious advice would be to get an ugly stick, 12lb class, that will set you back about 35 squid. couple that with an abu 7000 series multiplier.......see terry B or Alun J for one, load it with 15lb braid......see me for that bang a 28lb leader on the end of the braid......and enjoy your fishing. From my limited experience, the ugly stick range will cover all your need sfor a few years, and the blanks are virtually unbreakable, they are advertised in the states as "unbreakable", although I wouldnt go quite that far. Then grab an ugly stick 20-30lb class rod for heavier stuff, get hold of a TLD 10, or a second 7000 series, or maybe a second hand Penn 235 lever drag........that will do your lighter wrecking days, keep the budget down untill you are completely hooked.........then fill your boots on Ebay!!!!!!!! Rich

Jason, the basic rule for all terminal tackle is keep it simple. The more you incorporate in the trace, the more it is likely to tangle. For "scratching" rigs, which will be using size 4 or six hooks, tie a quick release snood clip, like a genie clip, on the bottom of the trace. This enables weights to be changed very easily and quickly, tie a good swivel to the top of the trace, this should really clip onto another genie type link on your mainline. This second genie will allow quick changes of rigs, in case hook legth snap, or become tangled. Flowing traces are simpler. Use a hook on the point of the trace, then a couple of droppers up the trace, ending in a swivel, at the top of the trace. Put a boom on the mainline, tying a genie type clip at the end of the mono, this allows easy changing of rigs. I'll post some pics when I have time...working too much at the minute!!!!! Rich

My watch doesnt have moon phases on it, but when I look at the face and see the date change, that tells me its time to fish again!!!!!!!!!!!

Mathew, yes, I have purchased multiple sizes of moulds, and yes, I can cast up some weights for you, just give me back lead. Rich PS Alun, can you check the post for grammar?

Nice fish, good to see the Big Gay Bear in the thick og the action again I'm working lates all this week Dan, but would do an evening next week if you're going out, oh, must get some cotton for my reel!!!!! Rich

Matt, I have Bopedo/Ronnie I'll copy anything Thompson moulds n 6oz 12oz 1lb 1 1/4lb 1/2lb 2lb. Ball weights in 1oz and 2 oz, egg weights in 1 to 5 oz, the club also has some kicking around, although I think some belong to Big Peter. Rich

Nice one Kodster......glad that you nabbed your target, thats always a good feeling. Rich

Al, thanks for that, also had a PM from Rup, (although he didnt pass comment on the Builders Bum!), so if I get out on plot at all before the fish go, I'll have a couple of rods set, one with the power gum stopper and one with a braid. Using a longer rod for most of my comp. angling, I have found it does become a tad clumsy at times, but the through action in the rods described will out perform my tippy Grauvell jobber. The line retrieve on each reel must differ somewhat. I have an old 5000 series ABU which I used for all my pike angling when fishing the huge Irish loughs, "when I was in the War", which pulls in a little less than my baitrunner, I think, but each is loaded with braid so easy to switch. I've not used a fixed spool on that mark, mainly closer inshore in shallow water, anyhow, will give it a go. Cheers, Rich

Rupe, Al, true dedication and consistency, I take my hat off to you guys, I thought Jimbob did well with his trio of fish caught during a speciman hunt I had the pleasure of crewing for him on. One double in a day is a feat, but two is truly great. From a technical aspect, what are you using for a stop knot, power gum or mono? Has it ever snagged in the tip eye? Are you still using the barbel/fixed spool combination, as I noticed Rupe was using a multiplier in his "Builders bum", (nice grundies Rupe!!!!!!), in one of the pics of him playing a fish!! I havent tried this method of deep water float fishing yet, but it certainly seems to do the bizz. I must have a crack at it before the Bass move offshore. Well done lads. Paul.........how about a new level after Marlin Master, Bass Bandit Supremo? Rich