Swainiac

Yes Dan, had two bigguns last year, the second being Jean (Ithink), which was a grade five storm, the highest on the scale. This one was a one when it came across the southern state, then increased as she moved across the warm GUlf Waters.

Like a true mad englishman, I ventured out last year to see what it was all actually about, taking a stroll across to the beach. The winds whipped up the sea into a frenzy, tons and tons of sand shifted with ease, but the most amazing thing to see was how the infrastructure over there is built to such a low standard, with power lines stacked one on top of another on age old pine posts, which inevitably snap!! Theres no wonder it all looks brand spankers out there........I guess it gets a rebuild every second year!!

Rich

Well, the holliday finally came to an end, I landed back at murky Gatwick Monday, and took a leisurly drive home, jetlagged and a little dispondant.

Compared to last year, the fishing was awfull. The Gulf coast has experienced what they call a Red Tide, an algal bloom which strips intercoastal waters, and shallow beaches of oxygen, litterally asphyxiating the entire sea life around it. This coupled with the extremes in air pressure, Hurricane Katrina bring lows of around 920mb, added to low oxygen levels in the sea.

Entire stocks of baitfish, surface, midwater and bottom feeders, were wiped out. I saw Redfish of around 25lb, washed up on beaches, mullet,(what looked like thick lips) by the thousand, Sheepshead, some good specimens, similar to our Black Bream, by the score. A walk along Clearwater Beach up towards Caladesi Island, showed that the Sea Turtle population had also been hit, with 62 specimens being collected by the Clearwater marine aquarium rescue unit.

Days that allowed fishing, I had sporadic sport on the fly, with some great fights from Bonefish early morning, on a home tied Bass lure, so I was happy that this worked. I also managed to land a sheepshead of just under three pounds, three trips worth of fishings efforts!! Of all the baits I have tried, this one immediately took a Barnacle of all things, whipped onto a size 4 worm hook, and flicked in front of its nose! Great eating on the BBQ!

I met up with an old friend out there, and he took me out into Clearwater pass, on his Whaler, and for the second time in two years, we had Tarpon around the boat. He sems to think I'm a good omen for these, as he's only had these oversize herrings around the boat while I've accompanied him, so it looks like I have a place next year!! Alas this year I didnt hook into one, but Ladyfish gave us furious sport under the Bridge Stantions.

I'll look forward to next years trip, hopefully with no Red Tide! Back to work(ish) now, but three trips arranged for next week, and the weymouth festival next weekend. Its good to be back!!!

Tight lines......Rich

Trevor, I've caught Rainbows over In Northern Ireland In the River Bush, which the locals called "Steelheads". There were deffinately Rainbows, but very dark in colour, and covered in sea lice, all taken while Salmon Fishing. I obviously can't say whether they had definately been at sea, but the prescence of the sea lice would indicate brackish waters at least.

Perhaps they carry the same gene that allows other salmonids to survive in both fresh and sea water? Very interesting trial though.

Rich

Superb results James well done! All Ray taken on same mark?

Rich

Gordon.....I've been offered some early season Pike fishing up in Derby with fat boy Mark - AKA Piemeister this weekend, but would have liked to crew to catch up on what I've missed these last few weeks......maybe sometime soon?

Rich

I would echo comments re the TLD's......truly superb reels for the money, if it helps, since geting hold of of two TLD fives, and the ABU 7000BG narrow spooled version, my Shimano charter speacial has not been off the reel shelf in the garage. Its loaded with 30lb braid topped with 60lb leader, and recently serviced, if you wish to have a lend for a few months, to see how you get on before spalshing out, you're more than welcome. I belive my numbers are on the members list, or just PM me.

Tight lines.... Rich

Hurricane katrina hits Ft. Lauderdale!!! Shes a cat 1 hurricane, so less powerfull than the two I had last year, wind speeds of around 74mph. Course is set to cross the state, and exit land across to the Gulf, leaving land in the Naples area......a little down from me. Weather will be a bit pants for a few days, while the system clears, then hopefully sun,sun,sun!!

As far as three weeks fishing goes......shes worse than me out there!!! Her mum and dad arrive shortly after us, for a month generally, and we all fish together. Hopefully, this weather system will have the same effect as last years, it seems to push bigger fish into the calm of the inland water behind clearwater beach, Tarpon around 60-100lb mark were rolling frequently last yr....manage to hook one! Great sport from an oversized herring! Will have a go for stingers after nightfall on the Gulf beach too......had the gen from Gordon, re tactics. Looking forward to freshly caught sea trout, bar be qued......can't beat it!

Appologies in advance for forthcoming meeting please, tight lines, stay safe all.

Rich

Trev, try Reelcare, southampton, he does all makes/models...02380 777323, quick turn round too.

Rich

Peter, was there a commercial cat out of Portsmouth working near you? We were shadowed by a white/blue south cat, (Ithink), with four guys fishing with rod and line......they didnt seem to be catching, but then, neither were we!!! 14 miles ish sw needles, three wrecks, two charted one not.

Rich

Jack, in all honesty, as Peter says, these reels appear to be constructed mainly of chocolate!! They really dont last, can seem an attractive option with bells and whistles at a meagre price, but really should be left alone.

You can't beat a quality reel, with quality gearing. Penn seem to have the thing sorted, as do shimano, these are the multipliers i would stick to.

Rich

Lol......a picture paints a thousand words...or so!

Rich

Jack, Ive used these sandeels for a while now.......on the wrecks, for pollock, I use a 6/0 mustad hook, and found that the eel will be plucked off if you dont place it quite far along the hook. On finer work, like bass drifting, I've used a 2/0 finer hook, but passed the sandeel over the point and just up the bend, leaving more body free flowing which gives the lure its excellent swimming action, even in very light tide. Couple this onto a good fluerocarbon leader, you will catch!!

Hope this helps.....Rich

Nice one Bob!........Have just packed the travel Bass rod for spinning/freelining, the 9wt travel fly rod for early morning flicks in the surf, assorted hooks, bits and bobs, and a spare telescopic rod...just in case!

Will stock up on lures, fluerocarbon/braid, hooks and other "shiny" gadgets the yanks know we love!!! Am looking forward to three weeks uninterupted fishing, and hopefully, sun without the hurricanes this year! (Managed two last year.....greedy I know!).

Have a great three weeks while I'm away lads....tight lines, I'm off to bag me a 'poon!!

Rich

Paul.....if you didnt have days like that, you wouldnt appreciate the better days, or the red letter days, that come fewer and farther between.

Our day wasnt fantastic, for the amount of effort we put in, but if it was easy, our sport would be called catching.....not fishing!

Rich

Nice one Alun........Gordon and I had a good showing of phosorescence a few weeks ago, shame the fishing wasnt as good!!!

Rich

Jack, have you searched the web for the diagram of your model?? BoyBilly uses a site that gives exploded diagrams for most reels, so maybe search under recent posts on the forum, or give him a bell......his comp is playing up, so he may not pick up a PM.

As with all multipliers, dry off the clutch with a hairdryer before re-assembly, taking care not to get grease on the plates, this will ensure a super result, the reel will seem good as new. There are also some V good reel servicing guys who offer reliable turnaround.

I use Reel Care in southampton, 02380 777232, he charges

Please excuse my ignorance.....what is a poole canoe??

Rich

Peter, Les Lawrence and I had better results on the bridge with tiny tiny scad, with the average fish size far better than those we took on the Weymouth trailaway.......although James did allow me to drop what looked to be the best fish of the day, at the side of the boat, if Bob F is Gaffer, Jimbob should be netter!!

So it follows that stormies should work over the bridge. Did you lose much tackle?? I didnt lose a single set up, but Les lost gear every drift. Nice reports, anyhow, and a very enjoyable day.

Rich

Another variation on the hot smoke method with a kettle bar be que, is to place a drum of water inside the smoker, above the heat source, and place large fish above this on the trays. Hot smoke for twelve hrs. This has to be done with sizeable fish, I generally use trout of 8lb plus.

A different taste can be obtained by adding a length of apple wood on top of the chippings, this burns slowly, giving an added hint to the flavour.

Paul......are those chippings I gave u ok?? They came from a machine shop, but my chainsaw gives off sizeable flakes, the only problem here is that the lubricant that feeds the chain and bar, may taint the wood flakes. The oil used in chainsaws is vegetable based, and completely biodegradeable. If anyone wants more for smokers, give me a shout.........can provide buckets full!

Rich

Nice one, no better way to ensure enthusiasm, than to let either the youngsters, or the spouses catch fish!! Good to see catch and release being practiced by juniors too. Tight lines,

Rich

I have sorted the eels, Eddie is out on the banks trawling at 0600hrs, and I have his mobile number, so can call him direct, and either meet him half way, or back on the quay at 0800hrs. Cost is approx 5p per eel ish, and Ive ordered up 150 eels. (Cheers BB).

BB has also been kind enough to offer some marks up, so will sort this when I arrive at the slip. I'll be there with Jimbob, at about 0645hrs to launch and park the wagon and stow the trailer. I'm also getting worms from WAC who open at early doors. If you fancy a bacon sarnie, the Sailors Return will be open at 0700 for scoff. Bacon Sarnies are

Dan, close in, along the foreshore west of Lymo, you can expect schoolies, schoolies, and schoolies, maybe an odd flattie, either a sole, flounder or lost plaice. You used to get the odd ray there, but my money would be on bass, with the chance of a better fish in tide.

With rag, you have the chance of a stingray, a 34lber was caught close in last week by an eight year old fishing on his grandads boat, so they are still about.

Tight lines, will watch the catch reports with interest.

Rich

Charlie, cheers for that info, I'll try that next time I'm congering.

As far as the trace burring went, my larger fish was deeper hooked in the roof of the mouth close to the back, so the teeth certainly made me thankfull of the heavier 100lb trace.

PJ, this is the time of year fish are making the most of the cuttles in the water. In the solent, the water is getting to its warmest for the year, the cuttles have bred, and netting is well under way. You can motor through the Solent with a net on board, scooping up cuttles that have slipped the nets, a friend took 36 in one hour last week. This is also around the time of year, the larger Bass in the Solent waters readilly take cuttle, so please don't waste them, or pass them by! They are a trully superb bait.

Duncan, is the 30lb pike wire heavy enough for Tope? Are the small crimps needed for closure on these traces strong enough in singles to hold a fish, or do you double up on them? I'll make a few up, as they are very neat,small, and easy to stow in the box, after all, I can always use them for Pike on the river in winter. Tight lines acroos the Channel........I'm not too jealous....I have my new Salt Water Fly kit to try out in Florida, so will be flicking fluff into the surf, a week tomorrow!!

Rich

Welcome aboard lads, enjoy the exchange of info, marks and techniques, on the best site for South Coast Small Boat Fishing.

Tight Lines....Rich

Mikey, I would echo comments made re budget reels. Is it worth fifty quid, the price between a good new light reel, and the loss of good fish, and a days angling? Speak with Alun J, he has reels that are well priced, with warranties, and brand names, eg ABU.

Alternatively, give Reel Care, 100 Kendal Ave, Southampton, 02380 777232, a call. He turns around any make of reel, in any state of repair for