Swainiac

Guys......here's a thought. Construction and use regulations for all road vehicles state that if a spare wheel is located on the vehicle, it must be of a servicable nature. Would we think of venturing out in our motor vehicles without a serviceable spare? For the cost of a new trailer tyre and wheel, compared to recovery by AA/RAC, I know what I would do. Do you guys know the law regarding tyre tread on a trailer tyre? Rich

Adam, deep in the bowels of my exhaustive reference book library, I have a title, "Shipwrecks of the Wight". This gives accuarate listings of many major wrecks mainly in the west and south wight area, basically penned for divers, but of use to anglers. You may have a lend, I'll dig it out chap. Rich

Thanks duncan

Paul, Duncan, many thanks. Having considered both options, I will plum for a rebuild on the old rod, and a cheaper replacement in the 20lb class. Do you have experience of both rods you have named Duncan? They seem reasonably priced. Cheers again lads, Rich

Well done Sam.....beats my PB conger by far!! Nice one! Adam, if you are needing crew, midweek, give me a bell. Rich

Duncan, the rod in question is a Penn Extreme 20-30 downtider, length should be 7'6", but I have lost 14" of the top. The internal diameter of the tip is 5mm, and three fuji guides are missing, this includes tip ring. I have an ABU 25-35lb class as a replacement, which is great for conger-ray etc, I also have two 6-12 class downtide, which I use for lighter wrecking jobs, I have tweaked a 30lb conger out of a wreck using this, and boated pollack of 16lb, and ling of 22lb, on these lighter rods, so I am happy with them. So, I would prefer to repair this Penn 20-30 if possible, as its almost spankers. Do you think it has too much tip lost to repair with a fibre glass inserted tip?? Also, would I have to replace all rings to ensure the guides are all in correct spacings?? Where would one source a tip?? Can't you just tell I've never done this before!!!!!!! Thanks.......Rich

Duncan, I've considered your option, and would rather fish lighter than heavier, as this rod would err on the side of a 50lb class than a 30lb. It's the top 8-10 " that are missing, I think three rings. They are fuji's, and apparently these are hard to come by now(??). Adam, I will bung it in the truck one day, and you can have a glegg next time we're Piking, ok?? Rich

Lads, anyone help me out here?? I have a 30lb class Penn downtider, which was inadvertantly wedged in my truck door, taking the tip off. It has sat in the garage for a couple of years now, and being a tight git, I never threw it away. Seeing this newish breed of fibre glass tipped rods on the market now, does anyone think I can repair this rod?? Shame to see an almost new rod gathering dust.......at least if I cant catch on it, I can take it out a few times!!! Replies welcome! Rich

Daves comment re 10mm diameter is quite pertinant here. I use 12mm rope for my tree work, and trying to haul my bulk 60 feet into the canopy on that in winter on a wet day certainly does my tendons in!! I will certainly be plumbing for a larger diameter warp when I eventually get my boat, for comfort reasons more than anything else! Rich

Coddy........send him my mobile number, I can probably help him out freshwater wise. Also get him afloat for salt water species, great sport, free too! There was also a good read on inshore small pollack fly fishing in this months BFM, " Fly, Tippet & Run", page 72 - 75. Pollack and bass should be readily available inshore around The castle of Brownsea, also on marks just outside. I have never seen anyone doing it, although there is the statement to consider, "Why make the fishing deliberately difficult??" My answer is...to sport factor!! Imagine a four pound pollack on a fly!!! Rich

Kam..next time you are near southampton, bring it down, I will forward it on to Gordon......he is less than a swallows flight from me!! Rich.....I think that you have my mobile number, if not I will PM u.

Many happy returns.......to the sea, fish and bent rods!! Rich

Paul, if you're out on sunday, try a Bream rod too, see if the pesky little buggers are in the ledge area yet, as I noticed on another thread that they are showing off Poole. Rich

Not if I can help it Bob!!!! No, I had a good week last week, so I managed two trips this week, also the other hand gets the "knife" on friday, so I'll not be gripping a rod for at least a week also, the weather is looking pants for Jimbobs inaugral launch of Dawn Raider, so I'm unavailble to watch this too. Rich

Hiya guys......sneaked out for a trip South of the Island, fishing a small wreck just level witht he tip of St. Catherines, square with the Needles. Flood produced Pout, and doggies, all to macky and squid. Ebb, after a change of position, produced a conger of 20lb, more pout, more doggies, and a beautifully marked spotted Ray of 4lbs. All fish returned. So much for the 4-5's forecast, it was a flat calm day, witht the sun showing for the afternoon, most clement!! Rich

I regularly use boiled rice with fish oils added, and chopped macky whacked in for Bream fishing.........the rice is small enough not to fill the fish too much, it dispenses along the tide well too. At slack, I chop macky and drop it over the side for conger.......although it didnt work today!!! Rich

Hiya BB...........great to see you have finally got back out amoungst them!! I nipped out with Martin on Maverick, with almost flat clam sea, a little nip in the air, however, as Duncan has stated...not a lot biting! We had a few knocks, but nothing progressed into a good take. After a move, we sneaked a few more bites, and a couple of LSD's. Tried to call you but must have been no signal m8. A bit of tuition on the way out and way back in, made a great day. Cheers Martin. Rich

Welcome Aboard gary...................tight lines Rich

have a great evening Adam and rach.......BB, I hear that the larger pollack are showing over wrecks...let me know how you do, ta. As martin says, I'm crewing for him, I expect this will be one of the last trips out for a while, so maybe I can bag a last minute Cod......although I doubt it, as Ive been codless for the last two seasons, I find them a little like busses, never one when u want, then two bloody come along!! Hopefully our two will arrive Sunday!!! Tight lines chaps............. Rich

Hiya Kam.......Happy forthcoming New Year.......best wishes. My choice here was the wrasse.....Ive yet to bag one over four pounds...and they fight like fury, pound for pound. Rich

Duncan......very drole........looks like my life all over again!!!! Rich

Tony, you can search on the forum here for historic threads that other members have placed, try out Bob F's one on knots.......he managed to supply animated pictures of usefull knots, there have also been a few different ones on flattie rigs recently. Best of luck....tight lines Rich

The reel I'm on about is a V small ABU Ambassadeur five, loaded with 18lb mono, topped with 175 yds of 15 Spider wire stealth. The reel will be used in shallow water for Bass/Pollock/Bream etc, and trolling for Pike on Rivers. Thanks........Rich

getting back to main topic on this thread, can anyone enlighten me as to correctly setting the star drag , and spool brake on an ABU Ambassadeur?? Thanks guys, Rich

Sam, your time will come, as everything does to he who waits. Patience being an imporatant aspect of angling. Some may consider you very lucky to have a Dad who is prepared to take you out as often as he does, and impart his knowledge on you as readily as he does. As you age, you will look back on these days, as I do, remembering trips out with my dad!!1 Gawd seems years ago now!! It wont be too long, you'll be taking him out on your own boat I'm sure!! Be sure to learn lessons from postings on this site, however lighthearted they seem, especially the conservation aspect of the club in general. Rich