alun j.

I'll be there crewing for Simon on Play Hooky.......when he confirms. Alun.

Well done Will ! Must be down to more than just the spot ?? PJ.... Pbsbac boats could have been in more of the prizes .... if we had entered ! [i just wanted to be out early due to tides and forecast]. Alun.

After an early start, Gastronaught also back in before all the water ran out of Christchurch Harbour. At 3 pm, it was poring out causing some lively conditions over the Bar with the Easterly breeze pushing against it !! Paul and I had a good day...... esp. in the morning , with a steady stream of fish, fighting well on light tackle in the tideflow. Most went back , with just a few 2 lb size males into the box. Paul led most of the morning, with one of 2 lb. 1 oz.......but at coffee time [usual effect!], mine screams off and coffee is cold when a big fat female came to the net. Weighed in at 3 lb. 10 oz, photo taken and slipped back in. My next best , a blue boy at 2 lb. 6 oz, wasn't so fortunate ! Hope others did [almost!] as well !!...... lots of boats around us; a few were catching, but they seemed mostly smalll fish. How were things further west ? Alun.

With 30 fishing, and probably evenly spread between Eastern and Western marks, it will be interesting to see which area turns out to fish better [???]. Only downer may be a freshening Easterly breeze; hope it's not too strong! Alun.

True, It's why all the bigger fish are female.

Neal, It was Charlie A.

No, Duncan ........ that's this weekend! May 16 - 17 ...... social event with family ........I'll just have to fit fishing in mid-week ....... and\or when weather allows. Good to see you made it to Alderney; hope the joints stood up to all the bumps and jostling. Alun.

' Sulking' ???? Gordon seemed in right good spirits whenever I saw him! ......... and he was always first upin the mornings at B. & B. ....... keen[??].

Wish I could !! ............ but am busy that weekend

The relative few that most of us take isn't going to make much difference. These big 'breeding' fish are full of stored food [ hence the sticky fat on the knife if you fillet them.... and why they are good to eat]. My hunch is that when they start to spawn, they go off feeding [and we don't catch them in such numbers]; males guarding nests will be focused on this and not eating ! I'd be interested to know if one male can fertilize the eggs of a group of females in his territory and guard several broods....... in which case our approach in returns make sense, or are the fish paired....... which might seem to negate our returns ........ unless there are more males in the population to create some competiton and natural selection [????]. Until better informed I'll take a few fish per trip and put back the big girls. Alun.

Forecast is looking OK for Sunday, so hoping this holds and the comp will be ON. I'll be fishing with Paul Frey, so count us in....... but not sure which boat we'll be on yet. After this breezy week, lets hope the fishing holds and we get a good turn out ......of boats .....and fish . Alun.

There's keen.......... and there's Martin keen !! Good luck ..... you deserve some ! Alun.

Thank You.................. Safety Officer !!

Have a glass of wine .............or two!!...... and wait until Tuesday !! ....... ..........like me !! ...........NOT !!! What fun..........I'll have get back out fishing...... to keep my mind off it.

Taken! Someone [important] got in there quick!!

Looks like the wind should drop out overnight..... so I'll pop out for a morning's breaming. Anyone like the spare seat on Gastronaught, and doesn't mind being up early ??? Planning to leave mine about 6.30..... and back in early pm. Alun.

Good luck .......... fingers [and toes] crossed for you !!

Not sure now if I have Gordon's score correct [??]......I'll leave him to confirm. Alun.

Here are the results from the Enticer jury...... Gordon Moore ........42 points...... from 2 dogfish; 1 bream; 4 pout and 4 wrasse Alun Jones.........54 points.... from 3 dogfish; 2 bream; 4 pout ; 1 conger and 1 wrasse.

Will you tie the plug on as well Neal??

Has Bob changed his mind?? Earlier post said rugby precluded entry! Good luck Bob......if you can get out! Alun.

Don't sound so worried [yet] Adam.......much too far to call; not even convinced on next week ....esp. as DEb is in Spain and I have the week to overdo the fishing [weather is usually unsettled when she does this !!] What model are you using to guess from?? At least the first comp on Sun looks set to get decent weather ....... a pleasant change!! Gordon and I will be chasing a few points this end of the Bay.... not sure on which boat yet!....but count us in\added to list. Alun.

Charlie, I'll be on the Ledge.......and will give you a call [if you're in range] to compare notes ...East vs. West in the bream stakes. Alun.

BBC Monthly Outlook..........looks promising for early May !! Fingers crossed! Alun. PS........ but, as they say, '...confidence remains low' at this range !!

I'm seeing Sat. as the best day weatherwise...... and socially....... for a trip out. Tides don't look too massive to me....... and hoping they suit a bream session on the Ledge. I expect many others will be trying the same, so will endeavor to get there early! No firm plans, nor arrangements with others !!.........happy to go on my own, unless someone would like to join me?? Alun.