alun j.

Adam and me on Gastronaut. Alun.

....looks like the next possible [??] trip out. Will the mackerel be as difficult to find?? Do I need to practice for Sat.'s Bass comp.?? Do I need crew ?? [ it will be early!] I think I'm sorted for Sat.... but not Fri. Weather will prevail but looks like it might improve Alun.

Must be the murky water !! I really struggled to find any quantity of livebait. Going [a bit] further out didn't help ......the ones I got were scattered all over. As Paul said, it was a beautiful morning, but didn't last as a freshening S. breeze got up before noon. Three 'runs', two bass.....the better one went 4 lb. 4 oz.........cracking scrap on light gear......all around the boat [twice!]! A different approach and a different venue will be needed over the weekend with the grotty weather due to come back! Alun.

pretty clear on the charts.

Hi John, How much water do you need?? As long as you avoid LW......allow a couple of hours either side, you should find the channel OK. Stick between the marker buoys; it can shallow up very quickly outside of the channel. I use Mudeford and avoid the long drag down the harbour at 4 kts. Alun.

....at last.......fingers crossed.

Yes, that looks familiar to me. Alun.

I'll be in ...... fishing with my [visiting ] brother [not a member] Alun.

My set up is more simple and portable. My Rule pump is on the end of that stiffish thick, clear plastic tubing that runs into tank. It is stiff enough to hold the pump away from the hull a few inches and will do so at trolling speeds. When belting back up the drifts or going further afield, I swing the pipe inboard and drop it into the tank where it then recirculates and aerates the water effectively. I have the Rule 500....but I think this is too much after a couple of years experience. When it goes pop, I'll replace it with the smaller 360 one. Alun.

Tom, Physiological.......not ornithological a bass[ic] instinct !!

I'm going out tomorrow, I'm going out tomorrow Hope not to get too wet! ..........but the fridge is now bare!!

About 3 or 4 of us Rich ...... that would manage to get out!!

Craig \ Jackie, Good luck with the weather..looking to stay unsettled!! With the big tides, beware of the overfalls. Fishing the Shambles is hard work, esp with big tides; the depth changes hugely over the banks and you have to keep in touch with the bottom. Many boats slow their drift by dragging a weight. I've been disappointed with the fishing [but have to admit that I've only been there in early Spring when not so good up here], small plaice and a couple of turbot..... for many hours drifting! Wherever you get to, have a good holiday, Alun.

I want a couple of nice warm CALM days first; then a decent tide! I'll be trying soon, Alun.

Looking at the forecast......it looks yuk both days!

Don't cofuse them anymore Mr. Moore........ SATURDAY.......as you said....... not Sunday as in your heading!!

Simon, You'll have to admit a little whoopsy here!! It's been on the calendar as a Sat. from the outset........I filled in my home calendars when dates first came out. Alun.

I did \ have !! .......but I can go most anytime....except the one last week!!

Days are getting shorter now !! [ unless PJ, you were looking at GMT]. Tomorrow sunrise [ hidden behind thick cloud ??] will be just before 5.30 BST. Alun.

and me.

or just get a camera ... and bass tape.

No Tom!!........nothing negative; I've been very impressed when on those club boats pushed along by them !! ......nearly as quiet as a 4-stroke .... and only a slight 'whiff' of oil at idle. And they do GO some!! I go with comments on both sides .... and wait [with interest ] to see how the 'service plan' pans out. I am amazed at such a 'heated' Forum! Alun.

Hi Jim, From my pov, the trouble withPoole is how far you have to go !! You could try the Swash [if not too busy!!], Old Harry [if not too bumpy] or the Patches [if you want to lose tackle in the rocks!] Go out of Christchurch and the Ledge is just round the corner.... anchor in front of it [if fishing the flood] ... or drift over it. Huge area.......lots of fish holding \ catching potential. Beware of shallow areas around LW ... and wind over water when the tide is running!! .......and all the pot gear \ ropes in the water. Have fun!! Alun.

Rag .......... are you fishing for wrasse??.... they like ragworm!! Terry..........not sure!!....Just think bass are nore choosy when there's plenty of food about! We got 5 bass yesterday [ nothing 'big'].......all when tide was slacker. 1 on feathers!, 2 on LW slack, 2 on HW slack ............BUT........ my crew lost a 'biggie' in the main flood. Plenty of mackerel around ........everywhere! Alun.

.........or having to have it repaired!! I'll be interested to see reports when these E-tecs are 5 - 10 years old. I dipped into the forum and saw that E-tecs say 3 year service....if used in fresh water .......but annual if used in the sea. Good luck E-tec chaps....... some interesting reading there from the States!! Alun.