alun j.

Over the next hour, we had plenty of action with loads of 'Jumbo' pout between all the dogs; a cod for me that 'topped' Paul's [ about 5 lbs and fat,fat, fat!!] ...... then it all died with the top of the tide ........or was it those two trawlers trundling around ?? As the ebb started, so did the bites......... the inevitable....but then one, solitary whiting [about 2 lbs] and a 'screaming' bite that nearly pulled the rod over. The kicking and bucking reassured me this wasn't a conger!!........... another really fat cod.... a shade under 10 lbs. More pout and dogs finished off the bait on cue....... just time to clean the catch of 'table fish' before the blast back to Mudeford in time to come in easily as the ebb was belting out! 2hrs. 15 mins before LW. Any later would have been tricky; the gravel banks were already dry and by the time the boat was on the trailer and up the slip, the Bar was just a line of gently breaking waves! Such a nice day, I'm intending to do it it all again tomorrow........ .......there's still an invitation if anyone would like to join me!! Alun.

After a cold and breezy start, today settled into one of those beautiful sunnny winter days, where the warmth in the sun was [just] felt through the many layers of clothing [gradually shed throughout!]. The wind dropped and the sea was much calmer than expected given the big tide pushing through. Paul [aka Zed] was feeling more confident after our success two weeks ago and brought with him some special additions to the bait tray to complement the box of squid. First drop ..... straight into the dogs ..... but not for Zed.....No dog, it could be a cod!! ......... and it was; not big [ about 3 lbs ], but a first for him that put this big smile on his face!!.....

Neal, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Have a good one.............at least the weather's on the mend...... ...so fishing soon!! ATB., Alun.

I'm planning to catch up a bit next week......as soon as weather allows. Weds. looks good [on some sites] and although wind comes up a bit Thurs, it goes SE, so a Lymo trip could be on the agenda. If anyone would like a seat on Gastronaught, drop me a PM. Alun.

I think that brand is\was marketed umder the name ' Avomine'. They work OK, but no better than others, and do make you a bit drowsy. I used to suffer badly; my 'cure' was getting a boat and going out as often as poss. In your own boat you don't suffer; you turn around and come back if you feel rough! Alun.

No secret James......... just adjust depth to keep worms close to the bottom and free of [big] crabs .... flounders seem to eat the little crabs. More difficult is finding a spot where the fish are coming past!!! Alun.

Happy Birthday Rob! Hope you have a good day [ evening] despite horrid weather and having to work. Raise a glass on Thurs.? Cheers, Alun.

Thanks to Rich for the trip out on Warren yesterday ..... using up the worms I'd got for the [postponed] comp. The day started calm and mild ......but gradually went downhill as the wind freshened and clouds lowered .......so a good job the fishing brightened things up !! A steady haul of fat flounders [ best went 2 lbs 4oz.] that have been feeding well on small crabs .... but still found room for a big juicy worm! With one rod out with float tackle and one on the bottom, the final score by lunchtime was surprising .......... 8 - 0 ..... to the float !! Rich tried 'pop-ups', coloured beads and a spoon on the bottom and I stuck with big baits [ big crab attractor!]....but still the float, bobbing about in the surface movement, won out completely! Some nice 'table' fish, but I think something bigger will be needed to well in the comp. I hear reports of big ones in Holes Bay .... but I'd be less keen to eat ones from there! Cheers again Rich........honours more even yesterday! Alun.

Can anyone help find a reliable, small car for my 18 yr. old daughter who has recently passed her test [ and keeps wanting to use Mum's !]? Obviously, there's a limited budget..... about

Fine looking fish..........Well done that man!!

Well done James!! ........just look at that flat sea.........won't see that again for a while!! Alun.

done!

........and I'll add to that sample........ similarly, the 4 I've caught recently were stuffed with crabs and a few fish [and one whelk and limpet in one]. From a 17 lber down to a 4 lber, much the same........just the bigger ones had more, and bigger, fish in them. Good luck with the live\deadbait technique. Could next Tues. be the next time to try?? Alun.

What about all those worms ordered\ dragged for\ dug?? Someone recently mentioned won't be happy with a cancelation... after extra effort to help! There'd be less of a problem if there was somewhere other than Baiter to launch and organise from ....... as there's always somewhere [relatively] sheltered in the harbour. Any suggestions?? Alun.

Dom.........in the interim.........you are more than welcome to come and repeat your previous success on 'Gastronaught'. Next outing?????......as soon as weather eases next week.......Tues. or Weds.?? Alun.

.....looks like we could get a bit wet!

Well done James, my two cod [ling] were small but liiked good in the box, together a whiting and some 'jumbo' pout [ good eating too]. best specimen today was a 'monster' conger [huge wide head and thick body]; estimated over 40 lbs .......but it wasn't coming on board and my scales top-out at 30!..........released at side of boat with a hook left in it, it gave an almighty splash and flourish of its tail on the surface 25m downtide! [made the gulls jump!!] Great day to be out.........shame I couldn't stay beyond 1.30! Alun.

........and I got two more.........but quite a bit smaller [ about 3 and 6 lbs]; cleaned at sea. Alun.

Great when a plan comes together.........with such a good result! Were there any whiting between your 'big' catch[es]? Won't be going as far tomorrow, but should be in Hailing distance. ATB for tomorrow, Alun.

Good luck Jimbob, I'm just doing Tuesday; give us a shout on 6 if you do Tuesday as well. Alun.

Forecast for Tues. looks excellent. Looking for another cod, but I have to back by early afternoon. Out from Mudeford 7 - 7.30........ and back before 2. Anyone like to join me? Alun.

Northerly wouldn't be too bad.....as long as you're not far out; .......and there's always the harbour. I was out there yesterday, in a strong, cold northerly........and had a couple of flounders. Alun.

I'm looking at Monday too....... ........but check the tides if using Mudeford. .......it'll be early out and early back in. 2 hrs. before LW it runs off very fast. Adam.........if you want crew, or come on mine, you're welcome. Alun.

I expect to.......but will wait to see what that weather does. Alun.

Ummm ing and Ahring about today..... forecast were all over the place... plus I couldn't start early .....BUT..... the bright early morning sun and apparent lack of wind was tempting......... So I took Gastronaught down to Mudeford.........to see...... about 9. 45.....and it looked OK. Loads of reeds and rubbish in the [ very brown] water; one of the yellow buoys has been washed out of position but plenty of water in and out. In shore all was nice in the sunshine but as you got further out, the swell grew bigger. By the time I past the end of the Ledge, I was questioning earlier call as some of the 'growlers' pitched up at least 3 m. with the ebb tide pushing into a freshening sowesterly [not forecast!]...... so I turned tail and came back to deep water on eastern side of the Ledge and stuck it for an hour or so......dogs and more dogs and lots of uncomfortable pitching about [ but the sunshine was nice and it wasn't at all cold!] A move to the other side as the tide eased was just what the tummy needed; the wind died and fishing much more varied ..... no cod or bass....but some big pout, a few whiting, bullhuss and conger broke up the dogfish monotony. Impressive big grey clouds in the south looked threatening but, with the lack of wind, they only crept closer very slowly.......BUT.....spots of light rain whilst packing up turned torrential before I was back on the slip [ah well, made cleaning the boat easier]. A tiring trip but the fresh fish supper was appreciated by all at Gastronaught Heights! Alun.