alun j.

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.

Happy Birthday Simon. With this horrid weather I don't expect you're flying high [or at all??]. Whatever you are doing, hope you have a good day. Hope to see you at the Open........w.end after next. ATB, Alun.

Mon., Weds., and \or Thurs. Much confusion on weather websites......so I'll be going out of Mudeford when short notice call looks calm. Could be a seat available if you're free. Alun.

Well done Charlie .........I can feel the pride and anticipated pleasure. Sorry I wasn't able to make it today......catching up with chores after 3 days out this week! Re pics. click on the link from Rob Francis in the 'Help' forum, topic 'photos.' The re-sizing dowwnload is easy to use and quickly turns big photo files into postable thumbnails. Like riding a bike, you'll soon be back amongst the fish!! Cheers, toasting Alfresco, Alun.

Echo that!! Thanks again Neal for the organising, bait and [brief] company [whilst hanging about]. WE shared the 'Wooden spoon' for not catching any sizeable fish other than doggies! I will try harder next year ....... and might be tempted into even bigger baits .... but I was using what had worked 2 days earlier! I will be out practicing again SOON. Alun.

Mike, In your calculations, don't forget to factor in the bait; 5lb. box of squid per rod.

Briefly....... a 'whitewash' on the cod front for PBSBAC team! 5 of us fished two days on two good boats and couldn't catch a cod! Smith and Jones, here on 'Shogun', saw 4 cod over the two days, and one of those was the biggest fish [ at just under 17 ]. Tom made it big with the bass on Weds, but we both struggled and couldn't get through the doggies on Thurs. Summary of results : - from approx. 170 anglers on 20 boats : Day 1 .... 45 fish caught .... best spot just outside the Needles light Day 2 .... 33 fish caught .... scattered about Two anglers managed 3 fish over the two days; winner bagged about 33 lbs of fish + cheque for

........and it's Tom's day on Shogun!! ........but not with the cod! The skillfull ol' devil may have a dodgy ankle but his back and shoulders will be aching this evening after pulling in three lovely fat bass [ with 2 pb fish!! over 9 lb. each] Just two small to middle size cod on our boat; other boats having none to a few. Not heard of any good size ones ......yet! A lot of squid were tossed in the sea today.......10 anglers on Shogun, each used at least one to two boxes ......170 anglers on 20 boats. Most, apart from Tom, came back a lot lighter than when they set out [me included!] I couldn't escape the attentions of dogfish.....but I do have a crab cooking for supper..soon. Looking forward to a [more] productive day tomorrow .....and hoping for a more favourable draw at the back rather than the side of the boat!! Well done Tom, a cracking day for you! Alun.

Postscript....... cleaning\filleting fish today.......tip - top condition They were both full of food; the smaller one had mostly crabs [about 6] and some small fish, the larger one had several large [pout? or similar] fish in various stages of digestion plus a few crabs ....... no squid, despite the amount some of us have put into the sea!........but they still took squid [ 2 on a Pennel]. Alun.

If you are planning to go out through the Run, be prepared......... ........the Red \ Green channel markers have been removed. As in previous winters, they have put down the three yellow buoys to help; treat these as RED and you will be in the deeper water. On leaving Christchurch, keep North of the first one [Mudeford Quay side] and East of the other two. Yesterday there was plenty of water but ,even in small boats like mine, don't leave it much later than 2 hrs. before LW if coming in on the ebb. As ever, it runs away very quickly! I came in with no less than 1.3 m under me; by the time I'd retrieved, packed up and driving away [25 mins.??], the gravel banks were dry and lots of little waves in the [remains of the] channel. So far, it seems a lot easier than other winters!! Alun.

Will do , but take plenty of squid....... I got through 5lb box in just over 4hours [ and 4 big mackeral!] [saved just enough to make a sauce for tonight's meal]. Cod tomorrow; bass weds. [or vice versa!] PM you after day out on comp. Alun.

and the two cod........

today's best fish.......17 lbs.

Gordon, I did try but you seemed ...'work focused' !! It was nice out there today....... .....naval manoeveres to try to make sense of!! ..... close call with trawler [100m?].. defo more than 12 m. and closer in than 6 miles!! .....and the innane banter on Ch.6 .......[to try and ignore!] ......and 'screaming' reels!! Alun.