alun j.

'Are there any cod about for the comp. later in the week??'; that was the question I tried to answer today. Listening to the Charter skippers 'chatting' on Ch.6 doesn't reveal much!! Freezing cold at 7am when I went for newspaper, so delayed start a bit and let rush-hour traffic subside.......but still only 2C at 9 when I got onto the water. Although calm inshore, a northerly breeze [freezing!!] was pushing up some 'growlers' on the horizon and with the tide requiring a 3 pm return, I decided against a trip all the way to the 'Car park'; so found some deep water near the Ledge for the last hour of the flood. Dogfish action was almost instantaneous [ predictable!], but some cracking bites in between showed a few bass are still about [ water temp now down to 12 C ]; lost a good one at the net [consequence of being single-handed] but kept a 'medium' sized one for tomorrow's dinner. Dogfish dominated all through the [long] slack water but when the boat swung round and the ebb started I had a little purple patch!! The wind died, the sun shone [weakly] and some cracking bites turned into something feisty [definitely not dogfish] taking line and shaking its head; more bass??, no, not right!; conger?? [ hope not!].....fighting right to the surface ....up comes one plump cod!!! First of the winter for me, tipped the scales just under 7 lb. [That's me happy!!] 15 mins later, same rod, same spot......something even bigger.. started feeling like a conger, then it moved in the tide and felt like a big ray, then it came up and felt like a COD!!.......only just got it into my net [with the tide running and single - handed]......this one looked at first like a 20 and had to curl up in my Igloo cool box!! but, weighed at home, it clocked exactly 17 lbs. [ not counting half a pound of smelly grey poo in my box! What a great finish to a smashing day!! [and I did offer to take someone!] I'll try and put up a piccie soon. Next target is to try and repeat this on Weds. or Thurs. !! Alun.

Charlie, When is she going into the water?? Can we come see?? Alun.

Happy Birthday Terry, I'm just off out......so I'll try and catch for you! Have a good day........as good as being on the water. All the best, Alun.

Looks like the wind disappears briefly on Monday. If so, I'll have to get out and practice for the Comp. on Weds.&Thurs. Anyone like to join me.......out from Mudeford 7ish and back about 3, due to tide[short day; can't get too tired!!].

Well done Charlie..........what a project!! Now the end's in sight, I hope the last bits go according to plan [and timetable!]. You'll soon be hauling those big snakes alongside [if not on board!] If ever you need crew, there'll be lots of offers...... and you can add my name to the list. Cheers, Alun.

Hi Simon, Have you seen the forecast for the weekend?? I don't think many will be going out in that wind! [i've called off today with the start of it!] I might sneak out Mon. [says it's going to be calm for one day], try some practice for the midweek comp. Alun.

Well done on those nice fish........were there any whiting with them?? You fared much better than we've done recently. Today Gastronaught was a bit further West........and it was DEAD.......even when the tide started to make a bit, not a nibble. We tried a few spots either side of the Dolphin Sands and found barely a pout!! Eventually moved closer your way, finishing off on the end of the Ledge , which turned out to be dogfish city.......with a few small bullies to offer the only variety! Despite poor fishing, it was a grand day to be out.......lovely warm sun , a calm day and a flat sea. Alun.

Thanks to Terry for a trip out yesterday on Stingray [getting a wetting after a long break!] Beautiful morning......clear, calm and not too cold..........smooth in the Solent but surprisingly more chop round the corner into the 'Cod park' Sea temp is still above 14 C out there, so no sure what to expect. Deploying a variety of baits, action was immediate........but not the 'Target' species....... ......pout[all sizes], rays[several species], bass, wrasse[a big one!], smoothound, dogfish, congers [not brought into boat!!] and more pout...[ one big one brought in cleanly bitten in half!!{conger??}]. Arms and shoulders aching a bit this morning [from all the heaving!]. A great day out.........even if my [fish for the 'fridge] box was not as well supplied as expected.......with no cod or whiting to show. Thanks again Terry.......Solid C rods and Abu Lever Drags doing lots of good service here! Alun.

Looks like it'll be a nice calm day to get out. There's a seat on Gastronaut if anyone would like to join me. Early out from Mudeford and back about 4.30 Alun.

Perhaps Rich jumps up and down on his reels ??? ........or does those screws up too tight ??? My two work like a dream ! The 6600 C3 Lever drags are a bit more sensitive to wear and tear as their drags can, more easily, get contaminated with water and\or oil. I've got three of these ; two are fine , one is a bit 'sticky' and might need a new spool [ drag and spool are all part of the same part!]. Dan , I hope you enjoy using your reel.........just give it a good rinse after every trip and a quick spray of WD40 - type stuff! Alun.

Terry and I are looking to do same on Weds. on board Stingray. Alun.

Shame the weather is turning yucky for the weekend...but it has been good the past few!! Good news is that this windy bit might not last too long......by Tues it could be 'gentle' again...... .......anyone up for a midweek trip.....Wed or Thurs. ???? Alun.

Rich joined me for a short session on a lovely calm morning, with hardly a sole on the water. A bit of a shock at how it stayed dark until 7.30 and I was still a bit bleary-eyed putting the boat on the back of the car! Slow drag through traffic [people off to work?] but no problem parking at Mudeford! Little point trying for mackeral, so it was straight to the mark to target some triggers [are they still around at the end of Oct.?] Out go some ragworm baits whilst mackeral thaws......I told Rich these are bound to catch wrasse........and the first was onboard in seconds!! A switch to the fish baits brought a change in species...but not our 'Target'.......pout, pout, pout. What I've noticed in this area is the fishing is very localised.....a few tens of metres movement can make a huge difference in catch. So in our short session we moved three more times.........a few late bream but still no triggs! A change of the tide, a swing on the anchor and a few bites and no bream but the deep pulls of a Trigger.....not big, but target met!; and then another, better one, just as we're packing up. I think these might be the last Triggs from inshore for this year. The water temp has dropped to 13C and it's really noticeable how this has affected them; they are biting much more slowly and their 'fight' is less explosive. Above 15C, they are pretty 'bream-like' in their shooting runs; but not now, it's more like having a big flattie on until they reach the surface and go a bit mad! The bream are still feisty at the current temp., but they have thinned-out a lot........It'll have to be a different Target next trip out. Thanks for the company Rich; sorry we couldn't put you on a Trigg........but you did see a couple!

I have to say my lobster [ lovely lunch today] was fairly hooked.......right in the mouth!! But I do agree ........ no place for invertebrates on Catch records......... ........but a fine place on the kitchen table!! Bon appetit !! Alun.

If the wind is that calm......I'll be out Could be last go for triggs?? Rich........you are welcome to join me if you'd like a go on the reef over here. I'm likely to go early and be back about 2 pm. Bait is sorted. Alun.

Back to the thread............ I might be interested in making up the PBSBAC team Any details Neal ??? Is it fishing on a charter or own boats?? I'm 'free' mid-week. Alun.

>>>>>it put an end to my plan of a trip to the Island in search of whiting. Options?? Fish the ebb somewhere in the Bay [ X-ray to the Clan ?] ; wind with tide could be OK ?? Lovely morning when I launched at 11.....except that fresh Easterly that hit as soon as you turn into the Run; choppy\snotty in the Bay but 'unfriendly' over the Ledge , with far too much SE in it!........so the only option for an open tiddler like me is close inshore, with a bit of shelter from the Groyne and the Head. First surprise.....2 mackeral on feathers [but no more].........let's get fishing!! Next surprise is trying to settle at anchor....wind and tide all at different angles; lines running backwards\forwards\all ways! First into little bream.......then another surprise....a feisty bull huss [about 10 lb. but difficult to weigh in bumpy conditions!]. Disappointed at dropping a crab at the net, some compensation.......a little lobster comes in 'fairly hooked'. Things go quiet as I've swung onto smooth ground; re-position a few meters and things go mad for an hour!! A few good size bream [ to just under 2 lbs.], a couple of bass [ 2 -3 lbs.] and just one trigger [ the target species!!] All goes quiet again with the first of the flood; the wind has gone round a notch to the NE [much more comfy now!] and I've gone off the mark again. Getting too late to move again, so it's up sticks to join the 'rush hour' home! What a contrast, the traffic on the roads and the absolute space out on the water! I am enjoying this retirement lark..........and a different species for dinner every day! When \ where next ??? Alun.

Paul, Is it due to corrosion or rough treatment [bumped about in transit]? If the latter, it mat be worth getting some of those soft covers to put over reel [ask Adam , he's got some on his reels]. My reels get a good wash after each trip and a quick spray with WD40 - type stuff , if I remember............and they're fine! Alun.

It was a ...........'..this is heavy'....face!!

Many thanks to Paul for a day out on Imagine........a great fishing platform......on what turned out to be a bumpier day than expected. Boy, was it cold this morning ?? !! [ shorts not possible when I went to get papers at 7!].......and the hot coffee appreciated when we loaded the boat at 8. All still in the harbour but a bit of chop in the Swash and growlers on the horizon. Bait??....I thought.....'We'd be lucky!!' ......fresh mackeral , end of October [so had a cool box of frozen at the ready........but no worries ........plenty at Peveril.......all stuffed with sprats!! So .........off to the Banks to reconnect with some rays...........and found AWOL already in situ.. Anchored up in the vacinity.......but could not match their success, finding mostly dogfish and a bonus big bream for me. Tide eased , bites increased but not the success rate. Rather than re-anchor the flooding tide , we decided to try inshore. Soon into a good undulate ray, but it proved to be a singleton !! Last move , to final mark , provided the most hectic fishing,,,,,,,drifting over the ledge we found some medium - size [but feisty] pollack to finish our day and fill the cool-box with some filletable fish! Great day out Paul..........tell me when you are free to target the whiting next?? Many thanks, Alun. Species Comp. Points ;- 4 x mackeral = 4 + 1= 5 pts. 4 x dogfish = 8 + 2 = 10 pts. 4 x pollack = 20 + 5 = 25 pts. 1 bream = 3 pts. 3 x garfish= 6 pts. 1 ray = 5 pts. 6 different species = 40 pts Alun J. total = 94pts.

Not my experience!! There seems to be a few probs with some of the C4 reels; these are the ones with the blue end plates. I think the Big Game series [ the gold ones] sorted out whatever was up........mine have been 'brill'......as long as you wash them! Shimano.......tougher, heavier and more to set drag into 'bite\take' mode Abu..... easier to scratch\bash [but still works fine], lighter and nicer to fish with. I've never had probs with side plate screws; perhaps linked to lack of washing\corrosion. Alun.

Having tried to pick Les' brains over info. of Mudeford squid, we managed to arrange a late start on another gorgeous October day to combine some of my experience with his. First off was drifting the Ledge to see if any fresh bait was available [water temp still 15C and water full of plankton]......surprise , surprise....... a few mackeral showed up, plus a pollack and a gurnard. Over on the Trigger area things were slow to start.........but when a bit of ebb started, they came in steadily, peppered with loads of pout [ but very few bream!] Fishing was completely distracted by one of the best sunsets I've seen in ages! WOW! Time for squid said Les.........and took us in the opposite direction to what I was expecting..... drifting a featureless spot out from the Head. We tried three spots but it was all very slow [perhaps the ebbing tide not the best??]. Les managed two tiddlers.......small in size, but big on ink!!; the first squirted everything in finest blue-black! We were both keen to try for a sole.........these have eluded me so far this season. I fancied trying a spot new to me to broaden experience. Travelling across the Ledge in the dark was also new to me and I was wary of all the pots and gear there.........and rightly so.......even at less than 10 knts, the buoys jump out of the dark at you , and we had three close calls!! Sole fishing in 3m of water was slow ........the temp fell like a stone ....and a land breeze freshened [ winter gear required........after shorts\T-shirts earlier!] Lots of different species came to the 'stinky'worms and eventually pout predominated. Perseverence paid off though and I got the 'target ' species [ 3 sole , with 2 good size ones.... yet to be weighed!]. Two whiting also showed up, small [but not tiny!!] ........I hope this is a sign of a better run this winter. Another productive trip; cheers for the company Les......and your pot-spotting night-eyes. Alun.

A 7000 NLD. ......but it might be a tiny bit more for a little bit less!!! ......but ........ less is MORE !! Alun.

.......That's because Martin's got a big net.......on a long pole.......and you have to be pretty strong to wield it [empty!!]. But ........it works a treat!!!........Thanks Martin!

What a nice day; What a good boat; What a great skipper !!!! He always puts me on the fish!!! Two years ago we , had a great day on Maverick.........and today was just as good and rewarding and the weather was glorious [ topping up the tan!!] With all the tide, we spent much more time moving about..........but it was fun and we had action everywhere [ even sorting tangles was OK as it was flat calm !]. We seemed to get the rewards\luck to match our experience....inshore, it was me that stuck into the fish........offshore, Martin was the one who found many more blondes........shame they weren't as big as the area can produce; nevertheless 14.5 of spotty battling in the tide took some arm-aching retrieving! Thanks again Martin for a brilliant day; enjoy your Holiday later this week, Alun.