alun j.

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.

'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.