alun j.

I'll give you a call in the morning on 6. Gastronaught will be out from Mudeford fairly early [when it's nice and calm ??] with a 'newbie' on board. He's tried many times from the shore with no sucess, so tomorrow he might get well - hooked on boat fishing !! Alun.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...... Trev, Enjoy your day.........now it's brightened up! THen you have a year to plan for the big one! All the best, Alun.

Well Done !!! D & D. ........You could be in with a shout for the May fish there ?? What determination......to set out so early, esp. with that wind. I was up about 6.30 and decided a later start more suited! I had expected to quickly bag up on mackerel for bait......... but struggled at all my regular spots near the Ledge; so I had to rely on the small box of squid I had in reserve. With the wind still howling, I went inshore for a peaceful sit in the sun. Loads of bites but must have been the tiniest bream; just one 2 lb.er for the box and a couple of lively smoothounds getting close to double figures [ fun on light bream tackle!]. Lunchtime chat with PJ [plugging nearby] about tactics to try as the tide turned and wind eased. He set off to the Rough, I went some way out on the Ledge [ but not to the car park near the end].........and straight into action! Big [ almost massive] LSD [ overlooked to weigh them]; then 'Bang', into something big that let go [feeling bassy!!]. Next drop, and I 'm into one on heavier tackle. Not up to the calibre of Dan's ........ but an angry Conger...20 + ... but it's not coming on board to get weighed. Neo arrived to join in the action......so , of course, it all goes quiet !! At least the mackerel started to show, in a steady stream of 1s and 2s., in between the smallish bream, lsd, wrasse etc. No bass for me [ very slow tide ??] Now look at the weather........will I be able to get out ? .. or be forced to catch up with chores?? Alun.

No Problem !! That wasn't close; one of those sail powered things came within a table length a bit later..... further out.........as it was 'pants' close in yesterday. Next step...........join the club........and pick up loads of tips. Alun.

Hi Paul, Sounds like you had a good week ..........and a great one weatherwise; just look what I've got coming up this week, will be lucky to get out more than once if forecast is true ! Alun.

Hopefully very soon for this club member !! .... t.b.c. next month What might I do with myself ??? He !! He !!

Windguru is saying fresh Northerlies at first, calming down later..... or will that be when a sea breeze picks up ?? I'm going from Mudeford and will probably join you on the sands for rays on the ebb........if I can get some mackerel .....otherwise, I'll be after pollock with the Hokkais. Give us a call on Ch.6 Alun.

Paul, You are welcome to join me if you're crewless; Mudeford, about 8 and probably fishing inshore [ if the fresh N to NE breeze appears] till about 5. Alun.

Hi Dom, What a wonderful day for a BIRTHDAY !! If you're at work, try and enjoy it as much as poss. If you're saving favours till the weekend, we'll catch up on Sat., on the water and hope the weather is good. Alun. PS. Looks like Windguru is going more towards BBC's forecast, but keeping it in the N.; so could be staying inshore!

Just clicked on the BBC weather !!!!! Compare their view of Sat. with others!

Hi Dom, That's a possibilty......esp for first part of the day, fishing the ebb. Then back to Ledge for flood. I'm happy to go on my own if no one joins me! What boat will you be on/ launch time?? Call you up on Ch. 6 if we miss each other on the slip. Alun.

On holiday next week.........but Sat. looks OK windwise. There's a seat on Gastronaught if anyone would like to join me. I won't be going far.... to the Ledge for mackerel bait, then bream / bass somewhere nearby. OR.......... available to crew for someone else who might want to go further! Alun.

Andy, On a day like yesterday........no prob. From Ballard [ boat park] ....round Anvil Point is about 4 or 5 miles [ or a bit more if you explore marks]. I've been a few times in my Orkney 5 20 [ similar boat], and mine's an open one! Super area to fish .........if a bit snaggy!.........if the weather is good , as it is exposed to SW; but too uncomfortable as wind goes through South to East!! Alun.

Gordon, Didn't you get any of those smoothies?? We had a few........on really light tackle, they give such an unusual scrap !!......... and we lost several more that ran into the rough ground. This time last year Terry did much the same to me !!......... and put it down to his red circle worm hooks!! I just think it's down to wind / tide effects, with one side of the boat able to fish it better. Did you see at one point , as the tide changed, boats were all pointing in different directions ?? Perhaps a trip with me next ....... for a big bass somewhere?? Alun. PS. We enjoyed a lobster starter [ before the bream ] tonight; courtesy of by-catch!!

Thanks Martin !! If we had entered the Dolphins comp., then I doubt we'd have found those fish! We just enjoyed being out on such a nice day.......rather than any competitive edge. Well done on your prizes! Alun

PS. Paul should be able to post a few pics of the big bream. If not today , then it will have to be after he's back from his week away. I hope he records his biggest fish,,,,,,, not weighed on board ! Alun.

Great to be out on such a nice day!! Today was 'Imagine' 's first trip fishing with Paul Frey as skipper and she was christened with some good fish brought onboard. Paul was 'playing' with the settings on his new hydraulic tabs on the trip out [boys and toys!] ; we said hello to Gordon and Terry on Enticer as we passed Ballard and continued round the corner and joined a few club boats near Dancing Ledge. An interesting few hours with plenty of 'steaming' bites pulling our tackle into rough ground and snagging up. Beefing up a bit ...... and we connected with smoothounds to double figures , conger !!, some wrasse and a few bream. As the tide picked up , bites went quieter......... so I suggested a move closer inshore... and this proved the ticket !!...... less tide but still 13 + m. deep. Rough ground and heavy tackle losses but some cracking bream. Best went 4 lb. 1 oz. and several over 3. No bass today for us........... but I did have a 'bonus' lobster ! Imagine is a great boat to fish from and a lovely smooth ride [ she slid effortlessly through the overfalls on the trip back]...... thanks Paul for the trip; here's to the next.. and many more! I now have some big bream to descale and prep for the fridge and this week's meals!! Alun. PS. All the female bream went back .......in superb condition.... and thickening up with roe.

Alun J. and Paul Frey will be fishing [ our comp. only] on board 'Imagine'; this will be its first fishing trip and Paul and I will try and retain our trophies ..... but there's a lot more competition than in last year's much postponed fixture! Alun.

Terryswindon, Only joking !! I intend being out several times in weeks that are calm ....if plans for early retirement from work come to fruition this summer! So there could often be a spare seat on mine............and we can get you out fishing. Alun.

Gordon, I have every intention of being your short notice / midweek crew ........if plans continue as per schedule!! ......... and I supply good bait!! .........but not to Scotland for skate ....... to put back!! Have a good trip out Sunday.............& see you tomorrow eve.?? Alun.

Just checking weather prospects for Sunday......... BBC gives 16 mph SW Metcheck gives 5 mph W Bit of a difference!!

Sounds like it could make a bit of wind!........ hope it passes by the weekend !! Cheers [ Shiraz!], Alun.

Malc, You don't have to go all the way to the end!! Lots of good spots along the 'edge', the drop-off into deeper water on the west side of the Ledge. Look to be in 12 - 18 m. of water. Alun.

NO ....... I'm far too old!! ......something young and juicy needed.......... .....perhaps a couple of bottles of wine...... .......offered....... and consumed on their behalf!! Cheers...[ GODS ], Alun.

Forecast changed for Sunday.........already!!! Unsettled or what ! Sacrifice to Weather Gods required ?? Alun.