alun j.

It has to be a day like last Sunday for Deb to venture onto the water..... .....but I'm working on it! Alun.

Although the weather is going downhill rapidly, there may be a window Sunday, esp. early on. Tides also suit an early start/ finish. Anyone like to join me out from Mudeford? Could be first trip with the livebait tank this year...........or an attempt to rival Dan's bream!! Alun.

Change of plan !! My Falmouth contact has postponed for 4 weeks so I'm up to join in the comp. I'm not that keen on species comps. but this end can do well if tactics are deployed! I'm up to crew or be crewed ........ and a week to hatch a few ideas!! Looks like there could be a few of us out; fingers crossed for weather. Alun.

Sorry.......but I don't think I'll be able to join in. I have an invite to fish in Falmouth on a nice big 805. So, weather permitting, I'll be looking for bass near the Manacles; though last year it was pollack and cod we found. Alun.

PJ, ....not much of a 'Spring'!; the curves and heights look similar most days. Hope to see you out there on the calmer day!!........in search of a bass or two ! Alun.

My bag is packed and ready to go; just awaiting details from Adam.

No plans yet for the weekend.........only that I can only 'negotiate' one of the days for fishing. As Sat. would give the most fishing time, that'll do me! Weather looking good at moment ! [ where have I heard that before??] Gordon.......are you sorted yet? If not, count me in. Alun.

Hi Paul, Add me to your list.........probably out on Sat. Not sure who with yet. I'll contribute my

I was on the Rough [ briefly] yesterday together with 4 or 5 charters. The area is packed 'solid' with little bream. A good sign for next [ and subsequent years] but at the mo. a bait in the water is stripped in a minute or two! I use 'bigger' hooks [ 1 or 1/0 ]; although you miss most fish, those you hook are 'lip hooked' and easy to return..........and you don't miss the bigger ones... ..............but I had to go to some other favoured spots for those! Lovely day out though. Alun.

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.