alun j.

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.

Fingers crossed............it's looking good for next weekend !!! .......on Metcheck at least!............ let's hope it holds true and we get a good weekend. Does anyone know if Burnham Boats are coming down....for Part II ?? Alun.

...........but will you be in any fit state to 'compete'? ...........and has Rachel made any comment yet ??? Alun.

Will the Burnham Boys be joining us then as well ?? ........and some of us may have a 'thick head' ......with it being A & R's day on the Saturday !! .........but , at least, I'll be able to join in now ........... if the weather calms down by then! [ no sign of an end to this run of Atlantic depressions]. Have a good weekend, Alun.

With today's blowy weather we are all inside thinking about next weekend rather than getting on with chores! I can't make next week's date for the bream comp..... but when I glanced at Metcheck and Windguru, they are calling 20+ mph wind .........so I was wondering I might get to fish it after all , if it got moved !!! [ I know......selfish!!] Much more important to get nice weather the weekend after ........ for Adam and Rachel ....... and the end of May for Half - term week and the possibility of someone planning to go out mid - channel or beyond. Alun.

Do we have a reserve date for the Bream Comp if the wind continues to blow all week and on to Sunday, as forecasters are pointing ?? If it has to be moved, will the pairing with Burnham Boats join it as well? Alun.

Having watched the glorious weather all week .......out of the classroom windows, I'm hoping the forecast holds true for tomorrow.........with a calm day to take a novice out and catch a few bream. Today the wind seems much stronger than forecast, so hope it dies overnight. Does anyone know if the mackerel are starting to show inshore yet.....or not ? Looking more grim for the othe two days.....so Mon's plans look to be scuttled and attention will switch to the garden! Good luck to others also out tomorrow ........speak up on Ch. 6 ... , I'm only small at sea! Alun.

What a lovely day for it !! ...... HAPPY BIRTHDAY ....to you both Have a great day in the sun, if you can. Alun.

Way - to - go Paul !! Could be the start of a good long bass summer [ April - Nov.] ?? Alun.

Well done Paul and Duncan. Paul, do you think those middle 3 should go ? ......... last summer / last Dec. ? Perhaps there'll be some big bass pics. soon ? Alun.

What's with the gloves ?? ........... Sun protection ??; like those Aussie lads have to use? Alun.

Duncan, You are right; I wouldn't have spent the day congering if I'd known better! Our buddy boat was convinced we'd find rays.........but few at our end of the bay found them......the cogers en mass found all baits first ......'twill be different next time! Odd spot.......... motoring out a few miles ........and you're in only 3 - 4 feet of water......and it all looks the same.........3 feet or 30 ! Charlie, You are familiar with the area......but I was amazed at the turbidity; how does anything find food and what is it? I scooped up a small bucket of water off the surface; in 10 mins it had dropped a hefty sediment on the bottom but was still pretty murky. I was wondering if the plankton that starts the food chains is greatly reduced with the lack of light ........but the amount of plankton 'debris' on the line sort answers the question.......so, apparantly not! Alun.

Well done Adam, you and everyone else who went did well and got amongst the rays........except us !! Having gained a bit of experience from this, my first trip there, I won't be as confident of getting rays from such shallow water..... 12-16 ft. when we anchored up [ with a couple of ebbibng hours to go] quickly disappeared to less than 5 ft. [and this is about 2 miles out!] Our 'Buddy boat' put us on this mark , with confidence of a mixed catch. A steady stream of action followed ...but was from numerous congers...... in the 3 - 12 lb range.......and more congers and no change when we repositioned .......in three more spots!! At one point on the start of the flood, we were invited to join them on the edge ot the bank in 4 ft. !! Radio reports of plenty of skate were teasing us........ but we stayed with our host ........... and continued to catch congers [ bright sunshine, six - 10 feet of water, conger !!!........new to me!]. Fantastic organisation and camaraderie in Burnham Boats who made us welcome and looked after us in their tricky beach conditions. Sorry I can't be around in two weeks to reciprocate. Alun.

Yeh!! ........... Well done!!

Just dug out a pair of uptiders........ with Speedmasters loaded with braid. Gentle, thumb-controlled lobs gives no probs. casting........... braid helps bite detection and contact with the fish. How's the convoy tally going ?? Any others joining a warm, sunny outing ?? Alun.

The weather for Sunday looks better and better each day !! Don't forget the sunscreen!..... ....and a cooler for the bait [ and beers ] !! Looking forward to a good day, Alun.

Paul, You had me worried there for a mo........... as mine ends in nos. 607 !! ......but fortunately.......... it's tucked up alongside house! Alun.