alun j.

Paul, I checked the weight under the jockey wheel on my trailer, following your earlier remark....... ...... 45 Kgs. Alun.

Just had another look [ following Gordon's post]........ you might be lucky with the weather!.......... if you get Tues. [from BBC] and Gordon gets Weds.[from Metcheck]! Good luck Gordon......it's bound to be lumpy after all these depressions and the big tides. Alun.

Adam, How well do you think that engine will do for economy?? Difficult to tell in only an hour's use..... but are there any gauges/dials to give you a clue?? You'll need to know before setting off mid-channel. What's the betting on first species / specimen to be landed on OOTB ? Looks like your plan for tomorrow or Tues is off? Alun.

Paul, Gordon jumped ship and was on Gastronaught for 10 mins.; I couldn't tempt either to wet a line ....... just as the bites peeked! 'Flash' Gordon has all the gear for sharp photos. ......even when half immersed in water. Alun.

Hi Terry, The condition....... that slips down well!! Yes.........I was surprised... good thick plaice. I took fillets off it , enough for 4 portions............and lovely texture / flavour. If the Swash was more reliable there'd be no need to travel to Weymouth / Portland! Are you planning a trip over Easter? I'm here the week before and away the week after! All the best, Alun.

Now......... I've got to get back to cooking that fresh PLAICE Alun.

OK Gordon.......... I think I've found my way through the process!! Here's another from this morning

I'm trying.....and playing with 'paint'

Ho Ho Ho !!........... I did put up an invitation to join me, perhaps Friday's wind and rain put you off?? Well you missed a nice day!! After a leisurely start [ knackering week at work!], met up with Adam and { Press Man} Gordon on the slip at Baiter preparing OOTB for her first dip in Poole water..... Adam itching to go and put her through her paces and check all the new toys .........What a fine looking package for fishing and being comfortable! [ Can't wait for an invitation!!] The wind wasn't too bad this morning..... and being in the West , there was a bit of shelter by the Castle..... but I carried on to try the Swash. There was one charter [ Strongbow} there already, drifting across the channel [ but no smiley faces on board] . A couple of fruitless drifts and then up pops the Warrior in 'Stealth - mode' ........she's as quiet as mine!!...A quick photo session exposes my camera [ or operator!] not up to Press standards; so 'Flash' Gordon jumps ship to deploy his superior equipment for a few passing runs. I did offer a fishing sojorn......but no, he was off........ and I was back to deploying my worms. In the next hour , over the second HW, I managed several small bass , a plump flounder of 1 lb. 11 oz ....AND..... a plaice of 2 lb. 8 oz. !! a pb for me from the Swash! The wind gradually got up from fresh to strong but it wasn't cold ...and..the sun stayed out making it feel like Spring. Alun.

........but will you go fishing Mike??

Simon, Good to hear Burnham is slotting into place.........let's kwwp our fingers crossed for good weather! April 29 th. ........ I think the Bank Hol.. weekend is the next one.... as Mon. will be be the 30th. .....but I'm sure we can get the best out of the weekend! Alun.

Anyone with a need for fresh air?? With a sense more of optimism than anticipation, I'm thinkinking of a couple of hours somewhere out of the wind tomorrow......... launching from Baiter about 8. Possibly a few drifts of the Swash over the top of the tides and finish early afternoon. If anyone would like to join me on Gastronaught.....post here or send me a PM. I hope to dig worms this afternoon.....if I can escape from work early enough! Alun.

Hi Mark, Sorry you're having to give up your nice boat......... I'd wondered why we hadn't heard much of Espadon! If / when you get the chance to get back down here........post up in the 'Buddies' section and come out on one of our boats ...... I owe you a trip , at least ! Good luck with your sale......it'll probably 'fly' at this time of year! Alun.

Well done Adam........ it's looking 'sorted'. Are you planning to wet a line on Sat? Deb's away for the day, so I was looking at options for fishing. Wind is forecast in the West and a bit fresh!........ I wonder if there's a chance of an early plaice in the Swash? Alun. PS. there'll be plenty of water at Baiter, with a morning HW. Would you like a hand with launch/retrieve?? ........have you got crew? I'll bring a camera for a few pics.

I'll be at tonight's meeting.........come and say'hello' if you're there. Alun.

They must be mad!!

Did you wet a line , Martin??........no catch report! It was a bit bumpy in the Solent and we saw the RNLI rib go rushing out about 4.30. Plenty of yachts out for a sail ......but all reefed in! I just love the way those boats come straight at you....when there's loads of room all about! Alun.

Having spent all day yesterday moving my daughter from one top floor flat in Brighton to another up even more stairs............I had to get a few hours 'headspace' today before the return to work tomorrow. With NW winds forecast and a gentle neap tide, the most sheltered place I could think of with any prospects of a catch was Lepe......... with deep water close inshore........ and over the 'magical' 8 C, bass possible! Mike Fox brought a box of squid and jopined Gastronaught for a leisurely start at 10.30 in sunshine and only slightly fresh westerly........ a cruise down tide and down wind to Lepe, on the drop off near the buoy .............and then past as struggled to get a grip!, just as the doggies came on the feed!! Repositioned; higher up the slope did the trick but bites were slow and hard to come by [ the hiatus of the year] and the wind steadily increased ....... from 3 through 4 and 5 and topped out at 6..........with more West than forecast gave a bumpy roll about and a slow trip back trying to'tuck' inshore [ but little different!]. Cobwebs completely blown away........a few doggies for a meal..and pretty relaxed to face the week. Interesting to watch lifeboat being launced at Lymington just after we got the boat out! Thanks Mike for the company and bringing the only successful bait!! Cheers, Alun.

That's why you're in sunny Florida !! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ......on a biggeeeeeeee one !!! Hope you're having a smashing time [ pb.' s.] and an excellent bithday holiday? All the best and many cheers, Alun.

Looking increasingly likely............anyone like to join me?? Alun.

Mine does Adam! Alun.

Toying with the idea of a trip out on Sun. I've one last box of squid in the freezer. With the westerly wind set to turn into the NW. and the 'gentle' neap tide, a trip to Lepe could be on .........if there's any chance of a catch [ other than dogfish!]. It wouldn't be early... I have a hire van to return to Boscombe about 8.30; so it would be about 9.30 from Lymington. With LW at just after 10, could be there for the first of the flood. I'm in Brighton all day tomorrow and not back till after 9 pm. If anyone wants to persuade me either way...............???? Alun.

Not the best time to start though!! 1] ..........worms are much harder to dig at this time of year 2] .........not many are going fishing, because..... 3] .........very few fish out there to be caught. BUT....... come April / Easter........ we'll all be keen again!! Did anything come of that offer from Tom to clean boats?? Alun.

You'd have to put the livebait tank where the girl is! Alun.

Couldn't see any Solid C rods! ..... not shiny enough!! Alun.