alun j.

Paul, It was 'lumpy' in that area.........but did change a lot at different times through the day. It was worst Mid-morning, when the SW wind had freshend and blew straight up the Solent. When it went around a bit to the S, it smoothed off a bit. As we didn't have much incentive to rush back, we stayed on till 4 and had a much softer ride back at about 13 kts. rather than the 5 or 6 I was expecting to have to cut down to. A few other [non-comp] boats returning at same time; one did OK at Alum bay, a 20 lb. + cod and a reasonable bass. Alun.

Gastronaught and crew knew what to do in the conditions and turned left out of Lymington at the outset. Unfortunately we couldn't contact the , widely spaced fish despite a selection of cod-proven baits. All I could tempt were pout ofd various size ......... and had to laugh seeing a 6" fish hooked fairly on a 6/0 hook, where even the remains of squid was bigger! Gordon managed 1 doggie [almost ..... saved unhooking!] and quite a bit of shouting as the two fish caught were from boats in 'spitting distance' from us. Again, again......I am impressed with Gordon's crewwing skills. Given the slightest problem, this man has it sorted!! Useful suggestions, practical solutions, fearless at hanging over the backend to sort tangles! I must get him a new wooly hat! but am wary of some superstition with hats?? Despite lack of success, I enjoyed my day out [ and the good company] and looks unlikely to get another before back to work, looking at the forecasts. I'll console myself by saying 'I've got plenty of tackle', some will say 'too much'! Happy New Year to all members, Alun.

Sorted.......... Gordon Moore is out with me on Gastronaught. We're going to try a different tack! Alun.

Last minute call............ crew needed, or willing to crew. My partner has had to pull out sick for tomorrow...... must have been that cold , bumpy ride I gave him today. In the absence of any offer this evening, I'll fish on my own tomorrow from Lymington and duck out of the comp. My home number is 481556. Alun.

Happy Birthday Paul, Hope you had an enjoyable , and more productive day, than we did. Good luck for tomorrow...... hoping to repeat last year's success?? Cheers, Alun.

I was expecting a good day today...... with calm sea and flooding morning tide. No sign of whiting when we arrived just before LW........ an eerie calm of grey cloud, grey water and no movement......... at least that suited my dodgy tummy, recovering from some excesses.....baits out and 20 winks! AS soon as the tide started, so did the invasion of Doggies. Now Simon likes the odd huss or two, but he soon started to tire of the bait-robbing 'wet sacks'. I switched one rod over to mackeral chunks rolled around in the tide and upped the size of squid baits on the other ........... but only with limited success; a few small whiting in between the dogs and one decent take on the big squid;this felt like one of those big eels over there rather than the hoped-for cod......but I never saw it as it slipped the hook half way in. The whiting became a bit more abundent but mostly small ones; only two 'keepers', the better one going 2 lbs. 8. Having been acclimatised to the tropical warmth of Florida for a couple of weeks, Simon was starting to look a bit blue as the wind freshened [ also not used to open boat].........so we pulled in early , as the tide eased......but not the succession of dogs. Hoping for a better show tomorrow...... good luck to others going out, we might see a few of you at Lymington. Cheers, Alun.

Rob, It could be about the best time for flounders in the harbour; you'll need lots of worms. Float fishing can help avoid the worst of the crabs. Best of luck , Alun.

Well done Dan !! Few others get a double bag on their first trip. Hoping to emulate your success on my trip tomorrow and/or Thurs. Merry Christmas, Alun.

Hi Gordon, I'm hoping to get out of Lymington soon after 7.30 I think the early bit of the day could be the best part..... and the calmest! See you there, Alun.

OK; that's us sorted. Now we have to decide where to go to get a cod ! See you tomorrow. Alun.

Well what did you get ???.........that might add to your fishing effort?? None of us can top Martin's........ he must be well-chuffed.......and will be playing all through the 'dead season' of Feb/March. My little cherub gave me a waterproof digital camera............ so expect more pics posted here from my trips in 2007. I've spent half the day trying to fathom the operating manual !! See some of you out there this week. Alun.

I'm hoping to be there too, ...if I can find crew .....and get to Poole first! Alun.

Looks like I'm up to go out on Thurs. ........ so might be interested in fishing the comp. Is there anyone who might like to join me on Gastronaught ?? Plan will be to go out of Lymington......... I've got a reserve venue in case the weather roughs up a bit, as some forecasts are suggesting. What would suit best would be someone based nearer to Poole, so they could go and book us in, then come this way............. any takers ??

How philosophical !! Gordon, you seem to have taken a cr@p day completely in your stride !! Shame about the anchor........ will you be OK for the comp ??........ and losing your Alderney ring........ didn't the buoy float that off the warp? Back at step one........... if I just had mackeral and worm, I think I'd have gone to the Needles grounds and use that for the whiting [ info I had says Whiting are scarce at Lepe ]. Do you have any plans for Thurs' comp.? I might be out but no firm plans yet other than going on Weds with Simon [ Britboard] on mine. Have a good Christmas..........we know what you'll be wanting in your 'stocking', Cheers, Alun.

That's Lymington........so Needles! Looked like nicer weather to have been out in. Hope it holds to Weds............ Tomorrow and Tues could be good .......BUT....... other demands!! Good luck and Merry Christmas to those that get out on the [ calm] water. Alun.

OK..........Simon. Most probably aim to go from Lymington.......... about 7.30 Confirm Tues. Alun.

Gastronaught is hoping to get out Wed.; would anyone like to join me? Alun.

Thanks Mark, Good evening; I was impressed by the service...... run like military clockwork! By round 2, they knew all our names. Food was much better than I had been expecting.........Well done. Merry Christmas, Alun.

Yes Paul, .... but put part of the economy is down to our smaller, lighter boats with their 'Performance' hulls My trip on Weds. from Lymington to car park and back via a few spots sipped a mere 6 or 7 litres.........at a variety of speeds due to fog and bumpy bits. Alun.

Pretty good Paul; have you got any more??... in your David Bailey moment. Alun.

.......and some sort of depth guage if you use Mudeford. Alun.

What a difference a day makes! Yesterday was clear and sunny, once you got past the Needles, but a bit bumpy in a N Easterly chop. Today I was inland, fishing a river for grayling and it stayed foggy all day [ and below zero!]. At times, it was hard to see the float trotting downstream as wafts of frozen mist billowed over the stream. Hands coped well with the cold, with all the action, but rod rings needed continuous de-iceing [ a companion, alongside, lost a decent fish when his line parted on the ice build-up!]. The sudden drop of temp. slowed fishing this morning but improved by afternoon, even had a few rising to the surface. Great to be out [ on holiday!] and much better than Christmas shopping; I'll have to hope to be able to finish that tomorrow !! Happy Hols. to One & All !! Merry Christmas, Alun.

Well Done Paul, Reward for persistance.......... and willingness to stay on, in the shipping lanes , into the dark! We whizzed back at 23 kts and just made it to the slip in the very last of the light. Met Lady Jane at Lymo slip who fared not as well as us but similar to many of the charters who seem to be struggling for anything other than dogs or conger. Conger put in the most muscular appearance today, with three arm-tuggers to me, best estimated around 30. Dogfish not as incessant as last Sun., but still plenty! At last............ a show of whiting...... about 7 in the last hour; with a couple of 2 lbers. I think they are late this year and may start to be more widespread soon; this is based on their relative thinness. Although in good condition, they look now like early season [oct./nov.] fish, before they fatten up to spawn. No sign of roe in the 2 lber I've just enjoyed for supper........ I'll check the others when I fillet them in a mo. Great to have been out........ the scenery in the sunshine was stunning!...esp. at sunrise , with 'waterfalls ' of fog falling off the white, green-topped cliffs into Freshwater Bay. Did you get that on camera Paul ?? Thanks for the company and crewing skills........ do it again soon. Alun.

Well done Gordon! I think it was you I saw the other side of Parley Cross this morning , just after 8, as I going to work !!.......grrrrr! ; so it was a late[ish] start ?? All the points you make are why I'm going from Lymington on Weds. Then I'll be able to come in when I want, rather than race back before the water goes [ soon after 2 on Weds.]. I'll be looking for the decent whiting that have proved elusive so far this year. Alun.

Ditto, Weds......... first day of my hol. Gastronaught planning to go from Lymo. rather than Mudeford, so I don't have to rush back early to beat the water rushing out of the Run. It's dead shallow near those yellow buoys and the forecast high air pressure will push the water lower/earlier. So we'll be out as early as pos. and weather will decide which way we turn in the Solent. Alun.