alun j.

When I woke at 5.30 to see the stars in a clear sky, as I made a cuppa, I guessed there'd be a frost on the car and gloves and wooly hat might be needed for a daybreak launch. -1 C at Mudeford but loads of 'warm' river water pouring down put the harbour at 7 C so generating a thin misty fog wafting out to sea on a gentle Land breeze. The Yamaha 30 suffers none of the quirks of the 15 and jumped into life unaffected by the cold; super smooth whizz out through the Run [ full of water]. No probs with the new Garmin unit, clear display and easy to use......but it didn't tell me where the whiting might be. Weather forecast was not good, so decided against trip to 'cod park' near the Needles; at best this was going to be a short trip, and didn't fancy a long , bumpy ride back. First stop......... Dolphin Sands, near the 'Table Top' ; not a touch, from anything. The tide was non-existent and the wind was already picking up from the SW. After an hour of this, time for a change.......... a short hop over to the 'Clan........'. With no marks on new plotter, I circled around but didn't find much sticking up; a few buried lumps showed on the sounder, so I practiced anchoring up tide/wind and let out warp to get on the spot. Still no tide [ a long stand of water] but pout soon evident; then something much more substantial [definitely not whiting !]...... could it be cod, bass or ray?? ....NO..... up comes a smallish conger about 10 - 15 lbs.; then another two.....each managing to tangle up the other rods into lovely braid nests !! Now the tide started running east into that further freshening wind ...... too uncomfortable !! An hour on X-ray to finish the morning.....I've found it fishes well on the ebb in the past. Found a small bank and used the the bucket technique to pull the stern round with the tide, bumpy but more fishable . Inevitable doggies but the bonus was a very spikey thornback.........who'd been taking lessons from congers; it kited across the tide, used its thorns to pick up the other braid lines, found a big lump of passing weed and knotted the whole lot together.....AGAIN ! By the time I got sorted it was time to get back before the Run emptied; impressive breakers over the Ledge required some careful boat handling to get an appropriate speed. Quite twitchy but Orkney always feel a safe boat. So........ no sign of any whiting for me. A friend was further out towards the Needles and found two sizeable ones in an even shorter session. If / when the weather relents........ I'll be looking forward to trying over that way. Looks like squid for dinner, Alun.

Last minute change of plan due to weather; Spare seat on Gastronaught for a morning after whiting. 7.30 from Mudeford , back for lunch about 12.30. Alun.

Weather 'window' has changed shape and moved forward; so plan has changed to an early morning session and back by lunch before tide drops too low and wind picks up. Terry B. now unable to join me.........so if anyone fancies a short trip from Mudeford in search of whiting [or a late bass !].........post or PM before 10.30 [early night ]; launching about 7.30 back about 12.30. Alun.

Terry, Both the 'head' unit [ the screen part] and then the antenna were replaced with new ones from Silva......... and still didn't work properly; even the plugs were wobbly. I'll now have to re-learn all the buttons on the new Garmin. Give me a ring if you fancy a trip Sunday ......... late morning til dark. Alun.

After 3 frustrating months, I am unable to get the Lowrance 332C plotter to work properly . The first unit completely packed up after 6 hours use; its replacement couldn't find and hold position. A replacement antenna was no different. Last weekend the temperature sensor [ or connections] went and / or gave odd results [ as low as -11C !]..........and still no reliable GPS. The dealers I bought the boat from have been very helpful, trying all combinations to find and solve problem.........with no success. At this moment, they have rearranged their workshop rota and putting a new Garmin unit on for me. Thank You.........BHG-marine. I'm hoping to test it out on Sunday, as there seems to be a little gap in the windy weather coming through. Alun.

Hey ho! Looks like a tiny little weather window might open for Sunday. Anyone else fancying a trip out?? Whiting ,in the Bay, or flatties/bass in the harbour? Tides aren't co-operative, with low about 3.30, it'll be coming in in the dark; or early start- early finish. Alun.

You could also try the hole at the end of Peveral Ledge; Paul F. and I had an hours fun teasing squid with dead pout ther on Sunday. The one we netted went 3 lbs 4 oz. and 'lost' several others. Two meals for Debs and me !! ......... Zapped, stir - fry yesterday; ... and the rest got stewed in tomato and forest musrooms today......SO SWEET.... with flounder goujons and garlic chips on the side ! Alun.

Well done !!........ to all those who organised and helped out yesterday. A very smooth, efficient operation,,,,,,,,, allowing us to get off quickly .......and on return.....the weigh - in and prompt sorting out the results. Congrats. to all involved. Alun.

Gordon, I'll be in the queue at Baiter; only question is whether to turn left or right ??? Perhaps the flapping pennants will provide the answer. See you there! Alun.

........and now it's changed again !!.......unsettled or what ?? and I'm confused about plans.........it'll have to be 'lastminute.com'.... .....to a decision to go out the harbour....or hunt flounder ?? Anyone else similarly perplexed ?? Alun.

Oh Dear!!! Too good to have hoped for.......overnight BBC have changed their minds about Sunday................ from 2mph W .. to .. 17 mph NW This will mean a complete change of plans for little boats like mine.....I was hoping to get out, out, out !! Good job I dug some good worms. Alun. PS. but could the forecast change back again ????

Just been down there to see it at Spring Low......... .........and most of the buoys have gone, leaving two yellow and a distant red one. So beware......... keep inshore of the two yellow buoys , they are on the edge of the two largest gravel banks. Alun.

Just a short session in the afternoon sunshine........annoying problems with new [ replacement ] Lowrance unit !!...at least the sounder was OK and handheld GPS still onboard. Went to the Rough and tried a few spots........ but couldn't escape the hordes of dogs and pout [ every drop ! ]. Did pick up two small, but table - size, bass, a small conger .......... and was smashed off by something very big [ probably a conger or possibly a big ray] that grabbed one of the small pout; fishing big , for me, with 30 lb. trace, this thing abraded and/or bit through leaving managled pout on top hook. Fishing died with the tide, so I upped anchor on the slack and went back to the Ledge for the first part of flood as the sun went down; calm and beautiful surroundings....... just one, slightly bigger bass amongst the endless succession of dogfish..........obviously I wasn't quite close enough to the Ledge's rough ground. Had a dash back in with Neo......I thought his boat was supposed to be quick!!? and met Enticer on the slip.......all having similar sort of days. Good fishing to those out today, Alun.

and.....to complicate matters.........it's always changing shape!!, varies from summer to winter and the effects of atmospheric pressure on sea levels. Go and have a look on Sunday or Monday afternoon, about 3 or 4; an average sort of Spring low but High pressure will push the water down another 20 - 30 cms and the gravel will be visible over huge area and you will think 'Channel??? What channel??' Alun.

Rather than emailing report [that gets 'lost'], I'll bring my form to thurs' meeting! Only 77 points for me, 84 for Gordon Moore [ by my counting] ........ but I got the best bass.......[and she went back]..... and whiting supper this evening with forest mushrooms [ but that should be in the recipes section !]. Great day out.......... thanks again Gordon ! Alun.

Hi Terry, Post up when you intend to visit and you'll nave a queue of offers [ more at weekends ] for crew who all be able to give some local experience. Best to avoid Feb. and March, as there's not much about here then and it can be slow to pick up in April [ better further west ]. Alun.

Hi Terry, Welcome to the club. I see you are another member with the same birthday [ I think there are 3 or 4 of us on 18 / 6 ]. What sort of fishing do you like/prefer , if not constrained by the weather ?? Alun.

We were in the Western Solent, where the wind was much more N.E. and whilstling down with little shelter. Much more pleasant at 8, Gordon and I were able to drift the Bridge on the last of the ebb............ fishing Stormies with high hopes. Second drift and Gordon's into a fish, not big, but up comes a wrasse !!, about 3 lb. to a jelly eel. No more action here and no tide. Wind freshening, so didn't fancy our chances out by the charters south of the Needles. The trip back up the Solent was slow and bumpy, with wind[increasing] over tide [increasing] and ,by the time we got to Yarmouth, with no shelter apparent, I was thinking of changing plans. Gordon said to give it a go and put out a bucket drouge; that did the trick and held us in the tide nicely! Within 30 mins, I picked up three bass 3- 4 lb. size whilst Gordon got doggies pretending to be bass and putting up a line-taking thump! Then everything went quiet and we spent a few hours watching the boats[ to make sure they missed us !] Not a very successful day, but three bass in the box in a fresh Easterly is a result ! Alun.

Gentle[ish] easterlies and fine weather...... anyone fancy joining me on a trip out of Lymington ?? Tides are a lot easier, so there could be some better fishing in the Solent..... or might venture down to the Needles. Talk of a few early cod ??....but I think bass and/or ray is more likely. Alun.

Yes , this has scuppered my invite to fish out of Falmouth, where forecast looks like stronger E. or SE. than here. Sat. still looks reasonable, esp. with an early start. Several options , as long as E. does get too fresh........ possible trip to Needles or back up the Solent on a more gentle tide than last weekend ! No firm plans yet but anyone like to join me if I go ? Alun.

Well done Paul !!....... my how your fingers have grown !! Just a bit green with envy....but well done on your perseverence; I took one look at that murky water pouring up the Solent and thought that lures wouldn't work as well as juicy bait slices. We had a good lie on the wreck on the flood........but the steady stream of bites was only pout [ some reasonable, semi-jumbos!], then doggies. Slack water lasted about 15 mins......... then it started coming down the Solent faster and faster...... pound and a half of lead to hit hit bottom, even with micro braid. Bites stopped as we were now on the wrong side. Re-anchoring was required...... but inexperience in that sort of tide put us too close with too little warp out and we dragged into the lump. A few bites but too much flow . Attempts to retrieve anchor ended with warp cutting on the wreckage. Next time I try this spot, it will have to be neaps. Nevertheless, it was a lovely warm day....... and that area over near the Island is sheltered from the stong S. winds that were whipping past us and knocking the sailing right over; I hope Simon enjoyed his trip out and the doggie fillets help make peace with Lynne !! ?? Off to Falmouth next weekend....... if weather allows. Alun.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Paul, Shame about the weather but I expect you'll enjoy the footie.... Have a good day, Alun.

Weather forecast looks lousy for both days..... but I am tempted to sneak out of Lymington and creep across to the Island for a bit of shelter from the expected Southerlies. I lost several good fish there last week; with weaker tides and a change of tackle, I fancy there could be some bass and rays mixed in with the small bream. Need to check domestic arrangements first.....but Sat may be the better day. A few showers will help wash off the salt !! Alun.

Hi Fletch, With that size lead I'd think a fixed spool reel will be painful on your finger !! Multiplier is much easier.....Abu 7000 can be set up to be pretty trouble-free. Alun.

Well done Paul.......... you seem to have the knack with the turbbies this year. Enjoy your catch, Alun.