alun j.

Rich, I've had the best 4 years fishing since 1) ....getting a 4 40 2) .... joining PBSBAC and getting involved . The 4 40 is an ideal start, great to be able to get out safely on your own and VERY economical ........ but limited for room and load. I've only had the 5 20 a few weeks but am already loving it..... I can still launch and retrieve single-handed [ the trailer is so good.......it's actually easier!]. She rides the sea better with less slam and the Yam 30 4-stroke is sooooooo quiet. With two up she quickly zooms up to 20+ mph [still running -in] and sips the juice. I had the folding dodger on my 4 40 to give more room forward and for getting to the anchor......but a bit of protection if weather turned....... it worked a treat..... .....so it didn't take me long to choose to repeat...... what a good move. On the 5 20 the dodger is big, giving lots of cover when needed...... but folded down you feel you've got masses more space and working the anchor warp is so much easier than sqeezing through small hatches. Build quality and finish are up to Orkney's high standards, I've added seats and siderails with rod holders; a plotter / sounder and second battery to power bait tank and / or lights . Only drawback I've found so far is partly to do with having those swivelly seats; when out on your own, sitting in a seat means the boat leans a bit to one side [i suppose it would be the same in any boat]........in the 4 40, the cross bench seat meant you could sit in the middle . The delivery time was about a week longer than the estimate at time of order, so she came right at the end of my holiday and weather wasn't so good. It's nice having a shiny, new boat...... but it would be better to get it in the water more..........with the 5 20 you can do this whether you have crew or not! Have fun, Alun.

After last year's experience, I sterpped up to 27 fluro....which broke at the knot. I then switched to 27 lb mono..... which was fine......... but the fish weren't as big as that first one ! I'm learning though....... perhaps I'll go up to 40 next year !! Thanks again Marin for the assistance.....I hope the trophy goes to Dean......he seemed to be fishing hard ! Two nice 4 lb. bass were nice consolation for not having a table size ray to take home............ we put all those big ones back. Alun.

Just a quick report for the comp........ Terry and I had a good day on Stingray, thanks to Martin's help in putting us in the right area. 7 or 8 Blondes.....most in double fgures..... best went 23 lb. in the net. Weighing the net, swinging in the breeze and dripping ray slime was more difficult....... ranging from 2 to 2lb.12oz....... .....so in time-honoured PBSBAC tradition.......we'll take the low steady fish weight and top net weight to call the fish at 20 lbs. 4 oz. Earlier in the morning I lost one that was much bigger......... after a long scrap the trace broke at the hook....I'm losing my liking for flurocarbon. Alun

Martin, It's the other way about......... the competitve 'thing' [ in species hunt ] is all about chasing the'pointless' , for points. I go fishing to enjoy catching good [ and tasty] fish......... competion is a 'bolt-on'. I'm just as happy being with someone catching a good fish , as getting it myself [ and I 've done a bit of that this year !] ........ and I think you are too... judging by 'our' success this time last year ??? I think something like this is the reason that the specimen comps will get a good / better response than the species hunts ?? Good luck for tomorrow; I expect we'll be close enough to compare catches. Alun.

Charlie, I think the 'specimen' is a bit more appealing format than the species hunt; not easier, just a more satisfying result ! I'm getting excited already ! Alun.

Simon, Are we still on for next weekend at Weymouth ? Alun.

Well maybe............but not for me !! Last two times out there, I put out a free-lined mackeral...... not a touch !! But.......... neither were the triggers !! Hoping to restore my ' touch' tomorrow.......... having been a bit off-form recently !! ............[ too much work !! ]. Alun.

Well done Paul, That's the perfect size bass for the table........ for about 6 people. Was it in good condition ?? I bet they should be getting full of fat by now. Certainly true of the mackeral....... if you cook some up now, they ooze their succulent richness...... much better than the early season fish which cook up much 'drier'. Are you fishing tomorrow ?? Alun.

I will be out from Baiter with Terry B. [ plaicemat] on Stingray... one of those would do nicely in the comp !! We will be fishing our 7 hours from about 9 till 4. Good luck to everyone else fishing, Alun.

What a shame there are so many horrible people about... or is it just a few ?? If everyone interested in boats belonged to groups like PBSBAC then perhaps it wouldn't happen! [....... how naive am I ?? ]. Alun.

Hi PJ., Sorry to read this thread; I have a little experience on how you must be feeling, having been the victim of a garage burglary, years ago in a previous house, when someone walked off with all my stuff ........ it's a sickening feeling, as much as the loss! [ and the agro.] I hope you have a sympathetic insurance company and soon get sorted. You are , of course, welcome out on Gastronaught. Good luck for the comp. tomorrow, Alun.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES Hope you have a good one .......... and a clear head tomorrow; You don't want to give us too much of a start !! Tight Lines, Alun.

THanks Paul......now done......... but why does it link cchapman on the email form? Can it be changed so it works ?? See you Sunday ?? Alun.

Adam, Is Easter time any good ?? First two weeks of April ? I could go any time then....... we've been struggling a bit here then with our less than successful trips out of Weymouth , bumping along the Shambles, dodging all the other boats for a few , small flatties. Just the time of year that I need a fillip ! Alun.

Just checked....... it went last Mon. to cchapman212@ntlworld.com Is that the correct address, or did I miss a . or space or something ?? Alun. a measly 65 points.

Charlie, I emailed mine to you on the electronic form. Can you check your email, it should be there as an attachment. If not I'll try it again. Alun.

I was pleasantly surprised at catching some plaice with Martin last year in the Swash....after our comp. time. They weren't that big....... but we had several in an hour's fishing the drifts. Having put the big blonde back, at least I had something tasty for a couple of meals! It was the first time I'd fished there this time of year......and it seemed more productive than my efforts there in the Spring . Weather forecasts seem all over the place for Sunday [ what's new ??]...... so plans will be fluid! Alun.

Bit of a wrong call today !! I thought it could have been good to use the big tides and keep inshore and find that big trigger ....... but NO ! Nice weather........bit lumpy in the tide against the breeze........ mackeral were a bit slow to find [ but I had brought frozen as back up ......... un-needed!] Tried a few spots around the previously productive spots.....but it was like Clapham Junction , with loads of boats fishing ........ and lots of passing traffic kicking up the waves !! Was it the tides [ and the murky water being stirred up ], the level of disturbance or the hordes of bait robbing small bream ?????????? ..... but Mr. Trigger didn't get a look in. Looks like I could have had a much better day chasing Mr. Spiky ........ Well done Adam / Gordon !! ......plus a few others I saw getting some good size bass. .........but it's good to try .......even if it doesn't always come off !! Alun.

Charlie, I'll phone later [ as I leave ] , but please book me into the comp........, Gastronaught will be out from Mudeford about 9.30, fishing from 10. Cheers, Alun.

Martin, Can I book in if I'm out fishing on my own ?? Doesn't there have to be two anglers on board?? If I do go........and if I do have crew ......... can I phone to book in [ as my radio has not yet arrived]?? ........ or can I book in on-line just before I go?? Always willing to help, Alun.

Have a good one today......... HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICH. Alun.

Gastronaught needs a trigger !! I'm hoping the wind will drop for Sunday. I'm not fishing the species comp. but keen to get some more triggers. If anyone would like to tag along for a few hours [ mid - late morning into early afternoon] I'll be going from Mudeford. This is only a tentative plan at the moment...........and subject to the after-effects of Sat. night social !! Alun.

Things seem highly flexible with boats and crew at the moment.....lots of us want to go but which boats ?? I am happy to crew but unsure of taking the new 520 ....... with no experience of the Race. Terry and Simon both seem prepared to trail from a long way away but might be happier to crew if it means getting to Weymouth at 7. I am sure PBSBAC will have a large and strong contingent in two weeks time. Adam....... are you going to do one of your spreadsheets of boats/crew as weget closer?? Alun.

Many thanks to Wedger for the truely scrumptious samples of his smoked trout brought along this evening. I think that was some of the best cold-smoked fish I 've tasted ! Whatever you're doing Trev. ............ it's spot-on ! Well done. If ever you want to do some exchange ........ for fresh veg. ........give me a shout! At the moment, I'm in surplus with extra big toms., celery, aubergines , raspberries and parsley; french beans soon !! Alun.

ditto ........ fingers crossed !!