alun j.

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 !!

Dates ?? I'd love to go ........ but tied to school hols. If it was during half-term at the end of May.......or Easter , during first two weeks of April.......... I'd be first on the list; ....... other times, I'm stuffed !! Alun.

Good points Bob! I love Abu reels........ strong, light and smart........... but they do need a wash. 10000 is a big reel...... what is it matched with?? If you end up looking for something a bit smaller for our feisty inshore quary.......give me a shout. Lots of us have appreciated the pleasures of fishing with lighter tackle......eg. braid line and solid C rods. Alun.

I'm planning to take Gastronaught to catch her first sole on Weds. evening. It'll be a bit of a rush to get worms after work but a calm evening will be compensating. Should be a nice moon to illuminate the bay....but I want to try out new lights on deck. Crew not confirmed yet........ I might be posting tomorrow. Alun.

I use a simple light ledger with two hooks tied in a Pennel.

Bob, 2 lb. 0 oz.

Charlie, Just warning anyone coming with me that I might not be as cheery as I was 5 weeks ago!

Thanks Duncan...... was expecting to have had a few by now..... but confounded by James' spell on the weather ........ looks like some sole sessions coming up soon though ........if I can keep my eyes open at work the next day . Gordon..... I know what you mean ....... the draw of clean, shiny gel coat ,..... in deep dark colours !.....must get out more !!! Alun.

Got to get out......got to get out.......... etc...... Anyone [ with clean shoes !!] want to join me for a few hours up to early pm. on Fri. [ if forecast doesn't get worse !!] Extra sponges provided......... and swinging leads must be covered in foam/ wrap! Target fish depending on conditions....... triggers, bass bream .....inshore. Last trip before return to chalkface.......... I could be a bit depressive !! Alun.

done !

Martin, Too soon to say......but very pleased so far.... Feels really safe and comfortable , even in snotty weather Nice slow speed ride [ only possible so far], quiet under way and bait tank works a treat. Lots of deck space and cupboards to keep things tidy! One more thing to sort out is an anchor lift. Do you know where I can get a nice big stainless steel ring from ?? [ the ones in the chandlers look a bit small]. Cheers, Alun.

'Weather windows' are so unreliable ! BBC promised one yesterday; launched Gastronaught on maiden , running - in trip and found wind was strong [ 5 -7 !!] Not too bad in the harbour and out around Mudeford sandbank.........but heavie-ho around the Ledge into Poole Bay. Only time to pick 6 macky and three small pollack into 'sloshing' bait tank. Back in Christchurch Bay, much calmer , but full of weed on the ebb. Christened new boat with a 3 lb. bass on livebait........ pollack not mackeral ! Looks good this morning ....... but dental appt. and chores means I'll miss this one! Alun.

I was out for a few hours yesterday morning, with a complete novice, so important for him to catch his supper !! It was a little breezy at 8 ........ but soon got much stronger from NW [ 5 + !!] but tide with wind , just bearable , close in to Hengist. Plenty of mackeral , a lot of [good size ] scad and hordes of bream ....... all sizes !!..... so my bro.-in-law had a few for a meal or two; best went just under 2lbs. Drew stumps at 12 ...... leaving Fugazi to continue close-by. Alun. PS Hope to take new boat out on Tues for a 'run-in' session.

There's an 'o' missind there.......... Gastronaught..........!!

Picked up my new 5 20 today, last thing........ after a morning's fish in the windy conditions..... but some good bream to show ! Pm. cleaning down 4 40 to pass on to Dave [ hope he gets as much fun and success as I have over past four years ] ....... then dash of to Lymington to collect; boy, she's bigger and heavier !! Tomorrow.... a few jobs......... greasing up all visible metal to stall effects of MUdeford salt.......... swatting through the handbook on the Lowrance plotter .... ....... and maybe take the other half out Sorry , I won't be able to make family day afloat this time, Alun.

Simon has a very interesting and successful tank installed under a bench/ seat... [i'm sure he'll post details later........], it had both thro' - flow and recirc. options. Not masses of water but flat / shallow....... lots of swimming room......... and fish stayed 'happy' all day. First............ build a tank that works, Next........ find the right size bait. We had a good mix of macky size today...... and the little 'joeys' outfished any other size Alun.

I'm hoping to pop out for a few hours in the morning.........if it's more of the former and less the latter ! Maybe see you close in Gordon ?? Alun.