alun j.

Can anyone help me find a suitable size plastic barrel with lid, about 50 - 60 litres. I tried eBay with no luck. Alun.

Hi Andy, Sole fishing was 'pants' !! The wind came up and backed into the west causing a bit of swell [ poor Dave didn't appreciate that after me promising a millpond !!]. I don't think the groundbaiting helped put them off, there were plenty of smallish bream and odd bass before weed and waves drew 'early stumps' Back to triggers......... ......on returning back yesterday I reweighed the fish to see if it had lost any.... and..... it was more !!........ 3 lb. 6 oz.......... so much for weighing on moving boats ! Paul J. advised re-submission.........so have reposted catch report. I will be back out there over next few weeks.......I have had bigger ones in previous years [ before joining PBSBAC]. .......if I can be dragged away from the bass. If you hook into a trigger........be prepared for the most unexpected tussle...... deep and poiwerful.......think of soupped - up bream !! Alun.

Glad I made that early start....... motoring down the Run before six am.... and plenty of water rushing out. Mackeral aplenty near Hengistbury.........but no little ones [ seems to be my story this year!]. Drifted the Ledge over the last of the ebb and the slack; the fresh NW wind pushed the boat along the top.........but no action, save meeting up with Paul J and Kam on Marineboy. We decided to try and emulate Adam and Tom's success ........but it was slow....... I picked up two similar - sized bass, the better one went 4lb. 4 oz.; Paul got one a bit bigger , I think. Things got weedy and the wind shifted more N., so I thought of a change of sceen and try for a trigger on a spot I got several a few years ago. Bream were quickly around, with a few table sized fish amongst them.........then a stonking bite [ bass like but soon realised this was something else] .........a line taking fight and many short runs but staying deep, could it be a big ray ?? No , I've given the game away, it was a trigger..........3 lb 3 oz ......which I just noticed is better than James' record !! Paul took a few photos, when I pulled alongside; so if he posts them , you can see what weirdly tropical shapes these are, that big scything tail gives a real dash to their swimming! End of part one.......... off for a sole session tonight......another record up for grabs ?? Alun.

It's 4. 50 ! .......... and am trying to come to with a cuppa ..... and trying to get out in the next hour ...... so there's a bit of water left in the run. At least it seems a bit less windy today ...... lets see if there are a few bass about ! Will report later. Alun.

Holidays give you the opportunity to be more flexible and pop out when it suits! This week looks set to get breezy......so a little lull today seemed too good to miss. Overslept a bit this morning ......so kicking myself as it seemed blissfully calm [ if a bit chilly] at 6.30. Got my act together and down to Mudeford before 7 and surprised to see a few 'growlers' on the horizon. Shortly after leaving the Bar the keen NE wind became evident and I was having second thoughts about taking my little 4 40 into bigger seas [all the forecasts said it was going to drop.... so I continued ..slowly........going around the Shingles buoy, rather than over the bank!] I got to the Bridge just after 8 and found the Island was giving a bit of shelter. First drop with the shiny things brought a full string of small mackeral and these stayed alive for ages in my big 'Hippo' bucket [ 30 - 40 litres] with the odd flush. Last of the flood produced one fish.......a 5lb 4 oz bass with a huge stomach, looking like she's eaten a couple of big crabs [ you could feel the hard lumps]; then I missed one that took off like a rocket [ silly me forgot to do a fluorocarbon / trilene knot.......and the hook pulled off the line DOH !!] All quiet over a long stand of water........but I was getting more of a 'feel' of what's going on with this method. Another strong hit.......and just like last week.....fish lets go. As the ebb picks up so does the wind.....now from the SW........and recreating the short - chop wind-over-water........but another good bite. Hooked in the scissors this one goes some and a plump 5 lber. comes to the net. Wind and ebb both push harder and some swells start piling up, so time to go and get in the Run. Thoroughly enjoyable trip with two lovely bass in the coolbox......... On cleaning that ' lumpy' fish........... it wasn't crab in her stomach......but a great big stone !!...... bigger than a computer 'mouse'. T o compensate for the ballast, the fish had pumped up its swimbladder, adding to its rotundness. I'll be back soon.......... fishing here is quite different........very active, very absorbing and such a calibre of quarry!! Alun.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mark, It may be a Monday....... but quite probably a HOLIDAY !! If not today, then in many years ?? Much better than being at work.........are you out enjoying yourself on your super boat ?? Alun.

A long day's fishing........of two halves.......... both going to Terry ! A nice start just after 7, with plenty of water at Mudeford; in next to no time on these speedy Warriors, we're over to the Needles and find mackeral in short time . Into the neat little Tec tank we're keen to see how well this neat little set up works. A few other boats are drifting nearby and , like us, trying different drifts on the ebbing tide. Action is steady, with just a few snags snatching the hook , weight or both. [ but you can always get your float back!!]. Th main difference was Terry hooked most of his fish........ whereas most of mine came off. By lunchtime score was 4 - 1 ; five fish between 3 lb and 6 lb. 7 oz. A long stand of water and weak flood slowed the action but , with the breeze, did give us interesting long drifts right along the top of the ridge/ reef ....but unproductive. Tec tank works well, keeping several mackeral [fairly big ones] alive. Only dwnside is the big 'head' of foam on the surface that nedds frequent skimming........and you can't see what's in the tank......but it works OK. Back home to mine for a rest, a meal and a change of tackle [ with lights] and we're back out at 8 for an evening looking for sole. This was a reply of my last trip 2 weeks ago..... a couple of sole with the first of the dark and plenty of small bream and a few small bass to keep you busy; this faded away [ like our sleepy selves] and increasing weed was annoying , so we pulled stumps just after 1 am. A smooth trip back in, despite shallow water, to find an excited rather than 'manic' Moore on the slioway.......... clearly in love with Enticer and tales of big bass on conger tackle.......Well done Gordon, your 'cracking' year continues !! Terry and I 'crashed ' out within minutes of getting back to mine [ 10 mins away] and surfaced late morning to clear up . Thanks to Terry for coming done , taking me out and showing me how to do it [again !!]..... I am losing my touch. More practice needed !! Alun.

Mine's going in the next few weeks ......... and at a discount for any club member. But it's a lot more than that budget! As the engine costs as much as [ or more ] than the boat, what is your friend expecting ??.......... an old / unreliable motor ?? I've got a pair of unused 8 ft. oars if he's interested. Alun.

Isn't there one of those specialist 'shops' in Southbourne for disabled folk?? ; with specialised hardware for helping at home when you can't do things like this ?? Good luck mate.......... I still think you'll go mad unless you let some of us take you out....... on a nice calm day / night .........so you don't get too bumped about . Or you could be put in a coma for 8 weeks !! { I've seen them cure addicts like this to avoid the 'cold turkey']. Cheers, Alun.

You'll go M A D !!!.............. I nearly did after two weeks with a bad back...8 weeks will be terrible...... But..... you have lots of friends, more than willing to help in any way we can. Just ask............ Will you able to be lifted into a boat and sat on a seat ? Loads of sympathy, Alun.

Kam, I'll take the 5 kg. anchor, chain and warp. 100 m. would do for me. If you wany to split it, or share with someone else ?? If no takers......... then I'll still take it. Dave, Could you pick this up for me too ?? Who shall I pay ?? Cheque sent to Kam or cash to Dave ?? Alun.

and all so eerie in the moonlight / lamplight. Splastastic !! Alun.

What a nice evening to get out [last night] after melting at work all day. Thanks to Paul F., a tray of Poole's finest rag and several cool beers and we were off to the shallow [and warm] waters of Christchurch Bay to see if it was time for a sole......... and it wouldn't have mattered if it wasn't , as it was so nice to get out midweek! With the sun going down, bait hardly had time to hit the bottom before being snatched by bream after bream; little ones, but kicking about on our freshwater tackle. Their activity died with the light but along came two sole , trying to fight like bream...... again, not big ones but a nice meal for two tonight! Time really flew by , so something of a surprise to see it was after 12. 30 as the crescent moon came up. The wind also got up; first from the North , then round to the East........... but a warm wind , like a hairdryer.......just a bit bumpy. Was it this that slowed the fishing?, or the increasing amounts of weed in the water as the tide started to flood ??? Other nocturnal observations.......... ......one very impressive meteor/ shooting star that streaked across the top of the cliff before burning up in sprinkling of orange sparks; .......coming back in the 'channel' over the Bar........hundreds of fish leaping out the water !!! small sea trout?? do mullet jump??..... it reminded me of that video clip where the fish are jumping in the boat !, only they weren't that close. Only a small catch but a smashing way of spending a summer's eve. Alun.

After a hot, sticky day at the 'chalk-face', I need a change of scene...... Paul F. has kindly dug some worms so we're going to have a few hours from sundown over at Barton having a few beers whilst waiting to see if my favourite table fish is about ?? Anyone want to join us ?? Tides are not good but who cares when it's such a nice evening. Alun.

Just the same.......only a little bigger....... 5 20.

For Sale : 4 year old in very good condition Need to sell to trade up to a slightly bigger boat....... so best offer above trade-in price. This blue-hulled 440 has been kept under cover, flushed and washed after every trip and regularly serviced by BHG , the Orkney main dealers. It has the folding dodger rather than a cuddy and comes with Garmin 160 fishfinder/ sounder, anchor and warp, oars and a spare set of bearings [not needed yet!].

Hi Terry, It's the address in Crewe.......in that link. Hope the holes haven't reduced your buoyancy?? Alun.

Hi Terry, I've used Pure Fishing....... and would recommend them; quick turnaround and they do the job first, then return it with the bill [which wasn't big!]. How's your finger ?? Alun.

Perhaps I should have come along !!!........... [ he says tongue-in-cheek !] Terry, Commiserations on loss of rod........ I'd thought they were near indestructable, being solid ! Alun.............busy till next weekend.

Good pics. Kam ......... I love them too......flash grilled on a hot BBQ; just a few seconds each side.....this caramelises up some their sweetness. I will try a few raw bits when I next get one . With the cleaning method........... I go for the simple one of : - with a sharp knife, cut through the skin on the upper surface until you hit the hard pen; ease the skin off either side to free the pen, then pull out all the gut contents and head. - then just pull off rest of skin on the othe side ; trim off the thin edges and portion up for the grill. Quick, easy but messy ! Alun.

Hi Islander, The rods we've been talking about are the Solid Carbon rods that are soooooooo thin and light...... bendy but with masses of power as they curve; quite different from carbon / graphite rods which are hollow and made from blanks with varying amounts of carbon fibre in the mix. Try on eBay via 'Fatboybeerman', aka Lee..... he's helpful and can probably find you one at a good price [ esp. if you mention the club ]. Abu now seems a multinational production outfit , sourcing and assembling in different countries.........but all to Abu's high standards I've got reels that say made in Sweden, some say assembled in Sweden, some with Swedish made gears and others made in the Far East. They all seem as good to me.......... if matched to their appropriate tackle eg. the smaller ones ,up to 6000 size were designed for spinning, with weights up to a couple of ozs. Try casting a Toby with a TLD 5 and you'll soon have a lovely birds nest. My solution.......... I've got loads of reels to choose from.........but never use half of them !! Alun.

Me also !! My back is rapidly on the mend now [ after pulling muscles ] but am a bit wary of launch / retrieve ............ so will happily crew for anyone short-handed this weekend.....and share costs. Alun.

I've hurt my back and can hadly move !! Can't see me launching for a few weeks. Will I go MAD !! Alun.

Interesting....... I'd be keen to join in a group of us trying something different. If you can do a trip in school hols. or weekend ..... then give me a call. Alun.

I'm with them ! Easy to deal with online and , for my littlle boat, very reasonable premium, paid each month through my c.card....... earning points as well !! Alun.