Graham Nash

So, after my successful trip out on Thursday, it was time to try the kids out of the harbour. I worked in the morning so only had the afternoon available. Launching at wareham about 2.30 then motoring down the the quay to pick up 2 VERY excited 9 year olds. Up till now, we've had a few short sessions in the harbour, but this was to be a REAL trip. I had been advised by Mike at Poole Sea Angling that the outer patch was fishing well, so we headed ther. What a great afternoon/evening. 25 bream of all sizes (grandad definitely caught the smallest), a couple of doggies and my son got a real bend in his 20lb class rod with a nice (angry) conger on a mackerel head. Dropping the kuds off on the quay at 7pm, they felt like royalty being dropped off in front of l9ads of early evening revellers. Id definitely call that a successful trip.

Ill be at work till about 1.30, then Ill be putting the boat in at Ridge ready to pick the kids up on the quay (hopefully about 3). I believe your meeting up around mid/late morning?

I'm hoping to get the grandchildren out of the harbour tomorrow afternoon, so I popped out today to see if I could get a little taster. I've not been out in ages and the swell was a tiny bit bigger than I expected, so much so that my Marks & Spencer salt and cracked black pepper crisps (I had for breakfast) made an unexpected return. I must be honest, they're no ginger nut biscuits, and definitely DONT taste better second time round. But once they were gone, everything was fine and dandy. So, I dropped anchor around the end of Dolphin Sands in the hope for anything really, but expecting doggies and maybe a small ray. I was surprised that there was absolutely nothing out there, no other boats and I was wondering if everyone knew something that I didn't, but we persevered. Not long after dropping a worm/squid/mackerel cocktail the rod tips were twitching with obvious bream taps. They were stripping the baits within a few seconds. A drop in size of hook and bait resulted in a few decent catches. My mate had the biggest bream I've ever seen. We didn't weigh it because at the moment he brought it on board, I was on the phone talking to Bournemouth hospital who had just taken my mum in as an emergency patient. They assured me there was no point me coming in for a few hours as they would be doing tests on her until late afternoon, so I had the doctors permission to stay where I was 👍. I didn't need telling twice. We stayed for 3 hours and had about 5 doggies, 12 bream, 2 mackerel and a beautiful red guarnard. All went back apart from the Mackerel. Anchor up just after 1, back on my trailer at Wareham but 2.30 and home unloaded ready for work tomorrow morning by 3. It was really nice to be out, weather was certainly more tolerable than the last few days. Fishing was good. Boat went well ..... roll on tomorrow afternoon (so long as the doctors don't need me to collect my mum then).

wow, you picked a great looking weekend. Dont forget the sun cream!

There's a very good slipway at Weymouth. There's also one at Portland Marina, but I'd guess that's expensive.

Keep me informed on when this might happen, with a bit of notice Id be happy to buddy up in my boat.

Welcome to the club Derek. Theres a wealth of experience in the club. Members often offer "crew" positions on their trips and I found this to be an excellent source of tips. Come along to meetings, join in on the forums and enjoy.

Ive been thinking the same ....

Thats what being a grandad is all about.

Guys (n girls). I filled my tank and jerry can with petrol in September when I was using the boat regularly. Unfortunately the weather, work and other commitments conspired against me and Ive not used it since. Im pretty sure the fuel was the premium stuff but i wouldnt swear to it. We read all sorts of horror stories about old fuel on social media, but we all know that social media can be a pit of misinformation and doom n gloom. Obviously id rather not break down a few miles out to sea for the sake of a hundred quids worth of fuel so does anyone have a definitive answer about the suitability of 6 month old fuel or any additives to make it suitable? .

It would seem that is what many do. I'd never even SEEN that button up till very recently 😕

tight lines guys

its a no from me im afraid. My missus always claims me for the winter solstace and this competition clashes.

eh? Did I hear someone mention Breakfast?

Congratulations Mike and Claire I look forward to coming in and seeing you very soon.

Ill be somewhere up Snowdon this weekend. Tight lines. I hope we all have favourable weather.

I pay about £1500 a year on the trailer. I think it was £2100 last year on a pontoon. Remember there's extra time and fuel for the 3 or so miles extra each way each trip.

I saw you solo launching at Ridge the previous week (which I always find very daunting with such a steep slip). How did you find it at Baiter? I'd guess much easier (although wetter).

Once again thanks for the trip Martin. It was a beautiful October day to be out (well most of it was anyway).

That screenshot of turners cove could quite easily have been mine 🙂

Good to catch you at Ridge on Tuesday morning Martin, and see you out on the swash with Colin. We had a pretty hard days fishing on Tuesday, with a couple of plaice, couple of wrasse and a solitary bream. Im glad you managed to get yourself back off the mud rather than have to sit waiting for the tide to finish its ebb before very slowly flooding again .... And this time you told us ALL publicly that you found the mud 😉 . I hope your journey home was uneventful.

Thanks for accepting my request to join you Martin. It was a most enjoyable day with good company on a great boat, and the flat seas saved me any embarrassment of hanging over the side emptying my bacon and egg breakfast. Some nice fish and not a single dogfish! What has happened to the dogfish in recent years? Have they moved out along with the mackerel?

It WAS a fantastic game and well deserved result.

I completely agree Greg, Im on a number of forums for my trade and football, but as soon a Watsapp groups take over they literally do that .. TAKE OVER. The order of the forums disappears and the conversations I'm interested in just get lost in a sea of posts that are not of so much interest. I like that I can follow the catch reports or trip planning without having to wade through loads of posts that are not of so much interest. Incidentally, I don't go to club meetings mainly because I am in bed by 8pm most nights ready for a 4 or 5am start in the morning. Im an unsociable git too 😉

how is the fishing going out there Martin? Ive got a day off and was considering getting out of the harbour to see if i can get a bend in my rod .... no 7 year olds this time!