Graham Nash

you sound like you have one in a million there Greg.

That actually made me smile

2nd wife???? Didn't you learn first time round?

you dont half get out there Steve .... good effort and I hope you enjoyed your supper :-)

Ok, the book is open, who's caught what? 1) Cod 8lB 4oz aboard alfresco 2) Pollock 9lB aboard Alfresco

Superb Tomo ...... a real beaut!

How do we know who's birthday & when?? Is it listed somwehere & I am missing it? Happy Birthday Charlie

Good luck Lofty .... that window is getting smaller & smaller ..... stay safe.

I see a completely different forecast again this morning

Not sure I agree with your last post Jim (apart from the wallet bit) I built a small pond, then increased it, and again and again till it ended up being a 6000 gal pond (more like a swimming pool). Bought some 3 inch Koi from Sway Lakes and by the time I moved about 9 years later there were a couple of them well over 24" long. They used to come to the side of the pond and eat from my hands too. I built a smaller (but deeper) tank when I moved but alas my babies didnt survive for long Fantastic, relaxing & rewarding hobby once you get it right. Bul very frustrating, expensive and saddening when you dont.

Sshhhhh Tom ...... theres plenty of time for that to change another 20 times between now and then.

I think Wednesday is the decision day Peter .... It seems to have changed 100 times in the last week.

I am with Towergate until next week Neal. I have renewed with the guy (member) who posted earlier on this thread and have ended up with Navigation & General. As I say, saved money for what looks like better cover. Sorry for your situation, but I suppose its a small satisfaction to you that you can also cost them money by taking your quite considerable business elsewhere

It was renewal time for me and I had a look around for quotes. I found "Doms'" number on another forum and gave his company a try. He was not about but I spoke with his colleague. In short, it would seem I have saved around

Ha Ha ... I never noticed that till you mentioned it Glad you're OK Dave

That looks good especially if the water is as flat as that!

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/dist...d_boat_collide/ I have seen it happen myself when I followed a van towing a boat from Wallisdown to Boscombe. It was perfect till near Bournemouth football ground when it just popped off the ball hitch and went through someones wall!!!

great report and pictures ..... the video shows that you guys really do know your stuff. How you manage to drag that fish onto your yak without going over is amazing!!

I didn't know what to do to be honest. I obviously couldn't leave them there and would have felt a bit rotten dropping them off in the pouring rain somewhere safe but far from their trailer. I also remembered last year when a yacht made a detour and helped me out for which I was very grateful so I couldn't not help. We did put our blinkers on when we actually got to the harbour entrance for the second time so I hope there was no one else out there needing help

well the wind died as was expected so we shot down to the boat at 1pm and planned to head out towards some numbers in the Southbourne area that Mike had given us. Slowly trundled through the harbour in the rain and had just started to throttle open when I noticed a small RIB drifting towards the chain ferry with a guy frantically trying to pull start his outboard. I have been in that situation before and have been very grateful of a friendly face so I decided to see if they were OK. A very wet young couple were obviously embarrased but very pleased to see me. I offered to tow them to where they were from and would you believe it they were from HAMWORTHY!!!!! Where we had just taken half an hour to come from!!! Threw them a rope and towed them back to their trailer then headed back to the harbour entrance again. Got out of the harbour at 3PM some 2 hours after starting off!!! Headed out towards Southbourne but saw 3 charter boats just about 500yds short of our intended venue, one of them was just moving so we decided to anchor in their place. 5 minutes later BREAM ON 5 minutes after that another bream, then pout, then wrasse, doggies more bream more pout in fact more fish than I have ever boated in one session!! We dropped some feathers over and took probably 50 mackerel too so we started using fresh mackerel flappers, strips & chunks and pulled a fish up nearly every drop. Decided at 6.30 that we would leave at 7 but at 6.55 I got a bite that was completely different to anything else today, which transpired to be a 4lB BASS. While unhooking it my mate picked up a 5lB one then withing seconds I got another smaller one on my second rod (around 3lB). Tried to use my new found Alderney retreaval but once again there was nothing doing, so we ended up pulling the b*gg*r in by hand AGAIN!! But nothing was taking our smiles off our faces. We had Doggies, mackerel, pout, bass, bream and wrasse today plus one of the biggest crabs I have ever seen!!! Great day!

Diverdave, the whiplash stuff is much thinner than that. You could get 80lB of whiplash for the same thickness as that 20lB.

Looking at the forecasts it looks like the wind will be dying slightly in the afternoon. Is anyone else planning on trying to get out? I think I am owed a half decent trip, I've had some dire trips just lately!

I assumed the leader would be similar strength to the braid, or possibly lighter (as it is much thicker for the same strength) but looking at t'internet it would seem some use 60/80lB mono as a leader . I don't have all these different mono's so was just looking for an idea so I can pop down to the local tackle shop to get the right stuff but alas once again it would seem its not quite as simple as that . I have 150lB as my hook length (just in case we go looking for tope).

I have now set up 2 new reels with 300 yds of 30lB braid on top of plenty of 20lB mono (as backing). I also have a couple of reels with 150 yds of 20lB braid (again on 20lB mono). What weight/size leader should I be using?? Many thanks.

well done for getting out. The wind MUST die down soon, there cant be any left!!