Graham Nash

My understanding was that the chain travels through the ring and counter balances the anchor preventing it pulling the chain back through and sinking back to the bottom. http://www.fishing-boats.info/Anchor.htm Makes it look so easy!

Charlie i look forward to gaining some of your experience in skippering and fishing in a couple of weeks time and am praying the wind blows it's self out by then. On a recent trip around Christchurch Ledge, we were attempting the Alderney retreaval method and the buoy went under but didnt pop up, instead the front of the boat dipped and felt like it was trying to turn back on it's self. It would be fair to say that it was a but-cheek clenching moment . Anyway, we ended up turning the boat round and drifting back towards the anchor while retreaving the anchor rope. We then manually lifted the anchor and noticed it had tripped our cable ties (we assume that was US manually trying to free it that had tripped it). I have not attempted the Alderney method since

Ha Ha ... I see he managed to come second in the bream comp and didnt know anything about it!!

Thanks for the offer Nigel & I would have loved to take you up on it but I have arranged for a friend to come down from London to come out for a days fishing. I would have loved to see some of your tactics too, you seem to have got it right this year.

disgusting and pure greed

Maybe we can arrange a day out Coddy and you can give me some pointers?

Nigel, I use the Alderney method when I have crew. One of my crew keeps an eye on the rope to ensure it stays well clear of the engine. I cant imagine how I would do that without the reasurance of a crew member.

Partly agree Charlie, but I am wondering how I would do the Alderney ring method on my own?? Also once the ring was caught between the prop and the cavitation plate I can imagine that it needed to be pulled "seaward" to release it. I have often thought about popping out alone on my boat, but it is the anchoring and retreaval that concerns and stops me.

Those guys & girls do a fantastic job ...

With all the sadness & trauma going on in the world at the moment, it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person which almost went unnoticed last week. Larry La Prise, the man who wrote "The Hokey Cokey" died peacefully at the age of 93. The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into his coffin. They put his left leg in, & then the trouble started.

Gusting 6's all weekend with windguru

quite possibly a different thing altogether Paul but when my citroen ECU died I was quoted over 1000 for a new one. I searched citroen forums and found that it could be sent away and repaired, which I did and it cost me less than 200. May be of no help at all but it might be worth a look on google or etech forums etc. http://www.dixiemarinesales.com/ecuemm.aspx

and you are STILL top of the species hunt list!! Lets hope the wind drops now you are nearly back in the water.

That WAS the clean version!!!

stays up all night and big screw in one post ..... that is just asking for trouble!

wow Charlie ...... you take this fishing very seriously!! It obviously pays dividends as you always have your name on the specimen list!! I bought 2 X 300 yd rolls of whiplash today for

Ok ... thanks everyone for your input. I have used 150met on each of the 8Lb & 12LB rods which are generally used in shallower water anyway. I have used the full 300met on the 30LB rod which I am hoping to be using in deeper water and for bigger species. I have added about 3 rod lengths of mono as a leader to each as well. I bought the whiplash braid, which was the thinnest I could see at the shop. Right .... we just need the wind & work to die down enough to let me get out there and catch a fishy!! Once again thanks everyone.

The allbright it is then, thank you Duncan. so with the bigger reel would you still suggest 150 met of braid (even though the roll of braid is 300 met)?

I already have mono on all of the reels, I was hoping something like 150 met of braid on each on the smaller reels would suffice. Thanks Nigel. Any ideas on what know I should use so it doesnt come adrift the first time i get a monster??

I am about to add braid to my reels. I have one 30lB class rod that I intend using a full 300 met roll of 30lB braid ... would this be right? I have a 12lB rod & 8lB rod that I was hoping to split a 300 met roll of 15lB braid ... would this be right or am I being tight? Graham.

A hunter shoots himself in the genitals with his shotgun. A few hours later,lying in a hospital bed, he`s approached by a doctor. "The good news is your gonna be ok.The bad news is there was some pretty extensive buckshot damage to your penis so im gonna refer you to my sister". "Is she a platic surgeon?" asks the hunter "no." says the doctor, " she`s a flute player.she`ll teach you where to put your fingers so you dont make a mess when you wee!

Ooops .... I forgot about her

I think I will use that one Jim :-)

9th to 12th June I believe Matt.

well done .... I didnt get out today as my crew phoned me this morning crying because he had to work!! Never mind, next weekend is another long bank holiday weekend :-)