Leicester Fisheagle

Cobbs would be my choice as the best available locally. However, I am told parking of trailers can be very problematic now the Life Boats are there,especially in Summer. If you are happy to leave early and return late you should not have problems. When I had my old Alaska and Orkney 525 at Cobbs, I used to try and avoid the 4.30 Bridge Time (I had no problems getting under the bridge) but was nearly swamped coming passed the Ferry a few times. That was often the most popular time for the slip way. Talk to Cobbs and ask for a trial run, they will probably do it as a special rate. Allan.

Have a great day both of you. Allan..

Hope to see you out there soon. Allan.

Dave (Coddy) has a number of check lists including some RNLI ones and some that I made up based on a compilation of other peoples' and my own experience which are worth a look at.as well as a few others that are very good they could be a good starting point for your own. Watching the weather and not taking chances as well good communication are vital as others far more experienced than my self have said. Another thing I was told to do was to "get to know the Harbour" I am still doing this. I assume you have a compass/chart or hand held GPS or perhaps a phone App (not recommended as the only means of navigating or outside the harbour.) Signals are easily lost. I am sure a lot of us have anecdotes to tell about running aground, forgetting the bung- do you carry a spare? A fold down ladder can also be usefull and something like a small fold down plasic pipe/flag attatched to the trailer mudguards that sticks up can help centering on the rollers .In my own case the classic was launching a boat and then taking it out again because the engine wouldn't start. I had put the key in, but failed to connect the kill cord. I also used to carry a full spare fuel line assembly and bulb and the old trick, if the plastic end on the kill cord breaks -worth carrying a spare- wrap fishing line round the switch to pull it out. Allan.

Haven't launched there for a few years, but it can be hairy. Swell /small waves either generated by the weather or other crafts, often jet skis messing about sometimes caused boats to lift off their trailers/ difficulty when trying to put boats on trailers. Saw a fair few with crafts between the wheel arch and the trailor side due to the above. When it is busy you often get two crafts on at a time. You have probably seen it over low, do not assume if you go off the concrete that it is the same level. There can be a drop off on the edge and it is sometimes quite soft. More than one trailer loaded with a boat has finshed up at an angle with one wheel on the concrete and the metal trailer base stuck firmly on the slipway edge. I was always advised to make sure there was at least a meter of water at Poole Bridge. Another problem can be piles of sand/shingle etc. after storms etc. which can occasionally be quite deep and prevent launching. If you can get out early and return after the crowds, it could be worth considering a season ticket. Make sure you only park your trailer in the designated area otherwise, you will get a ticket. If you do wash down/flush the engine on your return the hoses often disappear and the screw fittings on the taps are larger than the normal domestic ones (someone will know the size). I once towed a boat out on quite a long rope with the crew walking alongside for safety. This was for two reasons. Firstly,for safety as some off the cyclists think they are competing in the Tour de France and have been known to hit taut ropes and come off at speed. Secondly, the crew have small chocks to put under the wheels to stop the boat or help hold it in position if there are rope or tow vehicle problems. If you do tow on a rope across the path into the car park, go slowly even if the vehicle stops, the boat may carry on moving. Crew can also help here. My wife and I used to regularly walk our old dog down there and watch boats launching. The most common problems we saw were jockey wheels not wound up, ropes breaking and ropes tied to tow hitches which pulled off. No doubt others will add their own notes of caution. Good luck with your fishing. Will probably see you out there. Allan.

Will be trying a few local spots for Bream etc. this Thursday and if the weather holds, there could even be a Friday bonus trip. Too many fish being caught to miss out on this weather opening. Wll be on Ch 6. Allan.

Change of plan. Tuesday is now cancelled. Does not look too good in the afternoon. Fortunately, the worms I ordered came in this morning and are very fresh so they should be OK for what looks like Thursday. Hopefully, I already have crew as we intended to go out Tuedsay and Thursday as the count for the Species Comp. needs a big boost. Allan.

Thanks for the You Tube video you sent as PM. Really nice to see 4lbs plus Bream being caught. Looking forward to getting amongst them on Tuesday. Allan.

Still have crew space available for Tuesday as above. Allan.

Since the weather put paid to this Sunday's Species Competition, I am keen to take Fisheagle out from Parkstone to hopefully add a few species and catch a few Bream and if time allows, perhaps a few Rays. I have a crew space available if anyone interested subject to the weather. Allan.

Hi Hooky Remember the day when you last came out on Fisheagle and fished with lures? I have now got mine all together now hanging on several pieces of board. I suspect from your pictures that I have a few diamonds amonst them. Your postings have encouraged me to try out a few from my spinning days for pike, perch and Zander as well as a few trout and bass. Looking forward to learning more next time you come out.A really good read Allan.

1) Neal - not sure which boat.......yet! 2) Allan-Fisheagle-subject to weather/crew confirmation.

Looking more like Thursday for us at at the moment. Saturday is also looking promising. Hoping there are a few bream about. Allan.

Awesome, hate to think what would have happened if it had hit the Yak. Almost on a par with Tony's Bay Monster earlier in the season! Allan.

No as bad a story, but while drifting for Plaice by the nearest Funucular/Cable Car lift, some 250 yards off shore and to the west of the Head, there seems to be a sand bar that is running along the coast. On the plotter it seemed to rise from around 25 ft to around 8ft. and then drop off again to around 16ft at an angle of 45 degrees. Caused a few moments of consternation. Also, the East Looe Channel seemed a few feet shallower on the last neaps (4/5 feet) and, if my plotter is correct, the nothern edge of Hook Sands seems to have come some 20 to 30 yards closer to the shore and infilled the North Looe Channel by a couple of feet. A couple of Banks near the 50/50's and off Swanage also seemed to have gone/levelled off. I suspect that we will be finding that a few other marks/features in the Bay have been changed by the storms. Allan.

I am always keen to support Juniors as they are the Club's future. Fisheagle can be made available, ideally not on the day of the Bream Comp. More than happy to supply a "Goody Bag" of tackle items and Wessex Tackle voucher to a total value of around £ 40/50 or if prefered a smaller "Goody Bag" to all Juniors who are involved. Best of luck in getting things moving Sam, it seems there is a lot of support out there.

Would hope to get out Wednesday or Thursday. Again with Rich S. and John Stephenson, but this time on Kelly's Hero which is overdue for a run out due to John's foot problem. Allan.

Thanks for the friendly banter Charlie, I appreciate that your tax contributions could be seen to be subsidising us old farts and there are a lot of us in the Club. Hope that Otter is able to say hello. Allan.

As Thursday looks the best day this week Fisheagle will be heading out with myself, John Stevenson and Rich S. We have waited long enough and intend to try three different types of fishing. Some Plaice fishing, some bottom fishing for Rays etc. and a couple of marks that have produced early Bream. Hopefully, at least one of them will give us something to go towards the species count. Will be on Ch 6 if anyone else is out. Allan.

Was thinking of going over to the Shambles soon and have several dates pencilled in. Spoke to couple of people last night and someone in Weymouth and little is being caught. I was even told that the mussel beds could have gone (Destroyed in storms?). Has anyone heard anything else? May get out locally on Thurdsay or Friday if the weather holds. Allan.

Worth a look. As you say, the 50 hp engine 2 or 4 stroke? Could well be underpowered for fishing outside the Harbour. Allan.

Don't know a lot about them, but there seem to be different patterns. We used to see a lot on Fisherman's Wharf near the Old Lifeboat Station in Poole .I have looked quite closely at some of them and wondered if it was worth putting a few down during a fishing session for lobster/crabs and even livebait. I suspect we have the odd member who may be able to offer more assistance. Would be interested to see what you come up with.

Sounds like you may be taking up a new sport after the last few trips on Fisheagle. Trevor ( Pathfinder) has a 4 wheel trailor. I am sure it could be made available as a back up to the other offers if needed. Allan.

Could be wearing the Club Logo somewhere on his front? Allan.