The title says it all - JV should be called First & Last (Out & In). Adam, Alun and Myself fished as much as we could!
Day one:
With the initial questioning of our sanity about going in the far from perfect forecast we headed out of Poole with Alfresco, Wight Magic and Abode2 @ 06:30.
Some what of a bumpy crossing - I managed a few hours and Adam had decided against original plans (head for Braye and fuel up then off to Casquests), and head straight for the Schoal 80 something miles. Stopped for some maccy mid channel as Niggle had advised they were har to come by aroudn the is land. Luckily I managed to sleep for a few hours in the snotty seas!
We fished with the boats we met in Poole - it was amazing fishing 3 fish a a lost one on the first drift!!! Downhill from then on, but that was hell of a start!
A few fish were apprehended and the sea was slight.
Head back for a Pepperd Steak and some beer at the Maris Hall - I was on teh boat that night so headed back to JV - no problems sleeping!!!
Day Two:
Early start, luckily I was already on the boat! JV headed off with Alfresco @ or just before 7:00 closly followed by WM and Abode2. We were at the "Tope Hot Spot" Speedy and no one told the Tope! A few drifts on JV with Alfresco at anchor and we lost some gear, so headed south to teh Banks earlier than planned. Full crusing speed on a minll pond and we were there in no time.
A cracking day's sport and JV apprehended 20 flatties - we fished to the new Alderney recommended 45cm mls and most were returned. There were 3 or 4 brill misxed in with the Turbos. Biggest was 10lb 5oz to me - Adam might have a pic, unless he has deleted it!!!
On the way back for our great day on the banks we stopped off at the Nanels for some ultra light gear pollacking, beer and music! What a way to finishe the day. We had loads of fish (eventually, once I realised that I was retreiving too fast!). Plently of double and triple hook ups - most fish in the 3-6lb stamp but a few smaller greedy ones in there! I have a 3.5lb Ballan Wrasse on a white twin tail!!!
We were late and dinner at the Moorings was 19:30-20:00 - so we arrived fresh from the boat, no time for anything else!
Day3:
Windy, awoke from a great night's sleep @ The Fleet House to a good breakfast.
We headed around the Island clockwise to hide from the NW wind, intention to anchor in shelter and have a quiet day. After feathering up some launce, we headed for Blanchards rock, with a 7kn drift speed!!! It was a bit too much!!!. We headed for the SW Bank and tried for a Bass there. Alun had a small bass and that was it, Adam took teh time to study the flow chart for the tide around the island and thsi saw us headed back to Blanchards.
With a more acceptable drift speed we tried again, lost some gear, lost some fish, I had a pollack and that was about it! We didnt have long and the changes in the drift direction were increadable. Rosie One was not far from us having a go too.
We then headed back to harbour for a light lunch and a drink "hic", then couldn't resit a look for some Pollack as per the previous day. So out in to the beast of a swell and across the Swinge to be chucked about again! Again we had great fun with the Pollack - this time I stuck to the simplicity of just a Sidewinder and it was ace fun!
Video below from JV on Day 3:
1st part: JV drifting back in to an "interesting" Sea off Blanchards!
2nd part: Return to port from Blanchards
3rd & 4th parts: across the Swinge for last minute Pollack fun!
(Check out how the RainX works on the screen!! Adam, only mentioned it 78 times this trip!)
A great meal followed @ the HarbourLights with 22 PBSBAC members, Mark and Fieona from Aldernery Angling and 3 friends of Paul Dore's.
Maybe we should have the Dinner Dance in Alderney as the turnout is better!!!!
We woke to a windy day, as expected. Alfresco, WM and Abode2 headed out first following the tracks of TrueBlue (who was once again, relaying weather \ sea state info back to us).
Then the second flotilla left, JV, Serenity, AWOL, Free Boys, Rosie One. It was lumpy, horrid but manageable. Welldoen to the skippers, much concentration needed. I guess it is like driving to Blackpoool from Bournemouth on a badly potholed and cobbled road which undulates and moves!
Every crew member on every boat was wearing a lifejacket, as Adam commented, he hadn't sat at the helm on JV with one one before. There was a nervous tension in the air, but relayed messahed from the boats infront, helped as we knew it want getting worse!
(I did again manage a couple of hours kip!!)
JV was not going to stop for Bream as we had made the most of the Alderney fishing, however we had Dolphins around the boat when we passed Ballard.
Not enough water in Parkstone Bay meant we had an oppourtuniy to clean down, have something to eat, before putting JV to bed.
Another smashing trip aboard JV. Good company and good food, what a great 4 day break!
Thanks Adam, JV is spot on and can do so much, she's a keeper!!!!
Rob
