Rob

Mike, I'm sure that the fish looks better everytime I see a photo!!! Rob

Nice one Mike, the rays were out there but I think the competition with the dogs was too much! Catch report for JoJo was: Dogfish after dogfish then.........I had a proper bite....10lb2oz Small Eyed Ray was netted (the fish came just as Coddy radio-ed Frisky Fox to advise the rays had come on the feed! Thanks Dave). Thanks to Paul Rowcliffe for crewing, unfortunatley he didn't hook his first ray, but there is always next time. Rob Pic to follow shortly, once I have put the boat away!

Myself and Paul Rowcliffe will be fishing from JoJo on Sunday. Thanks Rob

I must confess the picture is rotated 90deg anti clockwise. That is Nick's hand on the left. So the Ray was nose up in the water. Duncan, nice work. Rob

Paul, Your in! Thanks. I will call you tomorrow to arrange arrangements!! Rob

Mike, your right, we forgot to take pics of the cuddy, as it was so flat calm and Nick had never driven a boat before, high speed handling was enjoyed! Rob

Popped out of CChurch with my non fishing friend Nick, to reward him for helping me make my folding cuddy for JoJo. We squeezed across the bar with 12" of water to spare (thanks for the advise Alun, you said we would have no probs). Off we headed to find ourselves a ray or 2 (practise for next sunday I hear you say!). Anyway, story goes: We landed an 8.5 Small Eyed, emphasis on the "we" as it has taken both our baits! Nick thought he had snagged the bottom until I had a bite and wound it in! (Incidently, in a comp is that 4.25lb Ray each, I assume it doesn't count?) A few LSD's later (kept for tea), Nick hooks what seemed like the mother of all fish, I think his lead had snagged the bottom and the other end was attached to a 9lb small eyed ray. Eventually the lead came free and up came the fish (only after I was convincing him it was a massive conger and on 20lb braid and 15lb hook length we were in for quite a lengthly battle!). Anyway, the LSD's made a fine curry tonight, only prob is I put the fish in a little early and it seemed to break up quite a bit. And we forgot to test the cuddy under motor, not that we needed it as it was flat calm, t-shirt fishing in October! Also tested my new camera and water proof case in salt water - see release pic below - great piece of kit. Sony DSC-W55 and SPK-WA Sports pack. Up to 3m depth and fairly compact.

Wow - now that is what you call a fish!!!

Great story, where are the pics? Well done. Any estimate for the size? Rob

Hi, I am after crew for Sundays Comp, or I am just as happy crewing for someone else. It could be you!!! Rob p.s. Don't expect to win!

We use a great guy (Roger) from Christchurch. He charges

Tom - Spot on, my friend has put a deposit down on a Nanni for his yacht. He now needs a prop shaft etc and a man to fit it. I have recommended he call Sam Trickett but am unsure if this is in Sam's line of work. Also, he has looked at Lake Engineering ( Poole ) Ltd for the shaft etc. Does anyone have any experience with them? Cheers Rob

"Most users ever online was 61 on September 23, 2007 02:40 pm"

Bloody typical! Channel Chieftan is a great boat, I fished from her last year. Good luck to Skipper Pat. Rob

With a 165 you might just get away with launching on the Hamble behind the Ship Inn. I have launched my old Dory 13 and current boat 16ft Terhi there. Even with a lowish tide the slip is compacted gravel and you can go out a long way. I used to launch by hand and use a 10m rope to retreive though! Plus free parking at the top of the slip. Warsah could be more suitable for bigger craft + you are nearer the mouth of the river so save 20 mins motoring. And it used to be free parking in the carpark 500yds round the one way system. Having not used them in a couple of years things could have changed! Rob

Paul, I have a 4 man and a 2 man ringo, bridle and tow rope if you want to borrow them. I am based in Moordown, Bournemouth. Rob

I have added a few pics from the weigh-in. Well done guys. Rob Pics from the weigh-in.

I am not goign to be able to make the comp but hope to be there to help at the weigh-in. maybe take a few snaps etc. Cheers Rob

I colleague of mine needs to replace his ancient inboard on his 28ft yacht. I know the majority of us here do not use sail power but a number of you have vast marine engine experience, so I offered to tap in to it for him. He is looking for a 12-20 hp diesel inboard brand new, he has looked at Yanmar but is open to suggestions. He was thinking of heading to the boat show to get a deal. Is he best going to the show in the first few days or late in the week when there will be targets for the sales guys to hit? Or does he wait till winter when business is really quiet to get a good deal? Any advice on brands and timing would be appreciated. Thanks Rob

Helen must be away!

Thanks Paul, insulation tape is now on the packing list! Rob

Simon, I am off to Vancouver on the 15th, picking up a motor home for 2 weeks with nothing but the open road, fly and spinning rod (oh, and the wife!). Rob

I agree Paul, that was a good demonstration of that you gave me a few Sundays ago! Rob

Just purchased one of the above for