Bob F

Thanks for the local tips, Charlie. Everyone, the trip looks a little dodgy at the moment, anything from 3-7 being forecasted!! As for spaces on the boats, Ada (the local expert) cannot come with us this time, so there will be a space on your boat, Martin, for Richard (Rich had asked at the last meeting). Adam, can you phone Mark to see if he would be OK for Dave to come on board, as well? He might be a bit iffy with this being his first trip out. Are you listening, Mark? Charlie, what do you think the max wind strength is that we should go out in in this area for it to be safe/comfortable? Also bearing in mind that according to Ada the area doesn't fish well for plaice after a good blow cus it gets too murky. Unfortunately, Splash-Out is still being worked on by Suzuki, so she will not be available. Bob F

Apparently, a novel approach to retrieving a Warrior 165 was observed at Baiter slip last weekend. The method is to time your return to the slip for exactly low water on a spring tide when there is absolutely no water covering the concrete. A time to return to sea for a spot more fishing you would think...but there's no U turns for this man! You can simply drive your car with trailer to the end of the slip without having to submerge the car in water. Great idea!! The trailer is then pushed off the ledge at the end of the slip and into a couple of feet of water, and the boat winched onto the trailer. All going VERY smoothly. And then you simply drive away... Except that you've got a big ledge to pull the trailer over, and the slip is wet...ooops!! But fear not, with the help of the ever helpful passersby and the odd snapped rope, our entrepid pioneering Member honed his new technique to an art and was soon on his way home, even if the wife was blasting him in the ear all the way!! So, if this technique sounds "Enticing", why not give it a go next time.

I've added Charlie's and Pete's comments to the Conger Species article. Charlie, I'll add your comments about the Conger club later, along with your photos. Thanks for your help. Still got a section to add on tactics. I have the words, just need the time.

Sneaky, Mr D!!

Happy Birthday, Dean. You might need your beachcaster on Sunday if you want ot catch plaice!??

Nice one Martin.

Nice pics Paul. I'm going to have a look at a couple of other slips tomorrow, just to compare. One is one the Hayling side. A little further to drive but it looks like it is out of the run and so less affected by the tide. By the way, do all the skippers have charts of the area? And have you studied them? We shouldn't be going out without them. Plotters are ok, but what if they fail...

You lucky BLEEP!! Have fun Gus, and we expect a full report when you get back...

Wow!! The bassTurds!! Hope everything is all ok with the boat and trailer. How do they have the nerve to do something like this... I bet you gave the Cobbs Quay guys a roasting!!

Mark, I'll ask on the Solent Forum.

Haven't been around there myself, but was planning to this year. Sounds like a nice trip. Bob F

Uni knot for braid, according to Roger Bayzand.

Nice link, Paul.

Good tip about the small bouy. Not sure why people are against the tether. Isn't that what the Yachties and Lifeboat guys use? Is it because of the risk of getting tangled or just because it would be a pain to where?

Good man. I have the graphic of the plaice to put on the front page like the Blonde and Conger articles, so I will add this for you. Can you keep the article to the same subheadings as the Blonde article. It makes it easier when posting it on the web and keeps everything in the same format. cheers Bob F.

I think the only answer is a step of ladder, Paul. It will be almost impossible to get someone into the boat unaided. If they are unconscious, even a step will not help. The only thing you can do then is to tether them to the boat and call for help, I guess???

Peter, try to keep them there till our Shambles trip in April!!!

Pass me another one, this one's split. I'd be honoured to be your Underling, Adam. Charlie...ah, a local expert. Of course!!! I forgot this was your old patch. So, will this slip be ok for Mark's big boat? The other slip that was recommended was at Gilkicker Point at Gosport, by the lifeboat station. Looks a bit exposed to me though. Which slip would you recommend?

I'd like to suggest 3 things when night fishing. Firstly, everyone one should wear a safety tether that is tied to the boat somewhere. So, if you fall in you will not float away. This is ok whilst you are at anchor, but might be dangerous when underway. So, secondly a floating light or strobe which the person left on the boat can throw after the person that has fallen in. That way you have a marker in the water regardless of the state of the guy in the water. Lastly, each person to carry of few mini-flares which they can fire when in the water.

ooh you got there before me!! Good decision, though! Bob F

OK decision made. We will stay with the Plaice fishing. Just read another report that said one boat had 6 plaice a week or so ago, so they are there. Like Dave said, it was just a bad day yesterday. We'll save the Nab Tower for another trip. We will know the area a bit better after the Plaice trip. Local tip for bait is rag worm tipped with squid. Mark - Adam and I will still meet you at your place to help with the boat. Splash-Out will probably still be out of action, so I will come with you regardless, if that's ok. Meet at your place at 07:30?? Then we will all meet at Roundhams Service Station at 8am. Adam, I just realized I should have left the organizing with you as Trailering Commadore. Sorry for treading on your patch. Bob F.

Cheers Adam. I will have to go to Martin's to pick up the moulds, so I might as well pick up his stove at the same time. cheers anyway.

Paul, I'm getting a slightly confused picture from the locals about the Plaice fishing. Ada (local expert) emailed me back to say he'd made a mistake with the tides on Sunday, and nows says there would be a good tidal run from around midday. But Sunday will be just after neap tides, so I'm not certain that there will be enough tide. Dave's bleak report isn't inspiring, either. Dave, what do you think, Nab Tower or Plaice fishing? I've asked some of the locals about how the Nab Tower is fishing. Waiting to their reply. Bob F.

Thanks Paul. Aven't finished the Conger one, yet... Bigger subject than I thought!! I think it was Plaice next.

Bait section added to the conger article. Let me know if there are any tips or stories I could add to this. If you have any good pictures or diagrams of baiting up that woud be helpful. cheers Bob F