Sinbad

Ah and yet again. Problems with remote logon (manchester tomorrow!)

Ah and again

seems to have flooded ??

Ah Just remembered two conversations with Alun re Conger... "You dont need anything more than 50lb for COD", fair comment on clean ground. And.... "I dont like Conger"... so just as well the trace went at the hook, however all of us would have liked to have had it what ever it was on board, even just to wish it Happy New Year, such was the general level of interest !!! The only other bit of excitement which had me ducking under the rods and lines on the end of the boat, and crossing over to the starboard side (was fishing the port side at the time) was the tangle I got with myself, only I'd managed to get the weight up on the port side, and the rest under the trim tabs on the back of the boat. I'd left one rod on port, dived over to starboard to free the line on the other rod, and was busy reeling in, when the weight from the port rod arrived under the keel and popped up with me on the starboard side...???? The only thing stopping my favorite rod ending up under the boat, was you guessed it... Alun hanging on firmly. Was trully grateful for being rescued from my own mishap. Paul

Myself and Alun J, went out with the chaps from my Workplace, seeing as they had arranged a charter for the saturday, with the prospects of fishing a new area, or further out than I normally do. Weather at start of week looked 12mph plus p@@** down all day. Saturday eventually turned out dry, but with horrible swell - the Skipper abandoning his plan of south of needles after taking a report from another charter who was already on his way back in. We headed out past the shingles bank from Lymington - but after seeing the impressive rollers crashing over the gravel, made for a mark off Barton, which had only 8FT of swell After a few hours of Dogs and Pout, and a number of different spots tried (although we were a bit limited by the weather and ebb tide) Alun had a rod bender on for 10 minutes, until the trace parted. Only real excitement all day. Amazingly the huge swell was dropping all the time with the wind, so the expected wind over tide episode didnt take place. Nice to be out though. Paul

Sorry, Folks.. I only asked a humble question. No-one ever talks about the 590, but I rate it. Its all warrior/raider this and that. Not that I dont think they are superb boats, just may be viable alternatives. As for the launching at Mudeford at low water, the ground levels out after the slip, so if you need the depth to 'float' off the trailer, then its not going to happen. If your boat slides off the trailer, then how far do you have to lift the nose of the trailer before this happens. Also not going to happen with a 590 on your own. Both cobbs, parkstone, wick, or wherever, have a reasonable rise of the slip and allow the boat to roll off. But I do agree with the other postings, its all to do with specific trailer set up. We dont all have multi roller or break back trailers. Mine is a home built swine, so needs some attention to the weight distribution and roller set up this winter, so it rolls off on its own. (though will avoid launching it onto the slipway, as one member found out. ) I like the idea of winching off the trailer - have to think about that one. Recovery, I've never had a problem with, only having to use a strong warp to attach to the car if the trailer is a long way out. I'd not recommend the anchor rope, as it stretches like elastic and builds up alot of stored energy, then the boat chases you up the slipway !! As for Aluns question of why do we want bigger boats, same question as why do dogs chase cars they've no intention of driving . Paul F

Hi Paul Good to hear the Whiting are still in numbers and only few dogs at Xray. Any thoughts on the 590 ? I wondered if it was still launchable / portable by one person (and not a very large one at that) ? Paul F

Hi Rich Good advice to find somewhere local ! I may give it a try. Perhaps you could supply Name and address of the place ? Regards Paul

Just thought I'd mention by way of this forum the excellent service received from ABU reels agent Pure Fishing UK ltd in supplying spare parts for my reel. Having taken my ABU mag elite 6500 apart for a service, id broken the clutch release ring, which is the circular ring fitted around the spool which engages in the brass knobby bit which whirls arround when you turn the handle. I'd noticed it was half broken on disassembly - with one of the lugs sheared off and the bit rattling arround in the interior of the reel, so i finished it off with a awkward prise of the screwdriver, just to be sure. So thinking at least

Not drawing much, and no cod this time. thought you'd like the photo Paul

Well Done Alun - I presume the 'J' in Alun J is for Jammy S## !! Fantastic end to the year and welcome relief to Turkey sandwiches, Turkey curry, etc, etc. Paul

Just wondered how much room there will be on the flats in the usual spot, Alun J and Myself will be out in the Blue 440, probably with contrasting fluoro orange if the weathers cold ! Paul

A fantastic day out in Sinbad, albeit spoilt by the fishing ! Alun J was up early for the sign in at baiter, and express couriered two bacon rolls back to Christchurch slipway. Launching from Christchurch and fishing the inshore bay marks we thought would give us better chances with a nice Bass or sizable Whiting, or even hopes of snagging a Cod/ Ray / Conger, which is always a possibility in this area. (Some chance!) Also made sense to me, with small / slow boat not to fish offshore and lose the first part of the ebb and the flood to steaming time. Perhaps should have stayed in the harbour for the flatties ! The plan was to fish the last of the flood off the ledge, and then the ebb at Xray. In the end we fished Xray then a small wreck 2m further offshore, for masses of Doggies and a few whiting and Pout, then returned to the deep water off the ledge on the flood. The plan was OK, but the water temperature of 8 degrees was a severe change from two weeks ago, and may have put the conger off and moved the Whiting offshore. Listening to all the 'whingeing' on Channel 06 about the lack of action in the spoil area, was at least easier to bear as we were finding the sport between dogfish, fairly poor to say the least. The steam back in was un-memorable 20mins or so, followed by rapid pack up, drop off boat at Alun's, and change cars for the drive over to Baiter by 16:50hrs - just made it! Bit like the 'great rod race' only without the camera crew and the fish. Anyway, we very much appreciated the early start that Veronica and others made to cater for us, and the many hours of personal time given up by the organising committee to make the day run so smoothly. I thought the sponsorship was remarkably generous, the prizes very attractive to competitors and well targetted to boat fishermens needs - it was also good to see the sponsors representatives there on a Sunday to support the prize giving. This has given me great encouragement to do better next time!! Paul F

Hi all Couldnt bear to be at work on such a settled and sunny day, so decided it just had to be done!! (stress management classes) among others, fished along the harbour channel for a few herrings, but saw nothing on the fishfinder and nothing over the right side of the boat. Then onto the usual Poole bay mark which had been good for the whiting last year. First drop down, a small blonde ray, followed by a 2lb bass - really shimmering in the sun. Then decided a move was required, as my arm was beginning to hurt hauling dog after dog in the tide. Interestingly, loads of shoals of sprats - I guess - 6-10m down showing as a broad line on the fish finder, and triggering the fish alarm. some were even jumping clear of the water. Thought this must be a good sign, but the whiting fishing was patchy what with the dogfish. Settled onto the next rockier mark, and was rewarded by a savage pull - Eel - this one roughing up the trace and breaking it off after just one determined run. OK, size 6/0 and a 50lb trace later, and another terrific pull. Got the Eel to the surface three times, then he just didnt like the sunshine, and went down to the bottom - nothing I could do to stop him. Now this really did make my arm hurt - but eventually got the fish to the side of the boat, and discovered he had broken the lower hook trace (hook in mouth) but had the upper hook in his dorsal fin, so I'd been towing him backwards, hence the struggle! After boating him and sorting out the hooks, then returning the fish, I was into another eel within a few minutes, and this one also making short work of the trace after a wrenching run. Highlights of the day: Very grumpy Conger - 27lbs - my Pb (!) Nice Plump Whiting - 2lb 6oz All on Frozen Mackerel. Hoping to return again with some heavier gear, who knows whats down there ! Paul

Hi Martin If not too late - please can I have 6 boxes Regards Paul

Simple Answer, Yes! John Try the search facility on the site using 'Nursery'. or perhaps someone will add the link to the article ?

Charlie On reflection - I think you are right, must have mistaken the harbour byelaw regarding speed above 10knots for also being able to keep the kitchen happy. We returned about 30 small bass - it was impossible to avoid them... only way would have been to stay in the lounge with the TV on. Paul

Took Sinbad out for a run on Saturday with Alun J after hastily aborted planned trip to Christchurch ledge. (Those bass will have to wait - and I'm sure they will as the water is still so warm) First light, absolutely no wind in Ringwood despite Alun's call that it was blowing old boots . Still took some persuading to change plans, as there was still no wind on my way down to Christchurch! A few Force 6 gusts and swaying tree branches changed my mind permanently! having stopped to pick up some Rag, launched the boat off Parkstone, and steamed straight over towards rockley park - pretty usual stuff for the harbour - confused wave patterns and a few larger ones over the cuddy, until we were on a more westerly course. First mark hooked onto the channel bouy at Rockley, produced just one nice flattie and the inevitable wannabe dace - conditions were fishable even in the strong southerly and ebb. Then decided a move up river was needed - and carried on up the harbour to some flatter water by the wareham channel entrance - a few more boats (saw Nik nak?)- one right in at holton mere and a few at the entrance approach. Alun took another flounder and we both had consistent sport from the 8" bass on float tackle and light ledger - until a few solid thumps and the bass became sizable. Alun getting the first and myself the second. Strange to be fishing in a metre of brown water for flatties, and expecting a lethargic slow pull of the float - only to be bullied by a runaway steam rocket crashing through your swim. Our bait was being systematically raped by hoardes of green back crabs, so both of us looking at the dwindling rag converted to crab baits for the bass to no avail. 1430 saw us steam back to the quay for fresh rag supplies and back out for the first of the ebb. This produced the miniture bass, yet more crabs and a couple of very pi###ed off eels, pulling like good fish in the tide. Best moment was watching the dipping sun reflected off rockley park with a perfect rainbow lighting up morriconium quay (not that the fishing wasnt also a good moment). Was great to be out in the harbour on our own and away from 'society', blew a few cobwebs away, and had a few fish for supper. Oh and just to add to the discussion on taking fish to eat, we have to get this into proportion. I applaude the biological arguments regarding fish age and genetic inheritance, I have learnt alot and try still to do. But remember we are in a thinking minority, the majority of our country think and know nothing of how our food is prepared, and think fishing and for that matter farming is 'cruelty to animals'. No amount of scientific argument is going to convince these ignorant people of our rights to take what we catch. Whilst we are practising conservation in whatever best means that is, the 'antis' are voting us out of our sport on a different argument. Our only salvation may be that sport fishing (or rather what you and I call recreational pastime) can be commercially more valuable to the government than foxhunting ever was. For all the fish landed by recreational anglers, this is trivial compared to the tonnes of fish landed on european shores fished for within UK waters by foreign trawlers. Lets keep the advice flowing so we can be better anglers, but not expect us to become vegetarians when the fish we return end up in a trawler net somewhere. As for the fight a 12lb bass gives, these are rare fish and rare experiences, (i'm still waiting!) but I dont think this situation has changed much for 30 years, if reading the angling press over the years is the measure. but lets face it, we get many hours of pleasure from fishing for lesser specimens and rightly so, and all the fights on light tackle from bream, smoothhounds, tope, conger etc, all far out -weigh the almost insignificant struggle I had with my 8.5lb bass. Dont mourn the loss of this Bass - I bet the chances of another angler catching it would have been slimmer than Shirgar winning next years Grand National. Another thought... Fish ... Enjoy... tell others about it......or Post... Whinge about things you cant change... Dont Fish...

Alun I knew I should have taken you up on the offer - its ages since I've fished the ledge. But well done for the Cod (second this autumn for you) and all those fantastic bass bites. One Cooked leg of pork for six, blackberry pie and custard - washing up done, just the shirts to iron now - mission accomplished, Thank God I can go back to work tomorrow !!!!!! Paul

I've just bitten the bullet and replaced the steering cable lock stock and barrell. It wasnt something i wanted to try myself, and had to pay the labour and parts -about

Paul Just for completeness .... show us a pic of the prop mate!!

Hi Adam Nice report and glad you got the weather too! we've been going out to Lagos - (Burgau) for the past 10 years - Great fish market in Lagos - only just been re-furbished and with a panoramic restaurant on the top floor! They certainly know how to display their fish - but agreed the size limits are obscene !!!! surprised you didnt target the tons of mullet in the estuary ? I may well do the charter next time with smallest lad, as he's quite keen and as you say with a fish a chuck, plenty to keep everyone busy! Incidently - What did the skipper charge for the charter - and how was his hospitality / English ?? We always visit the lagos beach as its a fabulous expanse of sand - the shell count - razor clams, scallops, etc is huge!! which must mean rich variety of fish species. Great place for a week or so, and local flight from Hurn too ! Cheers Paul

Paul No wonder you only get 14 knots out of Neo - perhaps with all that weight you should ditch the anvil and forge, and just go out with the 'snap on' tool cabinet. Is a spare prop part of the safety kit ? Paul F

Hi Alun I've had a lobster in the past too, caught fairly on the hook, but also a Seagull or two, which aren't good for the pot, no matter what the recipe! Makes me think, you'll be busy potting soon ? So, Still no triggers then - there's always next year.... Paul

Was also out on Sinbad with friend Dave P. What was a frantic start turned out more leisurely, as the 'other competion' being run at Parkstone Yacht Club didnt officially start until after a hearty breakfast (Bacon , eggs, black pudding fried bread etc etc etc) was consumed ! We fished at the pier for tons of mackerel - mostly small sized (ideal live bait) but no jumbos. then a few spots on the patch. Best fish was a 5 lb Undulate ray, my first ever, what beautiful rays these are ! Then some dogfish, and a few more, and then drifted the branksome shore line for a few flatties, but got masses of tiny bream , landed a small bass, and took a decent bream home for tea. All in all a very enjoyable day, the future looks good, with all those tiny bream arround. Paul