Adam F

OK.... So as you drift along you approach a sandbank, lets say coming from 180' to 60' (as they often do in the CI's) this is indicated by the 'rip' - the small (or big, ask Martin about 2004... ) overfalls created by the volume of water being squeezed through the shallowing water column. This indicates the top of the bank - when we see this we know the boat is going over the top of the bank - by 'spooling' the reel, i.e taking your thumb off while in free spool the bait remains in the kill zone for longer, if you spool for long enough and have the righ lead on, the bait 'flies' up slightly in the water column, enticing Mr Tubbs along! Hope this helps?? As for bait - killer last year was a fillet of macky, cut lengthways into two, most of the flesh scrapped away and a single nick with a sharp 6/0 fine wire through the little red ligament at the tail end - never comes off, remarkable actually.

What a great site - didnt even realise I had been in Cambs that day.... Worth checking though!

Spooling is a practise taught by CC the first trip we made in 2004. Basically the hot zone for the flatties is the downtide side of the bank - they seem to sit here waiting for food to wash over the bank before they rise up ans whack it. When the boat approaches the rip, we spool, or 'fly' the bait back over the ridge to tempt a take. Doesnt always work and thier are the expections to the rule, but the fishing is hard enough - so anything to make life easier is good in my book! Finally, the pratise Rich describes is also essential - just to make sure they get the bait in proper. Adam

Mines been fine so far....???? Why do they recommend not to use it?

Weve all got secrets Kam....some just more-so than others! Break out the cloaking devices!!

570x310mm - is this too small? - how big are yours Steve? They say that wil the door opening widened that crabs and lobsters will use it?

KK, Been discussed in much detail already see here: http://www.pbsbac.co.uk/forums/index.php?s...36&hl=keel+band http://www.pbsbac.co.uk/forums/index.php?s...41&hl=keel+band http://www.pbsbac.co.uk/forums/index.php?s...98&hl=keel+band Hope this helps. Main points are - 165's keel tapers, so make sure you band does too, dont drill in too near the back, or you will puncture the bilge well, use plenty of sikaflex and the right screws - or use nylon and make life easy like I did! Good luck.

Weather is looking so good that a day off has been secured and BW will be heading out at 7.00am from Weymouth - anyone else who fancies tagging along is more than welcome. Adam

Well chaps - to those who are going...not long now - hopefully this time in two weeks we will be drifting the banks for big flatties Have a look here: http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/14days.asp Not looking too bad long range (which of course means very little at the moment) but from the looks of it, bring your waterproofs - it looks pretty wet! Adam

More research shows that this is not cost effective, even me buying at cost, is more than a new traditional pot. Anyway - what do you think of these: http://www.panelpot.com/dp.html Plastic, so they wont damage the boat - worth a try?

Sorry Tom - busy until 12 midday.

Guys, In prep for Alderney at the weekend, my trusty Charter Special 1000 and my TLD15 came apart for a service. Both went back together fine, but the 1000 is a little 'graunchy' - I put this down to the rough bearing in the side plate that I put back in. Q's: 1.) Do I need to replace just this race or are their more - is so where are they? 2.) Where do I go to get them, and are there different qualities? Ta Adam

Tom, Just to let you know - I may now be struggling to help with this. I only have a few hours spare this week, next week is chocka and the week after we are in the Islands (hopefully). I will be free from the 3rd week in May, but I guess that will be too late. Cheers Adam

......urm...have you been spending too much time on that hippy conversion site!!!!

Dual Watch is juts that - it WATCHES another channel whilst you sit on your main one - so the only time you would need to turn it off is if you use 16 as your main channel and watch ch6. I use ch6 as my main one and dual watch 16 - that way when I press the PTT button I transmit on 6. Adam

Realising I may be tempting fate here - but dont worry about anchoring the ledge - I have done dozens of times and apart from the odd slightly snagged one havent had too many problems - if your anchor is tripped correctly neither will you. Adam

Well done in getting out Tom. The last wreck can be a little fickle (like the others I guess) their always seems to be fish their but the tide needs to be spot on to get takes - all out fish came to either storm sandeels or live launce BTW. Adam

I work for Plumb Center so no probs in getting the gear. The reason I ask is that I thought it would make a great frame for a Parlour Pot for lobsters. A selection of fittings, a few lengths of 22mm copper tube and fill the lower sections with lead - cover in nylon mesh and bingo. Is this not a good idea then?

Trev, I had to do the DIY way last year with BW - did a bit at a time over 10 months - what an absolute bas%$rd of a job it was - kinda wish I had paid for it to be shot blasted clean.... I used Dilunet A/F remover - about a

How will copper react underwater (saltwater) ?? Thanks

Same as Bob. Trev - I would suggest the same as Jack and Andy - Otter is a pretty heavy and powerful beast - she should have no problem snapping to ties. I find ties are neater and more importantly quicker to chnage and replace - cheap too if you pick them up at the right places - i.e -not B&Q!!

Ref the post I made on our Sunday trip after the mayday call... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/4912546.stm

We were planning on heading out from Weymouth again, possibly tagging along with Quest II offshore, but the forecast has put paid to that. The Met Office now giving F4-5 increasing 6 is not my idea of fun - esp after yesterday. We postponed the trip until later in the week, or next weekend. Good luck to all those going out. PS: Mike Y went out onto the Shambles today - a few plaice, a 5lb turbot, loads of Pollock and a couple of cod - result!

I forgot to mention the Mayday which came about 1pm in the afternoon - the dive boat from Castledtown - Maverick radioed in a Mayday after a diver came up not breathing. Whiskey Bravo was launched an airlifted the guy to hospital, whilst other nearby boats collected the other divers in the water. I heard today that the diver died on the way to hospital. Very Sad.

Steve (lookfar) has one on order to replace his 165 - so we will see. My interpritation is that it fills the gap between the 165 and the 175. For those who dont want, cant have the bigger boat but want the few extra features?