Adam F

Sorry Duncan - of course you would have been made more than welcome - its not that I like them to myself, more that 1.) the wreck was small - only 100' in length making dual anchoring tricky 2.) We we anchored slap bang in the middle and 3.) He didnt even have the courtesy to radio me on 16 and ask if I minded or what my intentions were. Yes, the bar was v. shallow - going out I advise to keep you waders AND a lifejacket on - this way you can hop over the side and pull the boat without too much trouble, but beware the strongly ebbing tide - hence the lifejacket. Coming in, we had the rollers to, but I kept up a decent speed - 10 knots + and tilted the engine at the last minute, our momentum carried us in easily and stopped the waves brouching BW.

needs to be smaller - reduce it to 80x80 pixels and it will work. adam

Low tide was 9.30am at Mudeford this morning, so we figured that a nice early 7.30am launch would put us through the entrance before the bar got too shallow. On arriving though this seemed way out, as the LW rollers broke over the sandbank - with the only other option waiting until lunch time we went for it and hurryed to launch BW and Splash-Out. Everyone seemed surprised, and when Paul D rung with events over at Emsworth it seemed the tide had caught not just us. The bar was mega shallow and even at 1 knot with the prop dipping in and out we crunched the bottom several times - BW's keel taking a battering again.... Once out though a gorgeous sunny crisp winters morning greeted us on our long steam South the find new lumps of wreckage. The first wreck was not at the numbers we were given, but a 10 minute grid search unviled the beast of the deep. I must admit to anchoring a little far uptide this time after the events of the previosu week - this left us a little too far from the wreck with a dying tide - and after only a couple of weak bites we tucked into bacon and egg chiabattas. A MK1 Mitchell turned up and proceed to try and fish the same wreck - he even waved! Cheeky b***std. I would have been more annoyed but it wasnt fishing and we were moving anyway, so we shot of to the next target. Again we had to search this one out, but once we did a lovely big beast of a wreck loomed. Once anchored it was apparent we were too close, so take 2 - perfect, and eels from the off, but each one became snagged on debris off the bow of the wreck, so third time lucky and a good 400 yards up tide we settled again. Eels were plentiful, but getting them out of the steel almost impossible so after loosing over 20lb of lead we gave up and came back 5 miles closer. This time much better and in under 2 hours Gordon and I had over 20 eels - all peas in the proverbial pod at 20-30lb but good fun and saved the day! A great run back at 20 knots with the sea off the stern and back on the slip for 4pm - phew! Knackered now!! It seems others faired OK??..... Adam

Kam, You need an Almanac of the area - the Bill is unique in that as you correctly state it sticks out so far and you have two converging tide flows from each side. The Almanac will show you the tide flow, direction and strength - if you apply this to the tides in the harbour you should get somewhere handy - however..... I have tried many times and now as long as I have an idea I just go with the flow - last year whilst drifting for bass, we were drifting at 5 knots whilst less than 100 yards away in an eddy our buddy boat was stationary!! The local's and skippers will have it sussed and may be able to help - but the almanac is your best bet. Adam

Hi Reg - we have been out today - 15 miles offshore in 150' - tides were small and we needed 2.5lb of lead in the middle of the tide - if this gives you an indication, as Charlie says on a big tide you have no chance. If you fancy a crack at the Bass, maybe I could organise a small trail-away (I am the club's trailer commadore) to Weymouth - 30 mins up the road (west) the bassing is good here and the members love it. we drift the Portland Race, not for th feint hearted as big overfalls and lots and lots of tide - fishing live joey mackerel or sandeels... Of not we could escort you over to the Isle of Wight where the bassing is also similar. Nearer the time we can speak on the phone and sort out some firm plans. Adam

Nice one Paul - 20 knots here you come!!! I will be v. interested in the Etec's as I will consider one on the replacement boat this year. Would have to dissagree - BW's Mariner has had 2 serviecs now by Select Marine, 1 each year....the 1st was

Whilst on this subject - I needed to replace BW's anchor as it got left in a big lump of steel 15 miles south of Hengistbury head a few weeks ago...... Xchurch boat shop had them on offer when I called up last week - 19.99 - bargin methinks....but they soon as well be bl***dy FREE if they arnt in stock as I told the bloke! Cherries Chandlers in Moordown (next nearest to me) had them....

Jimbob runs a 70hp Susi and IMO runs like silk, I havent used it myself enough to establish whether it has thisor not - however as jimbob runs it WOT 100% of the time I wouldnt know!! Seriosuly, my 60hp Mariner on my 165 has this about 4500rpm, it doesnt vibrate as much but the engine pitch goes noticebly louder - a slight reduction either up or down cures it. If it were me I would post on the World Sea Fishing Forum - a couple of the guys have 165's with 70hp susi's. Failing this - go back to Warrior - it doesnt sound right to me. Adam

Jack - I probably shouldnt say this, but we have never had a problem in 4 years anchoring xchurch ledge. If your anhor is tripped properly then it shoudl always turn and ping out - therefore I use my best anchor on the ledge. The only trouble I have ever had in either getting the hook caught in pots / pot lines or like last weekend in a wreck (like we did!) Adam

Re. cheap anchor: - 1' - 1.5' of scaffold tube. - Drill a hole in one end and attach a 'D' shackle for your chain/rope - The other end drill two holes at right angles through both sides - so you have 4 holes in total. - buy 2 lengths of threaded bar from a ironmongers or builders merchant - insert the two bars into the holes to make a 'cross' - secure then each side with a pair of nuts - bend at 45 degs (ish) - voila - a cheap disposable anchor costing no more than

Mad Miller

Nope - it's John C's boat, but I dont know the name....Ill have a look....

Paul, Cod picture uploaded - size and date is in the file name. Good feature - do they just appear on the list or do they popluate another page? Adam

Its becoming an almost daily occurnace this!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ! Jack Have a good'un! Adam

Jack - It is when you turn your PC on, and come to this site - it appears logged on straight away, so ou dont have to enter you name and pass word each time, just a little feature that makes life easier...if you follow BB drivers advice above yours will do too! Adam

Hi Charlie, Have you tried www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk ? It is a cracking site to find what you are after, just keep checkingnit daily as dozens of boats get added. Also one of the club members is selling a boat that fits into your budget - Gordon Moore - 'Manic Moore' is selling his 16' footer that is in superb condition, great engine and quality electronics - Im sure he will post when he reads this. Regards

Good idea - and a good suggested time. Alot of the newer members wont remember the chat room - but is was good - but only when you had someone to chat to!

nope - Cod and Whiting.

By Christ it worked!! Thank you Simon - twas clear as mud, but it worked! Adam

Ill try that - 10th time lucky!! Mr Pesimistic!

Talking Sunday - LW is about 9.30am, so an early 7.00am launch will seewus with plenty of water and out to the mark ready for the slack....!

Gordon, X-Ray is about 1/2 mile East of where you where when we came back from offshore a few weeks ago. I'll have Gordon as crew, see you all out there. Adam

I think you may be taking this thread a little seriously!! I personally advocate a decent amount of duck tape to secure the rod! Although I may need to see the picture above just once more to check....

Sunday is looking best currently....

...Anyone planning to get out? The forecast (currently) is showing 1-2 knot winds, allbeit from the East, but thats good enough for me! Small tides also, and with not much else kicking around at this time of year me thinks there is only one type of fishing to do! - Just need to get my anchor sorted again! Who else is looking to get out and from where? Adam