Adam F

I used to use a spray can jobbie that my local tackle shop sold. I sued it on my brolly - didnt make it good as new, but much better than before. Was about 4-6 quid per can. Cant remember the name, but can was blue, white and red - Bournemouth Fishing Lodge sells it. AF

And Stu's first conger - 15-20lb.

Caught on BW - Tues eve.

A strange night, but productive overall. Took a mate out who desperatley wanted to catch a bass and a conger. Lovely evening to be out, but strangely quiet on the water, saw hardly any other boats? Fishing was slow to start as the tide was dying, but just before dark we had enough tide and I managed to snag two nice fish in two drifts, the best going just over 6lb. Arrived at the conger mark just as the light was failing, and out went the big baits. Didnt have to wait long before Stuart was bent into the first conger of the night - at 15-20lb it wasnt huge, but with a fair bit of tide, the smile on his face said it all! Beats catching coarse fish he said! Things were looking up as it was only 10.00pm - I was just thinking about putting my dinner on the cooker when we heard Marine Boy talking to Solent on 16. He was also out and had engine trouble. I then called Solent and offered assistance - so we cut the evening short and went to meet Paul. A nice slow, unevemtful tow in at 5 knots saw us back on the slip for 11.30pm. Picked up a brand new 2' fender floating free down the river on the way back also. Just goes to highlight the benefits of being in the club Adam

Ive never seen one. It is well marked through the summer, and they move the bouys accordingly.

Had a good play on the Raymarine C120 yesterday. What a piece of kit - IMO it is way better than any of the others we have mentioned inc. the Garmin. The detail on the chart is superb, it is so easy to use I just cracked on with it - and coupled with the sister FF unit makes the ideal piece of kit. Only problem is the unit wouldnt fit on BW - the screen alone is a massive 12.1"!! Have a good time bob.

Wow! She looks superb....and what a beast! Pat could have BW - at least the tender would match the mother boat in colour! A bit of work ahead then for you!

Trev, In a rush now - but I have used a 350 GPH bilge pump for 2 years now and never had a single problem. Mine is as basic, but robust as they come - basically the same as the charter guys use. When I get back tonight Ill do a few piccies for you. Adam

Hi Charlie - Ill also be out - but a change of tack this weekend - Ill be bassing on Bliss II, Ill still bag a doggie and a macky for a few points though. Tight lines to all. AF

wow! What a sight Paul - something I would love to see - altong with the Dolphins.

Nice one Kam! Ill also be interested to hear how the Float rigs were set-up and fished? I also hear that their was an issue with some of our boats fishing the waters around the island? That was what I heard on the radio for most of the day anyway?! Last time I checked the sea was a free place?? Adam

'Tropical Storm Franklin' ...I guess that means that Ill be blamed for the bad weather for the next few days.../???? Sorry chaps!

Youll be lucky for Friday - forecast SW 5-7 at the moment. Any flurocarbon, portland rig and a fine wire 6/0. AF

Taken on live joey - Tues evening.

Gordon and I headed out last night - the only free night this week for both of us. The wind was forecast as 3-4 SW and they had got it right. The plan was over to the island for bass until dark and then anchor the ledge for a conger or three. BW behaved impecablly over to the IOW. Despite the strong winds kicking up a swell and a fair chop she sat at 18-knots all the way and never slammed once. The wind off the staboard bow helped as it was a different story when we came back! Mackerel were back and easy to find, so we headed back to the mark. The wind made drifting hard, pushing us across the reef and across the weakish tide. With only 2 drifts left I snagged a decent fish and after a cracking deep powerful fight a nice 6lb 14oz bass was netted. Despite my best attempts at returing her, she didnt want to know, so begrudgingly I kept her. Gordon, alas struggled again - always another day! After a slow bumpy ride into the teeth of the wind to the ledge, we anchored up and prepared the conger gear. A bite straight away to Gordons rod make thinsg look up, but the sneaky begger had the bait off! That was it until 11pm when I had a take, but struck too early, but Gordon didnt and hooked into a lovel 30lb eel - a very thin, but very long fish - about 6'....still a reasonable trip and a first at night for Gordon. An uneventful run back home and in bed by 12.30!

A 6/0 or 7/0 bronzed o'shaunessey with the barb crunched flat. These will rust out within a few days. Recently I have also been using the Varivas Big Mouths in 6/0 for the tope. Again, barb crunched, makes T barrring off a hell of a lot easier and it much better for the fine sporting fish.

Ahh!!! The old 'what would you do' scenario!!! Its a difficult one to answer Geoff - only you (guided by others comments) can make that decision. Those two boats are vastly different. The Warrior (in my own very, very biased opinion) is one of the best 16' day fishing boats you can buy - the numbers sold reflect this. Easy to trail on even a smallish car - fast, very stable in most seas, good fishing area, small cuddy to protect from the rain, seats that swivel whilst you are fishing and driving.... The pilothouses....you can sleep in them, they have a big, dry cuddy many with doors - these equal creature comforts - better for the family, you get more of a 'big boat' feel. My advice? = Have a trip in the MG, go FISHING in one of the club members pilothouses (KAM?) and see how they are in terms of practicailty. Then come out in mine or one of the other 165's and try that. My guess is that the and only then will you be able to make a decision. Good luck!

Fantastic - the innocence of youth!!!

As Kam says, Geoff, once you add an engine - 3.5k min - up to 6k I suspect, and a decent braked trailer - 1.5k - you are looking at

And mine - so maybe that is it??

Im sure we will fit you all in chaps. Come on guys - lets see some new names. Everytime we get the same boats!! Some of the new members? Some of the moored boats in Poole - it only takes an hour to steam round!

Jimbo's been there done that - he has had several UK Catfish...

Hi Geoff, I think you may struggle. These are built out in the Eastern Block - Poland I think and are pretty new to the market. Have you had a look at Parley Boats - on the Parley Traffic lights, Ferndown? They have just opened up and are a distributer of MG boats - I think they have a 530 on the forecourt. They look very similar to several other boats on the market - the Selva Fisherman: http://www.selvamarine.co.uk/infopage.asp?infoid=142 Also Kam's boat (Newboy) is very similar so he may be able to offer a view: http://www.pbsbac.co.uk/memberboat.php?id=21 Personally (and this is only based on what I have seen on the net) - I think they are quite dear for what they seem - and I would go for tried and tested - in this class this would mean an Arvor, Quicksilver, Merry Fisher etc - I guess the best fit would be the small Merry Fisher 530 - shares even the name in common and has been around for years - features and tests on these are commonplace. http://www.freeportmarine.net/Jeanneau_Mer...sher_530_A.html Dave Lewis did one in Sea Angler a few months back - I have the copy if you want a look. Hope this helps. Adam

Also struggling with the description of Exhaust - I think Im right in saying that most outboards have a through propellor exhaust - quietening the noise and emitting it underwater to stop smell and smoke. Most 2 strokes give off a bit of smoke, but yours being 4 stroke should be OK. Is it a brand new engine on the boat? If so I would be most surprised if you had problems already???

Rich, I am sheduled in for a trip Tues eve - was going to have a night conger trip - but could be pursuaded to have a look for a stinger.... Adam