Adam F

I took pity on you and took you tope fishing - then you decided not to catch one and left me to hook out a 35lber!

Sorry - yep, I meant two takes from bass off the Bridge.

It was James' turn to skipper today, so at 7am we slipped away from Wick on what promised to be a lovely day. Mullet were hard to find with James catching just 2 in an hour and a half and me just a Golden Grey. Out on the ledge, Bream, Mackerel, Wrasse, Pollock, Dogs, Pout, Huss and Bass all showed so a respectable 8 species each by the end at 2.30pm. We then wizzed over to the IOW for a spot of bassing. A tank full of fresh live joeys were soon feathered up and away we went. 1st drift and BANG, I hook up - a nice fish of about 3lb. A few drifts later another of about 2-3lb then a few quiet drifts. We were then getting short of joeys, so I stuck a big fella on - 'Big Bait - Big Fish' tactics I thought - and it worked! After a savage bite I thought I had hooked the deck, but when it started pulling back I knew a decent fish was hooked - a great 10 minute fight saw a huge bass lying alongside the boat. Alas once netted it proved to be a massive frames fish, capable of double figures, but very lean - weighed on a choppy sea it went between 5-6lb. James struggled on the bass, and on hindsight the only thing we could think of as to why was the fact I was using Flourocarbon hooklink. I had 2 bass last week of the Needles to James none, I had 4 bass of Portland to the crews none and 3 today - the ONLY factor different was the Vanish hooklink - food for thought?? Quite enjoying the bassing this year, heres to more to come!

James - hadnt realised that - Maybe Ill also join you for the sole then. Cheers

Probably the earliest I have ever been out fishing! Mike Y and his brother Dave wanted to know how we fish Portland race, so I offered to show them how - but other commitments meant that we all had to be back in by 9am this morning. It was 3.30am when my alarm sounded and coupled with a bad head cold the drive to Weymouth was hard work. The boys ahd put the Warrior on their mooring at Ringstead, so it was ready for when we arrived. 5.00am we cast of and headed out with the sun just breaking the Purbecks. Joey mackerel were a plenty and soon we had a couple of dozen nice small baits in the tank. We arrived at the race just as the tide was starting to run, giving us a 1.2 knot drift. Portland rigs, 6' traces and a 6/0 Varias completed the set-up. First drift I showed the way with a nice 3lber. When then went 4/5 drifts without a bite. It all then came good for me, with 3 fish in 3 drifts, the best a superb Bass weighing 8lb 15oz on dry land. The other 2 between 2-3lb. Unfortunatly the other guys struggled, but I think were happy to have been shown how the fish the race and that it is not dangerous provided common sense is taken. We hit the beach at 9am and I was back home for breakfast at 9.45am Thats the way to do it!!

Cant do Thurs, but am going out Weds night for sure, no room on BW though, need to start delivering the promises of trips to various friends and collegues! Will probably be congering though as opposed to Sole fishing.

Rich, Using fixed spools for trolling sometimes, but mainly multipliers. The reason for not hooking the bass correctly is the size of the mackerel we were fishing - all bigguns over 8oz.

woops! Only meant as a joke comment - obviously taken the wrong way... Apologies if it caused offence.

James wanted to have a crack around the back of the island yesterday as he was interguied after our trip on Sunday. We launched at 12.00 and headed out into the afternoon sun....as we readed the run a thick blanket of cold sea mist decended and stayed with us all day - a great example of why you should always carry warmer clothing, even on the best days. Fortunatly I had a fleece in the cabin. We spent 3 hours trolling the reefs off Freshwater and while it was slow we had 4 hits. James had the first, a nice bass of about 3lb. I then procceded to have 3 hits in a row, which were all lost due to poor angling practise not having the drag set correctly. We then decided to hit the Bridge for the last hour and picked up a few more fresh baits. Third drift and I though I was snagged in the rock, but then it moved! A decent bass was hooked for sure and a fantastic fight ensued - short lived though as the hook pulled out! Fish - 4 Me - 0!! Last drift of the day, right at the end of the reef and I hooked up again - phew! Like peas in a pod, another bass about 3lb. Eager to get back out their again now, learning all the time about these new marks. Adam

Mike, Glad to hear it went well. BTW what engine do you have fitted? Interested, as I have a 60hp 4 Stroke and my max speed is 25 knots, you say you backed the throttle OFF, suggesting a far higher max speed??? Adam

....What on those scales!....hmmmm James, you really need to get them looked at and calibrated - a 6oz lead weighing 10oz is not good.

Paul J and I launched at 6.30am this morning and steamed past the lighthouse for a spot of bassing on the freshwater ridges. Mackerel were tricky to find at first, but then we found a shoal and strings of 4-5' joeys came aboard - how often does that happen? Usually when you want joeys you get jumbos and when you want macky for tea joeys come along - any how.... Bass were non-existant although a screaming run 1st drift for Paul had us excited - a 4lb pack tope the culprit. After fishing for 4-5 hours without a bass we decided on a different tact - and headed in close. Trolling a live macky 100 yards behind the boat just in gear - 1-1.5 knots. Depth no more than 10' meant we could see the kelp and bolders in the crystal clear water. It took about 20 mins for the fist hit, but the fish dropped the bait. 2 more like this and then Paul hooks up. A nice 3lber for the pan. I then drop another couple due to the large size of the bait and the modertae size of the fish. Then its my turn and like a pea in a pod - another 3lber. Paul and I were rather hot in the calm sunny conitions, so took the oppertunity to have a swim off BW. Diving off the bow into the water was great fun, but given the 18 degs water it was till very bracing and enough to take the breath away - I wouldnt wish falling in during the winter months on anybody. Anyway - it was nice to see BW from the water - a fish's eye view! Lovely weather, a few fish - could have been better and good company - nice to be out again! Adam

Nice one Kam - where did you get the ling? A few of us (me included) are either coming round or already using circles - I still need a little more convincing in certian situations but think they work very well when used correctly.

BW will be making its first trip for almost 4 weeks tomorrow. We are launching from Lymington at 6.30am and headed round the back of the island for bass - any who wants to join us, let me know or see you out there. Adam

Ah - I see....the only reason I presumed it was unbraked is that I couldnt see the friction coupling at the drawbar - I guess this trailer has a differnet set up?

Thanks Mike - The sides ones wont fit a MK11 165, but if they go cheap the front ones will do the job....Ill keep my eye on them.

Trev, Good advice from the guys above - from a personal view and also from seeing the MI21 at the Southampton show last year - I would look at the large multi screens. Ok, so they cost more per unit but they use less space and do all your requirements in one go. The one at the Soton show had a large Raymarine jobbie. PS: Are you intending to trailer the new boat? If so I think the trailer is illegal as the boat is way, way over 750kgs - the legal limit for an un-breaked trailer....

Why??

...as I said, its not finished yet - the kimmeridge photos is in the wrong place. Yep, Im in a similar situation re. work - let me know when you get back, well have a trip. Adam

Martin with a double figure Pollock

Just a few piccies from the last voyage BW and Maverick made to the Rips.

I am midway through a piece of work to go on the website for slip launching info. Work is taking up all of my spare time at the moment so it is far from finished, but I have attached my efforts thus far below:

The drop off at Wick has been repaired again. They have errected a sign - 'Beware of sudden drop at end of slip' they have also inserted to scaffolding poles at each end corner of the slip as markers and they have repared the drop off with a few tonnes of gravel. It is now a 1st class slip and even big boats will launch with ease - Gordon and I saw a 23' rib being launched without the guys feet getting wet on Friday eve.

Hi Neil, As you have probably guessed the questions you have aksed could fill a book with answers. Firstly can I suggest that you join the club - for

Mike, As Duncan says, a few feet is adequte I have found. The radio I have mounted 'upside' down on the cuddy roof. If you want me to post a piccie of my install let me know. Adam PS: Back now, and in all weekend if you want to come over to have a nose around BW.