Adam F

Been looking at getting a back-up Hand Held VHF for a while now. Little bit put off with the prices of the units, until I noticed one of these: http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/LWL003/ JG Technologies in Weymouth are doing them for 49 quid and free P+P, making it a good looking, compact HH VHF for under 50 squids!.... The only downside I can see and the reason for them being so chea compared to rivals is that they only pack 2 watts max power - other budget units give 4 watts (XM do one for about 99 squid) and the top spec HH's give 5 watts. IS 2 watts OK as a back-up? Is it worth spending the extra? All I want it for is for close range boat to boat comms and to contact the CC in an emergancy??

Never seen Felixstowe, but guess it is, just alot smaller. Give yourself at least an hour of tide either side of low as a minimum and you should be OK for depth. It is one of those places that once you have been shown what to look out for - youll be OK. In the summer with HW it is a lovely place to use. The Winter is just as good, just needs a little more care.

HMMM! I think Il stick to paying a fiver per splice!!

Ray, Happy to come out anytime and give a few pointers. I launch from Muddiford / Wick 90% of the time and often come in at night so am aware of the potential dangers. The harbour is very shallow, so moored boats are often only accesable at certian states of tide. Grounding therefore is a risk. The Run isnt as bad as many make out. Yeah you have 2 major rivers Avon and Stour emptying into the sea through a 30 yard wide channel, but if you use commonsense it neednt be dangerous. Firstly the run is deceptively shallow, it apperas deep. 15' in the deepest part, mostly 5/6 foot. At peak run off spring tide you may have 6/7 knots of tide to push against, but as long as you have a decent power reserve this should be OK. A SE wind blows into the run, and this can make it a little choppy. But in 3 years of using the harbour we have never had any difficulty gettign back in. It is also well protected from the prevailing SW winds. The Bar can be trickly. Winters especially. It is the shifting deposited sediment from the river. HW is OK and even the shallow parts have a few feet, but LW can be tricky. A plotter is of enourmous help. Given the cheaper mooring costs (than Poole) and the variety of ground avaiable, Muddiford / Xchurch harbour is a cracking place to base your boat IMHO. AF

And the Pike:

Yes, Cheers Rich - a cracking day that made a real treat/change from bobbing up and down on the briney! A super stretch of beautiful river. I had a very productive day with around a dozen out of season trout, 3 pike to about 10lb and almost a good perch of 2lb. ALL fish came to a 3" Wildeye Curl Tail Minnow. This outfished EVERYTHING on the day, and it was really amazing to watch the action of the lure and the fish in such shallow crystal clear water. These lures look SO much like the real thing. Even the standard Stormies look poor in comparison. I have ordered a few packets for the Weymouth Bass! Cheers Rich, look forward to doing it again soon! AF

Wow!! Ill give that a read later on tonight - sounds amazing. Who would have thought it was possible in a 'small' 20 foot boat?? AF

Good choice - I think youll be pleased with them - pretty good bullet proof reels. As you can see from the above postings - reels and all tackle for that matter is very much a personel thing, but thats what this forum is great for, getting others views and opinions. I see you have ordered them from the US? I am surprised you couldnt find them at a similar price in the UK??

Rich, Well up for that - sounds great. Ill call you later today to sort it out. AF

Shimano's would be my pref. I have 3 x LD's and cannot fault them. After a years use, a quick hose down after every trip and a blast of wd40 and they remain like new. The Abu's are alot smoother though - designed for casting as opposed to lowering down. AF

OK - we will give it a miss. Bloody weather!! Monday and most of next week looks just as bad! Paul J - Fancy chucking some fluff??

Yes, forecast is not good. If we do go it will be the harbour for flatties methinks. Anyone still up for it? Coddy? Rich? Paul J? If a few people want to go out, Ill go for it just to get a bit of fresh air. Adam

I agree, looks like 4-6 WSW all day. Any ideas? Weymouth is out unless we can get hold of some inshore marks out of the wind..could have our own species hunt?? Poole, would mean flatties in the harbour?? Christchurch would mean staying in the lea of Hengistbury, and the Solent is SW facing....? I am going to go regardless as staying at home for almost 2 weeks and not fishing is driving me mad!! Adam

Carp?? Youre in the sea matey - Carp are freshwater fish!! LOL!!

Rich - you know Im up for it....

OK - Ill keep an eye on the weather and we can make a decision nearer the time. Funny, not a breath of wind all day today, yet the forecast was for F4-5???? Id like to give Weymouth a go, fingers crossed for the weather. Anyone know if they are still getting the Bass??

Mine cost

I am looking at a trip out next Sunday....anyone fancy tagging along? Weather dependant it will either be for Cod out of Weymouth / Christchurch / Needles or if the weather is exeptionial - out of Weymouth for the Bass if they are still around..... Anyone fancy it? Adam

So what did we all get for Xmas? Who got a rod!?! Well, I have either done something very good and secured a lifetimes worth of brownie points or have sealed my fate and severerly restricted the amount of trips for next year!!!...... Rach and I got engaged on Xmas morning! Well worth at least 2 trips a week I think!......

Also in Angling Times and Mail - I believe....

HMmm, I was going to go out tomorrow....I mentioned it to her this morning.....funny, for some reason I got a really dirty look!...maybe I wont go then!

Thats my Xmas cards sorted for next year!!

Nice one Alun - Xray does the business once again!! Last trip of the year I suspect though? BW will sit in the drive now until the new year, when hopefully a spell of high presure will allow me out! Adam

Bit here: http://www.pbsbac.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=1360

Hi Dave, This subject has been covered before - Ill have a look and see if I can find it. But to answer your Q's quickly... Yes, you always launch normally - reverse down and give it a shove. Plenty of parking - either pay 7.50 for the day (all year) or whack the trailer in the trailer park and stick your car out on the road. Only restrictions are the state of the slip at low tide. Give yourself at least an hour of water and youll be fine. Channel dangers - yep, Christchurch is very shallow - even at HW the channel is 6' max. Use your plotter and youll be fine. In the winter they remove the marker bouys due to the flood water. 'The Run' as it is called is the narrow entrance to the sea. 2 rivers empty out of here making 5/6 knots on a spring tide. It is pretty sheltered though an faces W/SW. Basically, if it is OK to go fishing the run will be fine. Tide times - as mentioned, give at least 1 hour of flood and youll be fine. I would advise that you take one of the regulars with you for your 1st trip, it will help you loads and youll learn more than I can type here. Im happy to oblige any time. Adam