Adam F

Hi Dan, Its funny really - Xray seems to now have somewhat a 'cult' following!....it is nothing more than a slight depression in the seabed, about 2 NM SSW of Hengistbury Head, although it is an obvious feature in miles of otherwise pretty featureless bottom. James and I discovered the mark about 2 years ago, and have had numerous big bass, rays, conger etc.... I would also hasten to add that Im pretty sure that if you fished anywhere in the vicinity for a length of time, catches would also be good - I think it is more a case of a concerted effort in one place makes it seem like a super mark! Adam

Kam - something is obviously not right. I leave my batts in the 'ON' position all the time, and leave the Solar Panel plugged in - I dont know whether the panel has much effect or not, but I have never had a problem with low batts. The 100hp on Sweet Honey is a big old girl though - I suspect that she draws a lot when turning over from cold. My old 50hp did, and occasionally I would struggle - the new one however has no probs. My panel is mounted in a clear PVC sleeve on the Tonneau cover, which means is is always facing more or less towards the sun. Adam

'Xray' would be great - It has produced some cracking fish for james and I over the last 2 years, but everytime we look around the area all we find is a slight depression of about 5'....I would like to see that.

Bit tricky if you are using dead hermits - I dont think they will move far!! Seriously - I find no need to smash the shells on dead ones, just tug gently and they will slide out. Live ones are a different matter and I would suggest that Duncans method would work. Adam

Billy - Im happy to bring BW down, so if you want a trip out, no problem. As I said next friday is a possible, failing that the week after, any day except Thurs....

Nice one billy - I just need to find a spare day to come and have a bash! When are you thinking of going next? Also, do I need velvet swimmers or will any hard backs do? I might be able to do a trip next friday??

Yep - very similar to our clubs list. I read somewhere that in SA these things are taken far more seriously - they do stuff like we faced at Kimmeridge as a matter of course most days, they have little choice! Launching and returning from open beaches in heavy surf conditions. I think I read that certian sized vessels (6m and over I think) has to have 2 engines of the same size.

Ok Ill bring it all on the 28th... In the meantime Ill get a 25kg for Steve.

Good luck Coddy! - Welcome to Dorset! If you need any help with anything - just ask....

It is a method I really enjoy, but dont use much in the bay... Our annual trip to the Solent after Smoothies always proves the method - it outfishes downtiders almost everytime - however the washing line across the tide can effect the weed. James seems to pratise uptiding alot, or at least I think he does - he is often seem to be pendulum casting a 2lb lead, 8 squid and half a mackeral mounted on pennel 8/0's 40 yards uptide when fishing the ledge....I know as Ive been inches away from his end tackle on more than one occasion! - Charlie is right, take GREAT care uptiding in small boats.

Looks at fantastic mark Duncan - its also amazing how clear a picture you get when using a colour sounder....I really am tempted, but Ill wait until they drop down to the 200/300 quid mark (for a decent unit) before I get one... In a way similar to parts of the ledge. I am intreguied to learn more about this software Duncan - do tell? I suppose bank fishing is a little like anchoring a wreck, position of the boat, amount of rope and all that has a big impact on how sucessful one is. Now if I only had the numbers for these 'banks'......

Right, Billy and Alan - 25kg Bob & Paul - 12.5kg Lookfar - Ill let you have the 1st of the next batch. Ill pick them up in the next few days and post them off to you all. I have your addresses from the new member listing. Dont worry about the P+P...just

Right - The wire is in, I only got 4 spools though, I will have some more at a later date. It isnt cheap, at

Cheers Billy! - Who fancies a trip then??

Bob - See if you can find 'The Knotless Knot' widley used in 99% of all carp fishing rigs, it is THE knot to use when using Circle hooks, gives superior bait presentation. It is also a knot, not widley known by sea anglers.....

A tricky one to decide!... As Duncan says Dogs and Smoothies also come under to same banner, and I seem to remember a doggie taking a top prize last year?? So where do you draw the line? I certianly wouldnt kill a smoothy or spur just for a prize, but I would consider for a doggie?? IMHO we should say no Sharks, Ie. Porgies, Blues and Threasher and no Tope. Anything else is to the anglers discretion.

Maybe Newboy - Ill have to see how things are at work 2moro - Ill let you know. Adam

Billy - I fancy catching (eating!) some of these huge squid...tell me more about catching them? Adam

Woops! Just read all the posts and have overstepped myself!, sorry! Didnt know that was a grinner though...I have ALWAYS been taught that the 'Uni-knot' is how you tie them, and that a Uni and a Grinner are one and the same. Where is the source for the knots bob?

Or Grinner, as it is maybe better known.

Tucked blood knot if Im not mistaken? Not a bad knot, but you loose about 30-40% of the BS of the line.....a double tucked is better, loosing only 20% or so. The grinner or palomar are 2 of the best. Adam

Hmmmm, I also saw them...the 240V supply is bare wires and not a socket, therefore I need a transformer like the ones used for 12V downlighters, but supplying DC not AC.

Agree with both the above - they are allowed in all other matches throughout the year, so this 1 wont hurt....I personally would have problems bringing any fish that I wont eat back to the scales if I cant keep it alive....a big eel caught on the 1st chuck of the day included...Im not too sure how well he will like sitting in a fish box covered in a few inches of water for 6 hours....

I have bought a set of 12V DC L.E.D lights for the bathroom. I have a 240V AC source....I want to interconnect these two, so presumably I need a 204v-12v, AC - DC Transformer?? Am I right, and is this available easily and most importantly, cheaply?

We are 1 year old today!!!! Much thanks goes to all who assist in the running of the site, esp. Paul D - who without it would not be possible! Hers's to many more years online!!.. Adam