Adam F

Hmmmm ....depends on how you are fishing. - Just to confuse things. When fishing a shad, sandeel etc on a long flying collar rig pumping is a no,no. The bouncing effect the lead has (exagerated on a heavy lead) can lead to the hook pulling or being bounced out of the fishes' mouth. So wind up off the bottom 34/40 turns eg. then when the fish hits, BANG!....carry on going, winding slowely and let the rod do the work...boring I know, but the only way to do it. When fishing 'traditionally' pumping is the accepted method to gain line onto the reel without causing undue stress to the reel. Pump and Wind etc, etc... Hope this helps?

Hmmmm...lucky bleeders! BW stayed firmly put this weekend. 2 days off work last week put to that, so Sat and Sun have been a mix of working (proper wage earning work ) DIY, Shopping and family commitments ...all the while BW stared at me through the window ' why havent you taken me out into the sunshine???' she whispered! Well done to all who got out this WE, sounds like some good sessions were had by all....Im saving myself for next weekend, althoug with the orgainisation and other things it looks like my 48 hrs will be reduced to about 8hrs ...never mind!

I must apoligise Bob...after all it was me who started the post!....maybe I was trying to trick you!

wang em' over!

Will be thurs. Weather dependant. Smelly? - dont know, Id rather stick to fresh....

Rich JAW, My brother Greg and I all had a day off on thurs, and with the huge tides, bad tide times, and forecast for poor wind direction etc...it was looking bad for a trip west for tope. Plan B was to hit the Solent for the day. After spending 1/2hr on the Sconse after mackeral, and watching all the local charters head out to sea for bass, we wondered whether our decision to head inland and east to fish for smoothies and ray was the right one..... Anchored off Sowley (see your maps if you dont know) we begun to catch from the off - sea fishing virgin Greg hooking into numerous hard fighting smoothies - it was worth it just to see his face when he hit them! Rich kept his end up, with a few smoothies and doggies! Tide changed and we re-anchored. I fished just the 1 rod all day for ray, letting greg have the other 2 ror the hounds. Just after 2pm, whilst helping greg play a good smoothy, my ray rod is almost pulled over! - hooking into the fish it took at least 50/60 yards with the lever drag pushed to the max - wow! the whole fight lasted about 15 mins, and was one of the best I've ever had - the nickname stingers are given of Diesel trucks is bout right. 16lb dead. What a result. Basically another great day out - cheers to Rich and Greg, good company. Adam

Like the look of the front page at the mo - no, not just cause' Im on there, I like the fish report and the way it explains to all new viewers what is happening in the club currently - Paul D I presume??, keep it up matey, if you need any help, you know here to ask...(not ere'!) joking, happy to oblige any time. Adam

Possibly Weds, or Thurs. I'm well up for it though..... I will check the diary and let you know. If yes, I should be able to get to the slip for about 5/6ish - will give us plent of time, stay out till 10/11 ish????

He's not Martin....Im afriad he's one of the carp brigade, although he does enjoy his boat fishing. How much is Junior membership? - I will ask if he wants to join.

Well, after I had the small eyed record dissallowed - I thought I carry on the record hunt and stick with the ray family!....Dasyatis Pastinaca Sting Ray - 16lb 0oz. Caught on mackeral fillet off Sowley. How chuffed was I?!!

Happy as larry!

As you may have gathered, I'm planning to fish Anvil on Thurs for ze' Tope. However I am going it alone, and Im not too sure about the conditions, bearing in mind I'm only 16.5' long. 1.) They are massive spring tides 2.) I will be fishing the ebb 3.) The forecast varies from F2 in the am to F5 afternoon depending on who's forecast you look at. What do others think? Last time we had neaps and f1 with glorious sunshine......not too sure about this time? Id really appreciate a view from the regulars who fish around that area.

Are you going to tag along then Whippet?

Pretty impressive!!! I saw in in the yard a few weeks ago when we went sailing - wouldnt fancy hauling the main sheet by hand though!!! Yes, beware of the hole when wading, I noticed it on Sat, and avoided it, goes for wading in general really, we should always be careful.

Daytime. Will launch at about 7am...aim to get back in around 4pm - as club meeting in the eve. Do you fancy it?

James doesnt mind hidden crabs, smelly mackeral, dead fish smells etc....they come as part of the package on Tara!!

Thurs - Toping???? If you dont come out with Charlie, I will have rrom for one more?

Rich, James is on holiday all week - but on his behalf, yes he does still need crew.

Hi, Will be traveling around to Anvil / St Albans. Not too far for you??

I am planning a Tope trip over to the West on Thurs of next week. Bob F had originally planned to come but family commitments have put paid it that. Does anyone fancy it? I will still go, just would prefer to have another club boat as a buddy - I only have my brother onboard, so will effectively be going alone if not. Plan would be to leave early, and come in around late afternoon. Anyone?

What a superb back-drop, and a fishy place if ever, i've seen one! Must give it a go again!

10lb 6oz - Solent, May 29th

Nice one Bob!

1st cast of the day as well, Bob just muttered under his breath!!!

Twas a cracking day! The weather forecasters got it well wrong! we had slightly overcast sky's, very little rain, and no wind at all! The fish obliged - for once! I had a cracking 12lb 8oz Starry Smoothhound - a new PB, and a cracking 10lb 6oz Thornback Ray, - a new PB again! (Charlie can you log these in the book?) Bob also managed a few smoothies, and broke his PB twice! Although I think he needs a few lessions on the Uni Knot! - God knows how many times his leader went on the strike! Although the fishing wasnt great at Alum Bay, The Needles and Freshwater Ridges, the scenery was superb, the company great, and we caught a few Pollock. Very tiring though...need a day to recover! Thanks to all, Cheers to Bob for towing and providing me with cannon fodder! ...roll on the next trip!