Adam F

Let me know - may join you if you dont mind? If you want to go alone however - fine by me.

Anything apart from what I had in my box! No, seriously, the harbour is very murky at that time of day anyway, the trout flies I had just looked like pieces of weed in the water, a sandeel imitation or a big streamer fly is whats needed - must make the investment next time.

James and I canceled our planned conger trip last night, opting instead to have a bash in the harbour for the mullet. Still maybe a little early. They were there, I had several follows and a few aborted takes, and 3 school bass. James had a mullet, 2lb 20z and a few bass also. Tried fly fishing backberry island for the mullet and bass, but didnt really have the right fly - must try again though!

Same here really.....where and when? I have promised to take rach out....may go out of Poole over to Studland etc?

If anyone fancies it, I am planning to head around to St Albans on Thurs to look for the Tope, weather depending. Anyone fancy it? - Also can anyone advise one roughly on the ledge we should be aiming to fish?? (Marks by PM greatly appreciated! )

Never mind. Are you planning to go this weekend? .....We will just have to catch the tope without you!

Try Christchurch! - Its just 4 knots there. Here we have a right mixture! - The huge oversized gin palaces that cant actualy go 4 knots as they are churning mud all the way, and block the main channel regardless. We have the 3' ribs with an 8 year old driving and a 90hp OB - doing about 40 knots past everyone, outside the channel - 'young and carefree (careless?)' We also have plenty of rowers to remind us of the speed limit, lest we forget - '4 KNOTS!!!!!' They scream! Plus others, and their are many. One evening james and I are quietly mullet fishing, and we hear this roar of a huge V8 in the distance - looking over we see a 30/40' offshore powerboat almost flat out in 3' of water coming up the harbour! - 4 knots??? Hmmmm more like 50!!! - as he went past he was a greying middle aged chap - mid-life crisis???!!! Nowt so stranger folk!

Bob - Hes not going to clear much off his windscreen with a horn is he??!!

What time we coming over??!!!

Pretty good day all in all for James and I on Blue Warrior. Fortunatly we had had a bit of a recie on Thurs, so we knew exactly where we were heading. We also had an early start - just to get on the mark more than anything, as we expected it to be busy - how right we were! - I counted 32 boats fishing in about a 2 x 2 mile square at one point - add to this the idiots cruising between us at 30 knots and it was fun! Anyway, the fishing was sporadic all day really, with 2/3 fish then a quiet spell for 20 mins. Final tally was over 30 bream between James and I, with James' best going 3lb 4oz, and mine going 2lb 14oz. The majority of the fish were about 1.75lb - 2.5lb. Pretty good, and fantastic sport on the light gear. Last cast of the day for me, and I snag the bottom.....at least thats what I thought until it starts to move!!!!!.......Big fish! - Strap conger was the call, but it turned to be a new Club Record Small Eyed Ray - 11lb!! On 12lb class gear, 12lb hook lengths, 4oz lead and a bit of squid and rag as bait! We then moved out of the ledge into deeper water, where we found string fulls of mackeral every drop. Summers here!!! Then off to our old faithful mark, where we found the Sally Anne, scouring the sea bead for miles around - is it any surprise fish stocks are low inshore with boats like her? An exclusion zone of 5 miles would be a sensible idea? - But then the powers that be dont understand sensible........ James then began to walk the dogs! and finished with another ray of 6lb. What a cracking day - just got home, sun burnt, but happy! Adam

Force 1 all day Sun. Cloud and Sun! Cant wait - bring on the bream!!!!

James wouldnt know - he just goes ploughing through!!!

No Bob! - You are forgetting! - You have Cod your 40 year quota - now you have to wait another 40 years!

Not too sure on this one Mike - I dont think it will work at all. However all you need is a transformer, and youll be away! - Where to get one, well thats another question!

Worth a try - however look at how small the breams mouth is - not very big. The way they feed is very much smash and grab - steaming in at the bait and smashing it off the rock, weed, bottom, hook etc. 2 thoughts you might like to consider (giving away all my secret bream tactics for sunday here! ) 1.) James fishes his rods in the holders - he only strikes when the rod is hooped right over and the fish is very clearly hooked. Striking bream can be fruitless and very frustrating. This way the bait stays still until one hooks itself. 2.) My method is similar - but I use long shank circle hooks. These are wonderful inventions and I think seem to self hook more fish due to their shape. If you wish to try a pennel, maybe 2x size 8's or 10's (freshwater hooks) would be an idea.

Maybe.... No...just 'basic' 2 hook rigs either patenoster or running. Really rough ground so simple as poss - keep the tackle costs down! Just re-checked, and I was right 1st time - It is a Goldsinney Wrasse (Ctenolabrus rupestris) and guess what???? It was only 4 drams off the British Record! . Caught in 1992 off Portland Bill, by Mr I Wellington - 0lb 3oz 4drms. James's fish went 3oz - but weighed on 30lb scales, would it have been bigger on smaller - more accurate scales?????

Very clever!!

...Couldnt be better! Force 1's all weekend! We are slap bang in the middle of a big high at the moment, sunny, no wind - perfect! Better break out the sun lotion! Off on a corporate sailing event tomorrow - one of the rare occasions I am going to sea and praying for some wind! I need to see what all the fuss is about re. these boats with no engines!

Tis a very good point! and now I'm well confused! Many of you swear that 2 batts are a must, and have very valid arguments Others see no need, and would rather not risk damaging the system. My main reason for wanting to fit the 2nd is as a back-up. The battery that is fitted at present has held its charge very well to date and I have had no problems at all. The previous owner has very neatly fitted a Solar charger into the Tonneau canopy. I plug this in whenever Im not using the boat, so it gets at least a weeks charge each time. 2 Questions: 1.) How will I know weather I have a 1/2 watt or a 5 watt unit? 2.) What position should I have the batt isolator on when charging via the solar panel? - I usually have it in 'OFF' I think the approach I will take is to fit a 12v Gauge. I will then monitor the batteries condition and make a decision from there.

No - only babies really - 4lb the biggest. James has had them to 12 though (club record)

sorry, try this: http://www.nautequipe.co.uk/ Go to stainless deck fittings for more details.

www.nautiquipe.co.uk They do them for

Just checked my fish book, and I think it was in fact a Corkwing. Black spot just on the tail lobe. Ill post the picture 2moro.

Yep, cracking session - especially for an after work! 8 species in total - however I managed to sneak the crown of biggest bream - practising for Sun! - James just couldnt get near me!!! He did manage a Gold Sinney Wrasse though - 1st Ive ever seen. only 3oz though and was dead when he put it back - I reckon he caught it in a rockpool in Alderney and bought it home in his pocket! All from our secret 'Undisclosed South Coast Mark'

The batteries wont cost