Adam F

Seems like it was slim pickings on the old spotties at the weekend? So far I have: Stuie - 15oz Mike 02380 - 1lb 9oz Alfie - 1lb 6oz Mike (bassplaicecodanythingoes) 1lb 4oz Carol Fox 7oz If your not on the list please add your name!

Can I suggest we look to meet at the Bakers Arms Sun 8th May at 7pm to discuss plans and tactics?

4 WEEKS TO GO!!!!

I voted - but thought the competition was all about boat photos?? Anyway - I like the one of the marlin on the wire.

I bought a pair of these From these guys: http://www.rokmax.com/product.php?prodid=1...X+Series+Reels+ Ive been looking for a decent reel to replace the Abu 7000 NLD's ive been using for a while now. Whilst the Abu's are OK, they are not a patch on the Swedish Abu's of old. I dont buy tackle on a whim, but prefer to find kit and stick to it.... and these Avet's fit the bill prefect. I'm fact I couldnt have designed a reel better myself. Tom B said he found them too slow - well they out cranked both Bob's Abu hi-speed 7 and Al's Shimano Tyrnos yesterday, so not slow at all! The drag adjuster can only be moved when the reel is out of gear - a nice touch that my Abu's lacked as frequent use of the Lever often meant your drag setting was changed. Super smooth, no 'clicky, click' like the Shimano's have. They feel very 'ergonomic' - just a joy to use, and Ive now found my perfect reel. The only downside is that it's going to be expensive and I'll need another 3 to tool up my 12lb class gear!

Would have loved to - Rach really enjoyed the last one, but we are busy that weekend. Looking forward to the next one though.

We struggled on JV today for the Plaice. Over 70 miles travelled and all sorted of tactics tried, but alas - no spotties.... well not the red spotted ones anyway..

We will meet up in the Bakers Arms (top of the Upton Bypass) one evening about a week before we go, once we have a rough idea of what the long range forecast looks like. Will then discuss buddy groups, leaving times, routes, tactics etc. If it helps those who havent been before drop me a PM with your email address and I'll send over a document I put together back in 2006 informing what tackle, leads, clothing etc you'll need. Adam

JV will be hoping to snag a plaice with a shad fished over a rusty lump somewhere in the channel...

Nope - havent had a chance yet Charlie. Anyone want to volunteer?

Nice one Trev - we are at Rocbourne next month. What do they taste like?

Cheers one and all. I had a superb weekend which started with a surprise lunch at River Cottage, included a present of 'A Pig in a Day' in 2 weeks time from Rach, which is learning about keeping, butchering and cooking them. We then had 3 days in an amazing coastguard cottage in Mevagissy overlooking the harbour, great weather, great place, family, food and lots and lots of wine!! Wont forget that one in a while!

Thanks Martin - forgot it was that time already!! 1) Martin & Dean on "AWOL" 2) Brian (cabin boy) and Stuart on Sea Dream 3) Brian and Mark Osborne (new member) on "MegaByte" 4) Graham & Steve (non member) on Little Sal 5) JV - AF+ crew

It's a real shame we dont have more juniors in the club. From what I understand most are now seniors or like mine - too young to hold a rod! The other issue we have always had in terms of attracting new juniors is the supervision, police check issues etc.. As it stands at the moment I'm not aware of any active juniors in our club?? Can anyone prove me wrong??

Wotcha got now then Craig? Standing??

What are you boys paying at the moment? As I type this I'm sat on the IOW ferry from Lymington and have just passed the big marina as you exit the harbour - they are currently on 80p a ltr up to 100l, then 78p, then 75p for over 500l. I filled up JV at Parkstone bay on Mon eve and paid

Thinking back there was alot of French being spoken throughout the afternoon on Ch16 A really sad outcome. I can only guess the fog was a real pea-souper as the Condor makes a hell of a noise even 1/2 a mile off.... did they hear it and make a run for it, but go the wrong way? The Condor doesnt hang around speed wise.

Blimey! Didnt hear that one on Ch16 this morning... well it wasnt me they hit! Hope all are OK?

Not good mate. Covered by insurance I hope? Dont forget the cost of the braid when you claim! I suspect they will turn up on ebay in a few months time - but how to trace them back?? Did they take anything else?

To be honest any 4 stroke in the 60-75hp will be good. Mariner, Honda, Suzuki etc - Out of these three the Honda and Suzi will be the smoothest and quitest. I had a 60hp Mariner on mine, and whilst it was fine, the 75hp is the optimum engine size IMO. BUT! My overall choice nowadays would be the 75hp Evinrude Etec - awesome, engines, slightly noiser that the 4 strokes, but lighter, smaller and bags of power. A Warrior 165 with a 75hp Etec on is THE package to get.

Bigger isnt always better! Bigger often means more expensive too! The advice the guys have given is spot on. However if you do go for a Warrior 165 you wont be dissapointed! They are superb boat - you dont need a recommendation, just look at how many are out there - people vote with their feet. I had one for about 4 years and was very, very pleased with it. In my opinion they are hard to beat for a 16' boat. My single piece of advise is to be patient and get one with a good engine. Adam

I'll have to find out for you Martin - Ian sourced it.

Thought I'd share this with you. It's my new bait table for JV - I'm well impressed with it - it's lightweight but very strong and doesnt flex, it's got moulded sides to stop mess escaping off the sides, it has a built in sump at the rear for either storing whole baits ready to be cut or for pushing the waste into, and finally it's got a drain plug that you can attach a hose to if you wish to drain off fluid.

I did a set here in A4... and they were a right handful - 13 seperate pages! Hence why I put them on 5 pages. Ive put them back to back and laminated them so now have a 3 page tidal atlas. But if youve got bad eyes....!