Adam F

JV crew are looking at Alderney in June again, next set of dates for us would be 26-29th June, Sunday - Weds. Any other boats interested in tagging along?

If it wasn't for work getting in the way of Monday, JV would have gone to Alderney with the rest of the boys, however myself and Rob were stuck with needing to come back on Monday, and with a windy forecast on Friday leaving our window too small, I pulled out of the trip, postponing until June. A last minute plan was drawn up to take advantage of the better weather this side of the channel, and a 48he trip to Portland. It left Ian with a tough call, as he also had the offer of a ride with Reel Magic... I think he'll agree he made the right decision..... Sat dawned grey but with only a gentle breeze and with he tide in our favour we blasted down to the Shambles at 22 knots, and were fishing by 9am. Fishing was a bit below average but steadily we plugged away. The May water was awful, as bad as I've ever ever seen it, putting doubt in our minds somewhat. We had a spot of breakfast on the first drift, very civilised... Croissants and coffee! Anyway, slowly we started land a few turbot, strange for the Shambles in that many were below legal size. We finished the day with a very respectable 12 turbot and brill between us, best Turbot about 6lb and best Brill 4lb 8oz. Ian also added a nice Dab to our species hunt, as well as a cracking 25lb Blonde Ray which we thought was a turbot until it surfaced! Ian did lunch on day 1, a great bacon, tomato and cheese mash pie, washed down with a shared bottle of red! As the day drew on the wind dropped right off, the sun shone and the local boats went home, leaving the bank all to ourselves! We were staying in Portland Marina overnight, and we headed back in to the superb facilities about 7pm. With JV tied alongside and cleaned down, we showered and headed off for a few beers and a cracking meal of crab linguine at the Cove House Inn, tasted amazing, and great value too. We all planned to stay onboard JV as it was only 1 night away. I designed her to sleep 3, and it makes a trip much easier not having to worry about B&Bs. After a sound night onboard, Ian rustled up a super breakfast of bacon, eggs and homemade bread, and with some what of a lazy start we headed back out to The Shambles at 9am..... I suspect we arrived a bit late as the first drift felt absolutely bang on... Very fishy, as Ian proved with a stonking bite only moments after lowering down, he was soon connected to a decent fish... I hovered with the net and soon a monster on a turbot appeared out of the gloom.... I've only seen one that big before, and that was on Alfresco a few years back... Into the net and even before I swang it onboard I was convinced Ian had broke the 20lb mark.... On the scales it went 21lb 9oz! Absolute beauty of a fish, a fish of a lifetime! The rest of the day was as day 1 with fish coming in spots and starts, and once again we finished with 12 turbot and brill. Ian was having a red letter trip, as if 2 100%+ specimens weren't enough he goes and lands a club record! A real rare catch.... And none of us really knew what it was when it first surfaced.... A weever? A scorpion fish? No it was a bloody Angler Fish! Albeit a tiny baby at just 4oz, it was a rare sight indeed, and what a beautifully ugly mean brute it was! Soon it was time to head back home and after a sleepy run back from 3 tired anglers we arrived back in Parkstone at 6pm. So, another great trip, with great company, a few fish to bring home, and even more returned. Going to Alderney wasn't so bad after all!

The boys are reporting that despite the windy morning the crossing was very good. Alfresco opted to fish for rope but struggled. Madness found a few turbos on the banks, but reported mackerel very hard to find, but found some launce. Kingfisher did the wrecks and caught ok.

Good shout to delay the departure until later today / tomorrow - blowing hard this morning. Be advised that local reports suggest a big lack of bait in the channel and over in Alderney so take plenty. Have a good trip!

I've made the call to postpone with JV this time around. Not really seeing a decent window other than Sat Pm and Sunday, which isn't enough for me to get bashed around and sit on Alderney waiting for a window or fishing close in out of the wind. I'd rather wait for a full 4 day trip when the wind allows better access. Good luck and stay safe to those who are going over, I'll await the reports! JV looking either to do 2 days in Portland, or possibly a local day Shambles or wrecking on Sunday.

As it stands it's only Friday standing out as the windy day. Bloody work! It's been calm all week, and looks calm all next week, all apart from Fri. I'll take a look in the morning and make a call. Hate it when it's borderline like this.

You boys must be looking at another forecast? Guru and Finder not looking at all nice for Fri? I will speak to my crew tonight with a view to making a call in the morning, but I would be wanting better weather than I'm seeing to commit.

What's happened to the forecast! Someone mentioned the W word.... No back to looking iffy 😢

Lots of options. DDS - Dorset Diving Services in Poole is the local shop, Been running for years, very BSAC orientated. Pop in they will link you to a few clubs if that's what you want. A handful of decent boats run from Poole which you can book on individually: Beowolf, Rocket, Sha-King. Swanage is very active. Shop on the pier is Divers Down. they run 3 boats on a shuttle off the pier to local wrecks and reefs. Ditto Weymouth and Portland, lots to choose from.

JV crew thinking of somewhere between 6-7am

First rule of Alderney..... Never talk about the weather!

Nice to hear Charlie, I was feeling pretty guilty for the last minute call last night when I woke to a sunny calm morning. All on for the 22nd then.

Great effort guys, that's some effort involved and fair play for the win!

Apologies to anyone who had made plans. Clearly the weather was fine for the boats but it was the drone I was more concerned about, being expensive and not mine! Had a text from Alun fishing off Milford who said it was pretty breezy so the pier can pic is a bit misleading. Let's try the 22nd May? Yes it's the bream comp but means plenty of boats will be out.

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On the basis that we have 4 or 5 boats now not able to make it and a couple unsure, with a very borderline forecast that gives gusts in excess of Jims max flying speed and the fact we haven't agreed a firm start time, I suggesting we postpone and go for another try in 2 weeks. To make this work we need plenty of boats and decent conditions. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The slightly later start would suit me, I haven't been able to get the boat launched tonight so will have to get it launched in the morning, plus I'll have both kids. If it's 7.30 I may miss the drone battery length, not something I want to do if I've driven and hour and got the kids out of bed at 6.30.

I've been out this morning and it was glorious. However back in now and really windy! Charlie is out on Alfresco as are a number of other club boats so they should be able to report back later on conditions.

The waves aren't an issue, and conditions for the boats are more than safe enough, my concern is dragging a dozen or more club skippers and boats out early on a Sunday morning only to find the gusting wind is too much and we have to abort.

That won't drop the wind though will it rob? At the height Jim will fly at it will be constant? Plus 10 knot speed limit makes filming very restricted?

Looking at the forecast and considering Jim is the one flying a grands worth of kit around, I suggest he makes the call Fri / Sat? At 15mph max we will need a nice calm day?

Don't expect to find a good one on your doorstep! I've done many miles looking, buying and transporting boats over the years, sadly they ain't like cars, and to get a decent one you often have to travel.

2011 return leg home was nice and sunny! The wind however was 3-4 occasionally 5 Westerly, Steve Porter gave us the nod some 10 miles off that conditions were ok so we went for it..... It was mainly 5 on the port beam all the way home..... As Charlie said not unsafe for our boats but uncomfortable and slower.... I couldn't make a cuppa on the way back, which was some 5 hours from memory!

I won't have enough water to get out until 7.30/8am so will get round ASAP. Where are we agreeing to rendezvous?

Also not sure it's the best area to film, the wind isn't too big so if it holds it should be fine, although Jim will make the final call I guess.