Adam F

Trev, Galeforce Marine do pumps very, very similar to Jabsco's at half the price. Ive been running one all year on OOtb and been very happy with it. They sell through Ebay and are very helpful. http://www.galeforcemarine.com/ ATB

Bob, There's plenty of gear knocking around here destined never to be used again.... I have a mat somewhere.... loads of end tackle. I have sold my Delkims, but I'm sure I can help him out. You can pick it up when you pop over...

PM sent - interested if you go outside, if not I'll take mine. Cant handle floundering!

Youre wrong - they are crap - there you go!! Seriously, they are cracking reels and I agree 100% with Terry, you could do alot worse.

Depends on what you want to use it for. A fixed spool is usually best as it allows very light end tackle to be used, a mutliplier needs a bit of weight to get the spool turning. I used small 5500 size multipliers on my spinning rods, but then I use them for Bream mainly and they are on the heavier side. Shimano do some decent fixed spools to suit all budgets. Personally I also like a front drag for sea fishing, it gives a smaller more compact reel and the drag is easier to use when playing a fish.

I have kept Weds free next week with the view to taking mine out whiting fishing - with my electronics this time!! Al - you wanna crew if the weather behaves?

Yes Dan it does - it's called embedded carbon costs. It looks very good in print though and picks the PR boxes for these people! I have always liked the idea of encapsulating waste (tyres, fridges etc) that have been cleaned in concrete and using them.....

Many happy returns of the day matey!!

Hi Andrew, The prices you have seen are typical. Look carefully and take your time, you will have a good choice - but the old adage, you get what you pay for is true often - I would bet the 11k boat is older, not fitted out as well etc, etc as the 13k boat. I had a MkII 165 for 3 years, now have a 175. The 75hp is the best engine choice by far, the 60hp can struggle a little. Etecs are fantastic. As for the coloured hulls - I had the blue one. Look very nice, but they scratch very easily and are hard to touch up. I now have a white hull which doesnt show at all. You choice - bit like black cars really!! Try and get as many extra's as possible. A decent plotter / Fishfinder is worth a lot - you'll be surprised how much you can spend fitting a boat out. Also things like canopy, SS radar arch, bait rails etc are often areas owners skimp on and cost a fortune to retro-fit from Warrior. HTH Adam

I like whiting - I really do....they bite well, they fight well on the right gear, they are plentiful on the right day unlike the solitary cod and the taste marvelous! My first two biggest fillets have just been rolled in seasoned flour and pan fried! Was a good day, the best day's whiting fishing I've ever had - even if the day did start crap - Ive moved house and am now 40 minutes from the sea not 20 - this isnt a problem, but the tight new driveway is and it took 40 minutes to get the beast out this morning, forgetting the electronics was the final straw, and I was on the verge of selling OotB for a moored boat with no hastles!! Thanks for the company Al, a great day out.

Rok, Alun and I are out from Poole tomorrow in mine. Wind and waves are westerly so probably a little bit of shelter by staying off swanage.

Al, Count me in or on, weather dependant. If I get my car back I'm keen to take mine out, if not happy to crew on yours. Lymington could be an option - all tide slipway? Tides do look tricky though!

An early start this morning was super hard work and Gordon and I left Mudeford feeling somewhat bleary eyed at 8am - following out Alun J. Conditions were good and it was nice to be out in the sweet sea air instead of laid in bed with the rest of the population! A few strong coffes and a belly full of bacon and eggs and all was well as we settled in to meet every dogfish in Poole Bay! A few moves to try and locate the fish didnt work as no Cod or Whiting but we did have a few surprises to brighten up the day. A conger each to Gordon and I gave us a few minutes of fun. Next a Dab on my whiting rod - 10oz I havent caught one of these for over 10 years! Finally we moved off to a small wreck where a nice 3lb lobster came up followed by a plump brown crab! A nice supper to follow tonight Happy new year all!

Latest report is of a 18lb bass caught today by one of our more diserning members - I'll not spoil his story - but WHAT A BEAST!!! Well done that man!

I'm planning on fishing but a little unsure about the weather - F8 gales today and Sat with it dying off to F4-5 westerlies, but with a 2.5m sea.... will it flatten off in time?

Obviously too worried about their float fished joeys to be concerntrating on the rocks!

Hi Fred! Nice report - good to have you back on the forum posting in your own unique style! Happy Christmas!

I'm with you Duncan! Plus, for the first time in 8 years, I'm not stocktaking this year so I'll also be able to fish the Cod comp.

Out of the Blue will be out with Greg (my brother) as crew. Fingers crossed we are able to get out of the harbour!

They are forecasting 40 knot winds, 6m seas and torrential rain for sunday. If I was able to fish, and it was on, I wouldnt - even if I launched safely, Ive fished the harbour in a F8 and it aint very nice - even dangerous in places where you have a fair bit of fetch. It isnt ideal, but saftey is no1 priority IMO , plus it would be a shame to have a average turnout consdiering all the effort put in by so many people.

It's all over the place today! They are now giving 18 knots max - much better.. I guess we wont have a good idea until Friday.

Getting worse - F8's and 40 knots forecast for Sunday Fun launching from Baiter in that!

He text me too - he must be happy!!! Best he goes back to work and stops fishing - his texts depress me when I'm sat at work!

Nice one! Better than the other two!!!

http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=1150 Fingers crossed that it gets better during the week....