great white

No fish out there bite that easily mate. Nice picture Rob have you any on your boat

Way back when I did more shore angling we used tapered leaders and they worksed great, especially if you trimmed the ends to match the line thickness as you are doing. For boat fishing I just use normal mono, 60lb for the heavy fishing and 30 0r 40 on the lighter tackle and drift fishing. We lose a fair bit of gear over the wrecks so we carry 4oz spools of leader lines. I used to tie the knotless knot, but it let me down a few times, especially if tied onboard quickly. We have now changed to a double grinner knot. Last weekend was the first time I had a problem with line breaking at this knot, but the leader had not been changed for several trips so may have just been weakened by constant use. Trimming the ends very tight to the fully tightened knot seems to prevent it snagging the tip ring to much, unless there is weed about. Like Rob I prefer to have the knot on the reel spool when a big fish is alongside the boat. especially as we nearly always are only using 30lb braid Charlie

Time to start listing who intends fishing ...subject to weather! 1) Court Jester - Neal, Stuie, Brian (aka Cabin Boy) 2) Kingfisher - Chris, Stu (non member) Jim Davies 3] Alfresco - Charlie, Graham [room for more if anyone wants to join us]

Graham If the comp is on I will need crew, my usual ones do not seem to be very enthusiastic Charlie

Kev you could have let Jacob stand by HIS FISH in the photo mate Get it entered into the Wessex area junior fish of the month, and send details to the mags. Hopefully he will get a few goodies

Great fish Carol and a nice picture always nice to get a PB, especially on the first trip of the year well done Charlie

Great day to be out on the boat again. Except for the early morning fog. We had constant fish all day, but no COD. Well done to all of the Members that either caught Cod and won prizes or got one on their boats. Charlie

Well done Neal IMHO This has been a great addition to the forum for 2012 . Its nice to be able to keep an eye on this. Even if 2012 was the Alun and James show. Oh and of course a huge well done to all of the Members listed. Charlie

My unit is as Rob describes, for "shooting through the hull" rather than "mounting through the hull" in a special tube. It is bedded on epoxy [Glued inside the hull] works fine up to 20 knots and readable above that just like Martins. Best way to test the right spot, or the transducer I know of is; Take the boat to a bit of deep water, then compare the display from where the transducer is normally mounted to the display after it has been moved to a temporary position when it can be placed directly into the sea. Not easy to do as any speed, unless it can be temporarly mounted to the transom or attached to a pole. Another method may be to take your unit onto a boat with an identical set, go to sea and compare the boats set display, with yours after swapping the units while the boat is in the same area. Good luck in finding the problem, especially as this weather is far from perfect for sea trials Charlie

You are not the only one Jim. I really need to get a little dry weather to paint a couple of coats on my stern drive. but even that is proving impossible. Charlie

Thanks Mark Nice Facebook photo of Julie enjoying her Christmas Hope you all had a good one in much better weather than here in the UK

Thanks Dave and Sue We hope you have a Great Christmas and a happy New Year. Charlie and Family

Thanks for the heads up Martin Hopefully the boat should be afloat by then

We fitted a prop guard as a trial this year It is fitted to a 15hp on a jennaux commando. It used to plane but struggles now

Thanks Jim Charlie

Thank you Nigel

Due to this wet weather I have had to accept that Alfresco will not get afloat for Christmas. I have not been able to antifoul the leg since we put it back on yesterday in the rain. To be honest I do not have many days over Christmas where she could be used anyway. So if anyone sees a weather window and is looking for crew please get in touch, if I am available it would not take much persuasion to get me afloat. Happy Christmas Charlie

How easy it is to forget and get the priorities wrong. I have been fretting about how I can beat this weather to get the boat launched before the Yard closes at Noon tomorrow. Earlier I accepted that to do this I would not get her antifouling done to the usual standard. Now I have decided that not having the boat afloat at Christmas is not that important. It will give me more time to enjoy Christmas and Wendy's 50th birthday on the 27th with family and frends. If the weather turns cold and calm, I will see who is going out and see if I can crew on friends boats. have a great Christmas everyone Charlie [looking after the golf balls, for a change]

I am not sure that is correct Martin I am sure in the past it was confirmed that fully ladening the car while towing, just to minimise the trailer weight would get you into trouble with the feds

Counts the Chapmans out then

Hi terry Send Dilys my best wishes and hopes that the arm heals well. I also hope that she can stand her nurse after a few days. I think the balance will still be in her favour after last year. All the best to you both Charlie

Well pleased for you Jim She seems to be an ideal boat for your needs Tight lines Charlie

Sounds great Mal I too had a nice family day out. In the boatyard anti-fouling Alfresco with Sam We did have a cofee between coats and a pint of Ringwood on the way home to celibrate getting that awful job done. Have a good hoiday Charlie

Recenly I have found wind guru to be reliable and accurate, where XC weather appears to be less so. At work we use the Bournemuth surf report [magic seaweed] as well as the live Poole Harbour weather Charlie

No mate - I'll be getting you some driving glasses!!!!!