great white

Thats a great shame James But FPO's are hard to ignore when the kids call. All we have to do is loose Gastronaught and us mortals may yet have a chance

What a cracker Nish fish again James Charlie

So differant now Mike We use braid almost exclusivly and the modern stuff is so thin it is like using about 8lb mono but without the stretch. Back in the days of 60lb mono main lines, we all used heavy rods and big reels with 3:1 retrieve ratios just to get the damn 2lb weights up and down. Our kit nowadays is nothing like it was, rods that look like spinning rods, reels the size that we used to have on our bass rods with 6:1 retrieves. and micro thin braid. Still occasionally use 2lb leads, but not often and not for long. Boy do we have some fun when you get a good fish on this new tackle The rods bend and the clutches scream, but we still get the fish to the net most of the time

1) Court Jester - Neal + crew TBA 2) Alfresco - Charlie, Sam, Graham, Craig 3) Gastronaught - Alun and Rob 4) Kingfisher . Chris + crew Jon 5) Dawn Raider - to be confirmed! 6) Sweet Chariot - Nick, Oli, Tim 7) Kind of Magic-Allan Green, Frank Morris and Yann T (Non Member). 8) Sea Sparkle - Derek Taylor and Brian Runyard (If the canoe race finishes early enough to leave us some fishing time) we're a Marshall Boat

Hi Mike the other point that I forgot. An advantage of having two sets, is that you can turn off the echo sounder and carry on fishing with just the plotter This really comes in to its own in the shallows and over wrecks, when the pinging noise of the sounder can put the fish off. Not an easy thing to do on Combi units in my experiance. Charlie

Please see my reply Jon 1) Court Jester - Neal + crew TBA 2) Alfresco - Charlie, Sam, Graham, Craig [Jon if Sam can not get weekend off] 3) Gastronaught - Alun and Rob 4) Kingfisher . Chris + crew TBA Charlie

I would have to let others comment on the broadband, as my set is now 6 years old. I am sure someone that has owned/used them will reply soon. But a trip to the show usually means that you can see the demo units in simulation mode. get the experts to show you how to set them up if you can. It really can be impressive what these guys can get them to do. So much more than just running them in auto mode. There are better [more expensive] sets than Lowrance, but I find mine more than suitable for what we do. Charlie

Have to agree with Rob Can not really cancell a comp at this notice because of a clash with another non angling event. Especially one that may encourage more boats to be afloat, if the weather is good. Although I would also say that Neal is in a tough position, trying to get as many Members as possible to take part is hard. Sam and I intend to fish and have room for two crew. Charlie

Hi Yes I have done both My last boat had two 5" lowrance units side by side and worked great, it gave me a good set up and the knowledge that I would not lose both at the same time through breakdown. I fitted these instead of a single 8" combi unit, as those had very small usable screen size when other navigational info took up some of the available space. Alfresco however has a single 10" Lowrance combi unit This has a big enough screen to make it usable when split screened. Also the navigation info can overlay the chart so it does not reduce the chart visable. It is simple to adjust screen sizes to adapt which is the larger screen. Another good feature is the recording facility, I use this a lot when looking at new marks/wrecks. On the PC at home I can pick off features and get the Lat/Longs, [usually when Coronation Street is on downstairs ] When I finished the boat, budget would only allow for one set, so I left room for a second to be added later. 5 years [and 700 engine hrs ] on and I have not added a second set yet. Enough said I have found that a trip to the boat show is the best way, get one of the experts to show you through the features on the various sets , then see what show deal you can get to fit your budget. Charlie

Well done Brian I hope that it is not 6 months before the next trip. Take him out to see the air show, drop anchor and take the rods, we did that with my nephew a few years back and caught loads of species, while the planes zoomed overhead. He was well chuffed. Charlie

Check with Navionics about using on a mac I use a navionics pc app at work, that I believe you can set up straight from the card reader on a pc, by inserting the Navionics gold card not sure if they have a mac version For my Lowrance plotter I use mapcreate, to move info from my plotter to my pc Charlie

As Adam says its a bit naughty that they advertise the commercial price [Or the lower price of the 60/40 split] Therfore you would get 40% of what you buy, at that price. You have to add about 47p per litre for the other 60% Mind you that would still be cheaper than PBM. Charlie

Thanks Neal Lets hope that we have better Luck for the Bass comp, as there are a few being reported at the Moment. Does it still have two prizes ? IE: one for retained fish and one for Catch and Release Charlie

Probably missed this but what goat do you have? Trev A billy??

As someone who has dealings with the MMO a fair bit, I am far from surprised that they are talking crap. It sounds like a few incidents reported about RSA's selling to rest homes etc have been elaberated while they ignore the commercials in every port that blatently ignore laws and bylaws. They should be educating the public and the buyers Charlie

I think Terry is right There are good guys in both camps. Not all RSA are the same as many of us in this Club. but most commercials get bad press because the majority are willing to take what they can when they can, with only slight regard for sustainability and conservation.

Very smart Jim I hope you get out with the grandkids on her soon Tight lines Charlie

Well done mal What a great fish Charlie

Thanks for that We will consider that option as well now

I have emailed Diawa, to ask if they would like to see the picture Charlie

May have to anchor at slack to look for big Rays Charlie

Thanks Oli we may see you out there

Have room for two onboard, if you want to join us on Sat Craig Not that used to bassing, but going to give it a go Charlie