great white

Dave On a differant subject is there now limits to teh amount of bait that can be dug in the harbour?? I seem to remember something about this I ask because this afternoon I passed a van and what looked like a team of diggers washing what looked like worms, the van was on the hard shoulder of the holes bay rd. I was not sure about this, but would like to know in case I see it again Charlie

Bob If you can think of a way to get Maria Damanki and her colleagues to ban trawling and other commercial methods that are putting fish stocks at dangerously low levels. I am 100% sure that you will have made 200 new friends at PBSBAC. Some of us are just saying that providing bag limits were across the board, we would accept and live with them. We would live with restrictions if the commercisl fleet were restricted. I am not saying we should accept it on our own . Charlie

Bob I am afraid I was just visiting NZ for a month so did not really know what caused the problem, however I was staying with a very good angling friend a year after he emigrated. It was Steve that told me of all the reports, he had read about and received by word of mouth from Kiwi Fisherman relating to huge improvements since the bag limits were enforced on RSA and Commercials. Ref the BSG: 2008 was a special year, numbers of cod were 10 times What they had been previously [and I had fished it many times before that year]. Do you not think, that the Cod ban on Commercial fishing the previous season had in some way helped the stock?? Previous to that year we only saw 5 or six other boats and only on the very best tides/weather. In 2008 there were fleets out there, even on the big tides, nearly all taking boxes of cod home. By my thinking; more boats = more anglers + fishing more days = a considerable impact 40 boats taking say 40 fish is 1600 fish per day Sure that is not the amounts a big trawler fleet could take, but I bet there are plenty of commercial fisherman that would be more than happy to take 1600 cod a day, or even a week. I agree that RSA alone could not fish that stock of fish out, but it must have had some impact. Perhaps we should have closed the area to nets and only allowed fishing by rod and line in an attempt at sustainable fishing. As I said earlier I would only ever support bag limits if they were enforcable on RSA and Commercials. In NZ the bag limits cover all the islands and I believe in some areas there is little more than snapper to catch. RSA have accepted this and go for shorter trips catch their limit, catch and release the small good condition ones, then go home. Living in areas that hold just cod, does not surely give genuine RSA's a need to bag up at every oportunity. I have seen this before, some charter skippers after finding a new hot spot, fish it out before others find it, rather than share it and fish it in a sustainable way in an attempt to maintain it. just my thoughts on this Charlie

Interesting debates guys My ten penneth My boat fishes as much as we can, for sport first but we are also willing to take a few for the table. In our case the fish that survive best get returned most and we keep others like pollack for the table. I have fished in New Zealand and discussed their fishery with RSA's over there. These guys live with bag restrictions for both commercial and RSA sectors and admit that because of stringent enforcement of the rules [Paid for in part by fines imposed] the system has rescued a dying snapper fishery. I for one could live with restrictions such as bag limits, even quite stringent ones allowing say just 2 fish per species, per angler, per day. But i would be 100% OPPOSED TO ANY LIMITS if they were not also imposed on the commercial sector and charter boats. Why should we impose any limits on ourselves if the Commercial lads can just come along the next day and take what they want to sell and discard dead the rest. I know by operating catch and release we are already limiting ourselves to what we take home, but that is by choice in an effort to make a tint differance. Not because we have to in fear of being caught by Fisheries officers that should have much bigger offenders and issues to chase. [illegal Netting, sale of Black Fish and Discards to name three] Are you really saying that you believe RSA's have no affect on fish stocks, yet you quote the fishing on the Brittle Star grounds? Many people were guilty of "making hay while the sun shines" with trip after trip in the very hot period, some were even daft enough to get articles into the press about it, with photo's of stuffed fish boxes. The commercial boys were on a cod ban, reading of boats catching 100 cod a day each. Before anyone asks ,yes we were there a few times, like we had been many years before when most had not heard of the brittle stars. But we did not fill boxes with more cod than we could eat fresh, and often spent more than half the trip at anchor congering. There were days when we could count over 40 boats out there, They must have been denting the stocks somewhat. Try going out there this year, so few fish its not worth the trip. Should that be the lesson to be learnt? Charlie

Happy Birthday Graham I hope that you get well spoilt and even in this windy weather get to do something nice. Charlie

If it does, my lads will probably not want to come, so you will be welcome with us Nigel But if the weather is good I expect Wishin and Alfresco will be outside the harbour

Hard luck Rob and all of us that are trying our hardest to support this event. I keep postponing my haul out for rail repairs so that we can fish this. I can see why the Cod comp is on that date as the tides look good for a long days cod fishing. But its impossible to suit all Let us hope that we all get out and some fish come and play. Charlie

I have been on a few ships at night and in fog, if you are on the bridge in the fog it is a scary experiance. Navy ships slow down and increase precautions , it is hard to believe that these ferries do not. I hope that lessons are learnt Charlie

I must second Tony's comments Come along and join the Club you will soon be amongst friends and like minded anglers. It will soon be Cod time at your end of our patch, the favorite areas then get marked by masses of boats just outside the needles. Target species Cod and Whiting, but also a huge chance of late conger tope and rays. Fish small tides and big baits Christchurch ledge on small tides is also productive, as can be the edges of the Dophin bank. Tight lines

Over pressure on fish stocks is certainly right in all productve areas. A few weeks ago we were down your way Peter, and when out on the mussel beds I counted 41 boats fishing the area. from the shambles to the races. The time before that we watched what I believe is the same trawler going up and down. Although I believe he does not catch all the species you mention, he must be catching or he would not be burning diesel. We must do our bit and continue to catch and release, but you have to wonder what affect that has when trawlers still discard. Charlie

Mike we usually give the big rods/baits priority for the cod. and then put lighter rods /uptiders out to enjoy the fight [and taste] of a few whiting. Tight lines all We will be on channel 6 , even if its just Gordon and I Charlie

I have just received this from BASS. We are affiliated to them as a Club and have many personal Members as well. Please take the time to readthis , as it may give some of us a chance to support their efforts. Dear BASS Member, Over the last several months your restoration team has been working hard behind the scenes lobbying, influencing and searching for routes to get bass MLS back on the agenda of policy makers. One of those routes is via the new Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities. Living in Dorset, I have been working on the Southern IFCA (which covers Dorset, Hampshire and the IoW) and it's members. Following a meeting with the Chairman, I have been asked to write a paper setting out the argument for a higher bass MLS. This will be discussed at the next public meeting of the Southern IFCA Technical Advisory Committee, including me answering their questions. This meeting is open to all members of the public (though usually only I turn up!) and will be held at 2.00pm on the 17th November at Bournemouth Town Hall. The TAC will then report to the full Southern IFCA committee at their next public meeting which will be held at 2.00pm on 15th December in the Council Chamber, Poole Civic Centre. Again, this meeting is open to all members of the public (though only as observers, members of the public cannot take part). The full committee is made up of half Councillors and half other stakeholders (commercial fishermen, anglers, divers, Hants Wildlife Trust etc). From my discussions with various of these members, I understand I have "significant support" on the full committee for an increase in bass MLS to 48cm. The full committee have the power to make a byelaw to change the bass MLS in it's area. What would be great and really powerful, would be to have as many supporters at either or both of these meetings, to show the members (especially the Councillors) the level of public support for this measure. A letter writing/emailing campaign after the TAC but before the full Committee meeting would also be useful from supporters who cannot be there in person. Can I therefore ask/beg that you try and organise your diaries to come along and show your support and let any other supporters of BASS know and get them to come along as well. Once I have completed the paper, I will post it on our website (thanks, John Morgan). It will focus on fisheries science/management and economics - the focus of all our work - and call for an MLS of 48cm - the size needed to ensure that a bass caught at any time of year should have spawned at least once. Now we have the facility to email all members (thanks to John Morgan and Pete Riley) we will use this method to keep members up to date on this subject, especially as we are aware that the forum is only used by a small number of members. However, do please keep an eye on the forum and website. If anyone has any general questions about this, maybe post them on the forum so we can answer on the forum. If anyone can come to these meetings please post on the forum and/or email me (nigel.horsman@btinternet.com). I hope to get lots of emails so may not be able to answer them all! Further information about can be found on their website Southern IFCA. This is a big chance for us to push for what we want and what, I think, the IFCA's were set up for. I have made a point of saying how much support exists for this measure - now we have to prove it. We are relying on your support Many Thanks Nigel Horsman BASS Committee/Restoration Team

Hi all Now that the Rugby has slightly less interest [i will watch the recordings] it is looking good for a practice for the Open this Saturday. The boys are away, so Gordon is joining me. I will have room for a couple of others, if you are interested please get in touch. Probably not going too far, or too early Charlie

The Irish have solved their own fuel problems. They imported 50 million tonnes of sand from the Arabs and they're going to drill for their own oil. ________________________________________ My mate's missus left him last Thursday, she said she was going out for a pint of milk & never come back! I asked him how he was coping and he said,"Not bad, I've been using that powdered stuff." ________________________________________ The police came to my front door last night holding a picture of my wife. They said, "Is this your wife, sir?" Shocked, I answered, " Yes." They said, "I'm afraid it looks like she's been hit by a bus." I said, "I know, but she has a lovely personality." ________________________________________ Two Irishmen find a mirror in the road. The first one picks it up & says, "Blow me I know this face but I cant put a name to it." The second picks it up & says, "You daft bastard it's me!" ________________________________________ Paddy's in jail. The Guard looks in his cell and see's him hanging by his feet. "What are you doing?" he asks. "Hanging myself," Paddy replies. "It should be round your neck," says the guard. "I tried that," says Paddy, "but I couldn't breathe." ________________________________________ Two lrishmen are hammering floorboards down in a house. Paddy picks up a nail, realises it's upside down & throws it away. He carries on doing this until Murphy says, "Why are you throwing them away?" "Because they're upside down," says Paddy. "You daft prat," replies Murphy, "save 'em for the ceiling!!"

Well more like the ends of the bay really Lofty Some very interesting fishing on the peveril ledge at slack tide , but as Mike says be very carefull there, also quite good around in durlestone bay in the back water Mike descibes. At the other end towards Ballard, there are some great bream spots in the summer. and some banks that offer at least 4 species of rays. Bass are often seen on the two rock ledges that run out from the beach. Far better around in Swanage than in Studland or even Poole Harbour.

Yes Lofty, I do For inshore fishing I rate Swanage as very good, for the number of species and the potential size of fish I have caught a few PB's within a couple of miles of Swanage beach. but with the tides and snags around the area it is not always easy fishing Charlie

That is cool Now I love sharks , but not that much Thanks Terry

Just get it launched on the Friday 21st Allan Exactly what I did with Alfresco 4 years ago after a postponed open. hauled her out 5 coats of epoxy and two of antifoul then relaunched in 10 days. Mind you she was brand new and only in the water to mark the water line, so there was nothing at all else to do. fished the open in the harbour in a very strong breeze Charlie

All received thanks guys

Try to ignore the tackle tarts [Does that include me as I now have an Avex SX, matching set of braid rods and shimano tld reels ] I have used abu 7000 reels for over 30 years, sure the new ones will not last like the old ones but they are not that expensive [compared to avets and other posh ones] I get mine from Mark at Alderney Angling They suit all my uptiding and drift fishing needs, all are loaded with 30lb whiplash braid [again best bought from Alderney Angling] we use TLD 15's downtiding, usually on 20/30 or 30/50 rods, but the new very soft action braid rods [Diawa Kensaki] Better to use quality reels and save a bit on rods, cheaper ones are not always weaker but they will be stiffer and heavier in weight for their class. My best advice try not to overspend until you have had a few trips out to try a few things, keep an eye on the boat buddies section as most of us post when we have space for crew. We quite enjoy having new Members onboard. Charlie

Our fleet of 8 RIB's at work now use Yamaha 4 strokes and even with the hours they do and various drivers they are doing well. But they are only 50 or 80HP Previously we used Honda 4 strokes , nice engines but as they age repairs are expensive. Charlie

Part A of the plan went really well We had a great run to weymouth a nice meal and loads to drink after not much sleep thanks to a noisy spot in the harbour, we were just freshening up when an SOS call came in Bob Alun and co needed some squid on Tiger lilly. we left harbout at 10 to run to the shambeles and drop it off before joining teh boats drifting the race. I bass before wendy called a halt to that, then a couple of fruitless hours on the shambles in the lovely weather, a couple of other Club boats did much better than us, as did the lads on Tiger Lily. But we had some fun which is what we went west for this time. Charlie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATE Have a good one Charlie

Prodigy and Alfresco are heading to Weymouth to make the most of the weather we may fish on the way back so please add Gary and I to the list Charlie

Dave only the usual places I am afraid TR fasteners on the nuffield and Allfix at Wallisdown Others to try online would be baseline or ASAP supplies. http://www.baselinemarine.com/shopdisplayp...+Machine+Screws http://www.asap-supplies.com/ You would be better advised to use A4 [316] stainless as A2 will rust in salt water before long, you may have to buy longer ones and cut them down Charlie