great white

On my last boat I was looking to upgrade so went to a show thinking to buy a combi unit, available space and budget were tight so I was looking at a 8" set. when I looked at them on split screen, showing all the required navigation information, it was hard to see enough. I then looked at two Lowrance sets and bought a 5" colour Plotter and 4" colour sounder. space and budget were just able to cope . I bought two sets also for reliability, they proved to be good units and the controls were simular so not too confusing. I was so impressed that I nearly took them off the boat when I sold it. My new boat was swallowing cash so I opted for a single large combi unit. Imported and tax paid from the states a lowrance 10" sounder /plotter. Matt had told me that it would cover all my needs, but I had doubts and thought by now I would have added a second unit. To be honest using it just for Fishfinder and Plotter, [with the navigation info overlaid on the plotter and not in a window] and making some use of the simple resizing of windows Matt was right. I have a seperate radar so it is not trying to work three screens, as it would if I had all available options fitted. I am not the only fan of Lowrance in the Club, its down to choice My advice; If buying one set make sure its big enough to see in use,when on split view. If getting two, make sure they are the same make and the controls are simular. Local contacts Matt Sydenham MES at Salterns Chris at Greenham Regis

A very interesting thread. It would be good to have a kyaker bring his equipment to a meeting and give the members present, a presentation on what rig is carried and how they are fished etc A backdrop of some of the recent reports would also be interesting. As to the proposal It is well worth bringing to the next AGM, but lay it out. so that there is no doubt about what is considered pair fishing. and what is a mimimum standard of safety equipment to be carried. and clothing worn. If in a boat the second person does not have to be a member or even a fisherman. So perhaps nor would the second Kyaker. My only concern is the safety aspect. As for the Flounder comp and comparing catches, nothing to stop you and your friends fishing on the same day and then reporting your successes on here to compare notes. Or you could launch near the weigh in position and bring your fish to the scales, I am sure nobody would mind an unofficial second weigh in. Just my thoughts Charlie

Another one would be just Purrr-fect Charlie

Get your coat mate

Well done Nigel and the rest of your team Have been watching the reports on WSF, it was great to be kept updated Thanks Charlie

Hi Mark some good fish there mate when we were there we were impressed at how well teh Kawhai fought on light gear. But the kiwi only want them for livebait fot kingfish. We were there at Christmas and the locals were still moaning that the water was too cold Charlie

I agree with that, great reports and pictures of some excellent fish. Charlie

Well done to you bothfor taking time to consider your options and traying a few It will be good to see reports on the boat next summer. April is a long way off, but that said time will pass quickly if you keep busy with a list of maintenance items at home , to clear the diary once the boat arrives. Have fun chosing a name. Charlie

Hi Alan and welcome The more you join in, the more you will get out. There are a few Members in your area and several that are able to fish in the week. If you have questions please post them, replies will be varied and usually plentiful. Charlie

Hi Adam, Sorted it out last night, the two Pauls are joining Dan and I Sat PM we will be going east to have a look around on the inshore marks, that these guys know better than I do. What time are you returning? Charlie

Blimey mate I hr North at the speed your boat cruises at sounds a long way From talking to my mates that live /lived in Auckland I thought all their trips were short. when I suggested going accross to the coramandel [excuse spelling] they looked at me as though I was mad, for even considering going that far. But its horses for courses, If we had great fishing here none of us would steam to Alderney and beyond. Tight lines, I hope the big snapper are hungry. Paul D and PJ are now joining us for an evening trip on Sat, so we hope that we find some fish too. Charlie

Hi all Our usual crew not available, so its Dan and I and a very flexible plan [yet to be confirmed which day fits in best with Dan's social calander and the weather ] So if we go offshore in daylight for the bassI have space for at least a couple more. . If you fancy coming with us let me know, if you are an expert bass angler even better, because we are not. If no takers we may go overnight inshore. regards Charlie

Happy Birthday James Hope you have a good one Charlie

Hi All after our last try on the big tides of the open, I was looking for another option. This weekends forecast [its a long way off I know] looks good, but the tides are very big. 1. Who is going out? 2. What are you going for 3. where are you thinking of going 4. and when? I had been thinking of going overnight Friday, last light triggers then on to look for sole. but I see that the trawlers are in So I suppose the other option is to try our hand at offshore bass marks, drift the wrecks. with maybe some time at anchor around slack for the rays. Not spoken with the usual crew yet [or the FPO] but is anyone else thinking of going out? I will add to this post later if I have a plan and if we have spaces. PM me if you have info that you want kept a bit more secure. Charlie

Well done Brian always nice to get the first fish onboard You will remember it was a Bass and forget its size , great to see the lads smile . I bet it was matched by your own Charlie

Hi Craig Well done mate both on getting out and on getting another blonde [two in picture ] on the boat. We had a plan to try and get out, to see if we could make up for last Sunday. we were all hoping for an offshore trip. after reading todays reports about the weather here and at Weymouth I doubt that would have been possible. But in a flurry of jobs at home on sat I managed to pull a muscle in my back whilst cutting the top of my high hedge. I had to take the sensible route, get Dan to finish the hedge and cancel Sundays fishing Never mind there is always another chance Charlie

Hi Mark when we were there, we read one of the monthly mags [and all the back issues] all the time as it had so much in it. I believe there is a time when the water gets to a certain tempreture [which I can not remember] in your summer then the snapper fishing goes nuts. It is just before Christmas so you have time to find a few marks, or just follow the mass of boats. Tight lines and say hi to Julie and the boys Charlie

Glad to read they did it on warrenty. as they should on an engine that only done 40hrs. one of the main causes of leaking seals is fishing line wound on the shaft. How is the fishing with you Mark? Charlie

Without trying to highjack this thread, when deploying two anchors, how do you tighten up on the stern one to stop it draging and make sure it digs in? If you pull in on the front warp you will loose position I am sure it is obvious but it is a bit late. Dave Dave S, I am not sure that pin point accuracy is a factor when floundering, the only reason we rig two anchors is to stop the boat swinging all over the place. Not only is the swinging uncomfortable it is also impossible to keep lines tight to see bites. In shallow water I now use the anchor from my bow windlas, which is dropped first, then line payed out and boat reversed some distance before a second anchor is depoyed off the stern. Take in bowline while paying out sternline untill both have reasonable scope and then tie off sternline and tighten up on bowline until fairly tight. to lift let out bowline while taking in stern anchor, then lift bow anchor. Jim as I said we only do this in the harbour in shallow slow water. No real need in stronger tides Charlie

Looks good Brian Hope to see you afloat soon Charlie

I have a large sea anchor and a smaller one [that I think I won, that is really for a smaller boat.] but I took it to use just to hold the boat at a set angle on the drift. It works but I do not usually bother with it. the large wheelhouse catches the wind a bit and usually means that the lines go sideways or aft I have used them at anchor to stop the boat swinging, or to try to bring her around to tide against the wind. Marginal success in medium tides, although a line over the stern is a pain. I have tried to use them the same way in the harbour on breezy days floundering, but in shallow water with not much tide they are more trouble than they are worth. better to set two anchors. I believe the smaller one actually states what size boat its suitable for as a sea anchor. so there must be a range of sizes. I hope that helps Charlie

Paul I have a two on the boat, let me know if you would like to borrow the small one. Charlie

Tight lines guys Charlie

Yes she would make a decent workboat as she has a stand up fwd wheelhouse, she would make a good boat for someone that does not need/want to travel far as I am sure she would not be fast. Christchurch area maybe where you can get away from long distance travel. its a project really Charlie