great white

Hi Pete, I have no wish to re start the great anchor debate ,but as you asked I was using a 25lb CQR [rigged to trip ]and about 35ft of 10mm chain to a full coil[220m] of 12mm nylon and Alderney ring Yesterday the sea was quite calm but a lot of tide, we were in about 35 metres and had deployed at least 3/4 of the rope so were at about 5:1 Part of the problem was down to the way the trip was set up initially. it was restricting the turn of the blade but was only noticed when the trip was pulled and I had to renew it. It was also a new bag of ties that also seemed to come undone easier than the previous ones so I am now using 4. Another part of the reason was that in the middle of the day we were having to reanchor during a strong run of tide on a muddy bottom and it was hard to give the anchor room to set uptide of the wreck, when it did set we had to pay out even more rope to get close to the wreck and a change of wind and tide easil moved us off target. I am still getting used to the differance this effect has on Alfresco as compared to Great White, so I suppose the real problem was I was having an off day. Lifting a 25lb anchor and chain on and off the boat all day is hard work adding any more weight to this would start to give it a manual handling risk, and adding too much chain also makes recovery even to a large buoy and alderney ring very tireing. My other in use anchor is an 11 kilo Bruce copy run from the bow on a winch, this only has 10 mtrs of 9.5mm chain to 100 mtrs of rope and is only used for shallow water. [i also carry a spare one of these bruces in case I need a kedge] I would not use these small winches on wreck trips as I feel the fast retrieval using an alderney ring system is safer. I am quite happy that my anchors are suitable for the boat, only a few weeks ago I anchored easily when boats all around me struggled to set there anchors. although if yesterday was a regular occurance I would add about 50% more chain. I would never use a folding anchor, and only use a grapnel if it is right on the rocky ledges and I use a home made type with bars that can be just straightened by the boats power to pull the anchor out. I know that there are probably better anchors now but need a balance of setting ability on all the grounds we fish, weight and cost As mike says they are sacrificial Charlie

We went out yesterday at 7 to the wreck by slack water To the wreck and that is where we started to have a bit of anchoring problems, the thing would not grab the seabed. on the third attempt it went in but another increase in breeze kept us just off the wreck, after a quiet flood we reanchored [Or tried too] for the flood this time I allowed for the breeze and guess what the wind dropped to nothing and the tide picked up to put us fishing off the wreck again We moved to another wreck and at last had a few fish, pout lsd whiting as we swang onto the mark and 4 congers, the biggest was about 30lb. In all it was a hard day, the weather was fine but I can not remember ever lifting the anchor so many times, we must have buoyed it up about 10 times Dan and i gaot home knackered and i expect Paul D. was the same Better than work but only just, I will have to work out how much fuel we wasted with all that anchoring Charlie

Not sure about the actual differance to the catch rates in an Easterly But I do know that it makes hell of a differance to the sea state The other week we fished comfortably in a westerly and 20 knots, but last weekend we had to turn about at Old harry and head home in about 12 knots from the east. I am sure that if the wind had been slightly less and we had anchored in last weeks easterly, we would have struggled to catch on an uncomfortable day. Charlie

Tight lines Alun I may be taking wendy to the Island later in the week so would be interested to know if you get any, I may be able to sneak a couple of Spinning rods onboard LOL Tight lines Charlie

Looks like we have a weather window on wednesday Is anyone thinking of heading out??? Dan and I are thinking of having a nose around and a Conger session even though the tides are big. Charlie

Last nights call to Duncan found him in his car heading home after cancelling plans for today. A late check of the weather sites indicated bad weather in the channel and only slightly easing today. The plans to steam an hour West were looking over ambitious but we thought we would still get out As you can tell by the time of this post, we did not stay out We cleared Old Harry in cold winds and building seas that were no better at the spoils, so decided to abort the trip, let the crew and I build up the store of brownie points and try again later in the week. A few boats were heading out as we made our way up the swash, But I wonder how many stayed out? Good decision Duncan Charlie

Hi All after a very quiet week weather wise, and on the catch reports. I was wondering if anyone was planning to go out this weekend? I shall be out daylight hours on Sunday trying a few things to the West Tight lines Charlie

My contact checked and he definatly stated comercial registered fishing boats under 10m as private boats are not registered then we are not included. As usual I doubt we have the manpower to enforce this especially as it extends all accross the channel. Charlie

I have just called a Member who has the contacts to check these things I have been told that this area extends from Dover to the 002 00 00 latitude line and goes all the way accross the channel Our friend is going to chech if the ban covers landing of fish within that area or catching them. I am sure that would be a grey area considering how easy it is to fish outside the area when running out of Poole. If I get more info I will pass it on Charlie POST NOTE I have just had the reply call, after they checked with the MCA The Ban is currently for commercial vessels under 10 metres and NOT for private RSA boats

After the great weather we had last April followed by a poor May I am determined to use the boat as much as I can in all nice patches of weather. Other commitments like Sam's joining up , Dans exams and some work events will get priority other things like decorating and gardening will not. In fact I hope we get another good April because I have more free time then, than in May and June. That flooring looks very nice Duncan, what a good job well done. Charlie

Hi Tom If I had still been in the area I would have given it a go, I usually carry at least one 50lb class outfit on the boat and always have a shark trace in my rig wallet a 1 1/2lb whiting would have made a good hookbait if that is what it was feeding on. Strange how things change, we now catch more cod in the summer than in winter and are talking of shark fishing in Feb Charlie

Glad to hear that its sorted Andy See you on the water soon I hope, Please come over and say Hi if you see us , as we see so many Club boats that we do not recognise flying the pennant its getting embarrassing. Charlie

I have just talked to the other skipper andhe says that his crew yesterday reckoned the shark to be a porgie of 8 to 10 ft It surfaced by the boat slashed about with the dorsal up and then dissapeared. His mate [A very experianced skipper and angler] was spooled by a fast fish in the same area weeks ago while playin g a whiting so we must have a cold weather predator out there. Gordon I am glad you enjoyed the day out, we really enjoyed your company and the catering was first class. We know that like us you are a fan of the eels so we must have another go soon [very soon perhaps, better get back to your decorating and brownie points] I think I had us down as 14 eels Best 40lb [42 minus net] I have emailed the dive boat skipper to thank him for moving If he had not the ebb tide would have been a waste of time. Charlie

What a great weekend Sat Pm saw us bathed in warm sunlight a couple of miles out, haveing a very nice afternoon. Yesterday we had returned to the chill of winter and had to put the heater on to defrost while we awaited Gordons arrival, then slip the moorings in poor vis, that was bad enough to need the plotter and Radar on the way out of the harbour. a couple of miles out and we suddenly had sun and good vis, looking back you could see the bank of Fog dissapearing in our wake. We had a short session inshore, a few whiting and a wonderful breakfast supplied and cooked by Gordon Then off out to a wreck for the eels. The fish started almost straight away. Not huge fish but certainly better sport than whiting. Then OMG a very large dive boat approached are they mad it must be bloody cold at 34 metres in feb]. I was playing a fish so Sam politly asked them to think about diving somewhere else. The skipper said he would ask his punters. By the time Dan had T Barred my eel and I spoke to Rich he had decided to move. [That was before he knew it was me honest ] A very nice gesture that may have been influanced by the fact that both Sam and I know the owner of Sharking. He went off to another wreck, that I knew someone was on route to so I called the other angling boat over to join us. I called up another friend on the phone [who was having VHF snags] to let him know about the divers and he had just had a 10ft Shark on the surface by the boat while he was on the whiting marks. Is this global warming ??? Divers and Sharks in Feb Charllie

After finishing work at noon we popped out with Wendy to enjoy the sunny weather, I too could not raise anyone on the radio having decided to try a new inshore mark out of the tide. we were pleased to see a steady stream of fish in the middle of the tide and only needed 8oz lead We had dogs, pout, loads of whiting and another Dab, the only down side was that all fish were on the small side but they all went back to swim off. Will try a full day tomorrow further out Charlie

Well done Alun nice to know a few good ones are still about. If your newbie is keen after such a day imagine what he will be like after a few summer trips on the bream and bass LOL Strawberry sarnies, Ginger nuts, wrist bands I can just imagine the conversation Charlie

Not sure what works best in the fresh water of the river, It may pay to talk to Owen in the boat shop or the lads at the yacht Club at wick. I am using Black International interspeed extra, but its too early to know how good a choice we made. [although I used ten years experiance at work as a guide ] darker colours seem to work best. If you are rubbing well down it may pay to use a primer or tie coat such as International Primacon or the Blakes equivilent, prior to applying the anti foul. If the river has a strong flow and considering the speed of your boat I would avoid self polishing soft antifoul, they will work well enough but get washed off by constant tide flows. Charlie

One of the reasons we can not be certain is that Sam is joining the Navy on June 8th. and has now started a job untill just before he joins up at Royal Motor Yacht Club. Wendy will be keen to see him as much as poss before he goes, but he is keen to get at least one trip accross. Now we have the problem of organising time off for two of us from yacht Clubs in the summer. We will keep everything crossed to get a chance. Charlie

Nice one Rupe Some good info, hopefully my bathing platform will be fitted soon and the large tank will not get in the way. I am already enjoying the benifits of the deck wash system, I have fitted it with a second outlet and shut off valve for the bait tank. Tight lines for another good bass season on Aquafresh, hopefully we may see you afloat Charlie

The barrel does not get to be full The overflow is 2/3 to 3/4 up and larger than the inlet so the max weight will be 40 ltrs or 40kg Charlie

We are very Keen to get across the other side and try the fishing around the Islands on Alfresco. Timing will be the hardest part, as a newcomer to this areas fishing I do not know what the best times are. Or any of the many other essentials like where to fish, how, where to fish for bait etc etc etc. Adding that to my work commitments in the sailing season, Dans GCSE's and other family plans All of this will make it hard for us to be sure of when we can join others to go accross channel. I think I will have to leave others to sort out dates tides etc and join in as and when we can. But do not get me wrong we are very very keen to go. I have an ariel photo poster of alderney on the wall in my garage workshop for inspiration during the long hours we spent boat building. Please remind me when is the 48 hr and the trip to Weymouth? Charlie,

Happy birthday Paul Hope you have a great day and get what you wished for Charlie

Not quite the gorgeous forcast that it was showing two days ago But lets hope the Sat Sun forecast stays as it is on windguru at the moment Its a bigger tide but we will be trying to get afloat Charlie

Very tight lines It looks like a usable window, you will of course thinkof all of us at work Charlie

You are right Paul The prize was an excellent selection of these rigs which I am looking forward to using as more species arrive in the spring. Once the boys and I have used them I will as you say do a review for our Members Charlie