great white

Alun Yes we had the swells but further out and in deeper water they were not a problem. The worst sea state we had was when the wind increased at slack water while the boat was on the turn, at the start of the ebb it eased off again so the early return to the Harbour we had discussed was not necessary. I had a problem with the engine just stopping on me in the morning, which seems to have been sorted out by cleaning the lift Pump filter and venting the fuel system. Thanks to Kim on Overdraft and Frank on Sheila Marie for offering assistance if I needed it. I think the boys were impressed about how quickly I managed to get the engine back into life. I had dropped the hook and started fishing while the engine cooled down a bit, and to avoid any panic. So I was very pleased not to have to haul the anchor back up by hand for a tow. Best of luck with the weather James I hope you get out to practice. By the way what format is the final going to be fished to? I saw a post saying you were going to practice scratching. I hope you get a spot of good weather so you can at least get out of the harbour. Charlie

Nice one Alun Always good to read your reports We went out today to fish the banks through the period when the tide was at its kindest . We had 6 whiting [ all on mackerel] best 1.5lb several dogfish, well more then several really but not quite the pest numbers that we sometimes get. Sam landed a decent Smoothy of 9lb 8oz and a Blonde Ray of 12lb 8oz and lost a decent fish when his braid parted. I then lost another smoothy of simular size that spat the hook just under the surface, before landing a small blonde of about 5lb and a small bass A few decent fish in weather that was kind to us. [we were 5 miles out watching the rain falling heavily over the pubecks] No Cod yet but at least some whiting have arrived. Tight lines all for Sunday Charlie

Nice Job Alan, you will have to watch what you are doing in the cuddy now that the frosted glass effect has gone. Charlie

The gear part of this may be due to the position that the gearbox and gears are in, on the prop shaft. in the water at the bottom of the leg It has to convert from vertical to horizontal movement have a clutch and forward and reverse gears and have minimal drag as the boat goes through the water. I would have thought that getting more gears into the box would not be possible and connecting up a gear change mechanism that would be reliable also very difficult. I do not know why there is such a differance between bike and outboard engines But a 75 hp 4 stroke in an outboard seems tiny compared to one in a car. Charlie

Thats nice to Know as I intend to try tomorrow with the boys Charlie

James Glad you had a good day and caught a few fish. What is the specimen size for Pike? and do they like squid? I have boxes of the stuff waiting for better weather. Fishing the Stour is hardly the best practice for the 29th but at least you are still wetting a line. charlie

Oh dear What is life like in the fast lane guys? Charlie

I would think that planning would not be to hard to get for a "maintenance dredge" ie one to return it to a previous level after it has silted up. But who knows where English Nature draw the line before they start to get excited. They seem to be the people with the real clout over such matters, when they oppose schemes planning can be very hard to get. Charlie

You are so right Adam, This is a good month for fishing but not so for weather At the moment only one fish has been recorded. I am keeping everything crossed for a weather window at the weekend, but we have guests on Sat night so it is bound to be then. Tight lines Charlie

Hi Guys welcome to the Clubs website and Forum. Adam what are you on? My Kids think that the sun shines out of James Butt not yours. Charlie

Nice one Alan, That brings back a few memories. I was born and Bred in Weston Super Mare and learnt to fish there with my Dad on his boat. But as soon as I was old enough I started to travel south with mates to fish from shore and boat around the minehead area. Check out the small boats page guys, some interesting free to launch slips. the locals usually launch on or around HW and fish down and back up to get a long Day, Just be aware that by doing so, you have nowhere to go if the weather changes. Charlie

Very Glad that you have found a way of distributing the kit Mike. I hope that the fisherman find good use for it. and you at least get a fish super for your efforts. Have a great Holiday, we will look forward to your stories when you get back Charlie

Went out after work with Daniel Did not fancy the steam to Swanage as the forecasts were all giving increasing wind and it was already pretty choppy in the swash. Finished up on Bournmouth rocks, lots of wrasse, pout, poor cod and a cuttle fish. Best fish Cuckoo wrasse of 1lb 9oz, a beautiful fish, as colourful as any tropical fish and just 1oz under the Club record. after Dark Daniel felt ill so we came in after only two hours, which is why I do not invite others when the boys come out. That and the fact I had not read rich's post until I got back. another time mate Charlie

Alan Nice to meet you yesterday and Glad your day was good. Hope to see you out there at some time Charlie

Still planing to take Daniel out after work for a short trip What time are you coming in? Charlie

Ah the old days. When if it was dark or misty no one really knew where they were, or which way was home. There were so many fish the swash channel was full of Tope and wreck fishing was a day out with Mike and his old mate Stuart Turner. on an old clinker built wreck. No flying off to bloody Cuba to get a tan in those days old Chap. have a great trip Charlie [Not bitter or twisted, just jealous]

If you get to the right spot, where a few of the better ones are catching whiting is not as frustrating as Cod Fishing. in fact at tmes we mve to get away from them and try and get the Cod. A two hook pat [or half of a set of feathers] fished uptide and baited with mackerel herring or worm will do the trick. They do tend to like a bit of tide movement. last year was a good year with plenty of fish in the 2lb plus bracket from October to feb my eldest Sam broke the Club record during the open comp in November with a lovely fish of 4lb 5oz. Tight lines Charlie

As I have just Posted on another thread, the best Cod in the Fish Book for 2004 is 18lb. So lets get out there with some of Martins Squid and see if there are any on our patch yet The above size should be beaten a few times before Christmas, weather permitting of course. Tight lines Charlie

If you use my mobile No, call me when you arrive at baiter if you like. I should be at the Club all day. If you motor accross to the Haven I will try and show you a few spots to try on your plotter. Mike, you [and your biscuits of course] are always welcome to pop in. I can not guarantee that I will not be involved in something for work, but lets not let work get in the way of a coffee and a fishing chat. Charlie

Martin Thank you for all the chasing about you have done to get the squid at the best price. Its now in the freezer awaiting the Cod By the way chaps, So far the best Cod in the Book for 2004 is 18lb. we beat that a couple of times last year, so lets hope we get a few bigger fish this winter. Perhaps the kids will even let me catch one. Tight lines Charlie

If you have the time for a chat after you launch pop in to the Parkstone Yacht Club Yacht Haven and I will try and give you a few pointers/marks. If you bring worm and squid you will not go far wrong. there were mackerel about last week. Call me on my mobile which is on the Club list if you want to take up the offer and I will tell you how to get in. Regards Charlie

Try the area around the Spoil Grounds and a two hook Pat baited with mackerel or ragworm, fish this on an uptider and you will get some sport when the bigger fish arrive. Tight lines Charlie

Do not take it to heart Mike, I have problems as well, to get a suit for my height I ought to be 10 stones heavier. Does anyone know who stocks SAS 2 piece suits. I would like to try one for size before I buy a replacement for my old X3. the XL does not seem to have long enough arms so I would like to try the XXL. Charlie

How rude of me Anyone care to join me Wed or Friday if the boys don't fancy a night trip? sorry but that part about the kids may make it a bit short notice. Maybe a conger bash inshore. !!!!! ???????? Charlie

May be able to get out one evening but not during the day. I may be out at about 5 on Friday are you staying Late? As for marks what do you intend fishing for? Tight lines Charlie