great white

As you can see above the original plan was cancelled due to the forecasts, but Dave and I were still keen to try and make the most of it. Especially as I had invited Will and Gordon . Ten years after we had a fantastic fishing holiday together, on Ascension Island. We met up for a curry on Thursday evening, trying to limit the fishing chat, because Wendy and Aide joined us. Fridays new plan. On the boat at 7am and off out to look to find some bait fish. Then out to try a few wrecks With the company of our friends on Reel Magic. First time this year, part A achieved. 30 of these in the coolbox Lets push on out 20 miles and hope for some clear water. Great to have the team back together again Catching up. The first wreck was barren in a fairly choppy sea and stiff breeze, so on we go. Its been a long time since I had Gordon onboard so a few reminders were needed on techniques. he must have been listening as he kicked our butts. Breaking his PB 3 times. First at 9lb 8 We all had a few fish, but it was more them than me as I kept snagging up This one 14lb and finally a beast of 17lb Dave even added a small cod to his species list, a very rare fish indeed over recent years. Well done mate. After we had plenty on Ice, and a very nice chicken curry. we headed off to a deep spot and dropped anchor. There were a few tope about but at slack we had quite a few Huss Nothing huge, but at least we were getting some fish. All too soon it was time for home. Wendy was away and Will was staying. so we decided that cooking up some fresh mackerel would make a fine dinner, washed down with something cold. Saturday day 2 would start the same way , except Dan was able to join us, 0700 at the boat, some hellos and off we go. Stopping briefly to pick up some more bait. As sometimes happens on day 2, the wrecks were slower. Although Gordon did have a small cod, with some pollack. Dan managed to Christen a new rod with a fish of 11lb 8oz Once again we enjoyed a great lunch then set off to anchor a really deep gulley. Dropping fresh baits into that was very exciting, the Tope were on them within minutes, there were plenty of decent ones and they were hungry. Dan had the biggest, but it escaped as I attempted to lift it onboard so no photo sadly After the tide started screaming we headed off for some banks on the way in and got the lure rods back out. We struggled for a few drifts, but Dave's crew were getting lots of bass. A tweak of tactics had us joining in. Final score Reel Magic 20, Alfresco 6 You cannot win them all. In late after a calm steam back to Poole. Mackerel had been so good last night, we took more home to enjoy again with Wendy Sunday Day 3 A much smaller tide, but still an 0700 start Bait was hard to catch, but we had plenty onboard so headed off to the Shambles Passing the ledge there were lots of birds , but we decided to stick to plan A fish on the second short drift seemed to feel good But it was a tough day We only managed 5 and only took one home No sign off feeding birds on the route home either. It had been a much slower day. But still enjoyable seeing Chris and Kev on the banks and having Dave in company once again. We had made the very most of a few days with poor forecast, enjoying some great sport on two of the days. Lots of miles covered, excellent company of good friends. Even the sun shone. Ended on Sunday night by going out for dinner again in Wimborne. Home for a few drinks and an early night. Great fun

Better get a BFT this year before they are all gone. The European boats have bigger quotas.

Busy weekend Fri; Wrecking some nice pollack, then tried to find some Tope/Rays on banks Sat; Back out wrecking, Dan joined us. Then found a new deep area and loads of tope, bassing on way in was better. Sun; Headed West to shambles, Lots of drifting, much quieter day for a few small Turbot Lots of miles and hours fishing on a marginal forecast, two good days from three on a weekend when we cancelled Alderney was good. Full report and pictures to follow

Did exactly that Chris. Added my catch to Wendy's list.

Hi Could admin please remove 5 species that i just added to wendies list instead of mine Thanks

That's the decision made We are giving it a miss, will do some day running from Poole

You are right Graham So hard to decide what to do

Weather very changeable, bugger that makes deciding hard.

Thanks Mal Wendy and I were out yesterday and there was a lot of big swells about. We had a few female bream tucked in close and a few plaice. But the swells changed out plans and weed in the swash was a pain when flatty fishing

Does anyone here use barbless hooks, bream fishing? and what are your thoughts regarding other hooks? J pattern or small circles?

Done A few of the questions at the end about identification of breeding males and females, made me think. and I realise that I know less about this than I thought I did.

Nice evenings fishing

Its conger time, for Wendy.

Sounds like a great trip to me Greg. Making the must of the nice weather is always a good idea.

Madness - Jim - Phil - Martin Y-Knot - Mal and tbc Fisheagle - Allan Marlin - Greg and Crew TBC Canaletto - Dale, Russ and Andy Alfresco, Crew TBC

PB cuckoo

Nice one guys, well done

Thanks Mick.

I will put them in my spares Mick, if that's ok

It may be worth contacting Traditional Shipwrights in Poole. It looks like the sort of Yacht that they may have looked after in the past. Paul is on 07723 319346 Good luck Charlie

Wendys first fish this year. Nice day in the bay.

No problem Colin, I think I had the last one in the shop, when asked what it was all I got was, "a boat landing net mate" May be worth giving them a call, to see if they are getting more in.

Thanks all I was in Bournemouth with wendy earlier. So popped over to Christchurch angling. They had one simular to my broken one. So I picked one up. Just need to launch the boat on Monday and try it out.