Overrun

Spent the weekend in west Wales at our customary Tope mark. Previous weekend yeilded a couple to forum members, so mob handed we converged from around the country. The accepted knowledge is that 'the big females' appear first, anything up to 70lb from the mark. We had a fifty last year and several in the 30-40 range, about as much fun as you can have fishing from a Kayak. While driving-up Friday evening received a text, Nifty had a 30 pounder that afternoon. Parked up just after 23:00, at the end of the line of vans down at the launch. A quick drink and chat in Marcj's converted Sprinter, (more of a mission control for the weekend) then bed down in the van for the night. Saturday and the ten of us were lined-up across last years spot, possibly a bit too close, but hey, worry about that if someone hooks-up. Conditions were flat and windless. Mid morning we were treated to a pod of 7-8 Dolphins passing between the Kayaks. Fishing slow, Doggies were ripping the baits to pieces, not a good sign. Managed a reasonable Huss although small by the standards there: HW and pulled-in a ridiculously small Codling on my scratching rod...but it's another species Came in just before low water and a long slog back on foot up the river. Sunday, dawned much as Saturday, mid-morning and a breeze developed. Ran the river rapids on the way out: Nifty had bagged-up on Dabs at the nearby beach, so I set off there as bait was running short. No Dabs, only this little critter, again very small by the standards there: Back in early just after HW, nearly paddled the whole way up the river, only one section of 50 yards too shallow and against the current. 6 hours drive home and can't wait to go back, another couple of weeks and the pack Tope should be on the reef.

Yes I'll post a 'let's meet' on AA and let you know Ben. I expect they'll show-up at Durley & further out before Kimmeridge, although the average size in past years was better at Kimmeridge. Last year, my first was mid-April off Avon Beach at night! wasn't very big though.

Second day out on the trot, couldn't miss the weather window. Arrived at Blue Anchor early afternoon, to find Ian (Dizzy) & Adam, and soon followed by Stuart (Oggy), we were all hoping for serious Ray action. The whole world and his wife were out, gave the cafe a miss, resisted the Ice Cream van, knowing that would be one of the first pic's up later! Very casual set-up, no sign of Lozz, we concluded he'd gone elsewhere. Text and call later revealed that he was 35 miles away, after yet another epic journey from Kent, delayed by a big pile-up on the M25. Hit the beach at 15:00, sea about as flat as I've seen it there, very slight breeze which later died completely. Soon after anchoring on the reef, Dave (Fishboy) paddled-up, I'd left a discrete gap (honest) to his mark but he elected to go further out. We were all within approx. 200 yards, apart from Ian who was 400 yards further towards Watchet. Dave relaxing Fishing slow on the last of the flood, Lozz finally paddled-up around high water, then went over to Dave. I heard Lozz say

Unlucky Mark, can't be long now though. Looking at that sea you wonder why they put the surf reef at Boscombe, slightest swell and it's quite interesting at Durley.

Thanks Martin, we hear that the Giltheads are already beginning to show down Cornwall way, hopefully the first Black Bream will be here locally soon.

Thanks Ben, I'll post an invite as soon it looks promising for Bream, when the club guys begin to catch there's a good chance. Tide there can be challenging but no worse than Hopton! Durley rocks is another spot, although doesn't seem to produce many over 2lb.

Thanks guys, second time out with a sail, had a breif go back at Zzippys meet off Lake. The sails are no problem in a steady blow, crosswind gets more interesting as does gusty weather. Handy for long trips though. Yet to experience a big swell at the same time, that'll probably have me in

Kimmeridge 14/03/10 What a change from the same time last Sunday, when I was standing on the shore at Stratford, Connecticut, staring into Long Island sound and wishing for Kayak. A week of work, in that part of the US, at this time of the year, is quite enough. Still jet lagged from yesterday, headed down to Kimmeridge, on a glorious early spring morning. Only 1 rod, for plugging, didn't expect to catch anything, ...wouldn't be disappointed. First day out for the new sail, so the plan was to plug'n'paddle down to Worbarrow, then sail back from there. The NW wind bent around the headland to be due west, making the paddle a slog. Slow progress to Brandy bay. Landed for a break and chill by the water. Not that it was chilly, according to the Garmin, water temp a balmy 74.6

A little unfit at present but I should be fine for this Ben, pray for the weather!

Just spotted this, have spare Kayak/PFD and happy to assist, weekends only at present (saving the holiday for when the weather improves) Cheers James

Barking, but fun. Cracking Flounder Mark, well done.

Dont you mean the end of Feb James .The Eastney Plaice should be showing around then They'll be lean Plaice in February mate Big Rays last year at BA during March, 15-20lb'ers and the Conger were back.

Thanks all, good to finally get out this year, bit of lean patch though now until early April

Yes sorry Mark, it was a much better day on the water Saturday as it turned out If it's any consolation there was untreated ice on the way into Yeovil Sunday, had a slippery moment at speed. Worse on Saturday morning I'd have thought.

Thanks Dave, done

After Saturdays effort off Highcliffe yielding no fish, very pleased to see Dizzyfish's report for Blue Anchor, as that was our destination for Sunday. Arrived around 08:30 on the chilly seafront to find V8rob, Massivo & Lozz all soundly asleep in their vehicles, having fished the previous evening. Fishboy arrived ten minutes later, we headed down to the Driftwood Cafe for a special breakfast, no point in rushing these things. Always enjoy visiting BA, it just screams fish, even the toilet graffiti is defaced:

Does no one use the Bridle rig? Thought that was a usual set-up for boat anchoring. Use it on my Kayak although most prefer weak link/cable tie. The only downside on the Kayak is you have to paddle uptide of the anchor to trip it, which should not be an issue on a boat (other than tangling in the prop?)

How quickly the year comes around, once again it was time to meet the local shore forum for a chat and a fish. Launched just on dusk at Southbourne, having spied another Kayak with sail about a mile off. So many layers on could hardly twist around to access the crate. Wind died away to 5kn as last of the light faded. Headed over to Double Dykes and rough ground, anchored off and called Richie up on the VHF, no reply, set about fishing. First up was a Pout on the Whiting rig , closely followed by a reasonable Whiting on the Cod rig , another Pout on the Whiting rig and Richie appeared. No fishing for Richie, he recounted the grisely tale of dislocating his finger on launch, had been sailing around to take his mind off the pain! We decided to head over to the shore meet. I hate beach landings in the dark. Closer to the shore than intended, very nearly came a cropper while hanging about waiting for the right moment. Not pretty but pride intact, sideways up the beach with one leg over the side. Chatted to the guys&gals from the shore forum and blagged a cup of tea from Lucky Rich. Must have spent an hour there, feet getting cold and feeling wet. Back to the Yaks and there was a bigger wave every so often, launch timed OK we were away without incident. Richie not fussed about fishing and my feet were not warming so we headed home. Perfect landing this time, right on the back of a wave. Back at the cars and loaded-up, dry suit off, feet soaking wet . Checked today and both latex socks have split across the heel. Can't complain as the suit has done 150+ trips over 3 years. So that's very nearly it for another year (and what a year!), still wanting a Needles Cod and here's hoping we can pack-in a few more trips before the new year. Cheers James

Looks an excellent choice Graham, 28" beam is the same as a P13, plus you've 2ft more length which should make it faster. Like the low profile design too, good in wind.

Won't go wrong with a P13, excellent all-rounder

Graham By all means try before buy, but I often say this, if you've not paddled a Kayak before, you'll probably make the wrong choice. Caper is great as Zzippy says in perfect conditions and will feel a most stable platform, add in wind, chop or a swell and you won't be too comfortable. Go straight for an OK Prowler 13 or T13 as starting point, if you can fish with less storage space then try the Scupper Pro, although you'll need to be under 13 stone and 6ft 2 height. Cheers James

Thanks for your kind comments. A good trip to post as appears more technical than it actually is given proper planning and conditions. Sadly, the time on the mark is limited by the use of the tides to get to and from, also probably not the best time to be there from a fishing perspective(?).

thought Lowestoft was just a little out of club waters

Nearly a year since the last visit, fancied my chances for an early Cod at the 'carpark'. Launched opposite the Keyhaven Yacht Club slipway after parking near the footpath. Phoned in paddle plan to Solent Coastguard, out with the ebb to a point 1 nautical mile south of the Needles, return before dusk on the flood. Coastguard advised reconsidering destination as unexploded ordnance on the seabed , approx. 2.5 miles south of the Needles, said I'd keep close-in to the Needles. Beautiful morning, hardly a breath, ideal conditions for paddling, rounded Hurst Castle and onto the conveyor that is the Solent. S

Hoping this would be third year lucky, having missed the Squid on the last two years, headed the 40 miles down to Weymouth Sunday afternoon. Zzippy (Mark) had spotted a free car park on the esplanade. Drove up to find he'd reserved me a spot with his P13 , fine chap! 20 yards to the water, even a little ramp onto the beach. Sea flat, we could just about make out CJ and John over towards the Pavilion Pier. By the time we'd crossed the bay, inspecting a gill net on route , they'd launched. Introductions over headed around and south of the Stone pier: Chatted to the shore anglers on the way, bit of banter like you-do . CJ was into a Squid pretty much straight away, and another, followed by John. Then Mark was in and I was beginning to wonder what was wrong with my set-up. Swapped around rigs, gave up on the flashing led ice fishing lure, chopped a Mackerel feather off the second rod and tied on a Squid jig. Darkness was descending rapidly, Clive (CJ) was into another as was John. Paddled near to them and wallop. Didn't it go too on 6-12lb boat rod, put-up a good struggle, squirted water all over the place when on the surface. Taken aback by the size, these things are intimidating with their huge eyes and aggressive behaviour . Swiftly despatched by a whack behind the head with my chopping board. No. 2 followed quickly, with jets of water in my general direction . Dealt with promptly before getting inked. Sport died away as HW passed, moved in closer to the Stone pier and exchanged more banter with the shore anglers, they'd clearly had a few, but not as many as us . In the distance a we could see the big Condor Seacat ferry returning. Stood aside as it passed by into the harbour. Drifted under the orange lights on the Pavilion pier, hooked another in 8ft of water but it fell off while videoing . John and Clive packed-up around 21:30. Mark and I tried the harbour between the piers under the orange flood lights. Had a take on the first drift, videoed again although it wasn't that fussed about squirting water. We packed-up shortly after, mission accomplished, fantastic if a little bizarre evening's fun.