Overrun

Agree with most of the above, particularly "the club should not set itself up as the arbitor of safe practice". An RNLI endorsed checklist would seem a very sensible step. Certainly, on AnglersAfloat we have worked with the RNLI at a local level in various places around the UK to achieve this in the past. As for "hugely unfair advantage" my main concern would be in delivering the expected result!

Whatever you want guys, as Zed says it might be better to take a more measured approach.

edit, edit, will bring the Kayak(s) etc., if it won't go then no problem as locked to car anyway, obviously appreciate help with the stairs. As Mark says close to 15ft long and just over 2ft wide, weight 55lb'ish unrigged. Looking forward to it guys, we've done a few wild trips over the years and this might turn out to be another

We'll be there Paul, also with Kayak(?) as requested, trust it will fit, don't know the venue. edit, just us then as don't do stairs.

My name is a James and big hello to all. After 40 years or so of flinging lead to the horizon, for the last 3 years fished from a Kayak....and what a difference it's made to my fishing! From the Kayak to a boat is but another short step. Indeed, we are beginning to see powered Kayaks, which blur the difference and cause plenty of debate. As for me, I'll always be an angler first, although the Kayak does get the adrenaline going. Anyway, glad to be aboard, if I can be of any help, Kayaks, crewing, swabbing decks etc.... Cheers James

Well, if you have room possibly the simplest thing would be to stick the Yak on the car and bring the lot. If it's not convenient then it can stay on the car. Not particularly into presentations etc. question and answer fine, I'm sure Mark will be up for that as well, we're a friendly bunch on AnglersAfloat. Grateful for being given a wide berth and probably the safest option if you are at speed, otherwise don't hesitate to come over and say hello.

Got a boating lake in there as well Rob?, now I am impressed seriously though, what would you like to see?

Looking forward to it Zed! ..and thanks for the info Mike.

Hi Zed, Thursday is the first of October ??

I would have liked to have gone to that meet.But was working till 2am Saturday Morning and back on days today You had great weather for the meet. I passed you at about 6pm this evening you were just coming back from the meet and going round Hurn Bridge Roundabout just past the airport Yes I saw you mate but wasn't sure, are you about during the week? I'm thinking of having an early bash at the Squid, Wed,Thur, possibly Fri night? (depends on Saturdays venue) Thursday I am going to the pbsbac monthly meeting.I can make Friday night or even Sat, sun is it Thursday? in that case I'll see you there and we can discuss further.

Only just noticed this, and what an interesting thread & discussion. There are some very valid points made regarding Kayak fishing, safety etc. This branch of fishing is still in it's infancy and I for one would be very pleased to see new faces joining in, particularly from the ranks of the club. There's a great deal to be discovered and fresh minds will bring new ideas, to the benefit of all. As for teaming kayaks up with boats, competitions etc. again, there's much still much to be done, we are only scratching the surface at the moment. My primary motivation in posting the odd catch report has always been to raise awarenss of Kayak fishing and bring new people into the sport. I'm not a member of this club but perhaps now the time is right. (if you'll have me!!) Cheers James

I would have liked to have gone to that meet.But was working till 2am Saturday Morning and back on days today You had great weather for the meet. I passed you at about 6pm this evening you were just coming back from the meet and going round Hurn Bridge Roundabout just past the airport Yes I saw you mate but wasn't sure, are you about during the week? I'm thinking of having an early bash at the Squid, Wed,Thur, possibly Fri night? (depends on Saturdays venue)

Nice one Mark, glad to see you are getting out, would have joined you but for the Ladrum meet.

The last time I'd fished Swanage was back in January, made a mental note to return in summer. A mid-week sortie, the plan was to go with the last of the flood to Old Harry then a little off-shore to inspect the 'race' and back to Swanage. Hopefully, while collecting bait for the weekend and may be a John Dory. Launched at 10:15, a few bait balls on the fish finder and little else in the bay. Around to Ballard and wondered what the RNLI were doing up against the cliff, at one point disappearing into a cave backwards . While pondering the goings-on, drifted and paddled towards Old Harry, more Life Boats . Crikey, some thing's up, they were doing exactly the same as the first, reversing into the cliff under power, against an anchor. The penny dropped, ...training exercise. There were 5 inshore Life Boats, never felt so safe! Approached Old Harry, noticed the depth decreasing rapidly and skirted east, buoyed off on a likely looking spot to fish while waiting for the ebb to begin. Baited hokkai/feather mix yielded nothing. The RNLI went for lunch, then the Barfleur, Condor Fast Cat and the Waverley steamer passed by before the ebb began. Paddled out to the area marked 'dangerous' on the chart (the 'race'), early in the tide and not a big one so nothing apparent. Alternately paddled and drifted back towards Ballard, picked up a small Bream on the baited hokkai. Spied a buoy off Ballard and headed towards that, feathers were hit on arrival at the buoy, Garfish. Nice tide at the buoy approx. 1.5 knots, 40ft depth. Garfish everywhere, jumping out of the water and hitting the feathers & hokkai incessantly. The next three up were tangled in the trace, in typical Gar fashion, not one hooked . Started to get the odd Mackerel, then 5 on one drop. The Mackerel were short lived, Gar returned and for the next 15 minutes hooked another 2 and missed numerous hits. Sport died off, continued back, wind a little fresher than forecast was balancing the Kayak against the tide, so needed to paddle. Back across the bay and onto the beach for 15:00, nearly 5 hours out, 7 Mackerel kept for bait, the John Dory remaining ellusive, where does the time go?

Well done on the John Dory, very jealous, was out there on Wednesday with one in mind. Loads of Gar off Ballard and a few Mackerel.

No booze in the cool box honest , not a great fan of those myself as the wind get's hold of 'em and mucks-up your steering. It's an odd feeling being pulled about by the fish, even the humble Pout will swing the bow round when not anchored. I've done 600 yards+ attached to a Smooth Hound and others further on Tope. That said, mostly we are at anchor, occasionally a fish goes up-tide and pulls the kayak across the tide. Stability wise the worst part is lifting the fish from the water. Cheers James

Thanks guys, always appreciate your reports (and comments) too.

Another one of those venues that I've been keen to fish, weather window permitting. The drive down followed a familiar route as to Hartland, arriving in good time to survey the town. The rest of the group arrived soon after, AdamSi, Smeg, Diver9, Pugwash & Isca. News was good, Tope caught the previous day close-in . Launched and headed for the bay off Sillery. Lynmouth from the water: Anchored in 40ft, tide receding fast, the Dogs were in . Whole Mackerel ripped to pieces in minutes. After a succession of small Dogfish, a more purposeful bite on a whole Squid. Bent my 12lb rod well and fought hard until mid water. A Ray, and not one I'd caught from a Kayak before , Small Eyed: Low water approaching and the anticlockwise tidal eddy eased to a halt. Caught a second Small Eyed on the Tope rod(Whole Mackerel), not as big as the first, began rebaiting and Dave (Isca) yelled. Tope. Great, but a slight problem, lassoed around the tail, ... several trips to the kayak followed, each time Dave tried to grab the tail it was spooked and crash dived, 4th attempt and in the Yak: A cracking fish 25lb'ish, gave us hope for more and a few minutes later I duly obliged: OK, so it could have been bigger. Low tide came and went (doesn't take long in the Bristol Channel) Adam, Dave, Pugwash & myself landed on Scillery for lunch and a stretch before the afternoon stint. Smeg & Diver9 headed towards the point, returning to fish close-in after we relaunched. The afternoon rising tide was much quieter, even the Dogs were less in abundance, Eugene caught a nice Huss, think that was about it. What a cracking day with great company in magnificent surroundings.

Excellent report, but you are chuffed with the John Dory

Eugene's Conger:

thanks guys, sussed it now, Sand Smelt.

The drive down was a mere 3 hours, arriving at 08:15 to see everyone's preparations well under-way. Superb view from the car-park which pic's can't convey, could spend month's investigating all the coves and features. Customary team shot: Car-park wind-up Once on the water it's like being a kid in a sweet shop, so many options, go here, go there, get the feathers out, flip a plug out, stick a big bait on..... Settled on big red tailed feathers for Pollock and drifted westwards in the light breeze off the land. Fishfinder giving contacts at various depths, the feathers weren't attracting any interest. Adam was picking-up the odd small Mackerel, and I mean small, about Sardine sized. Paddled over to Pugwash, 4lb Pollock already! Then onto Smeg (Eugene), he'd caught a few Mackerel then promptly hooked another load, looked a bit bigger than Mackerel. Delighted to see a fine Wrasse on the feathers, maybe 4lb: Drifting about, became aware of hissing sounds, the water boiling with fry: Tied mini Hokkai onto the bottom of the feathers and caught a couple of very small Mackerel. HW stand and anchored, set-up the Shark gear (Yea'h right!) and put a mini Mackeral on the bottom and baited the feathers. First up was a Pout?**!....finally off the list for this year. A run on the Mackerel, snagged in the bottom, meanwhile Adam was dealing with a Conger. After snagging and breaking off, decided to move. Repositioned only a few yards further up-tide, but no snaggs. Just sorted the anchor and put all the lines and rubby dubby out, then heard Eugene yell, big Conger on the surface, Tratty (Dave) did the photo call. Which was good as I then had a run on the mini Mackerel, odd fight, didn't keep contact with the fish, should have guessed, typical Bass from deep water, woke-up on the surface. Bit thin and looks bigger than it was, estimate 3-4lb: Next drop and something heavy, video out for this one: Nice Huss, a very fat 8lb plus: Porgies out there somewhere : Group of inflatables drifted through, close to Dave and Adam, Dave was very relaxed considering they practically crashed into him. Than another small Huss and the inevitable strap Conger: Wind picked-up from the north, the white water tidal rip off the point behind us appeared to be circling around and getting closer by the minute, together with the odd big wave. Packed the Shark gear away only to see Dave recovering anchor and Eugene doing likewise. Last cast : Paddled in to meet Isca(Dave) who'd taken the plug and spin along the shoreline option for Gar, Pollock and Mackerel. What a great day, the Shark fishing was always a wind-up, but you never know. The only Porgy we saw was in the pub, and carved from wood. Made us think though, as about life size, only the previous day a Blue was caught off the point (the chap bitten and requiring hospital). Surprised we didn't get Tope, needs more time to figure out where and when to fish.

Thanks guys

Heard a report of Herring being caught within Poole Harbour today, is this right? I'm thinking more likely Twaite Shad (we get a few at Christchurch around now) Cheers James

Cut chunks from a fillet, avoiding the skin. Surprisingly subtle flavour, needed Soy or similar for my taste.