Overrun

Always pleased to chat Alun! edit: just checked back, today was the first trip since June

A day off work, the weather not promising, with thundery showers a possibility, although the sea flat and winds light. Opted for an easy launch down at Southbourne. Very nice of the council to top-up the beach again, they've excelled themselves this time, none of that loose golden sand, a coarse grit and shingle, ideal for the trolley. The day's target was a dozen Mackerel for the freezer, a couple of Bream for tea and a Trigger for the species list. Fishing very slow, no Mackerel until 40ft, usually they're closer in. 90 minutes and not so much as a bite. Anchored on my Trigger mark from a couple of years ago, nothing and no Bream either. Continued drifting with the last of the flood towards Hengistbury Head and the Conger mark. Usually get a few Gurnard there, buoyed off on an old pot and at last some action. All niggling Bream bites, after seemingly endless strikes, connected with this one: Not really what I was after for tea, so back it went. Had a few more, mostly smaller, then moved on. Ran over a shoal of Mackerel and feathered 3 for bait before plodding on to the deep water just off the beginning of the Ledge. Put a half Mackerel out for Tope and settled down to fish for Bream and anything else. Mixed Squid, Mackerel & Rag on the mini-Hokkai, Rag/Squid has caught me the odd Trigger in the past. A continuous procession of small Bream came to the Yak. I'm always surprised at how hard these small Bream scrap. None were really tea sized, although a couple may have made a serving. Lunch, and tried Mackerel sushi (caught earlier), must take some sauce and Wasabi next time, also remember not to prepare it with the Squid knife . The Bream kept coming, over HW stand hooked into something with a lot more fight. Great, decent Bream? But as it turned out, better than that: No more Triggers and as the ebb increased, the Bream were gone too. Weather was deteriorating with a slightly stronger wind off the land and ominous looking clouds to the south. Headed slowly back with the ebb and against the wind. Stopped off at Double Dykes, no Bream, an enormous Mackerel shoal totally confused the fishfinder into thinking the depth was 12ft instead of 40! Feathered up a dozen in short order. The wind dropped out, clouds to the south were raining and I observed a flash, followed by a rumble. Cue, get off the water! Hit the beach as the rain began, all nicely rinsed on returning to the car. An enjoyable day out with a bonus Trigger, role on the weekend and chasing Hounds. James

Hi Phil No expert but here's my thoughts. Personally, not any success during daylight hours fishing for Bass on or near the Ledge. This may be due to an inability to drift with the tide, as you realised, drifting isn't on, especially on a big tide, which is probably going to be best for Bass. Or, and more likely, I don't know which part to fish! Evening and after dark it's been different, and I've done well with a number of good Bass on Conger baits. Talking of big tides, pot buoy is my preferred means of staying put. Loop your line around the buoy and tie both ends off at the Kayak(through your trolley), when it's time to go just realease one end. Saves leaning over the side or noosing the rope under the buoy. I'm assuming you know about trolleys etc. and try not to upset the potters, there's a few abandoned buoys down there. Mind you, a newly placed pot makes nice ground bait! I usually launch from Southbourne into the last of the flood and drift/paddle to just off Hengistbury, then half-way down the Ledge. Return trip is on the ebb. The tide is very strong (as you will know) towards the end of the Ledge, best avoided on springs. Another consideration is the distance to be covered if the weather blows-up. Anyway, good luck, be interested to hear how you get on!

A great weekend was had by all, despite the weather on Saturday. Unfortunately, the Mackeral challenge resulted in only the comp' organiser catching! ...but Saturday night yeilded a Conger, which was a result. ...and the Crazy water girls must have collected well in excess of

in partnership with and are pleased to announce MUDEFORD KAYAK DEMO WEEKEND will take place on 31st July and 1st and 2nd of August at Mudeford Spit next to the ferry pier there will be a full range of kayaks for all the family to try in a safe environment under experienced supervision with many fully rigged fishing kayaks to view. If you are thinking of joining the fastest growing sport on the water or require advice on paddling, safety or rigging your kayak come and meet the crew. In the spirit of the lifeboat funday we have decided this year to have a kayakfishing competition which will commence at midday on 1st August. A small entry fee will be charged with all proceeds going to the Mudeford Lifeboat Station. This winner takes all competition will be open to all plastic paddle powered kayaks and you will need one rod, a mackerel rig and good paddle fitness to win THE MUDEFORD MIDDAY MACKEREL CHALLENGE

Introducing myself first, a local shore angler for more years than I care to remember, the last 3 years spent in the Kayak, approx. 120+ trips to-date. By Kayak, I'm refering specifically to the so-called 'Sit On Top' variety, which has made fishing from a Canoe/Kayak relatively safe and feasible. The SOT Kayak is essentially unsinkable, the worst that's likely to happen is you fall off and it rolls over. Getting back aboard is straightforward when compared to a conventional Canoe or Kayak. Falling off is rare occurrence, in all my trips, including some I'd rather forget (1.5 metre sea, Force 4-5, at night off Portland) it's not happened. Be warned, this form of angling is very addictive, the sensation of being free to move on the water, using only your own effort, is really quite something. Add in the fishing and doesn

Great idea and I'd be very pleased to add a few lines, if you'll allow me a little time to string together a few words. Cheers James

Thanks all, only a 100 yards from the shore (to avoid the weed) so it lay upside down in the foot well while paddling in to unhook and photo, had my leg hanging over the side to be on the safe side! ..and to think there's potentially 50lbers about

Began as another Friday night Smooth Hound foray, sadly the weed which was absolutely horrendous put us very close-in and out of the tide. Last cast of the evening resulted in this: Not a monster, but another fish off the species list.

Thanks guys, was exceptional fishing even though a well proven venue for us. For 3 including me, first Tope of any size caught from a Kayak. We were anchored in a modest tide, perhaps a knot, if the Tope ran towards or uptide (most did at some point) we'd end-up across the tide. You could easilly spot who was in from a distance, as the Kayak would be at an odd angle. Can't say I ever felt unstable while battling the fish, low centre of gravity of the Kayak helps a great deal. Shoulders and arms ached a bit. Bringing it onboard is relatively straightforward if tired but many were just T barred off alongside. We use a quick release system which leaves the anchor, reel and buoy in situ, great shame I forgot to use while hooked-up. One of the guys was towed 1/2 a mile the previous day after unhitching mid fight.

I'll not post the full report as there's several over on AnglersAfloat but here's a few pics from the weekend: ADMIN images deleted due to oversize for site 29 Tope from 20 to 50lb by 8 anglers in a 3 hour spell!

fantastic trip, just slightly envious

Bigger males are very dark, almost black tinge, the females tend much more to the silver end. Adolescent fish under 1.5-2lb are difficult to sex, look very similar.......bit like us really Favour taking males, for no other reason than the females are invariably full of roe, but as pointed out, perhaps not the whole story. Possibly the best action is to return the breeding fish and wait until the pan sized Piranha Bream appear, trouble is they are so very nice to eat.

Thanks Martin, wasn't sure about forum etiquette.

Shame I missed you Zzipp, bit of a heavy night before, as Tratty did the previous day

The day began badly, lost my main set of Kayak straps, (don't ask) With a long trip planned later in the week, a diversion required to Bournemouth Canoes to source replacements. This changed the agreed timing, PMed Lureman (Steve) who was joining me on the water, saying that I

Nice one Paul.

This the one we used at Blue Anchor, bit tight for you guys:

Very early start, set off from home at 05:25, made good time with a surprisingly straightforward run through on quiet roads, arriving in Blue Anchor at 07:30. Fishboy (Dave) and Isca(Dave) a few minutes after 08:00. I

simply awesome, and thanks for sharing

Quite possibly, there were 3 or 4 of us out, was at the start of the Ledge, easily recognisable by my bush hat. Loads of Mackerel, a few Bream, Scad and a PB Tub Gurnard later off Avon Beach. I'll be joining-up later in the year once our species comp is out of the way.

Ticked off both Smuts from the list for our species comp. Great fun as you say Martin, especially in the Yak. Will get a 'proper' boat one day, the Kayak is real blast though. Thanks again for all your help. rgds James edit: Kayak demo this weekend, Mudeford Spit opposite the Quay on the harbour side. Come and try one out, there will be fishing Kayaks, together with a number of us fisherman.

Fair point Martin, this is under consideration, just don't want to dilute my efforts with the Kayak yet, because it's sure to happen .

Thanks but don't know the mark, please PM if it you don't want to reveal it.