plaicemat

I'm watching the forecast, no crew yet. Terry.

Not exactly years but there seems to be an ever changing cycle of annoyance. I think they've been driven out by congers, bloody things seem to be everywhere. Also, this year I have caught far more wrasse whilst lure fishing for bass. Terry.

So glad you remembered how fishing goes, Martin. 😉 A lovely autumn day, some fish playing ball and good company, what more could you want, apart from more and bigger fish! If I may (well, I'm going to), I'll attach my record to yours. My friend Pete and I headed out about 08.30 and it was bloody tight getting under the town bridge. Going through the harbour with a flat sea no other boats about got me thinking what a shame it is not October. I decided to use the first of the ebbing tide trying for plaice and this proved to be a good decision with a good stamp of fish interspersed with other varieties making their presence felt. We had quite a few small to medium sized bream, sometimes two at a time, Pete got a couple of small bass, a lone dab showed up, something I haven't seen (or eaten, very sweet) for a long time, a thornback ray to me on the plaice gear and, as I reeled in the last cast, a BIG mackerel. What a good start apart from there being not a single squid around. At one point, Alun turned up and neither of us saw where he came from, suddenly he is just there sitting off our bow with about five rods out for squid, Ninja fisherman! And no, he didn't get any either. Now, off to the edge of the Ledge to try for bass which we ticked off, fish around the 3 - 4lb mark, perfect. We also had a lot of wrasse including one very large specimen which put up a bit of a scrap. Then, it all just suddenly stopped so, we decided to fish our way back to Poole, drowning the remaining worms. We did stop at Hengitsbury to see if there were any more mackerel about but, no luck. I did have something plucking at my feathers but not hooking up, I did convince myself that this was probably a squid, not getting it's tentacles caught on the small single hooks. Nothing else interrupted our peace on the saunter back to base. With an 04.30 start, the drive home after the boat washdown seemed to go on much longer than necessary. Looking forward to the next window, it's good, as Martin said, to be retired! Terry.

I don't think the choice of technology is the answer to attracting younger members, what we need is to attract those who are enthusiastic about fishing and boats. Boats are a problem with the younger demographic which, if we are honest, has always been the case. Getting married, setting up a home and starting a family generally take precedence. I believe that the age range we are likely to attract are those who's families have grown up a bit and promotions have given them a bit of spare cash. We've all seen them at the marinas, keen and inexperienced and in need of a bit of help and, hopefully, they will bring their youngsters along with them. This is where we can come in but, how to make the connection, there is the rub! I, probably like the rest of you, am frequently accosting people on the pontoons and slipways of Poole extolling the advantages that membership of PBSBAC brings and what a bargain it is. How can this be ramped up? Perhaps we all need to carry promotion business cards to hand out at appropriate opportunities with online details, etc.. Terry.

I have done a bit of research into the use of WhatsApp for interest groups through my role as IT and Media officer in the local U3a. My findings, for what they are worth, is that there is not a lot of benefit to be gained. We have the benefit of a forum which everyone is happy to get involved in which leads to protracted discussions at times and also a PM system which is useful. Another level, I feel, would only dilute what we have and may even create cliques within the club. Of course, there is nothing to stop members forming their own WhatsApp groups, for all I know they probably already have. However, although it is a very efficient means of communication and passing photographs, etc, it doesn't tick all the boxes that the forum does which is the organ to which members associate membership of the club with. If members have regular companions with whom they fish or skippers they crew for, WhatsApp away but, there may be occasions when an offer of a trip may not be wanted to be shared with the whole group. For a loose group of friends who do not have the security blanket of a club, WhatsApp is perfect. Horses for courses! Terry.

A comber. Well rare. Terry.

I spoke to Rob this afternoon and he is going to look tomorrow and give me a price. Thanks for the lead, Charlie. Terry.

Thanks for that, Charlie, I'll give him a call. Terry.

does anybody know someone who could fit rubbing strip to Min-y-Mor? I'm not really sure who does this sort of thing. Terry.

I have been discussing with my daughter about how long I can justify keeping my boat. Sensible girl asked me if I can afford it, answer yes at present, 2nd question, how long do you think you're going to live for? Decision made! Of course, add to that she's now taking an increased interest. Terry.

What reason did they give for moving you on? Terry.

Quite happy to join in, date dependent. Terry.

We can only hope that this doesn't take as long as everything else being considered by the Government. Terry.

Quoted from another post: Before I ask a non club member, would anyone like a ride and take part in the comp. Send me a pm if interested. Terry.

Before I ask a non club member, would anyone like a ride and take part in the comp. Send me a pm if interested. Terry.