plaicemat

As opposed to 'shoot thru hull', which is when it is fixed to the inside of the hull and..........shoots thru it! Then the temp doesn't work.

As usual, you have all added to my knowledge pot and given me more to think about than my brain can probably handle in one bite. I think I need to decide how much use I'm going to get from the combination as I need the confidence to try these more distant marks. However, I think the ideal for me would be a slightly beefier rod than the fladen (Abu conolon?) and the TLD20 which I have found for about

Just to clarify, I also have a fladen 20-40lb rod with which I use the Abu BG7000NLG. This is what I use for rays and will use for other open water species. The 20-50lb rod is for wrecking for the larger, rough boys of the fish world where a certain amount of initial power is needed to get things moving. Being a sporting rod, I am lothe to overpower it with a monstrous reel. Thanx for all the advise so far. I am now working my way through the online catalogues decyphering the various codes and hyroglyphs and seeing what pictures they match! I'm easily confused.

Right then, I've got a Fladen maxximus 20-50 rod which I hope will be suitable for conger etc, but I'm sure you will tell me if you disagree. The question is, what reel to match with it for conger etc. I think I would like a lever drag as I've been most impressed with this feature on my BG7000NLG. Do Abu make a suitable one? Another that has been suggested is the Penn Senator 45GLS. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Sounds good. Actually we didn't come in untill 06.30. When you come as far as we do, you have to make the most of it. The 2 hour drive home was a killer, though.

Well, Pete and I arrived at Wick in time to launch and make it over the bar (just - only a minor scrape). We tried for some mackerel first off Hengitsbury but my private larder was empty. Do macky feed after dark? We then made a cautious way to Barton and got ourselves into position just off the beach. There were three other boats on station when we got there, all fishing from anchor. Is this normal or should we have been drifting? Mission was accomplished but not in spectacular fashion. The night was calm and warm, a real pleasure to be out, with darkness adding an interesting bit of spice to the venture. We each caught a sole; not large ones but quite acceptable from a culinary point of view! I also claim a personal best smallest speciman for a thornback that I thought was a sole at first! also there were bream, scad and pout. About 2.30ish, the wind got up from the east and everything seemed to go dead, at least where we were. At 4.30, we made a slightly nervous passage to xray, where the sea was decidedly lumpy, where we fished on till dawn. This added a few more pout and doggies to the list. A final stop at Hengitsbury for some fresh mackerel to take home for smoking and that was it. It seemed very strange to be pulling the boat out and going home, just as everybody else was arriving. We will be repeating the exercise in the very near future to hone our skills, weather and tides permitting. How long are the sole here for? Hope you all had a good day for the comp. I don't think your weather will be as good as ours was.

Thanx for that good advise, Adam. It is never wasted and always appreciated. I have fitted a spotlight to the top of the cabin for navigation, a flourescent camping lamp connected to the battery with crocodile clips which will suspend from the roof and a L.E.D. torch that clips to the peak of my cap. Very good thought about the Coastguard, I will definitely be doing that. I am looking at Milford on Sea and Barton on Sea as a venue. Anything I ought to know?

O/k, Pete and I are going to give this night fishing a try on Sat/Sun for the sole, launching from Wick. Where do we want to be, how far off shore and what rig? Any advise appreciated.

Kam, a sea trout is just a brown trout that has migrated to sea, like an American steelhead is a rainbow trout that has done the same. River brown trout are just lazy sea trout!

Thanx for that, Alun, but a bit late this time as I have already ordered. Maybe next time. Sorry this is a bit delayed but I've been partridge shooting and salmon fishing in Scotland this week. Paul D, if you want to go Alun's route, that's fine, I can have the 20-50 that's coming for you. Otherwise, it's coming direct to you.

I am just ordering some Fladen Maxximus solid C rods at

Came down bright and early Saturday morning for a day that promised light winds and calm to slight sea. Lying sods. I brought a new crew with me, a very old friend who wanted to try sea fishing and I had planned to go across to the Island and try for some of these bass that seem to have thrown caution to the winds recently. However, as we couldn't see the Island and it was a very lumpy sea that greeted us, a change of plan seemed appropriate. First stop, my little hole off Hengitsbury Head that never fails with the mackerel and then off to xray, which was also lumpy, where we met Paul D and his host skipper already fishing. We anchored nearby and, having put a couple of lines out, settled back with cups of tea waiting for the dogfish to strike our half mackerel fillets. withing 5 minutes, my rod bent over most satisfyingly and after a dogged tug of war, up came an 11lb thornback, a most emphatic PB for me. After that, there was a slow procession of doggies which were accompanied by regular groundbaiting by my crew. As he was looking decidedly green, I decided to draw stumps and headed back to Hegitbury, which was no great improvement for him so, when Paul turned up he suggested trying in the harbour and was kind enough to show us a couple of spots on the way in. However, the fish weren't playing and it was very dull so we hauled out and went home at about 3pm. A short day but, as always, very enjoyable and made worthwhile by the thorny, which went back to fight another day.

Doh!

Alun, I see you're back from your hols. How was the fishing in Canada; up to your expectations? You will notice that I have upheld my practice of picking the worst days for my trips.

Am going away on holiday Sunday so have been planning fishing Saturday for bass ex Christchurch for some while. However, with the forecast, chickened out and went to Poole instead - at least there is somewhere to run to! Mackerel tally - 2. Tried Ballard, Old Harry and various spots between there and Bournemouth with just a few pollock and bream to show. By that time, things had really got lumpy so made for Brownsea and drifted along the shoreline. Had good sport with wrasse which really went well with the biggest 2lb11oz, a PB for me. When the rain really got pissistant, we ran away, I'm afraid, and headed back to Baiter and home. Chiily, very wet but content with our day all the same. We'll be back for another go at the bass after the hols. Hope they are still around.

Thanx for that, Rich. The knowledge base increases apace. Just so I'm sure, who are the correct authorities for this sort of behaviour, the Coastguard?

I was really looking forward to this one having discussed it with Maverick. HOWEVER, it clashes with our trip to Cyprus. B*gger.

I assume you're delighted with the new purchase but that your wallet is a little lighter!

Thanx, Rich. Would have loved your company and advise. Next time, maybe.

There may be cheaper alternatives, but over many years of trying them on mountain gear, we have found the best to be the Nikwax wash in. It lasts longer and waterproofs the whole material, not just add a layer to the outside which breaks down after a while. At

Yes, I know it's a bit late, but I have been let down by crew for tomorrow. I am hoping to shadow Jimbob bassing and bottom fishing out of Xchurch, leaving around 09.30. Anyone interested?

James, I'm on hols this week and was thinking of coming down Thurs. I could do with a master class on bass. If you are agreeable, what time are you thinking of going out, low water at about 07.30, I believe at Xchurch.

As a matter of interest, where is the bridge?

O/k, just to follow up. My Fladden Maxximus Solid 'C' 20-40lb rod has just arrived via a very nice man at e-bay. Brand new