plaicemat

Rats, I didn't realise they were edible and that one was a grut bigun. The next one won't get away. Does one just boil them the same as the edibles?

O/k, where was everybody on Sunday. I was out on the water at 07.15 and seemed to have the bay to myself. I kept giving shouts on the radio and answer came there none. Eventually I managed to contact two other boats and went and joined Pal-o-Mine for a brief sorty at Ballard but, like the rest of the day, all to no avail. Virtually everybody I spoke to had blanked with not even mackerel making an appearance. On my fishfinder, the larder seemed bare. I desperation, I returned to the castle to ambush that big ol' bad bass again but the only thing at home was the biggest spider crab you have every seen. If anybody was out there and I missed them, I don't want to know that you had a bag full as this would demoralise me completely. If you were somewhere else, that's o/k. Congrats to the winners. I will be back!

In which case, I shall be competing. See you all afloat.

Can I still enter even though my crew won't be a club member? Terry

Although I can't fish for the 48hrs comp, I will be out on the water on Sunday so hope to see some of you out on the pond.Good luck to those who are competing

2 x sandeels and 3 x shads please.

Another useful little mod on stingray are 22mm plastic pipe brackets screwed to the strengthening ribs in the hull sides to carry 4 or 5 rigged rods horizontally in transit. On the opposite side are 15mm fittings for a mop and the rods that support the canopy.

Thanks for all the kind plaudits. Answering the questions; Sam, Pete said he would have liked a picture as I slid the fish back into the water, and the camera was just behind me. I had to restrain him from going in after it! Alan, we live in Carterton and I work in Witney; we're neighbours. Charlie, do I need to contact you separately to register Pete's fish and note it is a PB for him? Martin, on our day out, I seem to remember you saying that bass fishing in the harbour was verboten and any caught had to be returned. If I'm wrong, don't for the Lords sake tell Pete! Although he did have the grace to agree with me afterwards.

Well, I couldn't contain myself any longer and, as I can't get down tomorrow for the match (wife returning from Rome) I decided to travel down today to try the new Warrior, 'Stingray'. Despite a cruddy met, the day surpassed all expectations and a good time was had by all (well, Pete and myself) We had a good launch from Baiter, I remembered to put the plug in, and we decided to put our nose outside the harbour to see how the new acquisition handled. I have to say, I'm not disappointed at all with the Warrior 165. In rough and uncomfortable seas, she handled extremely well and we didn't have a moments disquiet. Made our way towards Bournemouth and hit straight into the mackerel. As we didn't think we would be playing outside for long, we made hay and took a few for eating and some more for freezing for bait and then headed back to the harbour. Drifted in front of the castle and took a few wrasse and assorted bits and bobs. Then tied up to a bouy to have a belated lunch. Pete decided to put out my big rod (running ledger, 6-0 hook) with a whole mackerel for bait which had had an couple of fillets removed. Had no idea what to expect, possibly a conger. When the rod slammed over, something on the end was not happy. Unlike Peter when I netted a bass of 10lb 3oz for him, a PB. We unhooked and weighed it in the net, and returned it to the water relatively unharmed. After a near perfect recovery at Baiter, we drove home to Oxfordshire feeling very pleased with ourselves. Roll on some decent weather. Good luck to everyone tomorrow; with the met report, I think you may need it.

Go to this site, follow the instruction and tell me who it reminds you of! Monitor webcam

Paul, Stingray is a Warrior 165 (and waiting till Staurday for it's sea trial)

A biker stops by the local Harley Shop to have his bike fixed. They couldn't do it while he waited, so he said he didn't live far and would just walk home. On the way home he stopped at the hardware store and bought a bucket and an anvil. He stopped by the feed store/livestock dealer and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose. However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem: how to carry all of his purchases home. While he was scratching his head, he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, "Can you tell me how to get to 1603 Mockingbird Lane?" The biker said, "Well, as a matter of fact, I live at 1616 Mockingbird Lane. I would walk you home but I can't carry this lot" The old lady suggested, "Why don't you put the anvil in the bucket, carry the bucket in one hand, put a chicken under each arm and carry the goose in your other hand?" "Why thank you very much," he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home. On the way he says "Let's take my short cut and go down this alley. We'll be there in no time." The little old lady looked him over cautiously then said, "I am a lonely widow without a husband to defend me. How do I know that when we get in the alley you won't hold me up against the wall, pull up my skirt, and ravish me?" The biker said, "Holy smokes lady! I am carrying a bucket, an anvil, two chickens, and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?" The lady replied, "Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the anvil on top of the bucket, and I'll hold the chickens.

For some reason, that last one did not recognise me. As I said, I am hoping Stingray will be there but I think it would be inappropriate to buddy anyone with me. In fact, I could do with a buddy myself!!! Terry B.

Details noted. Ta!

I just know I'm going to be told details are somewhere I haven't looked, but, can I have details of the Burnham match, which is next Sunday. I don't think I'm going to have a crew but will see what I can do.

Thanx for the idea, Kam, but the boat is worth more than the caravan and more dear to my heart. I prefer to see it in the drive when not on the water. Also, other members of the family and friends may want to use the caravan.

Thanx, mate.

I notice the Burnham match on the 29th is not on the calendar. I assume it's still on?

That sounds about right, Bob, many thanx. You don't have a 'phone number by any chance?

Just as a little tag to this subject. Does anybody know a small caravan site where I could leave a caravan and pay a storage fee and site fees when the caravan is used? Not a holiday site with shops, restaurants, etc., just something small. It would help us to fish more often and for whole weekends. Dilys is thrilled at the idea!!!

I was still going to take them, Adam, as I'd given my word (old fashioned standards) However, if somebody can use one or both, that's fine too. I hope to be down this weekend with the new boat so will try and catch up with you then.

That's not a bad idea Kam, thanks for the thought. Those of you who fished against Burnham, did you come across Ray Barker, a more mature angler? And.........I'm feeling really important. I've just noticed that I've become a dogfish specialist. There's progress!

Unfortunately not. However, there's not much deck space for fishing on that one! Great for pulling the birds, though.

However...........I have just noticed that others seem to have the same name on the side of their boat; is this a model name? How embarrasing!!!!!! In that case, I will think of something appropriate eventually.

Embarrasingly enough, Stingray. That may have to go. Or is it still bad luck to change the name of a boat?