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Nice one, Kam. I haven't had the courage to try yet but will most certainly do so with the very next one I catch. Terry

I could fancy a day without too much persuasion. Either crew or see if I can get someone to come with me. Let me know, Adam. Terry.

What a great day, I think I'll have to join you next time. Terry.

Great piccies that give a true record of the day. I look forward to receiving my copies from Brian. Terry

A good day in anyones book. Well done chaps!. I could get used to this type of fishing. Terry

............or were they? Terry

Have a good day, Martin. What will you be targetting. It is great being able to target particular fish rather that having to chuck it and chance it. Tight lines! Rich, I hadn't realised the fisheries people targetted the sport fishermen, I was actually very impressed and reassured that they did. I have no problems with that at all. Wreck fishing has changed somewhat since the early 70's. There's more finesse now, it's more angling than fishing, if you know what I mean. Terry B.

Apologies, cock-up on the communications front. Capt. Tom will be Tom Vendo who developed, produces and markets the KeepAlive system. He is based in Tarpon Springs, Florida, where the water is somewhat warmer than ours. Any facts you need about bait tanks, he's your man. I had intended introducing him but was out yesterday and missed the slot. Terry B.

Forgot to mention that on the way in, we were stopped by the Fisheries Protection RIB and the guy came on board and checked our catch for size and asked what we were going to do with all that fish. Terry B.

Sorry about the spelling of Abbie, it was a 50/50 chance. Terry.

The only good thing that can usually be said about Friday is that the evening sees the start of the weekend. Not this Friday! Tom Bettle generously invited myself, Simon (britboard) and a recent Canadian immigrant, Brian, to a day wrecking in the middle of the channel off Weymouth. But the hospitality started the evening before because Tom invited myself and Simon to spend the night at his flat in Poole with his delightful significant other, Abi. The evening started late as Tom got carried away mid-channel with his Thursday crew and didn't get back until around 21.00, which indiscretion I thought Abi took incredibly well. Of course, we then had to open a bottle or two and try to outdo each other with our tales of derring-do and past triumphs. Funny, nothing ever changes! Bedtime came at far too late o'clock. Morning, on the other hand, came far too early. Having cocked up the alarm on my phone, I was awakened by Tom banging on the bedroom door at half past ridiculous. Simon had been exiled to sleeping on the settee as he foolishly admitted to being a fairly heavy snorer. I can verify this even with a brick wall between us! After a quick cuppa, we made our way, via britboard transport, to collect Brian, who looked decidedly shell shocked at being up as the blushing youthful day made it's way over the chain ferry. Next stop Wemouth, egg and bacon rolls, coffee and a loo, in that order. Boarding the boat was only slightly delayed as Tom had left his keys for accessing the security gate at the moorings and the boat - on the boat. A quick call at the Weymouth Angling Centre for last minute purchases and we were off through the harbour to an open sea, which was the most benign I have seen it this year at Weymouth. Those who have been with me on my plaice trips will be able to attest to this. After a very enjoyable cruise on Toms excellent and well appointed craft, we arrived at our first waypoint, the wreck lying some 185 feet below us. Now, I haven't wreck fished since the early '70's, Simon never nor Brian.Tutor Tom soon put us all right in the mysteries of shad fishing and soon some smallish pollock were coming over the side. Not good enough for the skipper so a change of venue and start again. This was a different story as bigger pollock started coming up, the biggest going, I would have thought, about 11lb. Then things went dull for a while, then one or two more pollock, a ling for me (a first and obviously a PB at around 8lb) and then the cod took over. Much excitement with fish all around the 6 - 8lb mark until Simon went and spoiled things with one of fifteen and a half pounds. Nobody was particularly bothered apart from calling him a jammy git and going green with envy. He also fluked out the biggest pollock, but he didn't catch a ling! Tom and Brian, meanwhile were consistently adding to the catch with good specimens which made up the total for the day of about 32 pollock, 6 cod, a ling and numerous goggle eyed pout. We will be eating fish and chips for weeks to come! From all the happy crew, can I say a heartfelt than-you to Tom for a real quality day and warm hospitality and, yes, can we please come again! Now, back to shallower waters and resume the hunt for the elusive (for some) I.O.W bass. Terry B.

Hoorah, Gives you a little faith that when the laws are made, they are actually upheld occassionally. I wonder if the same happens the other side of the channel as this is a community law? Terry B.

That's similar to the publican who had a 1ft piano player on his bar playing hits from the movies all day long. He should have been more careful about his diction when making his wish. Terry B.

As a slight variation, do everything as far as the soy sauce and substitute a splash of Thai fish sauce on each fillet and a glug of dry sherry. Equally delish. Terry B.

Is there a precedent that the bigger boats generally win these competitions? I think I like Martins idea so everyone gets something, sometime. Terry B.

Tom, instead of improving the outlet, how about restricting the inlet slightly with an adjustable clamp? You should be able to get it spot on then. Terry B.

Ah, yes, but he understood the optimism of anglers. While we are catching numerous doggies, we always have Great Expectations. Terry B.

For those that are interested in these things, it has been organised that the supremo of KeepAlive, the Florida based company that manufactures and markets the system, is going to contribute to the forum. He is very hands-on and a practical angler to boot and is very involved with the catch and release tournament scene in the U.S.A. In their system, the fish are kept alive in tanks, weighed in and then released. Keepalive tanks are the adopted system used. I will, hopefully be communicating with him very shortly and you can then direct your questions and misgivings to the horses mouth, as it were. Terry B.

I think you need to find a safer hobby. If I was your Mum, I'd be very worried about you! But, a good day's fishing. Terry B.

That's not the r.r.p., Kam. The r.r.p. is

Although, in my case, this is not the reason today - I got let down with crew at the last minute, I think you may have something there, Adam. For those of us who travel, not many but keen as mustard, we need to weigh the travel time and expense of our day against the expected catch. If, as is the case at present, there is the possibility of a good day on bass, I am sure quite a few would forego the competition for a concentrated day targetting this, or other, species. Anyway, as you say, a topic for consideration at some later stage. Terry B.

For anyone interested, here is the scientific bit on the manufacturers site. It shows the theory (most of which has been covered by our resident experts) and how to set up an aeration system properly. Keep-alive aeration advice Terry B.

I also use Fladen solid 'c' 12-20 rods paired with either Abu 6000 or 6500LD, which are a delight. I personally think the Abu 7000 would be a slight overkill for use with a 12lb outfit. I have 3 Abu 6000, none of which did I pay more than

All cabling and pipework is routed through conduits; no nasty little corners for them to hide in! But thanx for the tip, Rich. Terry B.

Or your system works the same way the French one does, i.e., ignore it! Terry B.