plaicemat

Hell of a way to go from Barbados to Plymouth for a day's fishing, no matter how good. Terry B.

I bought a load of pop-ups recently on ebay for peanuts. Excellent for bassing in the harbour to escape the pesky bait pinchers. Terry B.

I'll bet that was rough coming round by Old Harry wasn't it, Dave?

Mike, gurnard are a delicious fish, much favoured by our continental cousins. In some areas, they are known as the chicken of the sea. Unfortunate thing is, as Fred says, you don't get a lot per fish. Bloody great head and mouth tapering off rapidly to the tail. In the Med they even eat the smaller ones and serve them whole. Terry B.

Have a great time, Gordon and give my regards to Fla. I've been going there for the last 45 years since my sister moved there. Great place for a holiday, fishing and hunting, wouldn't want to live there, though. Terry B.

Right, operation brownie points! Where did I hide those paint brushes? Terry B.

Abject apologies all round. I wasn't being tetchy, just a little frustrated at having YET ANOTHER eagerly anticipated trip snatched away at the last minute. Surely to God things have got to improve!. I don't even mind getting a little damp occassionally for the benefit of the drought. Global warming seems to just mean wind, and lots of it. I've got a week fishing in Denmark with my Danish friends in July; I hope things calm down for that as I'm travelling over on the bike. Terry B.

Don't be pedantic!. With Met Check giving 3MPH, I was only saying that there appears to be little consistency when the going gets tough. Whatever, it looks cr@p and a good time for catching up on admin. Or perhaps I'm just getting older and softer. Terry B.

Right, move over, Terry's coming through!. No longer a humble cod man, I'm now a Shark Chaser. Funny thing, though, all the time I was a Cod Catcher, I didn't. Will I be more successful with my new found status? Watch this space. Terry B.

Accuweather is giving 35kph. That's what I like - consistency. Perm any one from four, divide by a bucket of sea water and it will still be wrong. I feel a lazy day coming on! Terry B.

Obviously as a cosy for the fishfinder. Terry B.

I've been looking forward to this match. Shame the blasted met is'nt as enthusiastic! At the moment it looks to be a bit bumpy; hopefully things will change for the better. Terry B.

I bought a little 1 gal plastic 'dustbin' with a lid, the sort used as waste paper bins. I 3/4 fill this, add 2oz Salt-x and soak everything in it. For a hand spray bottle, I add 1/2oz salt-ex and top up with water and spray the rod fittings, rings, etc., and any parts of the boat which may be susceptible, e.g. stainless fittings, trim tabs, engine and hydraulic kit, etc. If you don't wash it off, it leaves a film which gives a degree of protection next time out. After a successful day, after washing down the inside of the boat, I also spray the deck with Phew-x which keeps down the niff of a boat interior under a cover and hot sun. Hope this helps. Terry B.

Update on my last entry. Stingray will be there with my secret weapon, Alun J. on board. Hoorah! Terry B.

Stingray will be there provided I can get crew. After yesterdays efforts, I think I will also enter the bream comp! Terry B.

Looks like being busy, I'm out as well. Terry B.

O/k, simple job. The thermostat is on the left hand (facing front) top of the cylinder block under a black cover with 3 bolts holding it. Pop it out and put it in a pan of water, bring to the boil and see if it opens. If not, it is kna**ered. If it does open, remove from hot water and see how long it takes to close. To replace it, you will also need the thermostat housing gasket as well. Both items can be obtained from Redline Outboards, Abingdon. Give them a call and ask for Mike. Terry B.

Even so, I don't think the slipways themselves and the parking has changed all that much. Terry B.

Harry, I have a manual for that engine, it being the same as mine. I'm not a million miles away from you and you're welcome to borrow it if you so desire. Terry B.

Just been looking at Google Earth and most of the slipways we use are given in great detail, e.g., Baiter, Christchurch, Mudiford, Cobbs. The launching and parking areas are clearly shown and the route to them. Additionally, the navigation channels are plainly visible. This could be quite a useful tool for describing these features to newcomers. Terry B.

I assume those are it's breeding colours! Terry B.

Or try here on ebay Navionics charts Terry B.

Gordon, like you, I predominantly use barbless hooks and don't have a problem with lost fish. I picked up the habit after fishing in Canada where it is a requirement. For worm baits, I use VMC vanadium red worm hooks from UK-Hooks. They have baitholder barbs on the shank of the hook; as a bonus, they also seem to lip hook like circles, without the difficulty of baiting. As far as I know, they are not obtainable as barbless but it is no chore to do it oneself. Barbless also make it a lot easier to recover ones hook from those pesky doggies. Terry B.

Hi, Paul. I've a feeling I may be looking for crew this summer as my friend Pete has been grasped by the caravan bug. You're welcome anytime. Give me a shout when you're free. Terry B.

Thanx, Paul, that's fixed it. Terry