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I don't know about others, but I find Metcheck to be pretty random at times. Generally, I like this one uk fishing weather or this one fishing weather. They tend to be better. Mind, they can lull you into a false sense of security. Terry

Paul, just one small glitch seems to remain, I am no longer kept signed in to PBSBAC. Every time I close down the computer, I have to re-sign in. Never had this problem before and, yes, I do tick the box to stay logged in. Terry

Rich, I think you may find that it keeps telling you that it is in various files on your Temporary Internet Files. It will keep showing all of them until you 'o/k all of them. An alternative is to go to Control Panel, Internet Option, then delete your Cookies and Temp. Int. Files. This should speed up the process ( and unless you do this regularly, free up a load of memory). Terry B.

Hi, Grant. Launching from Wick (Christchurch) is easy and there is a car park on site which will cost you

My I.T. chap says it's quite an old trojan (2005) and if your virus scan is up to date, it should deal with it o/k. Just make sure you disconnect from the internet when you scan, then scan again to be sure before reconnecting. Terry B.

Bu**ers got me too. Help please. Terry B.

Well done, you were rewarded for your persistence. My son and I were not having a good time out there and our trip in was just about on the edge of safe for my boat. We did consider trying something farther in but my heart wasn't in it, being dulled by the disappointment of a full week's anticipation. We ran away home to an early bath. Waiting for the bream and bass to appear now before I venture out again. The salmon and trout will get my full attention for a while. To those to whom I am indebted, cheques are in the post! Thanks Martin for acquiring my bait. Unfortunately all but 2 were released to the wild. Terry B.

Just got back home after a very pleasant little 2 day sojourn at Chez Alan .J which included us having Thursday and Friday after the Spotties on the Shambles. Both were days of 2 halves. Thursday saw us heading out in chilly sunshine but with a kindly sea which raised the spirits and the confidence for the day ahead. We had Paul D. on Neo for company. However, by about 11.00, the wind had started to rise and the sea get lumpier. Drifting, until that time, had been perfect, 3/4 to 1 knot and using 2 - 3oz weights. But, by the afternoon, with wind assisting tide, things got a bit more difficult, even with a drag out and by 3pm, things had got decidedly uncomfortable in the force 5 -6 wind so it was decided to draw stumps. Finishing off with half a dozen drifts on the Hood, the nett result from which was 3 sets of feathers to the Hood, nil to us, we made our way back to Castletown slip. For those of you who don't know it, this is a good steepish slip, concrete onto very firm shingle, available any time of the tide and FREE. There is also free parking usually available. Leave the slip, turn right and there is the entrance in front of you, literally 3 minutes to the open sea. The day finished with Alun 4 to 1 up on me. Rats! Thursday evening saw me at my first PBSBAC meeting, the AGM no less. It was good to meet and greet the members, some of whom were already known to me, and some I met for the first time. After some frantic voting, we were left, reassuringly, with very little changed, committee wise. Hurrah, vive le staus quo. All this excitement and beer! Day two saw us, once again, launching from Castletown with a morning full of promise. This time we had Simon (britboard) for company being crewed by Paul. When we got out to the bank, there was quite a swell running which made things uncomfortable as the wind held us beam on to the waves but drifting at a perfect speed. Speaking personally, the day was blessed as I managed to make contact with the odd fish while Alun, most unusually, could not make capitalise on the bites he got. Again, the wind rose steadily to 5 - 6 until, by about 2.30, we had endured enough and ran for cover. A short drift outside the harbour entance produced the square root of bu**erall, so we returned to the slip and an early bath. Final tally? 3 - 0 to me, making the 2 days all square at 4 plaice each, which were all good fish that will add a bit of variety to our jaded palettes. Thanks to Alun and Deb for their hospitality, this is definitely a superior class of guesthouse. Also to Alun for showing me how to fish the Shambles. I would now be confident to tackle it on my own. Good luck to those trying the bank this weekend. You should note that our friends from Burnham on Sea are fishing a 2 day match there this weekend, I think launching at Castletown. we saw their vanguard out there today.

I think a bit more effort would have been appropriate, Rich. I was hoping to see that you'd caught a boatful. We will all be doing our best to keep up the good name of the club. Terry B.

Does the number start with 235. If not, it is probably not a valid MMSI number and someone has just entered a randon number to see what happens. Alternatively, they have entered the number thinking it is correct, confirmed it, and discovered an error and couldn't be ar*ed to return it. Unfortunately, once confirmed on the radio, it cannot be changed without returning to the supplier/manufacturer. If it is a MMSI number, then your recourse, I believe, will be to OFCOM. Terry B.

O/k. Trim Tabs are fitted. All I need now is somewhere to go and play to see the results. Tuesday's looking promising. Anyone coming out to play? Terry B.

I could be up for Mon or Tues if it looks reasonable. Terry B.

I find my 'Bulldog' is fairly straightforward, provided you keep it well lubricated. It is also, apparently, one of the few recognised by the insurance community. They are not the cheapest but they work and, when you consider the value of your outfit, is

I don't know if it's wishful thinking but Monday and Tuesday are starting to look good. Any comments from those who know Weymouth. Terry B.

Gad, I hadn't realised he was the Mr. Big of the South Coast. What's he into, fish snatching?

Bob, if you go to Nauticus SmartTabs website, they have some videos that explain things quite well. Terry B.

I was very pleased to see your contribution, Jack. You've been very quiet recently, I thought the constabulary had caught up with you! Terry B.

And there was me thinking that sort or unbelievable stuff only happened to me! My faith in human nature is restored. Sometime I'll admit to my escapade at Baiter. My pride is getting a little less fragile and the phone is still working! Terry B.

The most important factor regarding launching at Wick is the tide time at the Mudeford entrance. The sand bar is fairly critical and seems to have shallowed off during the winter; 3 of us had problems on the same day earlier in the year. Being very cautious, I like to allow 2 hours before low water to be clear of the bar so you have to remember you have about 15-20 mins from Wick to the entrance. Launching from Wick is not too much problem but recovery, if you leave it too late can be difficult without a 4x4. There is a drop-off from the slip which your trailer will go over within about 1 hour of low water. Depending on the size of your boat, it takes quite a lot of power and traction to pull a laden trailer over this. I expect others will give differing opinions depending on their skill/bravery but I find this works for me. Terry B.

That's a whole new can of worms, Mike. I don't think my memory is that much behind yours and I remember my parents having far more leisure time, without the advantage of all the 'labour saving' devices we have now. My Father used to go to work at 8.00am, was home soon after 5.00pm because people didn't travel so far for work, and had every weekend to himself. We used to regularly cycle down to Weybourne beach in Norfolk in the evening to catch a few dabs. In recent years, I have considered myself lucky if I have had an hours break between dinner and bed so as to be up at the crack of sparrows to do it all again. However, that is now all over and, by God, I'm going to make the most of it! The 'Gone Fishin' sign will be on my door far more often. Terry B.

Dave, if you go onto the Nauticus Trim Tabs site, you will find a chart that gives the appropriate sizes. These differ from the ones on the ebay site and, probably like Adam, I chose the one from the 'horses mouth'. Nauticus Trim Tabs Chart. Terry B.

Thanx for that, Adam. Mine are now ordered and I await delivery. Easy to fit? Terry B.

Surely if this continues unopposed, there is going to be no period of darkness when we can fish for sole. I don't think I'm ready for this. Terry B.

Adam, what size did you get? Terry B.

Unfortunately, Tom, being in Oxfordshire, we don't have too many sea fishing tackle shops so I tend to rely on mail order. The shops down there are not usually open when I arrive to go fishing, and are closed when I've finished. My last lot of fantastic flattie hooks, which I'd had for about 20 years (I buy in bulk), have all but gone. Gold, fine wire Aberdeens. On my home ground in North Norfolk, we find them perfect for dabs and sole. In 1/0 they are great for plaice, my favourite fun fish.