plaicemat

A note from one amateur to another, Jack. Last winter I tried groundbaiting for the first time and was amazed at the number of whiting brought up with groundbait in their mouths. It impressed me, and this was just thrown in, albeit in fairly shallow water. Terry.B.

You're in luck, Martin (or otherwise). Stingray has a cb but I haven't used it as I thought nobody else had one. It came with the boat from Burnham; I think they use them for comms. I'll give you a shout next time. It would be a useful addition for anybody else as it would give a lot more freedom and a lot more channels available. Terry B.

Thanx for all this good stuff. I think I'll try and catch up with you on this as it is difficult to visualise details via this medium. I think I may still have your number so will contact you when I'm in your area next.

I'm assuming its a shrimp hokkai style type thingy....rig. Also intrigued to know which channel and inside or outside of harbour. Terry B.

Let me know if you hear anything about it. Just got back from a quick afternoon trout foray so have 4 nice rainbows around the 4 to 5lb mark which would have made very nice smoked fillets!.

Here's another one that I think I may go for Smoker here

Thanx for all those unexpected good wishes. They mean more coming from people who don't have to do it! The only thing I'm not going to get is to go fishing! Why do families always think the thing you would like best is a celebration meal, in a good restaurant, that you'll end up paying for, so they can have a good time? I say I'd rather go fishing and I'm accused of being selfish! Weather permitting, I'm damn well going next week.

I have for sale a 17 pitch prop which has come off my Mariner 60hp big foot. It received slight periferal damage to the blades coming over Mudiford bar; it would still have been ok but I have had it repaired by prop. revolutions in Poole. I have now changed over to a new system so this one will be surplus to requirements. I would like

Now I can see where you're going wrong. You actually have to launch the boat and leave the land to go sea fishing! Go get 'em!

Yes, but what he doesn't say is that he is acting as steward for the real first class passengers.

Alun is being generous when he says we shared 7 fish; actually, he caught six and I had one. He also had the flounder, a nice fish about 2lbs. I did also have a couple of smaller ones that went straight back. I also believe, and I'm sure Alun will back me on this, that I had the lions share of the crabs! This was a new style of fishing for me and I learnt a lot. Next time my contribution will hopefully be more equal. Be assued that by then I will have appropriate gear for the job. I came down with heavier kit for a day on the ocean blue. That's the trouble with travelling, I can't bring everything.

Kam, the toxin comes from the resin present in softwoods. Not only puke making but also carcinergenic (cancer causing). Definitely a BAD THING!

You're not wrong about the pot noodles but so much better when you take along sun dried tomatoes and peperami to slice up into it to make a more balanced snack. And if you want a pud to fur your teeth up, how about Mars bar melted into a hot chocolate drink. That comes courtesy of Oxfordshire Duke of Edinburgh's Award kids. They really will eat anything if they're hungry enough!

Spag Bog, excellent choice; bags of carb for immediate enegy, i.e., warmth and protein from the bog sauce for longer lasting sustenance. Top up with tinned treacle sponge and you've cracked it. Sod weight watchers. Not so sure about the lashings of hot sea, though. I realise it's cheap but there must be limits to even your parsimony, Adam.

We always advocated natural fibres in the mountains years ago but the development of efficient thermal base layers has virtually rendered them redundant. We also used to wear tights as a lower body base layer and these were incredibly efficient. Not sure which denier. In the winter mountains, my usual is Helly Hansen base layers which are totally efficient and non constricting. On top of this, I wear Buffalo gear which is Pertex breathable outer and a fleecy inner. Nothing else needed down to about minus 20. The main difference, of course, is that one is normally on the move, which helps to keep the vital juices flowing to the outer limits. This is not an option on a small boat, unless someone can come up with some calisthenic exercises whilst tackling a large cod (I should be so lucky). Rich is quite correct when he says that if you are feeling cold, the first move should be to don a warm hat. The secret is not trying to generate heat within the body, this can only be done through food, but to preserve what you have got. This is why those awful silver thermal blankets are only of use to stop the loss of body heat. Put them on somebody who is already cold and they will stay that way! Sorry to go on, but this subject is one of my special interests when training mountain leaders. When working out your warmth producing tactics for the day's fishing, don't forget your choice of food; this is what produces the inner warmth. But that's another topic.

So, the answer is, forget the flotation suit and get a bigger boat with a fully fitted cabin and central heating. Would a jakuzzi be over the top?

I have to say that I'm very pleased with my Imax outfit but am now tempted with the idea of warmth which includes flotation. Terry B.

O/k, all you rufty-tufty winter sea dogs. I hear tell of cod and cold weather coming and wonder what is the best option for clothing. Is it to be a survival suit or another warming option and a lifejacket for safety? Are survial suits really warm? what layers does one need underneath? Are they sweaty? Currently I have a warm winter outfit (Imax) but am wondering whether to go the survival suit direction for added security. Discuss!

Many thanx, Martin, just what I needed.

I have been trying to send a pm to the above but get no reply. Perhaps he doesn't use a computer much? I understand he has a guest house and would like to contact him in this respect. Anybody got a 'phone number they can pm or email me? Terry B.

Thanx a lot, Martin, you're a star. As a matter of interest, how much does a prop cost new and, is there any advantage to the soopa-doopa quicksilver jobs?

Last time out from Christchurch I caught the bar and graunched my prop. This is on a Mariner 60hp bigfoot. It's not terminal as it worked for the rest of the night, but looks horrible. Anybody got experience of this (I bet yes)? Is it a new prop or a repair? Whichever, who is the best contact?

Quite!

How the other half live! Terry B.

You've forgotten the important ingredient in the permutation..........cost! Or is it a question of if you have to ask, you can't afford it!