Hi all,
well it seems that all of this (0630 1 may 04 Hook of Holland).

and this is coming to an end

field testing fishtec shads


They are selling the boat so my crewing days look as if they are over from June. Its a real shame as Albert and I have developed a good working relationship. I will miss a lot of the clients and hope I have been able to help them in some small way.

Yesterday is a good example of how things can go.
One of the anglers from a previous trip had asked me what sort of rod he should buy as he was using a broom handle with heavy nylon so was not getting down to the fish. He followed my advice and turned up yesterday very proud of his new rod and braided line. I gave him one of my leadheads and a shad to try and showed him how to use it. The result was a nice haul of Cod. He said some thing like "I was scared stiff, I could feel every twitch, pull and thump, I have never experienced anything like it before in sea fishing". He was dead chuffed and to tell the truth I felt priety good as well :cool:

One door closes, I just hope another opens



Alan

[ 02. May 2004, 11:16 AM: Message edited by: Alan Taylor ]

You will still have the memories al,but,yes it is sad.
The guy you helped,wont forget you in a hurry.

youve fed that fish too much jam
and i didnt know the dutch had intercontinental ballistic missiles

[ 02. May 2004, 02:43 PM: Message edited by: chesters1 ]

Hi Alan

Why not buy the boat and do it yourself? I have no doubt that the Dutch anglers would appreciate the continuity. Strawberry jam sandwiches - really those cod will eat just about anything

Tight lines

Hiya,

Kieran has a point Alan, why not go back into it yourself???

I'm sure I seen someone advertising Kayak's some where..

Seriously .. why not give it a go??????

I am very sure that the anglers would appreciate it but he wants €100,000 for it and it is not worth it. Both engines are 1,500 hours over the top so need re-fitting plus a few other problems.
Add to this the insurance, life raft, mooring fees, oil, fuel, bad weather, etc and it all mounts up.

As for the blood on the fish, well after knocking it on the head I then bleed them and if time allows gut them strait away, that way they stay better longer and keep there colour, Albert was getting the camera while I was messing about with the fish. I fillet and wash them in salt water and freeze them as soon as I get home for a minium of 24 hours, oh and my fish are covered in freezer blocks on the boat while on the boat and in a box on the way home Any time you are in Holland I will give you a fish supper that your Mum would die for Just ask Norrie, he has had some of my frozen Cod fillets

Enjoy your catch and look after it

Alan

Alan

Alan I notice that you use fixed spool reels on a lot of the rods - do you find them better/easier to use than multipliers from the boat? - just curious

In the morning mate as it is a long subject.
Bit like the van at the moment, posto'n knackered


Alan

Fixed spool reels. This can be quite a lengthy topic, most Dutch anglers are only occasional anglers, say 6 times a year on the boat and have never been taught how to use a mulitiplier so they opt for the easiest option.
Albert and I have fished alongside each other for a year now, he uses a FS and I use a multi, the score is about even on the Cod scene. Bass is another matter, they use very light pirks and very thin braid, this gets the light pirk down to the wreck where as my multi is just a waste of time. I hate to admit it but I am looking for a FS that will do both Cod and Bass fishing, that is some admission coming from a dedicated multiplier user
Not a very good reply Kenny as I am torn between the two and hate to admit that the FS is better for light pirks/lead heads

Cheers for now.

Alan

sorry to hear that, but...

one door closes, another one opens Alan.
I just had to sell my boat after just buying her, I took a year to rebuild/engine/wire her. then got scammed on the net when I sold her old engine, I only lost about £4000 but it was enough to break the bank, I never got a real chance to use her before I had to sell up.
but while I am gutted, I'm still alive and know that another door will open for me and you soon.
chin up Alan.