Andrew Boyd

I'll send you a PM. I don't report my Medway catches as commercials read this and other forums for info, then move in and wipe the stock out. Gillingham pier is an example, lots of large Mullet, all netting out by gill netters overnight ( yep in the early hours ).

Merry Christmas to you all where ever in the world. The Turkey's almost ready, the pots are in the Goose fat . . lovely. Spare a thought to all those working today, the doctors, nurses etc. . . thank you guys.

Thanks Leon, Budgie. Leon next meet Thurs 7th.

If adding insulation to the floor of your loft . . don't forget additional protection to pipes and tank. You can't have too much !! On Jan 4th 13 years ago we came hope and found it raining . . .. . . . . indoors!!

Thanks guys your comments are helpful. I'll investigate the used Leeds option as well as the Okuma Sheffield. I'm one of those anal guys who spends almost as long cleaning and caring from my gear as I do fishing. I'm now in the fortunate position of owning masses on angling equipt ( about 30 rods and 20 reels ) but care for them religiously . . for the majority of my life I was broke . .makes you look after things when things change.

Hi I know this topic has been bashed to death before . . . I'm hoping to get some cash for Christmas, if I do I'm looking to get a Centrepin. Budget (hopefully) £100 to £150 and would prefer new. I'm looking at . . Okuma Trent ( £99 ), Anglers net centrepin (£140 ), Youngs Aerodex y2900 (£150). I prefer new rather than used and from my research belive I will be better with a wide rather than narrow spool. Use, for Mullet fishing at short range, max casting distance 20 feet ( I'll practice my wallis once I have the reel ). So mainly salt water, I have no issues with this as I have Shimano reels I have used for 6 years or more in the sea with no problems ( I wash my rods and reels after each trip ). Line 6 to 8lb. I have no knowledge of either of the above, the Youngs get some good and bad reviews ( hence thinking of the Okuma ). All I know of the Anglers net model is that Leon has one and has a friend that sold his (?) which raises a question mark, also not so keen on having to use a screwdriver to remove the spool. Yes I would like a 'HBE Singularis' but it's a bit out of my range.

Hey guys . . what's a picture of my wife doing on this site ?

Elton Go for local . . they will know the area, if a license is required, lighting etc ( unless you have somewhere for it off road ). A national company will only subcontract and the subcontractor won't be as helpfull as someone on your door step.

Any vessel has to take care plus extra security off the horn of Africa. But a yacht !!!!!!!!!!!!! They were plain dumb sailing though those waters in the first place. . . asking for trouble . . and they got it.

I have to agee with Phil . . the prices are just crazy. How to make money ( they all do it ) take a car that should sell for 10K to 14K, bolt on a few bits spending say 3 to 5K and watch the cash roll in.

Had a Chub of about 1lb take a plug a couple of weeks back. So there I am standing on a steep slippery bank, lifted out the Chub and went to remove the treble when it shook it's head. Holding still hooked fish in left hand and treble sticking in right hand had me wondering what to do. Thankfully Chub remained still, in the end I managed to get my teeth onto the hook and threw by right hand downwards, out popped the hook. Chub swam off strongly with a huge grin. I normally shut the barbs on my plugs . . teach me for using one I'd missed.

Sean is a gret guy, make me look like a flimsy git when standing next to him . . but then I am a flimsy git !

To catch a Bass go Mullet fishing, this year around 14 Mullet days fishing = 2 Mullet and 6 Bass ! All on bread.

John Give them a spray 'now', they will soon become a problem. I use the same thing Tescos / Homebase wasp type sprays . . waiting until dark with all the beasties are inside, make sue you note exactly where the entrence is (I make a chalk mark if your having to spray from the outside ). Take and deep breath and fire away. Has worked every time, even sorted out a couple of nests for friends.

Guys After several years visiting Weymouth Marina I looking for a change of venue for next years trip. I know that Mullet ( Thick Lips ) are found in the new Cardiff freshwater bay, but are they there in any numbers and with such a huge expanse of water are they worth fishing for? I will be thankfull for comments or assistance. Or, anyone has any suggestions for a destination within a 4 hours drive from London. Myself and a couple of Mullet angling mates take a 4 days trip each year. This year resulted in three Thick Lips ( 2 1/2, 4lbs and 5lbs ) with a couple ( OK three ) larger fish slipping the hook.

1) "Stacking-Henry" they put that building up quick! 2) "BOLLARDS"

Hi Bromley I had an ABU ( 503 I think ) for 33 years and updated it a few months or so ago, I ordered the Daiwa but it did not work, thankfully the supplier were very good about it and allowed me to change to the ABU. The reason, apart from the Daiwa not working, was there were to many flimsy plastic parts. The ABU's built to last and I expect to have it for the next 20+ years. There a few on Ebay etc, but be careful, if see plenty of gear selling at near new when the P & P is added !!

I worked for Modern Arms in Bromley in the 70's. During my time there I bought myself a pair of 9' Glassfibre grey Swimfeeder rods. One broke when a landlord shut it in the shed door years ago, the other was borrowed never to return. I'm searching for another, they came in 9' or 9' 6" either in a dull red or Grey blank plus full cork handle. I think I paid about £8.00 each ( I was earning £18 per week at the time ). Does anyone out there have one tucked away they want to sell? The blank and handle must be in good condition, I'm not worried about the rings as I would re-whip.

Good to see you all, by next mouth the days will be drawing out somewhat, next meeing on the 2nd will see a sunset time of 7.36pm.

Your quite right target the harder fish and blanking can be a fact of life. I fish the summer mainly for Medway Mullet, last year it was working out 50 hours per fish, but then conditions were not ideal. If I could chose the days I would not have gone, but only having weekends it was a case of going, or not. You don't have a chance if you don't make the effort. A good (?) blank can still be a learning experence. The sun may have been shining with a slight breeze at home, but drive 40 mins to Chatham I'd be met by a storm force wind! Almost the same can be said of Medway Barbel. A mate of mine fishes for Carp at a Kent water that must remain nameless, it has hundreds of excellent Carp, many of which have never been caught, purfect mouths, wonderfull fish, mostly large Commons to over 40lbs. He spent several years blanking until he broke his duck last October and took 5 in the space of a couple of months. Many would say he's mad but the challenge of the place and the quality of the fish make it intresting. If is was to easy we would not bother. Which is why my friends and I have not fished a particular club water for several years . . 20 or 30 Carp in an afternoon floater fishing. . . .Whats the point!

Hi Guys I'll be there about 8'ish, I'm not sure if Christian is coming, I have emailed him but no reply. Bit early for lip marks, but you never know, I had my first of the year in March a couple of years ago. Given the very cold conditions a couple of weeks ago it could take a bit longer until they return. Remember they are experencing the sea temp and won't know the estuary temp until they arrive! That being said, the water over the mud flats can heat up over a few days if you get low tides at midday to early afternoon coupled with strong sun shine. It only takes a frost or two coupled with lowtides during the early hours to undo all the good work! See you this evening. PS: Has Leon told you what a jammy sod he is ( National Mullet Club AGM raffle !!! )

Hi Hipint Try Sportsfish's website ( used to be Farlows ) expensive but may give you some ideas. At the very least you could give them a call for some advice.

I heard the interview. Some thoughts sprung to mind . . Tectonic movement cannot be to blame, has the Atlantic's width increased by just a few cm's too much over the last few years, I don't think so. Mention was made of the effects of weirs preventing the Elvers moving upstream each spring, yet there were far more weirs in past years than there are today, so more nonsense. I have heard that a bug from the far east was affecting the swim bladders of Sagasso bound Eels preventing their migration. But this theory seems to have sunk ( sorry about the pun ). The destination of the Eel is still unknown, young Eel fry ( oblong, clear, flatish ) are found in the Sagasso, but the actual area where the Eels meet and mate is yet to be found! Where do Australian and New Zealand Eels travel to? NZ Eels can grow to a huge size, Perhaps it may now be possible to fit a few with transponders, problem is they may not work from great depth. They would have to be fitted to Silver Eels otherwise the fish could remain in fresh water for tens of years. I belive the oldest recorded Eel was over 80 years of age. Just goes so show there is still a lot to learn, We know more about the surface of the moon than we do about the sea floor !!

"The potato masher had obviously broken and so it was decided the next best thing would be to pass the potatoes through the digestive tract of a bird. " Excellent

Plenty of cheap ones out there, but best to buy from a shop rather than internet. . . You can then have a play and check then out. Some of the cheap ones have several light patterns and you have to 'click' though several options before the poxy thing will switch off!!