fishyrob

TY FG, you are a superstar!

Could you pm me the name of the company pretty please.............?

Did you get a policy thatincluded rocks and reefs FG?

Ada is bang on as regards taking youngsters. I dont, unless their parents accompany them. I have never had any of my customers query my criminal record, so again, only required by law if taking unnacompanied minors, and rightly so. If I am guiding for people able to power cast, then I assume that they take responsibilty for their casting!!! I also rarely do anything volutary, except charity meets...... Ken, I'm sure you do..... I must admit it is an old statistic, taken from a year when drownings and electrocutions came to something like 42 anglers. I cant remember the year, but I'm pretty sure I read it in the Daily Mail, so its got to be true........ Glenn, that would have to be tested in court. But I would lose faith in humaity if anyone took me there as I do make it very clear. O explain the insurance situation, and also point out I have nothing of value.....I did knock up a form once, but got told that it would be worth nothing in court, so not much point in collecting signatures.

Hi Glenn. A few things you should know about guiding........ 1) You make very little money. If I get eight sessions a month, its been a VERY good month, and I live in a high tourist area. 2) Make sure you have some quality fishing available. Newbies especially wont appreciate your instruction without a result at the end of it. With this in mind, it is essential to be knowledgable and honest about the fishing at the time of the planned session. 3) H & S. Explain that fishing is britains most dangerous participant sport. Take a recognised first aid course ( I did the St JOhns session. Not terribly expensive and the certificate lasts three years), carry a first aid kit and make sure you point out the specific dangers of any chosen mark. 4) Insurance - Rocks........... The first year I did it I took out a generic insurance aimed at the freshwater guide, less than £200 and I was well chuffed. Until I read the small print, which specifically excludes rocks and most saltwater shore fishing situations. I then tried to get a policy tailored for me, but when I outlined some of the areas I wish to take my clients, no insurance company were interested. It is much easier to get insurance for taking people out on boats, so Kayak guiding might be a better angle. I have never heard of a Kayak fishing guide, so I reckon your best bet might be to get in some spare Yaks, and give the ebenefit of your experience there. ITs such a new but RAPIDLY growing sport, that I really wish I could swim, as I reckon thats the way I would go. You can get guided Kayak fishing in Alaska and Canada. Nowadays I explain to the customers that I am a guide, I can take them to some good fishing, I can advise them on their safety, but I completely refuse responsibility for their safety. If they arent happy with that, I recomend we fish on the local marina, which is paid for and insurance cover is granted as part of the ticket sale. I've only ever had one customer ay "no, lets not go on the rocks" and I think that was mostly because he was elderly........! 5) When your customers have caught the fish they are after, and they hand you over not just your fee but a tip on top, then it is the best job in the world. 5a) When the customers hand over the money but the result has been not good, you feel eternally guilty and really want to waive the fee. Youcant afford to do that though, as fishing in the UK is fishing, and I have blanked on game boats costing many hundreds of pounds to charter. I charge £10 per hour for up to four anglers inclusive. 6) Be prepared with plenty of tackle so you can accomodate corporate enquiries. Havbe good local anglers ready to step in and assist you in this situation, as you could not possibly give everyone the attention they are paying for in groups bigger. 7) Ignore the knockers. When you declare yourself as a fishing guide for hire, you get a lot of stick, and there is a lot of jealousy. So what. Its your customers who will show you how good a guide you are. It takes a very different approach guiding than just taking people fishing. They need to have absorbed the information that you have given them well enough to come back and do it on theirr own. There is very rarely time to fish yourself if you are doing the job correctly 8) Preperation. If you are taking your party to a specific mark, make sure you go and fish it the day before, to confirm that what you are expecting to catch is there. If you dont catch, and assess the likely hood of catching is poor, do advise the customer of this. You SERIOUSLY earn your money when all is said and done. Any other questions, feel free to ask. Part of the reason I dont have a full book is that I dont advertise anywhere other than my website. The diary on my site (www.fishyrob.co.uk) is invaluable, as it shows the fishing I am doing and the quality of the fishing available. If you want a full book (I actually dont as I am also very committed to the DVice Tackle Co Ltd) then linking up with the tourist board, stag weekend web sites, locla council etc etc will bring you more exposure. (and sometimes bookings! I have a regualr group from Brighton Council....!)

with a DVice and a squid. That man Lee Adams managed a 200.46 meter (just shy of 220 yards) cast at the Steyning casting court at the weekend. He also managed a 188 meter cast with the 200gm prototype. Impressive stuff!! Well done LEe, and to all the guys at the Steyning (West Sussex casting club) meet. Incredibly friendly guys, and ever so helpful. Gave me plenty of advice and something to go away and think about thats for sure!! No squid were hurt in the making of this fishing history. They were already dead...... If you didnt hear about a DVice yet, check out the reviews section, and there is a write up by Adrian Farley. I will also be updating my diaeryt with some fgreat casting pictures from the Steyning event very soon (fishyrob.co.uk)

Hi Glenn, His previous best cast without a DVice was 70 meters..........................I wish!! Actually, he was ranked 6th in the UK in 2006, so he is one of this countries biggest hitters. But he never cast a squid 189 yards before, plus they were using "high-end" fishing gear, rather than full on tourney poles, for this test, wheras when theyy set their PB's and cast competively, tthey of course are using their full on casting poles. At the next event, I thik we will see a massive increase, as there will be a prototype MKII DVice being tested there. We believe the prototype has the ability to take a squid further than any squid has gone before..... (squiddy stat trek.....) If I had to guestimate, I would say that with favourable conditions (ie Tail Wind) we will see a 230 yard squid..... Watch this space!!

Cheers Elton. You have an eye for statistics. Has there been any measuring of baited casting to your knowledge?

Is there a world distance record for casting a lead and whole calamaris? If there was, I reckon it got busted today. At a casting meet in Steyning the Dvice, loaded with a whole calamaris, was cast 173 meters (185 yards) by Mark Jenkins. Dave Mewburn got a 170 meters. Casting on the field was not ideal, the biggest non-baited plain lead cast was 235 meters, which is down on what these boys are capable of. With favourable conditions, and these guys getting some more practice with the slight difference of casting a squid laden DVice, I thik we will see the first whole squid baited cast in excess of 200 yards!! Distance isnt everything in fishing, butt the ability to send a big bait a long way can certainly score on some venues! You can see the casts on YOUTUBE - Enjoy! IF anyone is wondering what a DVice is, there is a review by Adrian Farley in the tackle review section.

I would happily pay any amount for licence, for the golden mile. Anything less will be a sell out. I will also never believe a word that dribbles from the mouth of pussy bradshaw, since the MLS farce, so if he is responsible, and even if he promises the golden mile, I wont be buying a licence until such time it is passed into law. Its a real shame we cant trust our countries politicians to deliver on their promises.

Thanks for that Wurzel. Could you explain the other bit though. Does this mean you are entitled to land 30 stone of shark, should you wish, per day? The market price at Newhaven for Smooth-hound is now up to 70 to 80 pence, which is a worrying trend for a fish that Really doesnt need to be on the commercials list.

I must admint, I would be interested in Wurzels views on the Tope and catching them to be allowed to land skate is just STUPID! What sort of an idea is that? Another example of the THIRD WAY?

Amongst all the rants about owing a few quid on the mortgage, today I actually recieved a letter I liked. It was from Dr Ken Collins, who is the administrator of the UK shark tagging progamme. A female Tope I caught in May 2003 East of the Nab tower was re-caught 2nd May this year, west of La Rochelle in the Bay of Biscay. I would imagine it was rushing to get laid back in the solent somewhere. I dont have the details of how it was caught again, and I will find the details of what it weighed when I caught it later, but it was 20kg at re-capture. Fingers crossed it was a sports fisherman and it was released again, as I would love to see her in a couple of years. It proves a coulple of points. 1, Catch and release works 2, a wild fish can retain its liberty for four years despite the gauntlet of nets and anglers. Made my day anyhow..... If it carries on like its going, the big bucket of live prawns I just picked up off the reef are gonna get me a monster later on!

I'm much happier when the skipper fishes, especially if he catches more fish. It shows that he knows what he is doing, and that he has put us on the fish. I've heard too many stories of skippers chugging for half an hour, chucking an anchor down then going for a kip in the wheel house all day. Having said that, I limit my trips to a max of five anglers, and they are often all experienced, and the fishing is mostly at anchor. If the skipper didnt fish, there wouldnt be much else fo him to do, other than the teas which he does regularly anyhow! Plus, I dont care particularly who catches the fish, I just wanna see em!!

--> QUOTE(Norm B @ Mar 18 2007, 12:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just had a report of a 12lb plus fish, waiting on pictures. I saw that fish, Norm. A real perfect specimen!! And now for the good news........ Obviously the threat of sending Groyne Bandit after him worked, the party involved has dropped the case, and the night fishing is secured once more. (Actually, found out about three weeks ago, just forgot to post!) Just remember, if you go fishing, pick your feet up!!

The Dvice is going vey well. We have mentioned it on a couple of chatrooms, and from that word is spreading. It is still hanging off fishyrob.co.uk at the moment, but will have its very own domain next week. No plans to wholesale at the moment, until we improve our manufactuing base. but everything moving in the right direction. And the best bit is, eveybody who has bought one loves it!! Fishing the jig. Fish as you would sliding float for pollock and mackerel, but instead of a size 4 and mackerel strip, fish 30lb hooklink and the jig. It really is that easy. The dozy ceatures will even hit it when it is flat calm and dead slack tide!! I'm going to experiment with a two jig rig when mine arrive, for a session next week sometime. This is becuase we have spotted them actually fighting over the lure at low water!

That is very good value indeed, although I do like the ones with the spikes up the side as well.

Hello mate. I should imagine if you get the cuttles there, you would find the squid. I must admit it takes some confidence to fish for them, and you feel like a complete **** casting a squid jig unde a float. Everybody sniggers. Then you land one, and all the tackle shops in Sussex sell out of jigs!! I got to go mackereling in a mo, cos I kindly gave my jig away when I left last time, not reaslising the drought. The tackle box in the marina has some being rushed from spain, and I have a dozen coming from Singapore. Just hope they get here before the squid dissapear!!

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Norm B @ Apr 14 2007, 11:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> Your turbot looks like a brill, although it's turbot coloured. Check for nodules behind the gills, turbot have them but brill don't, although to make life difficult, immature turbot don't often have them. Cheers Norm. I will be looking fo nodules, although that wee chap was definately immature!! Worthing turbot. Makes me wonder if mummy and daddy are in there somewhere....... Had another four squid yesterday, biggest 3lb!!

Anyone who fancies something a little different, and is in driving range of Brighton Marina should get themselves down to the West am before the next blow, as this settled weather has brought the squid in in good numbers. Piccies and a report from yesteday on my site www.fishyrob.co.uk click on DIARY and APRIL and 13th. Get you jigs out for the squids!!

I've just heard it is looking ever so slightly more hopeful from the Marinas prespective, but its still very much up in the air. Fingers crossed for a common sense judge. It can be a tremendous venue, when it is fishing hot. Even now, when the fishing is mostly for rockling and dabs it has the abilit to suprise, like the 12.5lb bass that came out on Sunday morning. I measured it, 31" of pure perfection. Gotta get me one now...!!

You are quite possibly correct. But I bet he got a bit of a shock, and it will lead to the watering down of the whole scheme probably (I also was one of the 1.8 million) And there is another argument. Bit of a lottery, but the way they work they have got to pick at least one cause and act upon it, if just to show that the money invested in the E-Petition poject wasnt wasted at all. And Ben Bradshaw, love him or hate him, is probably the first politician at his level to really have a look at the situation, and even make changes that although condemmed by both RSA and Commercial on the whole, were real changes with genuine intent to get a better lot for the sport fisherman. If he only has the balls to implement phase 2, it could really work.

Hi Steve. I dont live there, but I am up there an awful lot. I do have enormous sympathy for the situation regarding the aggregate dredging. The Langstone harbour system is a fantastic system, and if you are a commercial and know about the sandeels, we may have even met as I'm taking a stab you might be the guy who supplies Pete Churchill of the "moonshine" with the little blighters. But I think it isnt right to mix the two issues. Without a doubt commercials, Boat anglers and Shore anglers could, would, and possibly are united against this open cast mining of the sea. I dont see RSA and Commercial agreeing the NTZ principle. I think many commercilas would welcome it on paper, but if one appeared on their patch, and it caused them additional costs etc to fish other grounds, then they are never going to agree to it. Probably some RSA's would argue against it if it happened to be their favourite mark. But it doesnt mean its not needed, and it can only have a positive effect for every other user of the sea.

Possibly, but I hope someone might know him. I will publish the name as soon as it is in the public domain. And I'll tell him someone with the nick-name Groyne Bandit, miss-spelt of course, wants to speak to him. That should give him the willies.....

Hi Steve. Anglers played their part, saw the results of their actions and learned. Everywhere now, anglers put fish back. I watched a guy at Eastney return a 1.5lb plaice the other day, I just been reading a report of a 3lb codling off Dungeness, returned. I personally return 95% of my fish, most of the people I know do likewise. There are some that dont realise, but debates such as this one help to open their eyes. If commercials self imposed a 45cm MLS on bass, for example (well, if we are dragging up old arguments, why not....?) I think Anglers would view commercials with new respect, would trust their views and respect their opinions. But of course, that can never happen because we are all members of the human race and when fish mean money, there will always be those prepared to ignore the guidelines if they are not enforced in law. And once one person starts, the "well if they are doing it I'm goping to" mentality comes in. When I ask people why they didnt return a fish, if it doesnt warrant keeping, the biggest answer is "Well, If I dont take it, it will just end up in a net.". How true this perception is I dont know, but it doesnt help the situation! We anglers do deserve a better deal regarding fish stocks. Not just because of the economics of it, but because it is everybodys right to take fish from the sea for themselves. In my utopia, if you want fish to eat you should have to go and catch it yourself. Of course, totally unachievable in todays world, but it was the way it was supposed to be on our creators design board, I am certain. But actually, all this is irrelevant, because I believe that NTZ's should apply to anglers. I think that the only intrusuion should be recreational diving, and I am not a diver. Why Divers? They also spend fortunes on chartering boats, buying equipment etc. They are also very valuable to the economies of our coastal towns, and deserve better than to dive on barren seas. Our seas should be every bit as interesting as any around the world, but they are not. Even in developing countries everywhere they have the sense to prevent commercial fishing in designated areas that are feircley policed (in Kenya they just shoot the Tanzanian fisherman that come to dynamite fish the conservation area. Thats what I call policing.) because they realise the value for tourism. How comes that in this country, which has provided the world with some of the cleverest people known to mankind, that this doesnt happen? Why dont we allready have these areas, as a matter of policy? Should we really need to be inferior in our stratergies than countries like Egypt, Israel, Namibia and Kenya? As time goes on, and I get older, I get more and more dissapointed with this country. Barry, Could have sworn I saw your signature right at the top.......