Fastd

So the ssacn are not an angling lobby organisation?

Does this mean we can have our boat back now ? :D

Barry, My reading of that is they are looking to ban damaging fishing practices over 30% of the sea. RSA is recognised as having very little enviromental impact so in theory its good news for anglers ....but it may be wise to take note of steve good's comments. I attended the workshop in London earlier this month between anglers and Natural England to discuss MPA's, NTZ's and complete NTZ's (cant remember the wording). The only thing that came out of it was that Defra, natural england and the EA either have no intention of defining what each will encompass or they dont have a clue what or even where they will be. Its kinda hard to discuss something when the invitee's wont tell you what that something will be. Mark(?) Duffy of Natural england gave the impression that an announcement would be made about MPA's in early April, but until then we are all guessing what they will be. To be frank both me and the other angler who travelled with me agreed the meeting was a total waste of time and just a case of Defra etc ticking boxes to say they did it and consulted. The NFSA got to say their bit (another box ticked?) but at the end of the day we left a meeting to discuss MPA's and NTZ's without actually being told what they were!! A bit odd considering the title of the meeting. Cheers Dave

Steve, That is exactly what happened at the meeting back in November that I attended on behalf of SOS. They announced it "officially" with only the level of bycatch to be sorted out. It was "picked up" as a "look what we have done for you" statement even before they announced it, the sceptics amongst you may even go as far as to say thats the only reason they brought it in. It was all they had to offer anglers and they were told in no uncertain terms by those present that although commendable, Tope angling is a minority part of our sport and not to expect a pat on the back. Its noticable that the subject no longer gets mentioned in discussions. As a NE angler I am very concerned that if you change the word Tope to Bass in your comment it would express my concerns about the direction discussions with Defra are going. Defra never get a chance to speak about or take into consideration any other species as they seem to be the sole topic of conservation, a quick look through the draft NFSA consultation response is all you need to realise that. Even the plight of the humble flounder, which for many of us was our first fish and a means to get newcomers into the sport, has been largely ignored. The tope is a done deal and as Ian has said its time to take that one to the EU and hope things can be improved there. Cheers Dave

Are threads allowed in Latin and welsh?

Ken, For my money it would have to be a Penn 975 LD (220 quid)...not cheep...but then quality isn't cheep. I just bought a shimano charter speciel at the other end of the price scale while I wait to see what santa brings. It works fine but the drag seems to be all or nothing when compared with the 975. OKuma....leave em in the shop. Cheers Dave

Thats the guy. If it sums up how well its fishing, on a walk round it about a month ago there were two people fishing it an neither had caught despite it being ideal conditions and free fishing. Dave

Gozzer, Had a walk round it a few weeks ago. Not fished it for 3 years...80lb of bream then. Apparently its fishing cr*p. Leeds have dropped it as a club water, the bream dont show, and its hard work. Pike and comorants on the increase. What a waste of a fishery that has produced 52 2lb plus roach for me in my youth. It had the potential to be the uk's best roach/bream venue...but then they decided to fix the dam. It was a short cycle ride from home and I went every day. I was there the day they put 500 small bream in ...boy did they grow and multiply...I was there when the first trials of the locslide float were being done...Dave ( ex world champ )forgot his surname who is credited with designing it was doing trials and gave us one to have a go with. Sadly I now live up north. Cheers Dave

Lol, I was around and fishing when they came out. We fished roundhay park a lot which in winter was a great tip water. That has been sat in a cupboard in the garage since the early eighties. The tip was a soft paralell one that got broke sometime in the distant past. Probably about 10 inches long with two rings. The twin spring is the deluxe model. The idea is if you push the tip into the small spring the larger heavier spring is ideal on slowmoving rivers, but when pulled out to the end of the small spring it is very sensitive on lakes. great idea but you lived in fear of the line catching in the spring and cracking off. It needs the four rubbers replacing with new HD shrink tube and a new tip sliding in. Should be as good as new. Will hunt further in the garage because if saskcarp sends me an address I can probably dig out some screw in quivers to go with. We used to try anything back in those days and ended up settling on swing tips about 2' 6" long with solder wound round the end to suit the lake drift on different days. Going through that cupboard has been a real trip down memory lane. Anyone wanna buy 3 spiltshot dispensers...complete with LEAD shot...remember that stuff A Leeds Match Arial...in bits...may be worth putting back together. A Abu 505...complete with totally useless star drag 2 x abu 506's...bit worse for wear. And an abu 507...hmmm...now that was a decent reel. Trip to ebay coming up Over the last few years I have moved onto sea fishing but I still get out now and again. Cheers Dave. PS the camera is set perfectly for next summers cod bonanza

Sascarp, One of the advantages that was originally marketted about the spring tip is that once the sring has cracked open the pull required to keep it bending is just about the same through the entire travel of the tip, as opposed to a quiver tip where it gradually gets harder to put it round. Fine in principal but they proved to be a nightmare when casting but would be ideal for ice fishing. One thing you would have to watch for is the coils of the spring icing up and effectively sticking the spring together. A dribble of glycerin would solve this problem. Thats one complete with screw in tip. The actual tip has been removed or broken sometime in the past. PM an address and consider it in the post. Its a circa 1980 model so some refurb may be required. The small spring pushes inside the large one to increase or decrease the tension. The rubbers have hardened and may need replacing but at least its a start. If its no good at least you will have a screw in tip. Cheers Dave

Its a charter boat with a good reputation by all accounts. I Emailed him when I saw the picture to express my feelings. the reply I got indicated that he took the fish as it was his first and he would be releasing future fish. The topic is discussed in the sea fishing section under a post by Sandtiger. Cheers Dave

PHEw... thought it was mine at first.. But then realised the mrs always spells cheating with a double E... Dave

Yep I did...partly to express my shock that people still hung em up on the jib. I have to say that I recieved a very polite and prompt reply explaining the circumstances of the capture. It was his first and the skipper has promised that all future fish will be tagged and released. You can not advertise as a shark skipper till you have actually caught one and have proof. I can agree with that even if I dont agree with the picture. He wants to try for more and has promised to join the tagging program. So hopefully that is the first and last photo of its kind from Wick. One more skipper on the C&R of sharks is a step in the right direction. Cheers Dave

Norrie At a pinch you can use windows movie maker available in xp. I use nero smart start (nero 7+ I think). Also used xtodvd...no charge... you must be getting it from the wrong site Will did out a link. Cheers dave

Ian, Data transfer can be done using a home network either via wireless or cross over cable. Or utilising your router at home with a parrallel cable. Many options are available if the usb key proves unreliable...which I doubt. Another thought is to back up documents online so you can access them worldwide cos we all know what you jet-setters are like. I you need space/help to do this let me know. I dont see any reason why a usb key should be any more unreliable than any other type of media transfer device. Cheers dave

I am no expert but I think the following would be possible. Fit a TV Tuner card to a pc. Connect the card via a tv out card (probably the same card via a line out to the avi input on a telly. Put the tv tuner programme into the startup on the pc and use the numpad to select the programme. The tv should default to av1 when switched on (no arial connected) and the pc would boot the tv tuner at switch on. Only thing I am not sure about is do they make a tv card for a pc that supports the freeview channels. if not at the moment surely its on its way with the imminent switch off of analogue. This system could be improved by using text to speech software and a wireless keyboard to save having to sit at a pc ...no ideas on text to speech or even voice recognition...I am certain there must be software available that reads the key press of a keyboard. (probably included in windows...I have never looked) one thing is for certain...the pc is far more flexible and configurable than a tv remote. Cheers Dave PS I have a 42" plasma thats adapted for the blind...Just after the warranty ran out the power board for the screen went...sound only

Nick, You suprise me with that. I could imagine many anglers complaining if that was published It would be intresting to here from Eltons contacts or perhaps shaun on this. Cheers dave

Hi Sandtiger, Yep 3 hours is a long battle. Perhaps brought about by the fact it was his first and the tackle used could have been a bit on the light side. I think that regardless of its state it stands a far better chance of living if returned rather than been hung up on a hoist. The fact that sharks have been at the top of the tree for millions of years suggests they are pretty hardly creatures If we want all fish to live then technically we should not fish for them at all. But then who would be out there making a case for their protection? I wonder if any angling publication would actually print that picture? Cheers dave

Sandtiger, I have found my fishing changing a lot over the years. As a kid in the seventies fishing brid harbour I kept everything...even TINY Billet...never gave it a thought. When I first started boat fishing in the eighties I kept a few and put the little ones back. This was partly brought about by my Mrs would not cook and prepare fish so I did not bother bringing it home. I was not aware of any conservation issues at that time. Over the last few years I started returning everything...probably since I got involved with SOS and realised the harm that can be done to certain species and partly because I travel a lot and it is impossible to get fish home fresh. This attitude was made clear to anyone fishing on my boat. Over recent months my attitude has changed again whereby I will bring home decent cod and ling but still subject to the fact my Mrs wont cook it a large proportion gets returned on those all too few days that you bag up. I have found that anglers fishing with me have a similar attitude and its certainly a happy medium IMHO. You on the other hand have a different problem. You charge anglers to fish with you and for their money i would imagine the vast majority expect to take home what they catch. I have seen people having a go at you for posting pictures of a deck full of cod, as i have of some whitby posts. It all comes down to the expectations of in your case your paying customers and in my case my friends out for a bit of fun and hopefully that specimen. Its intresting to note that the guys who I drink with go out every weekend they can get out from Hartlepool where they bring home everything they catch...but when the same guys go out with me they are selective and are happy to just bring a couple home. I can only assume that this is because when you hand over the money to a skipper at the end of the day you expect to be getting something for it. Just my opinion and I feel quite happy that my particular chosen type of fishing is sustainable provided others dont screw it up for me. Cheers Dave PS. Sorry should have looked at the link before posting a reply...that is sick and an email is on the way to the skipper voicing my opinion. Are these people living in the dark ages?

Lathams Fishing Tackle? Is that the one just over the bridge at potter Higham? If so I have never heard of em

Barry, I dont see rsa as been divided but if you speak to the guys on the piers and beaches up this way they do feel that the rules are made down south without any thought of this region. I dont see this as a split in any way ...just a difference of priorities. I would ( and have ) support measures for bass despite the fact that the only place I have ever seen one is on a fishmongers slab. Ithink a lot of NE anglers would say the same...or they may have had the odd one at the one or two hotspots we have. This region is different to others but this does not mean we want to be treated seperately ...its just a case of Defra being aware we exist. I am going as the SOS rep...not exactly a common species here in the NE...but my chosen target on most fishing trips I make. The whole idea of the meeting is to get opinions from many different sectors and regions. One of the most encouraging things is the number of people invited to attend has doubled since the last meeting. That can only be good news for RSA's. Stavey, I cant comment about the reps you have contacted, but I do know what I do if I get a comment from someone ...I act on it and provide feedback. Sometimes that feedback may be very slow but an answer is given eventually. Cheers Dave

Glenn, With regard to 15 points of view from different areas of the country , I think you will find the NE is VERY well represented in terms of numbers. I realise it is not a public meeting but if you have anything you want put over let the person attending know..be it Paul, Myself or Tony. We are all NE anglers and I for one will happily voice a valid comment as I am sure you know Paul will. This goes for all the other anglers...find out your local rep and let him now your feelings. Cheers Dave

Thing I want to know is are kebabs sustainable.... If Norrie eats too many will they become an endangered species... Or will we see a perpetual case whereby as long as humans can drink 14 pints there will always be an abundant supply of them? And looking to the future ... Do you every see a time coming where your and my kids wont be able to go out and have several alco pops then stagger into the only establishment with lights on after midnight and demand "the special with everything"...and yes "I will have the garlic sauce" because it looks like I failed to pull again. I think we should start a campaign to save the kebab!!! So ...everyone out there reading this...save a kebab...drink beer! Seems like a good slogan to me Dave

Thing I forgot. If you use a shoot thru hull transducer make sure you dont have a dual skin boat. The emissions from the transducer will pass thru solid mater...ie a hull /water oil etc ...but not thru air...its how they work by sensing the swim bladders of fish. If you have a boat with a dual skin that incorporates an unsinkable polystyrene membrane this will seriously reduce the efficiency of the sounder if not totally stop it working. Occasionally you can choose a mounting on solid fibreglass that has air bubbles in it...this will affect sensitivity. One way round this is to choose a place to mount the transducer and build a dam off plastercine round it...fill the dam with oil or more enviromentally friendly anti freeze. Teporarily mount the transducer and see what results you get...you could flood the bilge teporarily for the tests. Move the transducer till you get good results. I only use an external transducer to negate any hull send thru problems but make sure it is mounted outside the engine or hull turbulance. Bubbles in the wake affecting the transducer will afect is sensitivity Cheers Dave

There is a good link on Lowrance units here and how to set them up. http://www.lowrance.com.au/__data/page/8/L...s_Sept_2002.pdf If you look at that on page four it mentions the x91 as being capable of depths of 200 metres so it should be fine in 100 ft. You will loose sensitivity in having a shoot thru hull transducer. On my old lowrance unit (which was low powered and shoot thru hull) I had a similar problem. Try turning off the auto sensitivity as it can sometimes be too failsafe. Also check your transducer is mounted to send a signal vertically with the boat loaded and ready to fish. If it sends at an angle some of the returning signal can be lost. I have to admit to fixing my problem by replacing it with an eagle df480... a far more modern and powerfull unit. Cheers Dave