JRT

I know the P13 is THE fishing kayak in the UK, but comfort is higher on my list of priorities than performance. I want to be able to move around once afloat and for my arse not to turn into concrete after a couple of hour, so a wider seating space is a must. I'll be fluff chucking so primary stability and sitting side saddle are important to. So what about the Cobra Marauder XF? I really like the look of the flat deck and the hatches and it's not too heavy. Starts at £499. http://www.cobrakayaks.co.uk/ Does any one have any experience of these? JRT

Thanks Leon. 2,800 responses to the Bass MLS and they ignored them. Until RSA's stop arguing amnongst themselves and get behind bodies such as BASS and NFSA then we will have stuff imposed on us despite being the majority Come one people wake up! JRT

Nothing. It will probably cost that to collect it. BUT the government would have opened up another revenue stream. Saying that, I'm not sure licenses will happen as they have no way of enforcing it.

I think everyone on this board loves fishing that's why we take the time to talk (and argue!) about it. BUT every thread that dicusses C&R, bag limits etc. seems to deteriate into a slanging match. I think part of this is people don't read the previous threads and jump in with stupid statements and get very defensive. It seems many folk will start returning fish once they have caught a few fish for the table or return most fish they catch. My beef is with the 'anglers' that show no constraint what so ever and then refuse to accept that this has any effect on fish stocks and the future of our sport. Often they sell their catch which is why some commercials are pushing for bag limits on unlicensed fisherman and RSA's, as this competes with them and drives the price of fish down. This idea has been floated already in Wales after the announcement of the MLS remaining at 37.5cm for bass (well done Carwyn Jones, Minister for Environment very brave of you!). So unless you want bag limits imposed on you with nothing in return (increased MLS and a greater say in fisheries policy) then I suggest these people get with the programme and change their out-dated views. JRT

I don't kill everything I catch and neither do my mates I fish with... so I guess we do make a difference. Certainly to the areas we fish. It bothers me because 'anglers' and unlicensed boats kill alot of fish. This may seem small change to you but it adds up because everyone else seems to be to. Marks get wiped out, especially shore marks which makes it harder for me to enjoy the thing I love. If it didn't make a difference why is everyone so guarded about their marks? Haven't charters noticed a decline in the quantity of decent sized fish over the last 10 years? You can't blame it all on the french pair trawlers. And yes I am a lovely person, Just ask me mum

Thanks. The purpose of my question is just to get a feeling of angler's opinion on what is sensible to keep before returning fish. Do charters ever have bag limits on their trips or any self-enforced restrictions of fish caught? JRT

My question still stands: "So all you 'Anglers' at what point do you think you have enough fish for the pot and then start returning them? Serious question. " JRT

Coddy, thanks for an intelligent and well thought out post. JRT

What kind of argument is that!! IT'S WRONG AND ILLEGAL SO DON'T F***ING DO IT! And yes it does impact the inshore fishing because we are not talking about the odd fish, these people catch LOTS of fish and make up a proportion of the black fish market which is a massive problem on the south coast especially. If you don't see this I suggest you are in denial. I have had a banker mark of the last few years decimated this year by 1 boat! Everything caught gets sold, illegally. This 'angler' must have caught 500+ fish from this 1 spot. How sustainable is that? Newt, 'crass' as in not very intelligent. He was trying to provoke a reaction on a thread talking about C&R and got one so what's his problem? So all you 'Anglers' at what point do you think you have enough fish for the pot and then start returning them? Serious question. JRT

Don't understand the 'let's go fishing and catch some fish!' comments? People that C&R catch fish to, we just put them back so we and others can catch them again. John you came in for some stick on previous threads because you provoked people by posting crass pics of lots of dead fish, what do you expect? Most have no problem with taking fish for the table BUT many go way beyond this a sell what ever they catch. They are basically commercials nothing less. I’m sure you are a decent bloke and I would get on with you but attitudes need to change if we are to have any chance of catching a bass over 2lb in a few years time.

Have your boat partner raise and catch an 8lb bass on a ***** great big yo zure slider from the exact spot you just put a fly over ,disheartening to say the least. Also other fisherman with no idea of person space or bankside etiquette.

Missing the point. The trouble with JA's attitude is they see no reason for constraint or killing large fish that we all strive to catch. If his crew went out on a charter and caught 1000 bass they would kill the lot of them. So no he and his kind are NOTHING like me. What's the point in killing large bass, is it for food, is it for profit..? If you return these fish then there is a very realistic chance it will there next year for you to catch again. It probably had been coming to that area every year of its life.. and you are just killing that mark. So please don't compare this guy to me... JRT

Look forward to your report. I bet folks are falling over themselves to tell where to go this saturday...

Unfortunately most of the idiots within angling tend to belong to the sea fishing fraternity. I don't know why but there is definately a culture there that does not understand and probably doesn't want to understand the consequences of their actions. I don't understand it. I'm not sure if John E Ashford is on a wind up or genuinely believes that wiping out every large bass won't impact the fishing? But if he's serious then you can see why the future's bleak.. I also think the boat anglers genuinely don't understand how dire the shore fishing is. A 10lb bass from the shore is an extremely rare fish, a 10lb boat caught fish is fairly common, on the south coast at least. As a shore angler I dream of catching a doublefigure bass. If I ever do the last bloody thing I would do is kill it! Because I would like to catch it again. Can you imagine what would happen if you lugged a 40lb carp into the local tackle shop for it to be weighed? JRT

Good session and well done. I love watching the reaction of the restraunt suppliers as they see you returing fish Just proves the addage that 90% of the fish are caught by 10% of the anglers. JRT

Hi, Can anyone recommend a decent but low cost inflatable PFD to wear whilst yak fishing/boating. I don't like he bulk of the standard foam PFD's. Thanks JRT

I'm shocked! Christ I'm surprised there are any fish left. I'd be interested in the views of the commercials. Surely this is bad news for small outfits? JRT

Oops, didn't see that! Cheers JRT

Yep huge tide. But sometimes, especially from the shore there can be too much water movement. I reckon I'm going to get pushed off my mark quickly giving me a 40 minute window. Weed could be problem to! JRT

hi Scott, They often take the fly right down so this is not an option and using pliers is hard when the fish is wriggling like made. JRT

I know touching a mackeral reduces their chances of survival but if you but if you wet your hand or use a damp cloth would that be ok? Also does this apply to any other fish like garfish? JRT

No, greed is taking everything now with absolutely no thought of the future. Foresters don't cut down the entire forest, they work an area, replant then work another area. Don't the scallop fisherman in Scotland do this with good effect? Seems like a smart thing to do? Also what would you boys do if I anchored 40ft in front of you while you were fishing? JRT

So Topless if you didn't catch loads of fish you would still go fishing right? Then your argument doesn't stand, you are selling for profit. Next time you go out all those fish aren't there and won't be breeding next year so you have undermined next years yearclass. Get with the program dude. If you can't afford to go fishing without selling your catch give it up! JRT

My opinion is based on my experiences and contact with these 'commercials', not preconceived views so therefore I am not a bigot. You earn respect, why the hell should I respect them? The term 'commercial' suggests professionalism. However these guys demonstrate non of this, just greed and ignorance to everyone else. ... I stand by everthing I said. JRT

"So what do you suggest, he lets them all go? Catch and release does not work for commercial fishermen." What do I suggest? A) Get a proper job, one that doesn't decimate the inshore fishing. B ) Not work a mark until there is absolutely nothing left, think crop rotation. C) Show some consideration to other fisherman, I have as much right to be there as he does. In fact morally I have more right as I return all the fish. Too many dodgy inshore commercials = huge black fish market. If I were in power I would the Inland Revenue on these f***ers in a shot. As I said..Peduncles. Take everything, contribute nothing. JRT