Shy Tangler

Excellent report Simon . Didn't manage any fish during our short trip, despite a few drops over the bream mark. Thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and weather though. Can't wait for the next opportunity to get out there. Aidy

Now you've got me worried

Best of luck Simon. Would love to join you but fully booked up this weekend. Had a chat with some divers yesterday who told me they'd been catching big mackerel off Broad Bench from the dive boat, so there are a few around. We'll have to try and find a window when we're both available to have a go for the St Aldhelm's tope.

Would love to if I can find the time. Well done on your latest tope. and congers etc. Must catch up on the water soon! Aidy

Finally managed to find a free weekend to dust off the Prowler and make my maiden voyage of 2007. Fancied a nice easy launch for a first outing and opted for Kimmerige. This place usually produces bass and mullet on evening Spring tides but often fails to sparkle to bait fishing during the day. Arrived Saturday to the sight of a dozen charters sat off broad bench, but by the time I was ready to launch there were only two remaining. From their departure I assumed that the bream that this mark is noted for had gone off the boil, so opted for the long paddle to Chapman's Pool. This was a bit of a slog against the Easterly wind but was rewarded with some hectic sport from small pollack and gars to float fished mackerel and lures (wish I'd had the fly rod now ). Sunday morning I got my arse in gear a bit earlier and set off towards 15 or so charter boats about a mile off the Bench. I've always been a bit aprehensive about anchoring in this area as the tide can pick up quickly, but being neaps I decided to drop anchor in 35 ft of water. This saw me drift across the ledge into 55 ft and with the boat sitting comfortably in the tide, I dropped down a size 2/0 circle hook baited with a single mini calamari. It was only seconds before I got my first rattle, and BANG! first fish, a 2 lb bream decorated with amazing irridescent blues. I went on to get anothr 5 cock fish in the next hour, smallest 1 3/4lb, 4 over 2lb and the biggest 2.1/2lb ( a new pb ). Rather than be greedy, it was time to head back to the slip against the awesome backdrop of Gad Cliff. In summary - a great weekend and wow - what weather !!! Aidy

1. Pixies - Surfa Rosa 2. Stiff Little Fingers - Inflamable Material 3. Mega City Four - Tranzophobia 4. Husker Du - Warehouse Songs 5. Leatherface - Mush Nice one jonnyboy, you've just inspired me to go a dig out some old vinyl. The missus will be delighted Aidy

You crafty bugger Paul! Wish I'd thought of that, her new slippers are no use to me whatsoever

Will definately give you a shout when it starts to look worthwhile.

I'm still here . Been a bit preoccupied over the last few months with negotiating a new job so haven't had a lot of time for fishing. Merry Christmas to everyone and I look forward to catching up with some of you in the new year. Mission for 2007: I'm gonna show Darnsarf how to catch a mullet Aidy

Don't like to encourage the viewing of such programmes, but I'll see what I can find out and repot back!

I don't watch that b****cks but my daughter called me through and asked - is that Kimmeridge daddy? Spot on girl! Thought you'd have recognised it Moonyaker!

Truly amazing and well deserved paul. Didn't think it was possible myself but i'm delighted you've proved me wrong. Let's see those pics. Aidy

looks like another Dorset/Purbeck meet may be on the cards? If I get a free window, I'll be in touch Jon. Kimmeridge, Chapmans and Warbarrow are my usual stamping grounds, so would be well up for a get together. Darnsarf is another fan of this area and a few of the others such as Richi, Paintfly etc visit from time to time. Aidy

Hi Jonnyboy I'm from Wareham and fish mainly around the Purbecks. Have been meaning to give Portland Harbour a go all summer but have not had the time to get around to it. Any idea what the fishing is like through the autumn/winter anyone? Speciman: I'm not surprised you found it a bit rough yesterday, I sold my sole to the devil and accompanied some lads from work on a charter out of Weymouth. Coming back over the Portland races was pretty exciting, but the fishing was cut short cos of the weather with only one decent bream to show for my efforts. It crossed my mind at the time that I'd probably have been better off on the yak in the harbour. Johnnyboy: I'm on decorating duty for the next few weeks but if you fancy meeting up for a fish some time, give me a shout. Aidy

On a positive front, I haven't seen any obvious netting activity lately. will keep my eyes open for your mate though, sounds like a smashing bloke!!!

Haven't taken much notice to be honest mate as it just depresses me . There are still plenty of buoys bobbing about, but whether they are pots or nets i'm not sure. How do you tell the difference if they're set deep? I'll have a closer look tomorrow if I manage to get out again.

Hi Yakattack Kimmeridge is fishing well at the moment on Springs, with bass and mullet coming right into the shore to feed on the maggots being washed out of the rotten weed, beached from the previous set of springs. Float fished maggots or artificial maggot flies will get both mullet and bass, with rapala J11 and Maria Chase plugs being most consistent for the bass. If you're not around over spring tides, concentrate your efforts around fishing at dawn. Bass can be caught at first light regardless of the state of tide (on plugs or bait). As for fishing further off shore, I've not had so much luck, other than mackerel, pollack, wrasse, dogs, pout etc., but big bream, congers etc. also get caught from the area. The beauty of Kimmeridge is that if you dont mind a bit of a paddle, you can access some other great marks like Warbarrow. Launching is also a doddle: you can park to the side of the slip, unload your gear and then take the car back up to the divers carpark. Darnsarf made a very important point: just because it looks flat calm when you launch, keep your witts about you. What can seem a very insignificant swell a mile off shore can result in spectacular surf up to 1/4 mile out. I was nearly caught out at the weekend. We camped to the east of kimmeridge and woke up on Sun morning to no wind but a 6 foot surf. having said that, I fished there last night and there was hardly a ripple on the surface. Have fun and stay safe. Aidy

Hi Mike I have to confess that I sometimes wear a pair of waders on the yak. The ones that I use have straps that tighten around the waist. This allows me to dispense with the shoulder straps and just wear them around my middle. Like this I feel pretty confident that I could shed them in the water if I needed to. Not beeing breathable they are no good for all day sessions as you get too sweaty in them. If I could afford a pair of breathables, then I would definately be looking at the Palm Sidewinder? pants as I think they have the sewn in booties and are propbably of a comparable price. Aidy

Thanks for the link mate. Went off Kimmeridge the other day and there were loads of 'big' mullet 7lb + in the edge. Will definately take some bread next time and see if I can get them interested. So far I've only had them on maggot flies on spring tides but you've got me thinking now about the possibility of exploiting these fish on hot, calm days.

Well done Stuart I remember you showing me that fly and thinking 'fat chance' The fight is something else isn't it and well worth the perseverence. Good effort, you've now got me itching to get out and try some of tha artificial bread you kindly gave me. Aidy

Wish I could make it but can't this time Good luck and I'll look forward to hearing how you get on.

Would love to join you but I'm on parental duties this week. Good luck to all that can make it and go and get that conger Richi PS. Smashing weekend on the Tywyn Can't wait to catch up with you all again soon. Aidy

For a cheaper rivet gun try Focus DIY stores. Got mine for £4.99 and it works fine with the rivets that Speciman has recommended.

Thanks Karl, thats a realy useful link. Cheers

Almost ready! Does anyone know roughly how many hook baits we're likely to need? Will be setting off in the morning and expect to arrive about 3pm. Look forward to seeing you all there