Steve Holman

As it happened, we didn't go. Too damned cold. Could have been one of the last chances for a bass this year. Never mind, there's always next year.

I'll be there with a pal on Friday, weather permitting. It'll be a day just trying to catch anything that comes along, but I'll take a light carp rod along as well for the spinning. Thanx again Steve

Phil Thanks for the good advice. I'll be sure to post on here my results with a Dexter Wedge Five Bellies (How's old Gazza, by the way? I read that he's in love again) From my experience as a commercial fisaherman at Newhaven, there will certainly be bass about until the water temp drops below about 11 degrees. It's just that I was wondering whether they would stil be in the mood to take a lure. Best to you both Steve

I'm of a mind toi have a try with a surface popper type lure for a bass at Langney Point. Am I too late in the season, or is it still worth a go? I was thinking of chucking a rubber sandeel out some way, with the help of a heavy rubber ball, then winding slowly back in with the eel on the surface. It would be a daytime session either side of high water, or whatwever any kind soul could advise. Ta very muchly in advance.

Sorry, can't agree with that. Look at a Blyth pushing water in front of their bulbous bows. If that's saving anything, I'll eat my stern-gland. They were bolted on as an afterthought to give a bit more lift. If it were so, then why don't other builders use them? It's an inherent fault with Byths which is the reason for their use. I well remember when Byths first came onto the market (late 80s?) Brilliant concept for the time and a huge step forward from Lochins etc., as good as they were. But things have moved on now to the SouthBoats, Gemini and Safehaven Wildcats. Just my twopennorth

I'm not, unfortunately, in the position to actually buy one. I'm confined to lusting after them at the moment. I found a writeup about the Gemini whelker at Eastbourne in a commercial fishing publication. It belongs to Peter Storey, who also owns the Royal Sovereign (great big crabber). The Gemini cost £340,000. Strewth. Bulbous bows eh? Not so impressed with that. Think of all the power needed to push them through the water. Must be soemethingh wrong with the hull design to take a retrograde step like that. But then, what do i know about it?

Yup, 200 minimum for a 40 with good speed. Would need 6-700 hp I would reckon. I know that Souths are rated very highly; it's just that they're so slab sided, whereas the Gemini has a curved line wherever you look. just my opinion as a purist. Safehavens aren't really my cuppa. Too sleek looking. I prefer a workboat to look like one, hence the Gemini

Note that the use of sandeels, dead or alive, within a bass nursery area, is banned

I've recently seen a wonderful looking Gemini cat in Eastbourne Sovereign marina. It's a fast 40ish footer fitted out for whelking by the looks of the on-deck arrangements. Lots of horsepower, I would reckon. Looks like a real boat, as opposed to the slab-sided Blyths and South boats (as good as the Souths are claimed to be. It's a lottery winner's dream really, but when I win it, how much would one cost me? £200,00 plus?

Yes, you're right about our Tel. I recently had the very great pleasure of meeting my hero.....one James Gibbinson. The talk went around and around until we discussed "celebrity" anglers. Jim said "Now just take Terry Hearn. The lad is a brilliant angler. Anyone catching just one very good fish could perhaps be relying on luck. But Terry just does it again and again. That can't be luck, can it?" And that from one of the most intelligent and innovative anglers since Dick Walker

Can any kind soul tell me where I can get a replacement for the one I have lost please? They're about 36 inches long. Solid aluminium. Same guage as a standard hollow brolly pole, but with the bottom end formed into an augur so that it can be screwed into hard banks, using a tommy bar, through a hole in the top end of the pole. The augur forms part of the actual pole, rahter than those stupid augurs just soldered or pinned onto the end. Thanx Steve

In commercial fishing, when a new or improved method is invented, it's called "technical creep". In other words it is accepted that people will always endeavour to improve their catch rate, whether commercially or for sport. We all go fishing to catch fish....not let them go! I therefore see nothing much wrong with baitboats, as long as they are used responsibly. If I could afford or warrant the expenditure for one, I would definitely buy one. It's just another tool in the weapons chest. I can remember, from the fifties, the furore when fixed spool or "threadline" reels were coming on the market. The anti-argument was that they made the job of catching fish too easy, because of the ability to cast long distances with the new toys. Think a bit about this. How do you think carp, or other species, fishing would have developed if we had been restricted to centrepins. But, I generally fish very large, relatively non pressured lakes and gravel pits and wouldn't effect anyone with their use. If I owned the average fishery, I agree that their use is unviable, because today's average angler hasn't the brains to consider others

Nash 4-play? Best pod of its type on the market. Strong, light and super stable. Terrific value. I'd be interested to hear the reasons for those who deride it. If you have to use a pod sometimes you won't do better, in my opinion

Help please. When I click on any URL that obviously points towards an image, all I get is the message "Page cannot be displayed" Making me feel a tad inadequate. Steve

In actual fact all an EA bailiff has to do on arrival is to introduce himself as such. You can then ask to see his warrant and he has to comply. He doe s not have to produce his warrant as part of the PACE procedure untill asked