I,ve recently fished the st david,s/solva areas of west wales,with not 
brilliant results,ie-mackeral,the odd pollack,and of cause wrasse on the 
float off the rocks.Some of the locals told me that the fish had gone to 
deep water?I also fished barry last week and also ogmore deeps with 
friends,and many other anglers with very poor results.We were using 
ragworm,squid,mackeral and sandeels.But the fishing was still not like it 
should be at this time of year.Is it the very warm weather and bright 
sunshine causing it or something more sinister like pollution.I,ve even 
heard of  bad returns off the boats out in the bristol channel!So guys,some 
ideas please.and where are the FISH. Alan newport

It's a bit slow in Dorset at the moment too. Float fished from Chesil
Beach and Portland Bill several times in last few weeks and haven't had
anything - not even mackerel.

Had a few Wrasse on rag fished on the bottom off Portland - but here
I'd be more surprised not to catch a Wrasse ;-)

I blame the French myself.

ETV

Alan Willavise wrote:

> I,ve recently fished the st david,s/solva areas of west wales,with not
> brilliant results,ie-mackeral,the odd pollack,and of cause wrasse on the
> float off the rocks.Some of the locals told me that the fish had gone to
> deep water?I also fished barry last week and also ogmore deeps with
> friends,and many other anglers with very poor results.We were using
> ragworm,squid,mackeral and sandeels.But the fishing was still not like it
> should be at this time of year.Is it the very warm weather and bright
> sunshine causing it or something more sinister like pollution.I,ve even
> heard of  bad returns off the boats out in the bristol channel!So guys,some
> ideas please.and where are the FISH. Alan newport

I just have toi tell someone....today I caught my first bass of the year in 
the Firth of Clyde just off Dunure .... yipeeeee :o)
umpteen mackeral (most of which went back in the oggin so as to catch them 
again on wednesday) and a coupla pollack but............... 
yipeeeee...............(again)................ a Bass

tight lines

ali-p


"Alan Willavise"  wrote in message 
news:DJbEe.51$YZ.29@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...

> I,ve recently fished the st david,s/solva areas of west wales,with not 
> brilliant results,ie-mackeral,the odd pollack,and of cause wrasse on the 
> float off the rocks.Some of the locals told me that the fish had gone to 
> deep water?I also fished barry last week and also ogmore deeps with 
> friends,and many other anglers with very poor results.We were using 
> ragworm,squid,mackeral and sandeels.But the fishing was still not like it 
> should be at this time of year.Is it the very warm weather and bright 
> sunshine causing it or something more sinister like pollution.I,ve even 
> heard of  bad returns off the boats out in the bristol channel!So 
> guys,some ideas please.and where are the FISH. Alan newport
> 

In article ,
Eric The Viking <URL:mailto:stickyerfekkinspam@hotmail.com> wrote:

> It's a bit slow in Dorset at the moment too. Float fished from Chesil
> Beach and Portland Bill several times in last few weeks and haven't had
> anything - not even mackerel.


Took a friend's daughter's fiancee (We -had- to get away from the wedding
planning committee's dress, hats, cakes and bouquet comparison session,) for
two hours last night (Then he was summoned back - he has a lot to learn
about marriage methinks; like, turn off the mobile when the fish are
running.)

There were loads of people on the Chesil but none of them seemed to be
catching anything.  I set him up with a float and used the fly myself.  it
was a bit slow at first but we took home about 6lb of mackerel and gar and
put back several pollock and scad plus one fish that he returned because he
didn't recognise it but it wasn't one of the above.  He described it as
silvery and spiky so it was probably a schoolie.  I know I landed ten fish
in all and pulled out of a few.  I guess he had a similar number.

It took a few experiments to sort out what the fish would take but once I
had a mackerel we opened it to see what they were feeding on.  Fry about an
inch and a half long.  The successful fly was dressed on a #8 longshank hook
and he used a #6 with narrow strips of bait about an inch long.  They
wouldn't touch a floatfished bait unless it was pulled slowly through the
water about three feet down.


> Had a few Wrasse on rag fished on the bottom off Portland - but here
> I'd be more surprised not to catch a Wrasse ;-)


We didn't get any wrasse ;-)

Cheerio,

-- 

>> derek.moody@clara.net

In article <dc1caq$8v9$1@news5.svr.pol.co.uk>, ali-p
<URL:mailto:ali@tappajabba.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:

> I just have toi tell someone....today I caught my first bass of the year in 
> the Firth of Clyde just off Dunure .... yipeeeee :o)


Go on, do it again ;-)


> umpteen mackeral (most of which went back in the oggin so as to catch them 
> again on wednesday) and a coupla pollack but............... 


You do realise that mackerel almost always die if returned?  One of the few
fish it really isn't worth returning.  Get a smoker...

Cheerio,

-- 

>> derek.moody@clara.net

Fishing here in the North West has slowed right down, the smoothhounds
around the Mersey will be back as soon as the next crab moult happens, some
small bass at Hall Road Crosby and a few small flounder.
Big shoal of Bass around Colwyn Bay but the netters are the one's bringing
them in :(
Also plenty of Mullet in the Mersey just on the turn of the tide,but, alas
they are tricky buggers to catch.
Even the eels are not as plentiful as in past years.
Derek, you mentioned a smoker, been after one for quite a while now, any
recommendations?

Pete


(remove THEHOOK to reply via e-mail)

In article <151Fe.13944$Wi3.8347@newsfe5-gui.ntli.net>, PeeWee
<URL:mailto:Pete@CastandCatchTHEHOOK.com> wrote:


> Also plenty of Mullet in the Mersey just on the turn of the tide,but, alas
> they are tricky buggers to catch.


But great fun.


> Derek, you mentioned a smoker, been after one for quite a while now, any
> recommendations?


TBH the best ones are generally home made.  There are some small portable
hot smokers that you can take to the beach and use to make a snack on the
spot (Not really smoking as usually done.  Just cooking in smoke, which is
different.) For medium quantities a barbecue with a lid is as good as
anything.  If you just want enough for one meal you can get by with a lidded
wok on the stove at a pinch as long as you keep the kitchen window open.

All you need is a gentle heat source toasting hardwood chips (NO softwood,
trust me.) and a grid to keep the fish off the direct heat.  The lid is not
strictly necessary but without it you'll waste an awful lot of smoke.

The really important part of the process is the brining - get that right and
you are unlikely to go wrong.  Fillet your fish into brine asap.  We've even
gone so far as to prepare a bucket of brine on the boat and fillet the fish
into it as they're caught.   You only need half the salt that way as you mix
with seawater too.   Brine strength is right if it'll float an egg.  The
fillets should come out of the brine smaller than they went in.

After half an hour or so brining depending on the recipie and the size of
the fillets you -must- dry them,  Air dry them so the surface glazes and
then just stick them in hardwood smoke to taste.

Once the fish is brined you have loads of time in hand, it won't deteriorate
unless you are careless.  You can leave the smoking for a couple of days if
you like.

Cold smoking is a bit trickier but you can start with the same brine.

A starter brine recipie - adjust to suit, everyone has their own secret
variation:

  Equal parts cooking salt and dark brown sugar.  Add plenty of black pepper
  and (optional) I always smash a clove of garlic into it.  Bag this, it'll
  keep forever.
  Put as much seawater (use extra salt if using freshwater) as required in
  bucket and stir in mixture until aforementioned egg floats. 
  Add secret ingredients  ;-)

You can put several batches through the same brine so if you are doing a lot
of fish check the strength of the brine every now and then and add more mix
if needed.

Cheerio,

-- 

>> derek.moody@clara.net

Hi all.

Wots a fish????

Keith M

"Alan Willavise"  wrote in message 
news:DJbEe.51$YZ.29@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...

> I,ve recently fished the st david,s/solva areas of west wales,with not 
> brilliant results,ie-mackeral,the odd pollack,and of cause wrasse on the 
> float off the rocks.Some of the locals told me that the fish had gone to 
> deep water?I also fished barry last week and also ogmore deeps with 
> friends,and many other anglers with very poor results.We were using 
> ragworm,squid,mackeral and sandeels.But the fishing was still not like it 
> should be at this time of year.Is it the very warm weather and bright 
> sunshine causing it or something more sinister like pollution.I,ve even 
> heard of  bad returns off the boats out in the bristol channel!So 
> guys,some ideas please.and where are the FISH. Alan newport
> 

Hi all.

Wots a fish????

Keith M

"Alan Willavise"  wrote in message
news:DJbEe.51$YZ.29@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...

> I,ve recently fished the st david,s/solva areas of west wales,with not
> brilliant results,ie-mackeral,the odd pollack,and of cause wrasse on the
> float off the rocks.Some of the locals told me that the fish had gone to
> deep water?I also fished barry last week and also ogmore deeps with
> friends,and many other anglers with very poor results.We were using
> ragworm,squid,mackeral and sandeels.But the fishing was still not like it
> should be at this time of year.Is it the very warm weather and bright
> sunshine causing it or something more sinister like pollution.I,ve even
> heard of  bad returns off the boats out in the bristol channel!So
> guys,some ideas please.and where are the FISH. Alan newport
>

Hi all.

Wots a fish????

Keith M

"Alan Willavise"  wrote in message
news:DJbEe.51$YZ.29@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...

> I,ve recently fished the st david,s/solva areas of west wales,with not
> brilliant results,ie-mackeral,the odd pollack,and of cause wrasse on the
> float off the rocks.Some of the locals told me that the fish had gone to
> deep water?I also fished barry last week and also ogmore deeps with
> friends,and many other anglers with very poor results.We were using
> ragworm,squid,mackeral and sandeels.But the fishing was still not like it
> should be at this time of year.Is it the very warm weather and bright
> sunshine causing it or something more sinister like pollution.I,ve even
> heard of  bad returns off the boats out in the bristol channel!So
> guys,some ideas please.and where are the FISH. Alan newport
>

Whoops there seems to be an echo - Sorry.

"Keith M"  wrote in message 
news:dc66qk$5i9$1@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk...

> Hi all.
>
> Wots a fish????
>
> Keith M
>
> "Alan Willavise"  wrote in message 
> news:DJbEe.51$YZ.29@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>> I,ve recently fished the st david,s/solva areas of west wales,with not 
>> brilliant results,ie-mackeral,the odd pollack,and of cause wrasse on the 
>> float off the rocks.Some of the locals told me that the fish had gone to 
>> deep water?I also fished barry last week and also ogmore deeps with 
>> friends,and many other anglers with very poor results.We were using 
>> ragworm,squid,mackeral and sandeels.But the fishing was still not like it 
>> should be at this time of year.Is it the very warm weather and bright 
>> sunshine causing it or something more sinister like pollution.I,ve even 
>> heard of  bad returns off the boats out in the bristol channel!So 
>> guys,some ideas please.and where are the FISH. Alan newport
>>
>
> 

Legend has it that a fish is a creature with no legs that can hold its
breath for an infinitely long period of time.  The story goes that they
used to live under water and would at certain times of the year conduct
mass suicide by leaping onto the land.  Even today people report
sightings of these mythical creatures but for most of us they remain no
more than an unsolved X-File.

;-)


ETV

Keith M wrote:

> Hi all.
>
> Wots a fish????
>
> Keith M
>
> "Alan Willavise"  wrote in message
> news:DJbEe.51$YZ.29@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
> > I,ve recently fished the st david,s/solva areas of west wales,with not
> > brilliant results,ie-mackeral,the odd pollack,and of cause wrasse on the
> > float off the rocks.Some of the locals told me that the fish had gone to
> > deep water?I also fished barry last week and also ogmore deeps with
> > friends,and many other anglers with very poor results.We were using
> > ragworm,squid,mackeral and sandeels.But the fishing was still not like it
> > should be at this time of year.Is it the very warm weather and bright
> > sunshine causing it or something more sinister like pollution.I,ve even
> > heard of  bad returns off the boats out in the bristol channel!So
> > guys,some ideas please.and where are the FISH. Alan newport
> >

Thanks for that enlightenment Eric
I suppose that I will have to increase the amount of time I keep vigil on 
the beaches of Kent so that I dont miss the next "Coming of the Fishes"

I'll keep you posted



"Eric The Viking"  wrote in message 
news:1122452935.810072.190740@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

> Legend has it that a fish is a creature with no legs that can hold its
> breath for an infinitely long period of time.  The story goes that they
> used to live under water and would at certain times of the year conduct
> mass suicide by leaping onto the land.  Even today people report
> sightings of these mythical creatures but for most of us they remain no
> more than an unsolved X-File.
>
> ;-)
>
>
> ETV
>
> Keith M wrote:
>> Hi all.
>>
>> Wots a fish????
>>
>> Keith M
>>
>> "Alan Willavise"  wrote in message
>> news:DJbEe.51$YZ.29@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>> > I,ve recently fished the st david,s/solva areas of west wales,with not
>> > brilliant results,ie-mackeral,the odd pollack,and of cause wrasse on 
>> > the
>> > float off the rocks.Some of the locals told me that the fish had gone 
>> > to
>> > deep water?I also fished barry last week and also ogmore deeps with
>> > friends,and many other anglers with very poor results.We were using
>> > ragworm,squid,mackeral and sandeels.But the fishing was still not like 
>> > it
>> > should be at this time of year.Is it the very warm weather and bright
>> > sunshine causing it or something more sinister like pollution.I,ve even
>> > heard of  bad returns off the boats out in the bristol channel!So
>> > guys,some ideas please.and where are the FISH. Alan newport
>> >
> 

Hi I am new here. I grew up around the area where you have been - born in 
Barry, moved to Haverfordwest as a teenager. Did quite a lot of fishing 
around west wales. I always caught my best bass at Broad Haven. Fish big 
tides, off lion rock (rocks to right of beach, looks like a lion), from half 
way out to half way in again, use either soft/peeler crab or razor fish. Use 
the lightest weight you can get away with and DON'T overcast.Best when wind 
is on shore and there is a bit of a surf going. Best bass ever was about 9lb 
from that spot. I haven't fished there for many years now as I now live in 
Hampshire. Anyone know any good bass marks in Hampshire? I have completely 
struck out here. Good luck,  Steve


"Alan Willavise"  wrote in message 
news:DJbEe.51$YZ.29@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...

> I,ve recently fished the st david,s/solva areas of west wales,with not 
> brilliant results,ie-mackeral,the odd pollack,and of cause wrasse on the 
> float off the rocks.Some of the locals told me that the fish had gone to 
> deep water?I also fished barry last week and also ogmore deeps with 
> friends,and many other anglers with very poor results.We were using 
> ragworm,squid,mackeral and sandeels.But the fishing was still not like it 
> should be at this time of year.Is it the very warm weather and bright 
> sunshine causing it or something more sinister like pollution.I,ve even 
> heard of  bad returns off the boats out in the bristol channel!So 
> guys,some ideas please.and where are the FISH. Alan newport
> 

"Alan Willavise"  wrote in message 
news:DJbEe.51$YZ.29@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...


> I,ve recently fished the st david,s/solva areas of west wales,with not 
> brilliant results,ie-mackeral,the odd pollack,and of cause wrasse on the 
> float off the rocks.Some of the locals told me that the fish had gone to 
> deep water?I also fished barry last week and also ogmore deeps with 
> friends,and many other anglers with very poor results.We were using 
> ragworm,squid,mackeral and sandeels.But the fishing was still not like it 
> should be at this time of year.Is it the very warm weather and bright 
> sunshine causing it or something more sinister like pollution.I,ve even 
> heard of  bad returns off the boats out in the bristol channel!So 
> guys,some ideas please.and where are the FISH. Alan newport


Put your bait in the water and they will come...


***

Giant whales spotted off ... Wales

Aug 18 2005

icWhales
 

The largest school of fin whales ever seen off the coast of Britain
was recorded this week, a conservationist said today.

Six fin whales, which are only second in size to the blue whale as the
largest animal on the planet, were gorging on unusually large numbers
of mackerel, herring and plankton that are currently in the Irish sea
off the Pembrokeshire coast, west Wales.

The whales were also accompanied by seven minke whales, a group of
around 50 common dolphins and around four thousand gannets and five
thousand Manx shearwater birds in the feeding frenzy.

The unique occurrence was witnessed yesterday morning by a group of
conservationists attached to the Sea Watch Foundation during a boat
trip ten miles west of Ramsay Island.

It comes a week after a school of 1,500 dolphins were spotted in a
location near to where the fin whales were sighted off the
Pembrokeshire coast.

Dr Peter Evans of the Sea Watch Foundation said that normally only one
or two fin whales are seen off UK shores in a year so to see six of
them together was a once in a lifetime experience.

The largest number of fin whales ever to be recorded before this week
was four off the St Georges Channel midway between Pembrokeshire and
Ireland.

It was amazing, said Dr Evans. I have never seen anything like it
before and I have been working on whales and dolphins for 35 years.

You would think because I have spent so many years doing this work I
would be so blas but it was one of the most amazing experiences of my
life.

There was a mixture of big and small fin whales. There was one about
50-55 foot and another one a little bit smaller.

The others were quite small and were probably only born last winter.
It was probably a family group or groups that had come together.

Some of the common dolphins were riding on the fin whales as if the
whale was a ship. We were observing this on a boat 40-foot long which
was smaller than the two biggest fin whales. We didnt get up too
close and kept our distance to about 100 metres.

To get minke whales, there must be some food around but to get fin
whales around indicates there is a lot of food around.

There was literally thousands of fish in the area. The fish finder
was showing great big shoals  some of the biggest I have ever seen.

Dr Evans, who works as a research associate within the zoology
department of Oxford University, suggested the high activity in the
seas off west Wales reflected ocean changes currently taking place.

He added: The fin whales live in deep water off the continental shelf
so to get them to off west Wales was very unusual.

The man who took us out on the boat trip said he has never seen
anything like it in the thousands of time he has been out to sea.