Film Stars

The RNLI invest a lot of time and money trying to reduce the number of distress call-outs by working to improve safety and knowledge of everyone who goes on (or even by) the sea. Recently they analysed the call-outs to leisure craft and discovered no less than 11 different categories of marine sports that have resulted in distress calls. To try and improve safety awareness, the RNLI are making a series of short educational films, one for each of these different sports. It will be no surprise that one of them is sea angling.

I was contacted by Simon Jollands of The Knowledge Zone, a film company based in Cowes that have been commissioned by the RNLI to make these films. They needed help producing footage of real anglers, real angling boats and real fishing situations. Of course I was delighted to help, not just because it was supporting our favourite charity, it was also an excuse for a fun and different day afloat. I asked Arron to help out with Aquaholic, and last Tuesday Simon arrived at the marina in a huge and impressive RIB with his cameraman Steve Sleight, and Richard Devereux from the RNLI.

We spent an hour or so alongside the pontoon going through the script and filming sequences like engine checks, safety equipment (oops, my flares are out of date - best check yours too!) and radio procedure. Then we went out into Langstone Harbour for some simulated fishing and some moving-boat shots. Richard came along with me to play the part of a keen angler (although he wasn't).

I thought feathering for mackerel would be an easy start, but I didn't realise how easy it would be. I gave Richard a rod rigged with feathers, showed him how to drop it over the side and then jig it up and down. On the second "jig" his rod came alive and he was straight in - that was all of 15 seconds. So why did it take me over an hour when I really needed bait last week? Richard could not be persuaded that fishing can actually be quite difficult, and proved his point by hooking (and losing) a reasonable-looking bass!

Simon and Steve put some good sequences of Salar and Aquaholic in the can, and we are looking forward to seeing ourselves in action. When the set of films are finished they will be distributed free by the RNLI, I hope to have a link to the relevant ones on http://www.boat-angling.co.uk/ . The photo above shows (left to right) Simon, Steve and Richard after we had finished filming.

Now its the Round the Island Race!

No respite for us peaceful anglers! Last week it was the start of the Round Britain Powerboat Race, now on Saturday 28th June marks all around the Island will be unfishable because of the annual Round the Island race. You can find details of the RTI course here; and the following warning notice was issued by QHM Portsmouth today:

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS

No 15/08

ROUND THE ISLAND YACHT RACE: 28 JUNE 2008

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Queen's Harbour Master Portsmouth in conjunction with Associated British Ports Southampton and the Cowes Harbour Master (Notice 10 T / 08) that the “Round the Island” (Isle of Wight) Race will start from Cowes between 0600 – 0740 Saturday 28 June 2008. Around 1700 yachts are expected to take part in this event.


2. The anti-clockwise course around the Isle of Wight will be from Cowes starting West-about around the Island and back to Cowes. Turning marks for the race are at the; Needles Lighthouse, Saint Catherine’s Point, Bembridge Ledge Buoy and No Mans Land Fort, all marks being left to Port.


3. Due to the number of competitors taking part the starting times have been staggered to take place at approximately 10 minute intervals between 0600 and 0740.


4. Starts will be from the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Westerly Transit Line, off Cowes, between the Squadron and the West Bramble Buoy.


5. The main bulk of the fleet of yachts is expected to pass the Bembridge Ledge Buoy between 1500 and 1800 whilst the peak finishing times at Cowes is more likely to be between 1600 and 2000, these times are nonetheless wind and weather dependant. Should the weather forecast indicate light airs the finish line may be adjusted to be within the vicinity of Bembridge Ledge. All yachts taking part will be equipped with VHF and will keep a listening watch on Channel 16 and 37A (M).


6. Cancel this Local Notice To Mariners Sun 29th Jun 2008 (6 days)

Round Britain Powerboat Race, Portsmouth

More information on the race itself is on http://www.roundbritainrace.co.uk/ . The following was issued by QHM Portsmouth for safety information regarding the relevant dates:

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS
No 14/08
THE 2008 ROUND BRITAIN POWERBOAT RACE 21 - 30 JUNE 2008

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Queen's Harbour Master Portsmouth in conjunction with Associated British Ports Southampton (Notice 47 (T)/08) that the Round Britain Powerboat Race will start from Portsmouth on Saturday 21 June and finish in Portsmouth on Monday 30 June 2008. There will be approximately 48 powerboats in total taking part in the event with two starts, one at 0930 and one at 1000. As part of the race build up, there will be a ten minute aerial performance by the ‘Black Cats’ Helicopter Display Team to the south of Southsea castle, starting at 0910.


2. The Race StartThe Race Boats will depart from Gunwharf Quays from approximately 0830 onwards, exiting the harbour on the Eastern side under the control of the QHM Volunteer Harbour Patrol and proceed to the holding area just West of the Submerged Barrier. At 0930 and 1000, a Race Start Boat will lead the Race Boats to the Start Line which extends from Southsea Castle to a Committee Boat 3 cables to the South. Once over this line, the Start Boat will initiate the Race Start by lowering the Start Flag. In the event of reduced visibility in the Solent or congestion in the area of the proposed course, the Start Boat will lead the Race Boats at a reduced speed through the Solent until the visibility improves or the congestion clears. QHM Harbour Control will make warning broadcasts throughout the morning on VHF CH 11, which will include a Portsmouth Main Channel closure between 0900-1000A.


3. Once clear of the start line, the Race Boats will then pass between the following gates before exiting the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth to the West:
   Gate 1: Spit Sand Fort and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.
   Gate 2: Gilkicker Point and HMS GLOUCESTER 5 cables to the South.
   Gate 3: NE Ryde Middle Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.
   Gate 4: N Ryde Middle Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.
   Gate 5: South Bramble Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the South.
   Gate 6: East Lepe Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.
   Gate 7: West Lepe Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.
   The course then proceeds West past Hurst Point.
   Mark Boats will fly an extra large Blue RYA flag with Yellow writing.


4. Black Cats Helicopter DisplayPrior to the Race Start, there will be a ten minute Display by two Helicopters of the Royal Navy “Black Cats” Display Team commencing at approximately 0910. The display will take place in the general vicinity of the Race Start Line, approximately 100 to 400 yards south of Southsea Castle. All craft are to keep clear of this area during the display.


5. The Race FinishThe first Race Boats to finish are expected to enter the Solent from the East at approximately 1200 on Monday 30 June 2008. They will leave Horse Sand Fort to starboard and immediately turn North to run towards South Parade Pier leaving the submerged barrier to Starboard. Approximately 3 cables from the shore they will then turn to the West around a large inflatable yellow Mark to cross the finish line which extends from Southsea Castle to a Committee boat, or another inflatable mark, 3 cables to the South. QHM Harbour Control will make warning broadcasts on VHF CH 11 that the Race Boats are in the Solent. The first Race boat home will be escorted into harbour by QHM’s Launch via the main channel to berth in Gunwharf Quays. All other Race Boats will enter harbour in the normal manner. At 2100 the finish line will move South to Horse Sand Fort.


6. Spectator CraftThis is a high speed race and in the interests of safety all craft not participating in the race must keep well clear of the Holding Area, Start Line and the intended track. All vessels should proceed with caution and keep a good lookout whilst navigating in or near the area of the race.


7. Safety/Marshal BoatsFor the Race Start on Saturday 21 June, there will be approximately 50 Race Safety/Marshal Boats displaying a large Blue RYA Flag with Yellow lettering stationed along each side of the intended track through the Solent. Mariners are strongly advised to heed the advice given by the safety and Marshal Teams.


8. Cancel this Local Notice To Mariners Tue 1st Jul 2008 (14 days)
   Mon 16th Jun 2008Semaphore TowerHM Naval Base, Portsmouth.

Mackerel aren't always easy

Thanks to Scott at One Degree West, Salar is now back up and running after the burst oil pipe was located and replaced. I took her out on Friday on a long cruise around just to make sure the engine was running OK. First stop was at Horse Sand Fort to catch mackerel for bait (and if the rest of the day was a blank, at least I could say I caught some mackerel). Trouble is, after an hour drifting and feathering, only three of these oh-so-easy mackerel were in the cool box.

Then I remembered my own advice from last year - mini lures. I had made a string or two of miniature mackerel tinsel lures tied to 20lb line which worked well when the mackerel were being choosy, but had forgotten about them. I found a set, tied them on and within two minutes had a take, then a full string. Ten minutes later I had enough bait for the day. I even caught more with the rod dangling over the side while I was baiting up later on. Is any more proof needed that sometimes those mini lures work better than standard mackerel feathers and lures? There is a section on my web site called "Catch More Mackerel" describing how to make them (for little more than the cost of the hooks).

Mackerel and DIY

The mackerel are here in force, which is great news because they are a fantastic bait, taste great in all sorts of guises, and with light spinning tackle can be very sporting. We have been catching them around the Forts, at the harbour entrances and also over the fishing marks too. When you are using strings of feathers I am sure you will have found that after only an hour or so, the feathers or tinsel can be stripped leaving a perfectly good set of line and hooks. Recognise this?

Although they are cheap there is no need to throw them away. You can buy mini squids from some tackle shops which make ideal replacements - just slide then over the hooks and fix in place with superglue.

The downside is that the squids probably cost the same as a new set of feathers! Here is a much cheaper alternative. Rummage through your gift-wrap box and find a length of tinsel cord - the sort that is made up of braided tinsel around a core of string. Silver, gold and colours all work.

Pull the string out, cut off a 5cm length and thread it onto the hook like a worm. Tease out the tail with a needle, fix the head in place with superglue and your feathers are ready for action again.

If you want a lot more sport with mackerel than feathering, try spinning with a light rod, fixed spool reel and a small heavy lure like one of these:

If mackerel are near the surface, the seabirds will give the game away by wheeling and diving. When this happens, take your boat upwind or uptide, kill the engine and drift down onto the feeding zone. Make some long casts into the shoal, let the lure sink a few feet then strip it back fairly fast. Takes will be aggressive - you could hook a mackerel, scad, garfish or bass and any of them will give you a good run for your money on light tackle. My favourite spots for this type of fishing are between the Blocks and Langstone Harbour entrance, and even up to the East Winner if the wind is not too strong. Enjoy!

Tope and the Queen Victoria

A mixed bag of thoughts this week. Starting with catch reports, it looks like the early summer is in full swing, plenty of mackerel and garfish in the usual places. Bream are still around in numbers – and not just over the traditional rocky marks either. You can pick them up over many other areas of hard ground as well. Smoothhound are being caught on crab baits with some coming to squid baits as well. And the best news of all is that some good tope are being caught, so there will be some excellent sport if we can get to the tope marks in Utopia and off Selsey.

On the subject of tope, I have met a number of small-boat anglers who have yet to catch a sizable one, but they are not that difficult to locate and catch. Here’s how I have done it. Firstly, location. Tope seem to like running through deep channels, so find yourself a deep hole or gully especially if you can find one that narrows, concentrating fish and food. Tackle is simple – a running ledger with a long trace and at least 6/0 hook, either with a wire trace or 150lb+ mono. They have sharp teeth. Bait is equally simple: whole mackerel or part thereof. I have had success with flapper (whole mackerel with just the backbone and tail removed); Arron prefers the whole fish. He should know, see his catch report of a 36 pounder.

Let the bait fish away with the rod on free spool, or just enough drag to stop the tide taking it away. A tope will pick up a bait and run with it – let it go, and tighten up only after it has stopped, turned the bait and run again. If you get a good hook hold, be prepared for a running fight that can last half an hour!

One word of warning, when landing it be wary of a tail-hold only. Fish are able to change direction by bracing their tails against the water. If you hold their tails, they are able to turn and bite – and they will. Hang on to some front fins as well!

Finally, when out with Tony recently on Summer Breeze we were passed by the latest Cunard mega-liner Queen Victoria. Am I old-fashioned or is that one ugly sea-going block of flats? What happened to those sleek liners that used to cruise past us?

How to catch 101 Bream

Here are some combined thoughts on catching bream. Bream maestro Arron and two crew boated 101 the other day, so I'm going to share some of his tips and my own. There are some good fish around Boulder, Bullocks and Hounds at the moment so hopefully these will help.

1. Use small hooks: I use size 4 down to size 10 but watch that the smaller hooks are not too soft. Bream fight hard and can straighten a small hook. Try trout fly hooks and barbed carp hooks.

2. Use a mono hook length of 15lb or less. Bream will shy away from heavier mono.

3. Use a simple trace with two clear booms or small 3-way swivels, don't use beads or heavy booms - bream will get frightened.

4. Bait with a strip of squid, mackerel belly or garfish strip, about 1cm x 5cm hooked at the end. Alternatively use half a small squid head.

5. Hook lengths can be from 40 cm to 1metre, depending on conditions.

6. Rig your lead with one or two booms above it: bottom one about 10cm from the lead, the one above it should be adjustable. Try moving it up from about 30cm if you are not catching - at slack water bream feed further off the bottom.

7. A bream bite is the classic tugging rattle. Arron recommends not striking - let the fish take the bait then wind in - if it has taken the bait in its mouth, tightening up will hook it.

8. If you miss a bite then get no more for a few minutes, wind in and re-bait. Somehow a fish can register one bite but take two baits! Also, bream like very fresh bait, they will often ignore a bait that has been in the water ten minutes. Keep re-baiting.

9. Keep feeding ground-bait in to keep fish interested. I like to lose feed squid chopped into fragments into the water, just a squids-worth every ten minutes. In deeper water over 35 feet or in very strong tides you may need a bait dropper - see here for a cheap tip. Better to have little and often than a bagful you leave in all day.

10. Use a soft rod. If you are using braid and a stiff rod you can pull the hook out and also there will be more resistance when the fish takes, which can put them off.

11. Female fish fight harder. You can recognise them from their girly pinkish hue. Please put them back to spawn.

12. Keep only as many as you can eat, and preferably just males. Minimum size is 9.1inches/23cm length. They make great eating when fresh, but lose a lot of flavour and texture if frozen for too long.

13. Try float fishing at slack tide if bites fall off. The fish may be up in the water, and a sliding float will cover more ground and depth options to find the fish.

Thanks again to Arron for some of the tips, and to Tony for taking me out on Monday. We had a great session, with plenty of bream action. We kept just a few for the pot and I can recommend simple grilled bream with salsa verde!

Garmin Chart Plotter Review and other updates

As you will know from my last blog, Salar is out of action for the moment with a sick engine, so I am confined to shore fishing or prevailing on the generosity of other boat owners. On Friday I went trout fishing for the first time in probably two years, and although the weather and the location at Meon Springs were idyllic, it was all a bit too easy compared to sea fishing. Still, home smoked trout makes a nice change!


Last week I was going to post a review of the new Garmin GPSMAP 4008 Chart Plotter, which was delayed because of Salar's little adventure. I have now completed the review and it is posted on the Boat Angling web site. I won't repeat it all here, but one feature makes it stand out against the competition - it has a true video VGA screen which is much better than the previous generation of chart plotters.


I have also had time to post another couple of updates on the web site: how to make a bailer for nothing; and a downloadable chart of the general marks published on the site. No, none of the detailed, private or secret ones are there I'm afraid!

A fishing blog wouldn't be worthy of the name if I didn't mention catches: I have it on very good authority that Boulder Bank is producing more and better bream than Bullocks Patch or Brackelsham areas. However, the shoals are very localised and the difference between over 100 (true and verified!) bream and just a few fish can be just a few yards. More bream-catching tips from my friend the bream-meister next week...