SiDfish

The Pirate 21 centre console and the Ribcraft 585 were my final two choices when I got my boat in 2019 ................ in the end I went for ta new Ribcraft, but it could have gone either way .............. the Pirate is an excellent boat ........ heavy build & very deep Vee, but like all Deep Vee boats they need a lot of HP ........... I would be looking for 225 or 250 on a pirate 21 ................

Second to Pollack would have to be shore tope for me.  Much like any shark you have no idea of the size when that ratchet goes.  Been specifically targetting them for over 40yrs now!

You can only catch what's in front of you, so mine has to be tope without lots of travelling, in which case blue shark (to date), although rays on light gear can be great fun
 

I'd go for decent pollock anytime.  They just fight so bloody hard, and taste great to boot

What boat would you own. 
 
I’d have one of these..
https://uk.boats.com/power-boats/2008-rodman-1250-7505877/
 
And then spec it to buggery. 

I'd go for decent pollock anytime.  They just fight so bloody hard, and taste great to boot

I was out on a group of four wrecks off the SW corner of the IoW back in the summer, and I wanted to test out the new HDS Live 9 and Active Imaging transducer side scan capabilities. Below is a screen shot of the bow of the Kurland (details here: map.forgottenwrecks.org/uploads/documents/FWFWW_Site%20report_Kurland.pdf) compared with the Marine Archaeology Trust's professional sidescan view from the Forgotten Wrecks report.

HDS Live Active Imaging side scan


Marine Archaeology side scan


Pretty good correlation between the two I think. The HDS side scan was taken at 455khz for the wider cone angle. Next time I'm there I'll try the same drift using 800khz so that I can get a better resolution image.

Incidentally, the Forgotten Wrecks Map is a great resource for wreck hunting on the south coast (sadly not yet made it to Wales  ). Well worth a browse for the history as well as hunting for wreck marks.  

Having an hour spare yesterday whilst the family was out I seized the opportunity to make up a batch of jellyworms and sandeel bodies in preparation for Fisty's Alderney trip in May. I reckon they turned out quite well. Let's hope the fish like rhubarb & custard flavour...

Good bolt croppers make quick work of rope/wire/chain.  I keep mine at the stern, rolled in grease and oiled rag, ready for use

Don't mention glue and springers!  I was working under the car and heard nnngh next to my head. Springer had tried to eat a tube of evostick and glued her jaws shut.  Had to pin her down and use petrol/old toothbrush to remove glue and chewed up tube!  Other favourites on her menu were rawplugs, hair scrunchies, tobacco, rizlas, any sticky tape (self amalgamating by choice), screwdriver handles, radiotags for fish, window sponge for van etc.  She used to actually eat it all without any harm.  Mate used to come round, look at dogshit on lawn, and say something like 'you've run out of yellow rawlplugs then', because the shit was blue.

Hi lads
Fish?  Farmed them researched them, injected them, put transmitters in them, surveyed stocks, re-built habitats, skippered a patrol boat, enforced legislation.  Enforced retirement due to health (I AM mad), now reside in County Kerry (15yrs).  Fish in river, lough, sea shore and boats whenever I feel like it.  Only downside is that my house is a virtual ruin, so me and the dog have to make do with a mobile home.  Just now the wind is shaking the van and the rain is pounding on the roof.  What with the place and people, I wouldn't rather be anywhere!

Had the springer for 16yrs. She was with me at work and play 24hrs.  Broke my heart when she died.  Thought 'that's it, no dog for quite a while'.  After several days mate brought round a young collie who'd been starved and beaten.  Still got him as my constant companion 10.5yrs later.  Still get melancholy about the springer (and the ones before) but now believe that the best thing is to get another dog ASAP when you lose one

Had the springer for 16yrs. She was with me at work and play 24hrs.  Broke my heart when she died.  Thought 'that's it, no dog for quite a while'.  After several days mate brought round a young collie who'd been starved and beaten.  Still got him as my constant companion 10.5yrs later.  Still get melancholy about the springer (and the ones before) but now believe that the best thing is to get another dog ASAP when you lose one

Hi lads
Fish?  Farmed them researched them, injected them, put transmitters in them, surveyed stocks, re-built habitats, skippered a patrol boat, enforced legislation.  Enforced retirement due to health (I AM mad), now reside in County Kerry (15yrs).  Fish in river, lough, sea shore and boats whenever I feel like it.  Only downside is that my house is a virtual ruin, so me and the dog have to make do with a mobile home.  Just now the wind is shaking the van and the rain is pounding on the roof.  What with the place and people, I wouldn't rather be anywhere!

Don't mention glue and springers!  I was working under the car and heard nnngh next to my head. Springer had tried to eat a tube of evostick and glued her jaws shut.  Had to pin her down and use petrol/old toothbrush to remove glue and chewed up tube!  Other favourites on her menu were rawplugs, hair scrunchies, tobacco, rizlas, any sticky tape (self amalgamating by choice), screwdriver handles, radiotags for fish, window sponge for van etc.  She used to actually eat it all without any harm.  Mate used to come round, look at dogshit on lawn, and say something like 'you've run out of yellow rawlplugs then', because the shit was blue.

Hi lads
Fish?  Farmed them researched them, injected them, put transmitters in them, surveyed stocks, re-built habitats, skippered a patrol boat, enforced legislation.  Enforced retirement due to health (I AM mad), now reside in County Kerry (15yrs).  Fish in river, lough, sea shore and boats whenever I feel like it.  Only downside is that my house is a virtual ruin, so me and the dog have to make do with a mobile home.  Just now the wind is shaking the van and the rain is pounding on the roof.  What with the place and people, I wouldn't rather be anywhere!

Hi lads
Fish?  Farmed them researched them, injected them, put transmitters in them, surveyed stocks, re-built habitats, skippered a patrol boat, enforced legislation.  Enforced retirement due to health (I AM mad), now reside in County Kerry (15yrs).  Fish in river, lough, sea shore and boats whenever I feel like it.  Only downside is that my house is a virtual ruin, so me and the dog have to make do with a mobile home.  Just now the wind is shaking the van and the rain is pounding on the roof.  What with the place and people, I wouldn't rather be anywhere!

Don't mention glue and springers!  I was working under the car and heard nnngh next to my head. Springer had tried to eat a tube of evostick and glued her jaws shut.  Had to pin her down and use petrol/old toothbrush to remove glue and chewed up tube!  Other favourites on her menu were rawplugs, hair scrunchies, tobacco, rizlas, any sticky tape (self amalgamating by choice), screwdriver handles, radiotags for fish, window sponge for van etc.  She used to actually eat it all without any harm.  Mate used to come round, look at dogshit on lawn, and say something like 'you've run out of yellow rawlplugs then', because the shit was blue.

I just love the Daiwa Kensakis.  The 10-25lb does most things on its own, lovely soft tip and bends gradually into a lot of power in the butt.  Old 12-20 is a lovely, very light, rod but much less power than the modern equivalent.  We use Penn Fathom 15s with 40lb spectra braid.  I find the 12-20 and 12lb Penn rods (rampage and regiment) too aggressive, they're very tippy and seem to bounce fish off on braid.  I have a fair few other rods which are OK (Greys, Ugly Stick, Daiwa) but none stand out like the Kensakis

I just love the Daiwa Kensakis.  The 10-25lb does most things on its own, lovely soft tip and bends gradually into a lot of power in the butt.  Old 12-20 is a lovely, very light, rod but much less power than the modern equivalent.  We use Penn Fathom 15s with 40lb spectra braid.  I find the 12-20 and 12lb Penn rods (rampage and regiment) too aggressive, they're very tippy and seem to bounce fish off on braid.  I have a fair few other rods which are OK (Greys, Ugly Stick, Daiwa) but none stand out like the Kensakis

Don't need music on the boat, got a mate to take the piss out of. Love my hi-fi at home, wouldn't fit in a 30ft boat!  Never, ever, wear headphones as they remove you from the moment. Probably would if I Iived in an urban jungle.  Love the sounds of nature such as wind, trees, the water, birds, whales breaching etc

What's happening with the springers?  Mine would be in the field, in the marina and in the bed, never standing, or sitting still!

I just love the Daiwa Kensakis.  The 10-25lb does most things on its own, lovely soft tip and bends gradually into a lot of power in the butt.  Old 12-20 is a lovely, very light, rod but much less power than the modern equivalent.  We use Penn Fathom 15s with 40lb spectra braid.  I find the 12-20 and 12lb Penn rods (rampage and regiment) too aggressive, they're very tippy and seem to bounce fish off on braid.  I have a fair few other rods which are OK (Greys, Ugly Stick, Daiwa) but none stand out like the Kensakis

I just love the Daiwa Kensakis.  The 10-25lb does most things on its own, lovely soft tip and bends gradually into a lot of power in the butt.  Old 12-20 is a lovely, very light, rod but much less power than the modern equivalent.  We use Penn Fathom 15s with 40lb spectra braid.  I find the 12-20 and 12lb Penn rods (rampage and regiment) too aggressive, they're very tippy and seem to bounce fish off on braid.  I have a fair few other rods which are OK (Greys, Ugly Stick, Daiwa) but none stand out like the Kensakis