Boat fishing in weymouth this weekend

[mglover1974]

Hi

I have a merry fisher 805 in Portland Marina and I'm planning to go down with a few friends tomorrow.

Its been a while since Ive been down so I was wondering if any users of this forum are going out in the same area. It would be good to make contact with a few boat owners owners to share knowledge / experience and make sure I dont go anywhere / do anything stupid!

If anyone is planning to go out, let me know or if not has anyone got any advice about what species to target at this time of the year and where.

Thanks

Marcus

[scottish_and_mental]

Drifting the Shambles bank for the chance of a decent plaice is probably your best bet
untill the black bream move in theres not alot else inshore except for the usual dogs and pout

[mglover1974]

ok thanks. whats the best rig / bait to use on the shambles do you think? I take it from your response that theres little chance of cod or turbot on the shambles at this time of year?

[scottish_and_mental]

Originally Posted by mglover1974

ok thanks. whats the best rig / bait to use on the shambles do you think? I take it from your response that theres little chance of cod or turbot on the shambles at this time of year?

thers always the chance of a brill or turbot aswell as a blonde ray on the kidney bank
As for rigs a simple running ledger with about 4ft of clear mono - bling optional to a size 2/0 filled with decent rag for a spotty or step up to a 4/0 and half a mackerel fillet ( cut lenghtways )hooked once through the thin end should give yo uthe best chance of a turbot or ray..
the cod can be caught on baited feathers from June time on the shambles and i wouldnt waste any effort trying to catch one inshore untill then - the wrecks will hold some huge fish from early may and there are pollack all over the wrecks at the minute but will mean a good steam offshore ..
the hole off portland should have some decent Huss and eels but tbh i think most boats will be targetting the plaice

mark inshore around portland and east towards lulworth might be worth a go for some smaller pollack and some hefty ballan wrasse .

[mglover1974]

thats a great help thanks very much. Just out of interest, how far out would I need to go to get big pollock / cod on the wrecks / which wrecks are fishing well. If others are heading out a bit further afield I might follow out (weather is looking good). I appreciate your help

[scottish_and_mental]

Originally Posted by mglover1974

thats a great help thanks very much. Just out of interest, how far out would I need to go to get big pollock / cod on the wrecks / which wrecks are fishing well. If others are heading out a bit further afield I might follow out (weather is looking good). I appreciate your help

Dont say that , i may be tempted to put my wrecking kit in the car
Any of the mid channel wrecks should hold pollack but at the minute it can be a 'suck it and see' trip shooting from wreck to wreck .. if it was me id follow one of the big 5 and stealthily do your drifts behind them

The cod will show around mid may and can be caught on jellies or live ells if you can get them tho i prefer to fish the smaller tides and use pirks ..
A decent window in the weather should mean all the boats heading out for the pollack

[mglover1974]

pollock it is then. get your stuff in your car!

We will be down there for about 11am tomorrow as we are travelling from Reading and you are welcome to join if you are seriously considering going out. we'll also be out for a full day on sunday.

[scottish_and_mental]

Originally Posted by mglover1974

pollock it is then. get your stuff in your car!

We will be down there for about 11am tomorrow as we are travelling from Reading and you are welcome to join if you are seriously considering going out. we'll also be out for a full day on sunday.

ooooh , after now realising its actually Saturday tomorrow and NOT friday im very very tempted to drive down from Salisbury ...
i have work at 9 pm but may well just be going to pack some gear
Steve

pm on the way

[Portland Pirate]

Hi mglover.

Shame I didn't see this post till now or I would have given you a shout earlier. I live in Weymouth and used to have and Arvor 25 moored in Weymouth. Unfortunately I sold my boat when I moved to Spain and have not yet replaced it since my return.

I wouldn't waste my time looking for Plaice this early in the month. Wait till the end of the month then it can be worth a go.

I have a little black book of lots of fantastic marks round Weymouth and Portland and my diary tells me that some of the best late winter fishing occurs in the next two weeks. Huge Blonde Rays from the Kidney, Spurdogs and Turbot from a secret location and Pollock from a number of Wrecks that are not so far offshore.

Portland Pirate.

[mglover1974]

Wish we had your little black book on board. total blank......

Never mind, still had a good weekend with plenty off beer to replace the fish!

I'll post a bit further in advance when I'm next going out (probably May for Cod).