2008 Zander Meet Report

[Banana Steve]

Well I got nominated {bullied by Claudia truth be known} to write the report for the Forum Zander meet. Well this meet had been arranged for quite a few weeks and I was looking forward to the day, and most of all meeting up with everyone. But as the day approached the weather in the UK steadily got worse, Snow in the North, High winds smashing the Coast, forecasts of stormy weather. However, when I woke up on Saturday, clear blue Skies and felling a little frosty, well sorted. So of we set, both Ian and myself left his home at 8:30 and a quick stop at Haines tackle near Ian’s home, we were on our way.

As we arrived near the venue we noticed a crazed driver in front of us, bullying their way through the traffic, and seemed to travelling in the same direction as us. There was a mass of destruction in their wake. The car it pulled into the same car park as we were travelling to. Lo and behold it was Twiddler.

After about 5 minutes and just After Ian booked a table at the Pilot Inn by the Venue Richard turned up. It was great to see Richard out and about, and he had great big smile on his face, it looked like he was looking forward to the Day. Mike and Claudia informed us that their friends were already on the Canal and fishing, Richard also informed us that Dave and Rich would be there a little later as they had not left until 10:00am.

So of we went, A nice steady walk to the Canal to the Turning bay an area that Richard recommended as being a good holding ground for the Zander.

As we set up for the day, Claudia wondered off to find Steve and Wendy and their son { to my shame I can’t remember his name} Richard and Ian and Claudia set them selves up on one side and Mike and me set up on the other side of the turning bay.

It was around 13:00 when Dave and Rich turned up, and at that point Claudia hit into a Fish, everyone held their breaths in anticipation, hoping for a Zander, but it was not to be, Claudia landed a nice Pike of around 4-5lb mark, and the first fish of the day, which meant the first round of drinks were on her.

Dave and Rich set themselves up on the same side as Mike and myself, and with the hour of them setting them selves up, Steve, Wendy and their son moved down to the Turning Bay. That meant we had 20 rods out and had the bay area covered.

At around 3:30 Ian struck into a fish, but yet again another Pike this time around 9lb, However with the banter between the Moonrakers and Solent/Avon with in the Spices hunt this put pressure on me to catch either a Zander or a pike to maintain the points lead over them. As the evening drew in the temperature started to drop, however the humour didn’t, especially with Pingu’s knots.

At 16:45 I was rudely awoken by bite alarm I struck out of complete instinct, I felt the thump of a reasonable fish, My heart was pounding due to the excitement of hoping to catch my first ever Zander, However it was not to be, I had hooked a nice looking pike, not massive but enjoyable. The fish was around 6-7lb but not much bigger than that.

As the rest of the day wore and night fell, we all waited with baited breath hoping that the witching hour would produce the quarry, but alas it was not meant to be.

Dave and Rich had to make tracks at 6:30 to head back home, with rumours of a Hawaiian night and ladies in short grass skirts, they bid themselves farewell. It was great to fish with Dave again and to make certain that Richards’s apprenticeship to the Darkside was well on Coarse.

We all called a day at around 7pm and headed of to the Pilot Inn for a Pub meal, and with Claudia paying for the first round it made it so much more enjoyable. The meal and the company were brilliant and the day was a fantastic experience and one that has to be done again…

I have attached the Video of the day for everyone to look at. Dave, Richard, Mike and Claudia took some great pictures and hopefully they will post them on the forum as well. Especially my pike, because it is worth 1 ½ points!!!!!!

[cuckoo]

Fantastic report steve , well done all shame on the zander , but looked like a great day was had by all fantastic film mate ,
p.s whos is the mustad sea rod holdall lol !!!!

[Twiddler]

Great report and video clip there Steve, very well done....I think the vid sums it all up, a great zander meet with superb company.
It was great for my mates Steve and Wendi to join us and to have finally meet the Boss Richard, great guy with a cracking sense of humour (well he must have, putting up with me next to him all day ).

Baggie and Dave, thanks for travelling down, shame you missed the meal after, huge steaks with pepper sauce yummy.

Here are a few more pics of the day


It wasn't me, honest boss




Steves pike




My mate Steve



Ians pike



Thanks to all for making it a cracking meet

[fishypaul]

great report steve,i can't get the video working,do i need to install anything ?

great pics claudia

[Twiddler]

Originally Posted by fishypaul

great report steve,i can't get the video working,do i need to install anyhting ?

great pics claudia

You don't need to install anything Paul....you should be able to click on it and it should play....if not, it might be your security settings no allowing it.

[ctwhitelaw]

Just Watched The Video looked like a cracking day

[Greenheart]

A few more Non-Zander pics....

Steve, just what were you doing to make that woman cover her eyes???

(Possible Caption Comp Pic here!!!)

And finally, Claudias big catch....

Not sure who looks most suprised, Claudia or the Pike?

Another Cracking Forum Meet. And as for the Zander? well maybe next year...

[pingu]

well what a cracking day( although totally uninterupted by fish for me)

baggie picked me up at 10.30 running a tad late as ever( that'll teach you to put house on market)
then proceeded to show me how to drive 25 miles up the m5 overrevving an already dodgey motor, before remembering 5th gear, but we made the pub for 12( arranged meeting time) but others already on bank but was rude not to have a beer in their absence( made round cheaper as well)

rich then donned his camo gear as was voyaging into the darkside
(hope you can see him in this heavy disguise)


but not wanting to totally loose his seafishing roots he wouldnt get rid of the navigator sea rod bag

walked along towpath and saw the gang, stopped to say high to ian , rich and claudia( who was just setting 2nd rod down) at this point i watched the indicator on 1st rod drop and rich and myself persuaded her she had a fish on
and lo and behold claudia was into a fish



a pretty but pale coloured jack


hellos all finished rich and myself set up on other side of bay
ian awaiting a bite( got the patience of a saint if you see second pic)





rich mr admin proving hes still alive


i managed a nice mussel encrusted branch on a bluey


then ian had a pike his side and at last some activity our side as steves alarm went off
baggie dived into action with the net


and is rewarded with his first pike caught by design



unfortunately nothing else happened and we had to head back
a nice day in great company but mr zed wasnt having it

madeit round to local in eve( baggie you didnt miss anything ) for hawiaan party but no barmaids working just barmen so no good views but a speckled hen to finish eve ( had to get a mention in somehow)watching amir khan win on big screen

dave

[fishypaul]

Originally Posted by Twiddler

You don't need to install anything Paul....you should be able to click on it and it should play....if not, it might be your security settings no allowing it.

it won't work,the word photobucket keeps flashing on the screen,i cant get past that,let me know when it goes on u tube steve i will be able to see it there

[Banana Steve]

Paul, i will see what i can do