The last three weeks have been glorious with regard to sunshine but the last two trips saw rough seas, however Steve said it looked like glass when he came over the top of Brixham, so we decided to go offshore to a wreck we have fished before, about 7 miles out of Dartmouth.

Before we set off from the marina however the gremlin's came back with the GPS, taking its time to find any satellites, so it may be a replacement is needed after all. It certainly brought home again our vulnerability and the value of our marks. Since if the GPS went down permanently, then whilst the hard won main data would not be lost (since its backed up on paper)all the additional marks we plot to give the shape of the wreck, would be and that would be a problem!

The journey out to the wreck was uneventful other than passing an LPG tanker ship moored quite close inshore! The wreck was picked up on the sonar and our first drift was used to gauge the speed and direction over the wreck, which fortunately due to slack water wasn't great. On the second drift Steve managed to get into a pollack, with 180' to come up Steve took his time in case we put the fish back. If you bring them up from that depth too quickly then the chances of them being safely returned is low.

However the pollack turned out to be of sufficient size to keep and with early success we both thought it was going to be a 'good day'. Steve caught the fish on a new lure, whilst I used a sprat lookalike. However, that proved to be the only fish landed this trip.

The trip was great with lovely conditions that even brought a Dolphin nearby showing off, although he was too quick for a photo, and teased us waiting for another appearance. So before we headed back to Dartmouth Steve gutted the Pollack and fed the 4 or 5 seagulls ,who sat alongside us the whole time we were over the wreck, hoping we were better fishermen than we are!

Ships log

Date: Friday 25/06/2010

Weather: Force 3 Variable

Sea state: smooth to slight

Engine hours at start: 225.9

Engine hours at finish: 227.7

Crew: Steve Mike

Time off moorings: 0930

Tide:  High Water 1050

Author: Mike (skipper)