Sunday looked to be the only rain free day for the whole week so it was off to Noss Marina for a trip aboard Blue Marlin III. We arrived at the Marina to find it very busy as expected on a Sunday in summer. Did I say summer? with continual rain and strong winds for days I feel very sorry for those taking their summer vacation in Devon.
Still we set off down the Dart and could clearly see a somewhat massive vessel moored. Before we reached her however we also …

Steve picked me up with the sun shining brightly so it promised to be at least a nice trip. Once the monthly checks were completed we left the mooring and headed towards the mouth of the Dart. When travelling to Brixham Steve said it looked rough out which was a surprise to me but sure enough it was decidedly lumpy as we heeded past the Mewstone.
We continue to be surprised at the sea keeping qualities of the boat and today’s trip certainly was a good test with a large swell …

It was a glorious day when we left Noss Marina heading down the Dart. It was very sunny,crisp clear sky and hardly any wind at all.
We decided to head out to a wreck to make the most of the flat calm sea. After steaming about 6 miles we dropped onto a wreck. We made several drifts but it was one of those days where all we did was consistently lose tackle into the wreck. We tried another wreck nearby and for some reason it was the same story again. Someone …

Well we attempted to go fishing and the conditions inshore of the mouth of the Dart were good but as soon as we cleared the headland by the Mewstone we were into very short and steep seas. Even so there were a few boats over the East Banks fishing for Bass, although to be fair these were mainly the commercial lads. Since I was at the helm I was enjoying pushing through the seas that were sending some water over the cabin roof.

It was an overcast day but the wind was from the North and the sea state was slight as we set off from Noss Marina. I had been away for a 3 week cruise to North America and Canada and this was the first chance for me to get across to Mikes and get out on the boat.
We set off from our moorings and headed down the river Dart. It was a complete change in the volume of traffic since my last trip which was during Regatta week. It was …

At last we have a calm, windless day to go fishing! So we came back with a bucket load of fish yes? Nope, we didn’t catch a thing. Not even a bite, well except for Steve’s son Adrian. As soon as he gets on board he has a bite, but that’s only into his Mums sandwiches! For such a skinny man he can’t half eat!

Stephen phoned on Sunday night saying the best weather for fishing would be Monday and as the tides fell, we would be best going early in the morning. So Steve set out at 0700 and arrived in Brixham around 0830! spitting feathers about traffic. Its really tough living just on the doorstep (tee hee!)
We set out with the knowledge that the morning would be the best weather with the afternoon bringing rough conditions. We therefore decided that wreck fishing offshore would be better done another day and an inshore mark …

A rare event indeed,good weather,slight sea and Adrian with a day off at the same time! Adrian had asked his friend Tony to join us on a trip out of the Dart  sea fishing.
The day started well enough with me having to collect Adrian and Tony and drive them across to Dartmouth, dads taxi springs to mind. Still the weather looked promising after days of strong winds. We arrived at the marina and after conducting the monthly engine checks we slipped moorings and headed down the dart.
This was Tony’s first sea …

Date: Tuesday 23/09/08
Weather: Wind N/E force 3/4
Sea state: Moderate/Rough
Engine hours at start:250.5
Engine hours at finish:251.6
Crew: Steve and Adrian
Time off moorings: 1030
Tide: High water 1143
Author: Skipper (Steve)
Comments: My son Adrian had managed to arrange a day off and wanted to go out fishing on Blue Marlin II with his Dad! Such a rare event had to be accommodated so we set off from home in some cold cloudy conditions and headed for Dartmouth. As we drove across the top of the Bay I could see the rough sea and white horses! not a …

Lovely weather with sunshine led to great expectations! However when Steve reported that the sea was looking lumpy (on his journey over from Ivybridge) we had mixed feelings when leaving the mooring in calm and sunny conditions.
When leaving the mouth of the river Dart the sea conditions were still slight with a small wide swell. However as we progressed further away from the mouth of the Dart the conditions got worse. Anything with an Easterly leaves the mouth sheltered. Past the Mewstone then the real conditions become obvious and here …