We got back in yestrday evening after a couple of days fishing, this was our secound trip this week, as we landed our catch last friday so we could take advantage of the good prices at the end of last week.

We have been working out to the southered again off the lizard, in the beginning of the trip we were seeing a nice bit of squid and cytlle with some whitings, haddocks brills, sole andthe lemons were starting to show. The last few days the lemons have come on stronger and we are seei [...]

We sailed last wednesday and we headed west and shot to the south of the scillies, the weather when we sailed was fresh from the northeast and a large swell was starting to build. Before we left I had a forecast and we were going to have a series of low pressures pass overhead with the wind being cyclonic and strong at times so we new this would be an unpredictable trip.

The fishing started off not to bad with a bit of monk and some nice flats but by later on wednesday the swell wa [...]

We sailed last wednesday night and we are due into land our catch to PTA this evening. The fishing has been difficult this week and we have had to move grounds alot to stay fishing, we have a good mix of prime and flats but the whitefishing has been slacker. 

This is quite the norm for mid february as it can always go slack this time of year and with a long spell of cold easterly windson top, this has made the situation worse.

When it's like this we are usually glad of a [...]

We sailed last friday and headed back out to the grounds to the south of the scillies, the fishing wasn't that great but what we were catching was prime fish.

We had extra work to do this week, we were asked to do some discard trials this week by Dr Tom catchpole, who works for CEFAS, which is the fishiery science body for the UK.

We work two nets which is a method known as twinrigging, the best thing about the project that CEFAS have set up, is that it is in partnership with [...]

Our tuna is the 'albacore tuna' which we catch sustainably by hook and line, and legally with the correct licence and quota. I should know cos its been hard enough to get.

Thought it was the end of the line when we got our first insurance quote for the boat (£13,000 for  the season). You got to be having a laugh, I didnt want to bloody buy the insurance company! We got it way down in the end but that was the first spanner in the works.

The C [...]

The Ben Loyal is going to be high and dry on the slip for a week or two.

Now comes the hard part waiting for funding ,as no work can be done until we have a letter of agreement from the funding people. Lets pray the boat ticks all the boxes. As a person I have always struggled to tick all the boxes lets hope the old Ben Loyal has better luck.

 Our contract from the man from Del Monte, is bloody hard work as well would have been good to have had the contrac [...]

been a hard day today for kevin,just spent a load of his money was quite enjoyable for me ,he had his head in his hands a few times,we reckon my list came to 50k is easy spending it bit harder earning it.

felt a bit of a twinge in my left arse cheek today now thats either the thought of the work my back has to do or feeling a bit of preasure got a appointment to see neville he can always rebuild me.

patched things up with maria,had a pint with a few mates,they said shes to intelig [...]

today was busy,the money for boat was transfered today skint again,but made sure fridge was full first,bought plenty of jacobs crackers should last me awhile,and shot 3 pigeons for tea so will survive,am the proud owner of a 20m fishing boat what have i done no only joking looking forward to the challenge,this blog might improve my spelling also.

boat was put on the slip today for work to be done like cleaning the bottom, anoides,paint,prop and the most important to be surveyed and [...]