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For much of the summer, Trueblue carries out regular 4 and 5 day trips to the Island of Alderney. Alderney is the third largest and the most northern of the Channel Islands. It lies approximately 10 miles west of the Cherbourg Peninsular and is 61 miles from Poole. The journey time is approximately 3 hours for a direct crossing on Trueblue, however most transits will involve fishing on route. Bed and breakfast style accommodation is in one of the many hotels and guest houses on the island and is usually arranged for you. |
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Clicking on any of the two Alderney pictures here will take you to the Alderney Tourism website should you require further information on this wonderful island, which of interest to most, boasts more drinking establishments per head of population than anywhere else in the United Kingdom.
Visiting Alderney can be like stepping back in time. The pace of life is slower, the people are friendly and there is virtually no crime. As an angler you can visit Alderney on Trueblue as part of a charter, or you can join one of our individual trips. Details of any available places are listed on the Trueblue Schedule. |
For most anglers, it is the lure of the many turbot and brill that provide the incentive to visit Alderney. On occasions throughout the summer, the many banks within a few miles of Alderney can be prolific for these large flatfish. Like all fishing though, days can be poor as well as good, with most days somewhere in between. On Trueblue, and indeed on most charter boats that visit Alderney, anglers are encouraged to be very conservation minded in their approach to fishing. We strictly adhere to catch and release for all undersized fish and on days when the fish are plentiful we fish to greater minimum size limits, often releasing flatfish under 45cm instead of the usual 42cm.
Other fish can also make a trip to Alderney a memorable experience. Bass, large tope, rays, pollack, conger, bullhuss and a variety of bream species can all be caught depending on tides and the time of year. But, it is not just the fishing around Alderney that brings anglers back year after year. Whilst on route, the fishing mid channel can be excellent, particularly during May through to July when anglers can expect to catch cod, pollack, ling and conger eels. The weather conditions on a particular day will play a part, but given fair conditions, there is usually plenty of fish to be found. Fish that are retained for consumption are iced down and remain fresh for the duration of the multi day trip. On some occasions, the weather may be unsuitable to fish on route. On these rare days, we may adjust our timings to get the best of the weather and route direct to Alderney. We then extend the time spent fishing on our subsequent days to make up for any lost fishing time.
Other fish can also make a trip to Alderney a memorable experience. Bass, large tope, rays, pollack, conger, bullhuss and a variety of bream species can all be caught depending on tides and the time of year. But, it is not just the fishing around Alderney that brings anglers back year after year. Whilst on route, the fishing mid channel can be excellent, particularly during May through to July when anglers can expect to catch cod, pollack, ling and conger eels. The weather conditions on a particular day will play a part, but given fair conditions, there is usually plenty of fish to be found. Fish that are retained for consumption are iced down and remain fresh for the duration of the multi day trip. On some occasions, the weather may be unsuitable to fish on route. On these rare days, we may adjust our timings to get the best of the weather and route direct to Alderney. We then extend the time spent fishing on our subsequent days to make up for any lost fishing time.
What should you bring on an Alderney Trip?
Basically you will need your fishing equipment, which remains on the boat, plus an overnight bag that contains a change of clothes and toiletries etc for use when ashore during the evenings.
The Overnight Bag
On their first trip to Alderney, most anglers make the mistake of bringing too much luggage/equipment. All you need for going ashore is a small holdall containing one change of casual clothes, maybe two shirts, toiletries (soap and shampoo are provided by the hotel) and enough underwear for the days that you are there. You don't need to pack enough clothing for a world cruise, your very best suit for a posh night out, or your latest night club attire. There are no fancy restaurants, night clubs or Casinos on Alderney. Less baggage on Trueblue means less weight, more space, and greater speed, which all contribute to a better fishing experience.
Basically you will need your fishing equipment, which remains on the boat, plus an overnight bag that contains a change of clothes and toiletries etc for use when ashore during the evenings.
The Overnight Bag
On their first trip to Alderney, most anglers make the mistake of bringing too much luggage/equipment. All you need for going ashore is a small holdall containing one change of casual clothes, maybe two shirts, toiletries (soap and shampoo are provided by the hotel) and enough underwear for the days that you are there. You don't need to pack enough clothing for a world cruise, your very best suit for a posh night out, or your latest night club attire. There are no fancy restaurants, night clubs or Casinos on Alderney. Less baggage on Trueblue means less weight, more space, and greater speed, which all contribute to a better fishing experience.
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This bag is perfect for carrying your none fishing items to Alderney on Trueblue. This waterproof holdall also has straps that enable it to be used as a rucksack. This one has a 60 litre capacity but 40 litres would be enough for most. Purchasing online and using the discount code "trueblue20" will get you a 20% discount off full priced items.
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www.over-board.co.uk
Click the picture to visit Overboard's website. Use discount code Trueblue20 to secure a Team Trueblue 20% discount off full priced items.
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Bags like this are also ideal for your overnight clothing. Just one per angler please. Similar bags also available from Overboard.
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Suitcases are not ideal on Trueblue. They are bulky, do not stack well and are not waterproof.
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The Fishing Equipment
It is surprising how little you need to bring on an Alderney trip. The transit to and from the island will affectively be two days of wrecking or cod fishing mainly on the drift. Interim days are usually spent targeting Turbot.
As long as you can tie a knot, then you are unlikely to lose tackle while turbot fishing. For this we use simple rigs and weights up to 8oz. Zip sliders or something similar work well. Then it is just a bead, a swivel, a length of 20-30lb mono and hooks 4/0 or 6/0. Of course you could add much more bling to make a colourful and complicated rig and whilst these won't put the fish off, there is no evidence to prove they work better than simple rigs. Personally, I would favour a simple rig all of the time since it is less likely to get tangled with others. Rod wise, choose something as light as possible but capable of being able to lift an 8oz weight. You could of course use a 20/30lb class rod, perhaps the one you use for pollack and cod fishing on route. Reels can be multiplier or fixed spool but most prefer the small multiplier option loaded with braid or mono up to 30b.
You may at some point need to catch mackerel or launce for live bait so make sure you bring some feathers, preferably small ones. For late summer / autumn trips, we may also target bream, which can be plentiful so you might want to bring a few small hooks and weights.
For the wreck and cod fishing on route, a standard 20/30lb outfit is ideal. Choose a fast retrieve multiplier loaded with at least 30b braid. Terminal tackle is again simple. Portland rigs, 8oz or 10oz weights and lures. I carry enough mono on board for anglers to make their traces. Tackle losses whilst wreck fishing can be frequent so do bring a few spare 8/10oz weights and lures. If conditions allow for some time at anchor on a wreck, then rigs are the same except for the trace. We simply remove the trace and replace it with a heavy mono one with a single large hook. Again, I carry the heavy mono on board so you don't need to worry about bringing your own. Heavier weights may be required whilst fishing at anchor so bring a couple up to 1lb. PLEASE DON'T BRING WEIGHTS OVER A 1LB. I carry a stock of heavier weights on board for you to use.
So there you have it, not a great deal of tackle required. One 20/30lb class rod could cope with everything we will do, although personally, if you have one, I'd bring a lighter rod for the turbot.
Other items to consider bringing are a means of marking your fish. Most anglers use cable-ties. You will also need something to carry your fish home after the trip so good strong drip proof containers or bags would be useful. You can leave these in your car ready for your return.
As long as you can tie a knot, then you are unlikely to lose tackle while turbot fishing. For this we use simple rigs and weights up to 8oz. Zip sliders or something similar work well. Then it is just a bead, a swivel, a length of 20-30lb mono and hooks 4/0 or 6/0. Of course you could add much more bling to make a colourful and complicated rig and whilst these won't put the fish off, there is no evidence to prove they work better than simple rigs. Personally, I would favour a simple rig all of the time since it is less likely to get tangled with others. Rod wise, choose something as light as possible but capable of being able to lift an 8oz weight. You could of course use a 20/30lb class rod, perhaps the one you use for pollack and cod fishing on route. Reels can be multiplier or fixed spool but most prefer the small multiplier option loaded with braid or mono up to 30b.
You may at some point need to catch mackerel or launce for live bait so make sure you bring some feathers, preferably small ones. For late summer / autumn trips, we may also target bream, which can be plentiful so you might want to bring a few small hooks and weights.
For the wreck and cod fishing on route, a standard 20/30lb outfit is ideal. Choose a fast retrieve multiplier loaded with at least 30b braid. Terminal tackle is again simple. Portland rigs, 8oz or 10oz weights and lures. I carry enough mono on board for anglers to make their traces. Tackle losses whilst wreck fishing can be frequent so do bring a few spare 8/10oz weights and lures. If conditions allow for some time at anchor on a wreck, then rigs are the same except for the trace. We simply remove the trace and replace it with a heavy mono one with a single large hook. Again, I carry the heavy mono on board so you don't need to worry about bringing your own. Heavier weights may be required whilst fishing at anchor so bring a couple up to 1lb. PLEASE DON'T BRING WEIGHTS OVER A 1LB. I carry a stock of heavier weights on board for you to use.
So there you have it, not a great deal of tackle required. One 20/30lb class rod could cope with everything we will do, although personally, if you have one, I'd bring a lighter rod for the turbot.
Other items to consider bringing are a means of marking your fish. Most anglers use cable-ties. You will also need something to carry your fish home after the trip so good strong drip proof containers or bags would be useful. You can leave these in your car ready for your return.
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What you don't need
1. Buckets of heavy weights. (Remember a light boat will go faster) 2. The biggest Stanley or B&Q tool trolly in the world. (When you make a decision to bring any large item onto the boat you should ask yourself a question, " would the boat be able to function if everybody brought one" (Remember a boat with space that gives anglers the freedom to move about results in less tangles, more fish and a more enjoyable experience). 3. Cool boxes to store your fish. By all means bring these to leave in your car ready for your journey home. The boat already has enough storage to ice down and keep your catch fresh whilst on the trip. 4. Accepting that most Alderney trips take place during the summer months, you probably won't need your winter flotation suits. 5. Ice. Ice is provided on the boat so you don't need to worry about bringing any yourself. Timings on Day One
Unless the weather causes us to modify our routine, timings for day one are as follows, 07:00 Meet at Poole Quay to load equipment and ice, park cars, complete customs form and receive safety briefing. 08:00 Depart for Alderney. (This sometimes slips if you the anglers want to have breakfast in the Quay Cafe before departure). Alderney runs on British time. |
General Points for Alderney Trips.
1. Please ensure you have medical insurance. You cannot get NHS treatment in The Channel Islands. There are no reciprocal agreements for health cover between the UK and Alderney. Medical treatment, including full hospital services are available in Alderney but without health insurance, it will cost you a lot of money. 2. Identification. You are required to have photographic identification whilst in Alderney. This can be your passport or driving license. 3. Food. Consider what you will eat during the trip. Breakfast is provided at the various hotels and we usually eat out collectively in the evening. It is worth bringing snack type foods, biscuits, crisps, nuts etc for during the day. Packed meals can be purchased from the hotel or you can buy something from the local convenience store. Trueblue does have a microwave if you want to heat anything up. 3. Car Parking. If you have a car to leave in Poole whilst you are in Alderney, then there are several options. The easiest is the Thistle Hotel on Poole Quay but this will cost £15 per 24 hours and needs to be renewed daily by mobile phone. Other options include limited spaces in the Fishermen's carpark or ferrying cars for off-road parking at a local residents property. Both these latter options cost £6 per 24 hours. Please let me know in advance if you wish me to arrange car parking for you. 4. Mobile Phones. Be aware that roaming and call charges whilst in Alderney are the same as in Europe. Alderney has British electrical sockets so your chargers etc will all work fine there. 5. Duty Free Shopping. Alderney is not in the EU so you can buy goods there free of VAT. Cigarettes, wines and spirits are also available but are subject to the normal personal limits for importing back into the UK. |
