Iow

[sjc avon]

Hi all, I'm going to Gosport start August and heading around iow fishing and wakeboarding and hopefully snorkelling if weather is good. I think it's cowes week so will be keeping clear there and was wondering what other harbours are worth a visit and any info would be great, I was thinking maybe bembridge or Ryde. Also where is best for fishing, snorkelling and wakeboarding.
Cheers

[moore288]

I guess it is quite personal but I love Yarmouth and then a short cross over to Lymington. Stopping off at Keyhaven is also very nice. On the sand spit is hurst castle that you can run ashore to. I can't claim to be a master fisher but a line with feathers off cowes caught is plenty of tasty mackerel for a BBQ .

[thomas]

Depending on the wind then Bembridge and Priory bay for wake boarding over on the east side, Osborne bay on the north, the submarine barrier for fishing over near Selsey and Chichester Harbour is always worth a visit and not bad for Bass.

[Hightower]

Don't fish for Bass from boats in the harbors. You'll run the risk of being nabbed by the fishery patrols as these are classified as nursery areas. The fishing has gone off in the Solent in recent weeks, if you find the fish there is some good sport but it's much more hit and miss than it was. Weed is also becoming a problem too so it's probably better to fish more off shore. There are some good marks East and South of the Nab tower and would suggest taking some Binoculars and looking for anchored fishing vessels to find the marks. Fresh Mackerel baits are your weapon of choice for general fishing and crab baits for smoothound. Try some Sandeel or Launce for Bass and Rays and if you manage to find the mussel beds, ragworm tipped with king prawn for the best Plaice.