Mooring buoys in the outer harbour enable boats to leave and return at low tide however. If they are caught out at sea in rough weather, they may decide to make for an all-weather port such as Fowey. As a rule, the catch is reduced at night so fishing is usually carried on in daylight. Fishing ground . Where the boats fish is usually decided by word of mouth and past experience.
Most fishermen keep notes of past fishing trips which they use as a guide.
Before putting to sea, therefore, they must calculate how long it will take them to reach their fishing ground then allow for the tides and available daylight. In good weather, they will tend to keep fishing as long as possible, the trawlers often spending as much as 100 hours a week at sea in the summer. Bad weather in the winter months will often prevent the boats going to sea for as long as a week or two or even longer. Overall, most fishermen spend at least two thirds of their days at sea. Once they put to sea, the fishermen will spend the time preparing their gear, carrying out whatever minor repairs they can.