Kayak fishing
Submitted by Colin Hay on Tue, 2008-02-26 11:03
Following up on Adam's suggestion about kayak fishing last week, I am wondering if anyone out there has any information on what are the most suitable kayaks for fishing and who sells them.
I have seen a few varieties on tv and around some of the shops, but having not had a chance to try one out, I am wondering if the pedal variety are the best.
Looking forward to any input,
All the best, Colin Hay
____________________________________________________________________________
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
.thumbnail.jpg "Putting on the ritz")
kaitan
Posts: 418
Date Joined: 18/06/07
hmm i've seen in anaconda
they have quite a number of kayak for fishing!!check that out mate.
NO PAIN NO GAIN!!!
wicksey
Posts: 314
Date Joined: 24/01/08
heard hobie is a pretty
heard hobie is a pretty reputable brand.
anaconda have cool ones fitted out for about a grand.
Dasho
Posts: 488
Date Joined: 24/03/06
I would like to jump in and
I would like to jump in and ask a few ?'s also:
do they offer much back support for long sit down periods ?
how many knot winds would keep you out of action?
are sharks a real danger?
can you tip over in choppy conditions or when a boat zooms past?
do you have to have above average fitness to paddle an average fishing mission?
are they more suitable for river use?
AndrewH
Posts: 21
Date Joined: 18/11/06
kayak stuff
I often sit in mine for up to 7 hours. Sitting in any one place for that long will cause some comfort issues! I have a back rest which helps alot especially when paddling. It clips onto the carry handles.
I have been out in 15-20knot winds (caught in a wind change) and my boat handled it easily. In these conditions I work directly into the wind till I get close to shore and then work across the wind. Not all kayaks will handle this and my view is if you want to go on the ocean, buy the best ocean kayak you can. Swell is no problem but wind chop can be difficult.
Never seen a shark but you have to be sensible, berlying always has some danger. There are horror stories out there.
You owe it to yourself to be fit and sensible about recognising your limits. Stick to rivers and close inshore at first, spend time learning how to paddle (using your trunk not your arms) before going out further.
cheers
Andrew
vans
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 07/02/08
Hi Colin Check out
Hi Colin
Check out
http://www.fishyak.com.au/index.html
they are in Wangara
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Many thanks Vans
That's a great site.
Thanks Wicksey, I will check hobies out.
Dasho, as far as fishing conditions go I think it depends on the kayak. I know some kiwis go ocean fishing for big pelagics in them. From what I have read, they hook onto a big pelagic (or shark) and get towed around to the fish tires out. But that's kiwis for you.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
vans
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 07/02/08
Seening a Kayak being towed
Seening a Kayak being towed around with a kiwi madly hanging onto a rod would be a funny sight!
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Big kayak catches
Her are some links to video clips of a guy catching a marlin and another guy catching a mako.
Marlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZyv3VHHbv8
Mako
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUC-ncCS3jI&feature=related
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
vans
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 07/02/08
WOW that's amazing! although
WOW that's amazing! although i was kinda expecting something from the likes of the Goodies...
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
I think there have been a few like that
I was trying to find some of those vids, but haven't come across one yet.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
AndrewH
Posts: 21
Date Joined: 18/11/06
Kayaks
Hi Colin
I do quite a bit of kayak fishing down here in Albany (when the wind isn't howling from the east). I bought a Stealth kayak from Ash Nesbitt (http://www.myocean.com.au/paddle.htm) in Perth. It is fibreglass, south african made and a dedicated ocean fishing kayak. It has a large internal well for storage, anchor well and rod holders. It is very stable. I posted a picture in the main section. I couldn't be happier with it.
There are lots of kayaks available and the hobies are quite popular (especially the paddle one) . I did a lot of reasearch and the South Africans get up to some insane stuff, so I figured anything they make would need to be good. If you only want to do river or close in estuary then most of the plastic ones would be ok.
I mainly fish for KG and squid but hope to do some jigging for yt kingies in the autumn. Things like saftey gear(hand pump, spare paddle), epirb, gps, two way and shark shield are all either a very good idea or compulsory in my view.
Australian Kayak Fishing Forum is a tremendous resource and social group. http://www.akff.net/forum/
cheers
Andrew
Bloke
Posts: 440
Date Joined: 26/02/08
Plastic yaks have as many
Plastic yaks have as many advantages as glass yaks have disadvantages Andrew, my yak wont crack
However if I was going to buy a paddle only yak instead of a pedal Hobie it would be a Stealth, some of us Aussies do crazy things in our placcy pedal yaks too mate, just back from 2 days Abrolhos fishing in mine where paddle only yaks just couldnt cut it against the Hobies.
Shark sheilds are a must in my opinion, as is a certain amount of fitness before going off shore, but most importantly is carrying the appropriate safety gear.
Once bitten by the kayak fishing bug in a quality yak (Stealth, Ocean Kayak, Viking or Hobie etc. etc. ) not many turn away from what could be classed as "extreme sportsfishing"
It's the most fun you can have whilst standing up, once you hook up to large palagics that are my preferred target species now.
See you out there.
Cheers, Allan.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Thanks for the input Andrew and Allan
I am still mulling over my options. At this stage I am mainly looking for something that I can pedal around in the rivers and estauries. I would need to build up my fitness levels to go out in the ocean.
Colin
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Dasho
Posts: 488
Date Joined: 24/03/06
being an office nerd sitting
being an office nerd sitting on my ass all day, my legs are wayyy stonger than my arms, so the Hobie pedal system would suit me better.
also using my legs to pedal and keep the yak in the strike zone in a strong current could be handy also.
the price may be the final decider though.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Agree Dasho
I think the pedal option would make it easier to flick out baits and soft plastics if you are moving around stuctures.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Bloke
Posts: 440
Date Joined: 26/02/08
I'll post up a message when
I'll post up a message when I find out about the next Hobie demo day, there's usually one every month held at Matilda Bay, next one should be around 2 to 3 weeks away.
Cheers, Al.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Thanks Al
That sounds perfect.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
FishoStu
Posts: 38
Date Joined: 25/03/08
Demo Day
Hi all,
There is a demo day happening on 1st of Feb Im told.
"We will be at he Matilda Bay Boat Ramp from 10am until 12pm. Call Grant on 0412 944 909 for further details on demo days."
I plan to be there with bells on, I cant wait...
Shorty
Posts: 1549
Date Joined: 10/05/08
I will probally wander down,
I will probally wander down, and Fishwreck member Albee Mangles will be assisting the show and might have his Hobie fully rigged for interested person to check out.
Have a look at page 54 of the Western Australian fishing magazine jan/feb issuse apart from the handsome looking bloke on that page
you have 4 pages on how to catch snapper from kayaks,,the Cockburn sound season opens in a few days as we all know,,,the new limit is 2 snapper per person,,not 4 as in last year,,,cheers,,,
Colin 3 > long standing and highly respect member of the prestigous Colin's club.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
That Brett is a star
It is a very good read.
(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Shorty
Posts: 1549
Date Joined: 10/05/08
A little birdie told me
A little birdie told me Bretts next article in the Western Angler Magazine will be about choosing a kayak.
Should be interesting for folks that are thinking about getting into kayaking,,theres 400 different kayaks in the global market place at the moment so it can be mind boggling where to start,,maybe Bretts reviewed all 400 ?
Colin 3 > long standing and highly respect member of the prestigous Colin's club.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
I wonder of he got to test ride a few
I have read one of his articles about what to choose. Made sense surprisingly (Lol only joking Brett).
(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Shorty
Posts: 1549
Date Joined: 10/05/08
Not sure if he names brands
Not sure if he names brands in his artilce but i was talking to a fellow from the Yak Shack in Rockingham today,,the Prowler 13 has been very popular and is flying out the door,,he has 9 in stock and are going for $1275 whch seems like a good price.
Any Rockingham locals can check out the specials in todays Weekend Courier.
The Prowlers are made in New Zealand and have a good reputation.
Colin 3 > long standing and highly respect member of the prestigous Colin's club.