kAYAK TIPS

[SCALEY]

I bought a hobie mirage SUV kayak the other day, Ive only been on it twice but havent fished off it. What ineed to know how much wind is unsafe to take it out on, also if I catch a decent fish whats the best way to store it on the boat. ive just bought a fish finder for it and looking forward to useing that. any tips on fishing and places to go would be great help:boat:

[sallysludgebucket]

I met with the North Wales sea kayak group on New Years Day at Conway, what a great bunch they are, very helpfull !

Ray at Victria Pier Angling, Colwyn Bay started that day and now is out and about fishing as often as he can, with some great results including a load of 10lb + smoothys from Prestatyn recently. If you drop him a line I am sure he will put you in contact with the group details etc. They have registered coaches and lots of experience and gadgets, with regular meets around the coast.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g161/sallysludgebucket/71bc09a2.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g161/sallysludgebucket/crap3007.jpghttp://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g161/sallysludgebucket/crap3004.jpghttp://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g161/sallysludgebucket/crap3006.jpghttp://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g161/sallysludgebucket/crap3008.jpg

[SCALEY]

Thanks alot for that do they go out all year round, I thought it would be restricted to just the summer. thats been a great help looking forward to my first fishing trip
.

[sallysludgebucket]

They are a mad bunch of buggers ! LOL THat was New Years day this year, yes they have regular meets throughout the year and travel around as well. they have every concievable item on some of them, cutting board, cooker, kettle ! Multiple rods etc. Some of their rods are only 12 inches long ! They make anchors from the cast weights that are used on the bottom of commercial fishing nets.

Would say you are safer going out with company for a few trips, things aparently get a bit hairy with a tope on a little rod on a little boat ! LOL Drop him a bell, will definatly sort you out and point you in the direction of local contacts and meets. The one guy is definatly an instructor and runs courses !

[richard lawrence]

Hi Scaley,

Have you seen some of these sites, loads of info relating to kayak fishing.

www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?showforum=26

www.paddle-fishing.com

www.anglersafloat.co.uk

Where abouts in Pembs are you based? I'm in Haverfordwest and generally fish out of the St Brides bay area, all the way around from St Brides itself to Porthclais in the North. There are also a few guys that fish out of Stackpole quay and Tenby. The great thing about Pembs is that you can usually find somewhere that is quite sheltered from the wind.

Try searching the Anglersnet forum for Pembrokeshire, there have been a few threads.

Regarding the storage of fish caught, I only tend to keep enough for one meal, these go into a carrier bag and then into the tank well behind the seat.

Richard.

[geffaz]

anglers net is your best bet they have a forum devoted to the subject mate!
and proper friendly they ar too, tho ther a few t*ssers on the other forums!
lots of gurus if you know wot i mean!

[ed2]

Hi mate. Don't go out far in it for a while and only go out far in groups. Some lads off Aberdovey were 5 miles out TOPE FISHING! but they were in a large group! Don't venture off on your own! Some places are restricted with handheld radios - I cannot contact Holyhead coastguard on my handheld!

[SCALEY]

I live in spitital near haverfordwest, first time i took it out was down newgale not the best place to start, so then i took out to fishguard breakwater where the ferry comes in it was nice down there didnt catch anything but just getting used to fishing from it. I havent got one of those radios just my mobile. Thanks for the advice and websites you have given me,going to try and go out tonight but one thing i cant judge right is how much wind or chop on the sea is too dangerous

[Livid]

These people are mad, was out on a charter boat yesterday in 20mph winds and seen one in between the Copeland Islands (County Down), anyone who knows the area will know about the very strong currents and chop that the area can get up, i was on a boat and thought it was bad enough until i seen that fella.

[sallysludgebucket]

Incentive to paddle maybe ?

http://i72.imagethrust.com/i/294651/kayakshark2.jpg

[richard lawrence]

Hi Scaley,

Regarding suitable conditions it very much depends on your experience. I've had my P13 for a season now and have found it to be very stable in winds up to about a force 3 to 4. Haven't tried it in much more than that yet. If it's breezy I tend to fish from somewhere fairly sheltered (short fetch) to avoid any uncomfortable chop, afterall it's about having fun, not getting sea sick!

Went out from St Brides this evening where there was a reasonable swell and quite a wind blown chop. No problems at all as long as you keep away from the rocks which were regularly getting washed over by waves (not a place to be in a Yak!)

As Livid says you need to be a bit careful about currents etc. Particularly if fitness levels are somewhat challenged. Staying in St Brides bay from St Brides around to Caerfai in the north is pretty slack. Whereas some sections of the Cleddau whilst clam can have a fast current.

Strong tidal currents often create standing waves particularly when wind is against tide. These often form around headlands so best to avoid them in anything other than calm conditions.

There are quite a few web sites that show what the sea state is like. Magicseaweed is a surfing site that gives predictions of swell and has links to the wave bouys. The height of the swell on their charts is self explanatory, the 'period' of the swell will tell you if it's a short wind blown chop (uncomfortable) or a longer ground swell. Also www.newsurf.co.uk has a daily photograph of the beach at Newgale so you can get a feel for what the conditions were like in the morning.

You'll generally find that the waves at Broad Haven are a couple of foot smaller than at Newgale. Broad Haven / Little Haven is relatively sheltered from South Westerly winds as well.

[SCALEY]

Hi Scaley,

Regarding suitable conditions it very much depends on your experience. I've had my P13 for a season now and have found it to be very stable in winds up to about a force 3 to 4. Haven't tried it in much more than that yet. If it's breezy I tend to fish from somewhere fairly sheltered (short fetch) to avoid any uncomfortable chop, afterall it's about having fun, not getting sea sick!

Went out from St Brides this evening where there was a reasonable swell and quite a wind blown chop. No problems at all as long as you keep away from the rocks which were regularly getting washed over by waves (not a place to be in a Yak!)

As Livid says you need to be a bit careful about currents etc. Particularly if fitness levels are somewhat challenged. Staying in St Brides bay from St Brides around to Caerfai in the north is pretty slack. Whereas some sections of the Cleddau whilst clam can have a fast current.

Strong tidal currents often create standing waves particularly when wind is against tide. These often form around headlands so best to avoid them in anything other than calm conditions.

There are quite a few web sites that show what the sea state is like. Magicseaweed is a surfing site that gives predictions of swell and has links to the wave bouys. The height of the swell on their charts is self explanatory, the 'period' of the swell will tell you if it's a short wind blown chop (uncomfortable) or a longer ground swell. Also www.newsurf.co.uk has a daily photograph of the beach at Newgale so you can get a feel for what the conditions were like in the morning.

You'll generally find that the waves at Broad Haven are a couple of foot smaller than at Newgale. Broad Haven / Little Haven is relatively sheltered from South Westerly winds as well.

Thanks richard thats been a great help. That newsurf website is brillant ill have a good idea before i leave the house what the surf is like. Do you fish all year round when the weather lets you or do you just keep to summertime.


I love that picture of the shark and kayak thanks for everybodys replys.

[richard lawrence]

I only got my sit on top kayak this spring and my old sit inside was not a good bet for winter outings. At the moment I tend to lure fish in the evenings only since the weekends tend to be filled acting as a taxis service for the kids. I'll just see how things pan out as the year progresses. I also tend to only fish lures for bass and mackerel both of which are less abundant in the winter so I guess I would have to change tactics a bit.

Regarding that picture, I must say that I hate it (even though it's quite a cool photo.) It just fuels my totally irrational fear of sharks when I'm in/on the water. I guess I watched Jaws just once too often as a kid. Did you see the thread on anglers net about the guy in NZ who was harrased by a great white whilst bringing in a long line? Not fun!!:boat: