desperate dan

Hey Bill - Sorry to hear the sad new syou are having to give up yakking. I hope that you still look in from time to time as I for one would like to call on your experience and knowledge. I am sure it will also help other members of the forum in time of need. All the best for the future Dan

Morning all, If you are topping up your lures for the forthcoming season - thought you may be interested in these ...... http://www.wsftackle.com/acatalog/divingpl...wn_lizard.shtml Seems a pretty good deal for the price Dan

Hmmm - giving away winning match rig secrets on line ........ I use when match fishing down here (Folkestone) a modified rig I saw Alan Yates using. It is quite complicated to tie as I use 14lbs powergum as stop knots so they can be adjusted quickly, three match swivels, one dodger, 6 aero beads, bait shield and lead link. takes about 10 minutes to tie each one. I wanted a bottom trace double the length of the the upper two snoods and came across the idea of doubling back and using the dodger as the middle snood bait clip - the impact shield holds down the bottom snood. the loop between the bottom trace swivel and the dodger can be any length but has to 'spring' out when released by the bait shield clip - hence the use of 40lbs .... without using a diagram it is difficult to explain. If you want to try one, PM you address and I will send one. Re the booms - on my 'scratching rigs I use snoods of about 6 inches. To get them to stand out from the main line I came across some catheter tubing ... It's diameter is small enough to push up onto the knot and it stays. If it does slide after use, I put a small dab of super glue on the knot and fix it that way .. For longer 'fixed' booms I was given some mig welding wire whch I cut to length and looped the ends. This wire is thinner than the shop bought stuff and has more 'spring' when released ... Please eat this message when read ..... lol All the best Dan ps. if you do want a rig tied - what hook size / type do you want ?

Hiya - have tried all sorts of different types of floro and mono's for hook lengths and have now settled on 'Memorex' as a personal preference. For use on my match rigs I use 40lbs for the first 6 - 8 inches then join to 6 - 8 inches of 15lbs hook snood by either a small swivel or water knot. It is the only mono I have found to knot and bed down nicely without kinking above the join. A bit of spit also helps lubricate the knot. I also found when bassing catch rates were not the same with coloured hook lengths - Memorex is clear. Everyone will have their 'favorite' so I am afraid it will be trial and error until you find yours, but hope my comment helps. All the best Dan

Greetings all - Well after reading the post about 'Article 47' maybe I should try and find ways not to catch fish - but nothing would change there - rather than ask about fish finders. Anyway having just about finished pimping my yak, I have been having a look on ebay at fish finders. There are the usual quality Garmin, Eagle etc available, but there are also loads of wirless and wired 'compact' finders. Has anyone tried one of these 'budget' finders? It is not going to get heavy use and only be used to identify the sea bed contours and depth ... Any advise would be gratefully received .. All the best DD

Greetings all for sunny Folkestone. Hope you all had a great Xmas and a have happy and healthy New Year....... Now that things are getting back to normal in the house thoughts go back to kitting out the kayak. I have been accumulating the bits and pieces for the anchor trolley and lucky me got the dry top and paddle 'pants' from my wonderful partner (Santa baby!!) ....... I am looking at fitting rod holders and fish finder next. Re the fish finder - in my boat I had an Eagle Cuda 168 that was a nice piece of kit and simple to use (it needed to be !!) I have found that they are still available for just under £50. Like all bargain hunters though,I have also been looking on eBay and there are loads of those little hand held wireless jobbies for sale. Has anyone ever tried them? are they any good? Also for my anchor I have seen a few kayakers use SMB reels. Again are there any views on using them? All the best Dan

Evenin; all ..... I used to used the yellow polypropylene pipe cut in half as beach sliders when launching and recovering my boat. I guess there is no reason why not to use it on some kind of frame to help. I got mine by asking some groundworkers who were laying the pipe for a couple of 'off cuts' - no worries.

Hey all - my mate just bought an Ocean Drifter for £ 450. He was also offered the same from Brighton Kayaks for £415 plus £40 quid delivery. He then went to our local supplier who offered at the price paiid. We watched eBay for a while and as said by the other - the Ocean range all held their price. We did also hear though the grape vine that there is going to be a price increase of around £100 next year, don't know if anyone else has heard the same ? Good luck with the search - Dan

Hey Bill .... yeah I am dead lucky .... These are the 'bits' C has found for me .... The prices seem reasonable The paddle pants .... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=260321968652 The kag top .... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=190211898401 The kag top and pants appeals to me in that you can 'layer' depending on weather and conditions. What do you recommend for footwear ? I have a pair of 5mm neoprene booties I use for diving - would they do the job or is there something else ?

Thanks for the comments chaps ...... have no fear Mike there is no way that I am going to venture out without a few hours practice and some dunkings. I will be taking you up on your offer of meeting up som time for some instruction and tips before venturing out. My long time friend and fishing bubby I mentioned before has now bought himself a Drifter so will be bugging you and Bill until the time we can get out. I am clearing my garage so we can work on the yaks over winter months and get them ready for the off.... Whilst on the subject my partner has offered to but me a pair of 'dry' trousers and dry kag for Christmas. What do you think of that sort of combo ? Whats the chances of meeting up for a pre Xmas drinkies ? Dan *<:0)#

Evening all ..... starting to sort out the shopping list to be prepared for entering into the world of kayak fishing. I am picking up a few bits and bobs and putting together an action - well Saturday night TV is pants isn't it ????? I have been contremplating where would be the best place to store terminal tackle and lures. I have an Ocean Drifter which has a samll area in front which I am lead to believe is a tackle box storage point, but is pretty small. I would imagine trying to turn around to access the rear area is pretty awkward and 'hooching along to the front will raise it's own issues. So what is the solution? I have a small pocketed belt I use when fly fishing or when we go wading for bass which I guess would be one. There are various combinations of this available with differing numbers of pockets. Obviously your PFD would limit some of these. Like most anglers I know I carry too much gear with me when I normally fish and apprciate I would have to consider what is essential and what is not, however woould be interested in your comments.... Thanks

WOW !!!!!! I like some 'extreme sports' but this would require multiple changes of underwear !!! lol

Awsome !!! Total respect to you guys. Taking into consideration the weather - this iis dedication ... Thanks for the pic and report ....

Hi Bill - yes she is my first kayak. I have not paddled before so intend on getting some practice in before I really venture out. Was going to try a couple of days off Hythe or Dover Harbour if too rough on the chosen days. I am afraid I become a bit of a 'geek' when it comes to kitting out. As you has advised I will look at all the different options and add ons to see what will suit me best before making any permanent fixtures. I will also have to weigh up the cost - though safety will not be compromised ..... Apart from fishing my other 'passion' is diving so have a selection of wetsuits and a dry suit to start off with. Will probably look at getting a 5/4/3 at some time but wait for the sales or end of lines to come along ..... I kept a PFD when I sold my boat back in the summer. I cannot wait to be able to venture into a few of the coves and 'hotspots' where I have hooked a number of bass but know there are bigger ones around but have not been in lure casting range ..... I would also like to try Sandwich Bay for smoothounds & Minnis Bay for thornback skate. I have caught both off the beaches so know they are there ..... The biggest smoothound I have had was at Selsey off the beach that went 16lbs - to get one of that size in a kayak I am sure would be an experience. I am looking forward to meeting up with you and Mike and do some learning and I hope share some good fishing ... Dan

Thanks for the offer Mike - company and advise would be most appreciated. Will post up when I can get away and hope you can make the same dates ..... even try to wet a line if I get on ok .... Looking forward too it. Thanks

Hi Bill - sorry missed your earlier question ... I have just got an Ocean Drifter. Looking forward to setting it up ready for the off on a nice sunny winters day or if that does not happen I'll have to wait until spring. I am afraid I will be asking lots of questions before 'first' launch so be prepared .... lol

Hey n4lly - won't be long until we are taking kayaks to work and really fishing Fan Bay .... lol... \good idea re the Hythe Club - would Mrs n4lly mind us storing the kayaks at your place seeing as it must be the closest to the beach .... lol See you on the beach tomorrow .... DD

Thanks Newt .... I think I will have a look at the way the local guys set upsbefore deciding on what way to go. Whilst here might as well ask - a friend has seen my kayak and is interested in getting hinself one so if anyone knows of one for sale please let me know. He lives in Hythe so would prefer to get one locally. Thanks again for the advice .. Dan

Nice one Mike - wish I could have joined in the fun ..... Bummer re the gill netter .... at least you scored a nice coddy ..... Am taking my son (7yrs) down to Hythe beach for an hour or so on Saturday ... hope to see a few fish then as well. Could you or Yakity yak explain what an 'anchor trolley' is and how it is set up. Also is it worth putting one together .... thanks See you soon I hope Dan

Hi again Mike --- forgot I had a dental appt. in Hythe this a.m. so popped down the beach to see if you were there 09.30 ... guess it was early so missed you. I know it is late, but the 'hole' is triangulated in a line from front of St Saviors. To the right heading out Dungeness power station and to the left Folkestone Pier. Use the appareance of Folkestone pier from behind the Leas as distance marker.If you can see Rotunda beach you are too far out. Have you guys ever tried Grenham bay along on the north coast. When there is a peeler crab run up there it can be awsome fishing from the beach - I guess kayaking would be better .... From the beach we fish low up wading into the shallows. Only need basic running ledger with crab bait chucked 20yds max. Last year we had school bass up th 4lbs, codling and thornback skate in the same session. I recon plugging and drifting sandeel would be teriffic. Just a quick question re the kayak .... ' if fitting rod holder, cleats or other deck mounted gear, is it ok to drill the hull and secure with self tappers and a good dollup of marine silicone or is there a better way? please let me know ...... Hope your day went well All the best Dan

Hi Mike - you shpuld have a good session if you can get through the whiting. Had three codling atound 5lbs on Friday night on lug and squid off the beach. A few doggies around as well on. Look forward to hearing how you get on. Good luck - Dan

Hiya Mike .... thanks for the reply. Would love to come down on Wednesday but unfortunately work interferes with my social life !!! lol However hope that we can meet up so I can see your set up and will adapt my kayak accordingly. Have all types of rods and reels and had earmarked a 6ft med/heavy spinning rod teamed up with a baitrunner with 25lbs braid for summer lure fishing and as 12/15lbs class boat rod with abu5500 leverdrag with 20lbs braid for bottom fishing. I Have a drysuit and various thickness -7mm - 0.5mm wetsuits from my other passion diving so should be covered on that front. Will nip into Sharp & Enwrights, Dover and pick up some suitable anchor chord and a folding grapnel as you have. I was going to fit a small cleat on the side of the cockpit and a runner on the bow. Fished off Hythe with the Dory a while ago ... have you found the deep hole opposite St Saviors? Had some cracking sessions there when we hit it right.... I was also going to get a Berkley rod holder and fit it to the front of the cockpit for bottom fishing. I am interested in the amount of safety gear you carry. What flares,radio and bouyancy aid do you have? How often do you get 'dunked' ? Look forwatd to hearing / seeing from you soon - Dan

Good morning all.... A friend has just suggested I join in your group to help getting started witha bit of kayak fishing. I have just bought a Ocean Drifter which seems to the the right tool for the job for doing some fishing around my home waters, Folkestone, Hythe and Sandgate - and beyond when time allows. I used to own a Dory - but with all these 'good' ideas was restriced by time and 'friends' to help lauch so sold the boat. When the offer of the kayak came along I could not resist ...... I would apprciate any tips for kitting out the kayak - i.e what type of anchor and how to rig it safely, launching tips etc etc Anyway - looking forward to having some fun and maybe seeing some of you on the sea some time .. Thanks for any tips ..