izzetafox

Nasher get a paddle leash as soon as possible definitely before your next trip. Seriously mate you are taking your life in your hands. No paddle.=.no way home, all you need then is an off shore wind or strong tide/current and you could be miles away before anyone notices. I lost a paddle recently ...fortunately I had a spare 2 piece in the hull of my P13. It did not stop my missus arranging for as much embarrassment as possible... I have had 21 postcards from all over Europe from my beloved lost paddle...the grandkids are loving it!!!!!

I know it's late but here's a brief report on my two weeks on the Lleyn. I have been working flat out 12 hour shifts and holiday cover...plus been blitzing Ebay to raise money for a week at Aberdaron in September. First I must say Hi to Boomphat...I met him in Tesco's carpark in Bangor on the way down. He spotted me by the Yaks on the car roof. What a nice guy. Sorry we didn't get to Llanberis mate. Anyway fishing was interupted by family committments so trips were a bit limited but here goes.... Nefyn bay evening on ebbing tide, fished about half a mile out at anchor with shrimp rigs and only bait I had on fgirst evening...lob worms from lawn at home. Well the whiting love 'em any way. Only small but they were my first ever fish from the yak. Then a small plaice which was a nice surprise. I then decided to have a troll around to see if the depth varied...mainly flat clean bottom aroun 25 ft. Picked up a nice mackie abou 1 1/2 lbs on feathers. Dinner time so went back. Porth Colmon, used the mackie and lob worm again on shrimp rig and a few chunks on bottom rig. Had a coupl of small ballans and pollack and doggies on the bottom. I stuck to the rough ground just off the rocks, there was a lot of swell and offshore wind so being solo played it safe. Pwlhwelli. Launched from the spit at the harbour entrance by the caravan site. I made my way around to fish 1/2 mile off the Gimlet 28ft of water 1 hour after high tide. Gave the feathers a go for a bit of fresh bait and second cast had 2, 4 cast another 3. Again the faithfull shrimp rig came out with mack strips hoping the bream might be about, very slow at first but then I saw 'fish' on the sounder at 20 ft so I reeled up a couple of turn, more in hope than anticipation, well the rig had hardly moved when bang, bang a couple of mackies, which were shaken off ( without touching ;D ). From then on the sounder was going daft and it was non-stop mackies. After 30 plus returned I thought I should try a move to see if the bream were around, I could not avoid the mackies. Went a mile towards Abererch. Fished shrimp rig and bottom rig. All I could get then was doggies and a couple more mackies. Fun but not what I was looking for. These were my only evening trips :-/ Had a few 1 hour sessions whilst on the beach with family. Nefyn whiting and plaice again. Several time. Couple of trips at Aberdaron over to the cliffs west side of the beach. Wow!! What a beautiful are ;D I had pollack every time only a few and not monsters, up to a pound or so and one bonus bass about 2 1/2. All on spun rubber eels. It was these beach trips that caused the problems wife and grandkids have really got the bug. I could not get on the water alone o do much fishing. Then because of the numbers it had to be the Tobago to fit the kids on. Suddenly though my grandson discovered the pleasures of the P13. He had launching mastered in no time and there was no stopping him He now want one of his own and is working out how to raise £500! At 12 years old that is a mountain. The problem for me was getting him out!! I had a great time and the fishing looks great from my limited experience but as I say I will be back in September. I have a van in Aberdaron itself and can walk to the beach so hopefully..weather permitting I will try again, NO GRANDKIDS this time

Mark, I alternate positions. I was yakking on Windermere this year and found that after sitting in one position for a couple of hours my left leg went dead. Now this was in a charity event and we had to run to the finish on landing. My mates p*ssed themselves when I got out...right foot hit the floor no probs... left foot hit floor closely followed by me ...flat on my face. It was two or three minutes before I could stand. I felt a prat. So now I try to change my position and keep the circulation going.

I know I am risking getting blown out of the water but here goes... I know everyone ( well most anyway) hates Bic's but as many say it's horses for courses. I have just got back from Wales having taken a Tobago and a Prowler 13. I had wife and grandkids with me. The tobago was brought about 6 months ago as a very safe 2+ person fun yak with the hope of some fishing. Grandson and I have had a lot of fun in it and in Wales we regularly had 2 adults and two kids on it and we felt very safe. But now the crunch...one up it is bloody hard work, it is heavy to load on the car. Fishing??? stable, easy to sit side saddle, plenty of space to strap stuff down. But after having used it for 3 months and many of the trips solo I had to splash the PayPal savings and buy the P13. Wow what a difference!!! Slick, comfy and a true fishing Yak. I had to fight my grandson for it off Aberdaron beach, he is 12 and made easy work of launching solo in a moderate surf ( very closely supervised) and was amazed at the speed he could achieve. Much harder work for me in the Tobago. Although the Tobago did surf in better All that foam inside keeps it higher on the wave. I think the best comment is: Yes you can fish from a Tobago BUT!!!! they are made as a very safe ( unsinkable) fun family Yak, they do what they are designed for very well. But if you are serious about your fishing then buy a more suitable yak. Lets not slag Bic's, just recommend them for the most appropriate use. Horses for course is indeed the best comment you guys make.

There is always the Spa car park short term to drop off or the one near the bridge if you are back by 7pm. Paintfly I believe you are safe there the race is only near Bardsey Sound, if you go as far as the islands give the next bay a try good depths off the headland should produce.

At low tide you ca walk to the headland west of your launch site. The sand is hard and rippled. You can dig blow lug there as well. Also try this place just east of the Warrens holiday camp, nice beach tide does not go out so far. Turn left after leaving Llanbedrog towards Abersoch, as you go up the hill there is a very sharp right 'U' turn. This is the road This is the launch site. Talking of islands...I don't think those two are too bad but DON'T EVER BE TEMPTED TO GO NEAR BARDSEY OR THE NEARBY CAREG DDU!!!!! You can sit at the top of Mynnydd Mawr at the end of the Peninsular looking down at the sea and you are about 2 miles from one of the rips but you can hear it roar. It is potential suicide to kayak there on anything but the meekest of tides please don't try it.!!!!!

The only problem with Abersoch in August is all mummy and daddy's teenage kids are there with their student friends, plus the sailing regattas. Lots of flash cars and silver spoons....OH! and a fair bit of eye candy too. Aberdaron is much quieter but parking can be a problem. The benefit is the rocks either side, these put you onto deeper water fairly quickly whereas Abersoch is a massive sandy bay. If you do try Abersoch go to the north end beyond the golf course, head for Sarn Bach, turn left up a hill heading towards Bwlchtocyn, as you go past some houses on an 's' bend take the next left, about half a mile further the road takes a sharp right but you go straight on down the hill to the beach car park. The only thing is if you fish the ebb you will have to walk a hell of a long way back. Don't write off Pwllheli, very long frontage with loads of free parking just a bit awkward getting onto the beach with protected sand dunes and the beach itself is fine shingle. Llanbedrog is another with road access straight onto the beach.

I know it's a special place....this is our 13th year in the same cottage. It's like Cornwall only less commercialized. Penllech is just behind us, if there are 12 people on a mile and a half of sand we think it's busy.

Well it's time for the annual family trip to the Lleyn, Llangwnadl to be precise, about 5 miles from Aberdaron. Taking the yaks, Prowler for fishing and Tobago for the family. I shall be doing my best to fish as many evenings as possible....weather permitting. I will venture anywhere I can launch, from Trevor to Porth Colmon to Aberdaron all the way to Black Rock Sands and anywhere in between. So if you see a numpty on a yak called 'Soggy Fox' and think 'God he's useless!' Be kind and remember I am from Leicester and make allowances for me. Say hello and take the ****. Drop me a text on 0772 5797182 if you are near by. At least the dry suit will get some use going by the forecast.. Cheers Terry

Rutland Water lets you launch at Whitwell Creek for £6 :-) However you can only paddle in the creek area and you cannot fish. :-( :-(

I brought my P13 from them excellent serviceand £499 plus 10% off anything else brought at same time seemed very fair. Very knowledgeable on kayaking in general but not so much on the angling side. I too would recommend.

You don't want to have go shopping here.... http://www.rvengines.com/creek.jpg

Has anyone tried using the threaded holes on the new prowler just in front of the FFR scupper hole yet with Scotty accessories? Are the holes a perfect match for Scotty bases?

Try this guy. http://www.tideplot.force9.co.uk/ The tidal software covers lots of tiny slips such as Porth Ysgaden and Porth Iago in North Wales that you won't find in lots of other places, you can print tables out a month at a time. Quite reasonably priced too if I remember right.

Ouch!! I thought everyone had forgotten the hero of the O'Neil days... had izzetafox as e-mail addy for 10 years now. Those were the days ( my friend, we thought they'd never end ...) and look at us now. I use the straps with pipe insulation and am always careful to have just enough tension to be safe.

Very good shop on Criccieth high st ..ask there for best advice.

Anyone after ratchet straps??? Wilkinsons are doing them for £2.99 1" by 5 m Plus has anyone else noticed what a good fit those Ikea blue bags are for the Tesco crate and they have a press stud fastening too.

Well after much pull pushing and head scratching I have fitted the fish finder to my Prowler. I suppose to you guys it's a bit 'Fred Karno' but for a diy disaster like me it's a minor success. Well first off I had to find a way to pull the transducer through so I epoxy'd a 10mm nylock nut to the transducer, then 'acquired some 10mm threaded rod from work. I have fitted a 1amp in line fuse and a toggle switch with waterproof cover. I have used the suggested 'lockit ' box for the battery and taped it down with Duck tape. Will keep an eye on it but it seems secure. I coiled the excess transducer cable in the top of the scupper/cup holder. I then slipped a wooden circle ( well varnished ) over the rod and tightened the lot up with a washer and wingnut for easy removal if needed. I fitted the toggle switch next to it. I decided to use another piece of wood to secure the Finder to. This was fitted under the tackle box bungee. Transducer looks snug Whilst at it and until I can get the chandlery I had a go at a basic anchor trolley. Using the screw holes fron and back I got 3 links of chain, 2 large grommets, a washer and an m5 dome topped bolt and hey presto. Very similar to the normal ones but the landlubber numpties edition.

Cheers Chris...I actually live in Leicester as opposed to 'near the Wash' it's just it is the nearest saltwater to me. I will do some research on the areas you mention. Thanks again

Well necessity is the mother of invention...I have raided the stores at work and got some 10mm threaded rod, I have a couple of brackets that are used for securing bolt fixing to girders ( bolt holes are 10 mm)...some 10mm nylock nuts. Looking at the pics for the Elite FFR on Anglers afloat http://anglersafloat.co.uk/KayakPictures_Elite.html I think I can cobble together a bracket similar to the mount they have used for the transducer. Then if I cut and varnish a circle of wood to fit in the top of the scupper/cup holder I can take the threaded rod through and drop a penny washer over the top and tension the lot with a nylock. I can conceal the spare cable as many of you have in the cup holder, a slot in the wood for the cable and lashing of varnish and it might just work. Cannot wait for days off now...I will try and do some pics as I go.

SNAP Gerry, picked mine up monday only mine is mango and yellow. Firstly the transducer friendly point is seen underneath the forward cup holder, you will see the shape is modified to match the transducer. Look here http://anglersafloat.co.uk/index.html the little black plate is actually covering the hole and hiding the transducer. The brass fittings are for attaching accessories such as the anchor trolley other bits can be fitted but I am not sure what although I believe the four holes on the flat piece just bow side of the cup holder look to be a fit for a Scotty rod holder. I am assured the threads are M5 should you think of what to use them for. The threaded bung in the bows is so you can turn the yak upside down and drain any water out. I don't think you will be disappointed with it, I have only had mine on the water for a few hours but it goes how it looks....lean and mean. Oh by the way make sure you have waterproof bottoms on or use scupper bungs...it is a wettish ride but hey you cannot have everything even Kylie Minogue has to take a dump sometimes ...

I intend to get the new transducer boot attachment for my P13 but I don't think I shall have it before I get to cornwall next week-end. Would there be any logical reason why I could not slot the transducer in the bottom of the appropriate scupper hole and seal the scupper with gaffar tape? The tape should hold short term and I believe the transducer would be secure. I am a bit of a numpty I know but is there any glaring reason I have missed why I could not use this for the week as a temporary fix? Or do you know of a better temporary fix, I don't want to set it inside the hull if I shall be removing it in a couple of weeks, plus it's one less hole to drill.

You will get wet...that is the nature of water sports...

I was in the same position as you I could not decide whether to go for the P13, the Big Game or the Elite. The deciding factor for me in the end was weight. There is 6 or 7 kilo's between them which may not seem a lot but if you have been paddling for a few hours and the wind is blowing it makes a big difference as you try to get it above your head onto the roof bars. With the new P13 having many of the features that made the Elite attractive....in built threaded sockets, fish finder modified scupper for starters you already have the best bits. I am happy with the weight, it paddles like a dream when compared with the Big Game and I think the room you have for storage is not that much different between all three. Cockpit space is definitely better on the BG but will not be an issue for most people. All in all I am happy with my choice and have to say that the majority of guys here seem to guide you the same way...i.e. P13. Good Luck mate and just brace yourself for all the extras you will end up buying...the £500 for the yak is just the start....

My new P13 has ' Johnson Outdoors, Made in New Zealand' on it but I was told they are making some in N Africa...Morrocco or Tunisia I think..