Yaskalos

Hi All Just back from Cyprus, spent all day getting kitted up and arranging bait. Going to fish both tides tomorrow, with a break in between. Good luck everyone and stay safe. Nick

Hi YY I went for the Eagle Cuda 128, and after about a dozen trips using it I have to say I am more than pleased with it. It takes about 2 mins to set up on the Yak, runs for at least 18 hours continually running on 8 AA rechargeables. It has been responsible for me catching more fish since I have been using it. Also, as it is the portable version there is no drilling or glueing required to the Yak. Darnsarf happy to give you any info on the fishfinder and have pics of how I set it up, let me know if you want any help.

Adding my set up on my Caper (foreground) just to change direction a little. The Yak in the background belongs to Musket. On the use of the hatch theme I agree with YY, not a good idea to open it whilst at sea. I use the hatch to stow spare gear empty kit bag etc. I also use a portable fishfinder that is strapped down to the top of the hatch.

Adding my set up on my Caper (foreground) just to change direction a little. The Yak in the background belongs to Musket. On the use of the hatch theme I agree with YY, not a good idea to open it whilst at sea. I use the hatch to stow spare gear empty kit bag etc. I also use a portable fishfinder that is strapped down to the top of the hatch.

Hi Simon I might be able to join you on Saturday but we are off to Cyprus on Sunday so Sunday is a no- no. High water is about 1130 on Saturday. Have been fishing the Mewstone area a lot recently and had some great sessions in the recent calm weather which, you need for this mark. Will get back to you tomorrow if that's ok when I'll know for sure.

Hi I am using the Eagle Cuda 128, it is portable (so no need to permanently fix to the Yak), runs for about 8hrs solid on 8 AA rechargeables. Has all the features you need and more. Highly recommended. Nick

Hi Here's a safety checklist on this link enough to get you thinking. http://www.anglersafloat.co.uk/Kayak%20List.html I was in your position a year ago and being safe is Number 1, a paddle jacket (bouyancy aid) is a must. So, I'd get all the information you can from the guys on here and anywhere else you can before you part with that money. The choices are endless, and you can get fully equipped by buying in this country. Am sure the others will follow with more advice. Nick

Hi All I bought my knife in a chandlers in Looe, cost about £15, and comes with stored in the sheath and in the blade handle, a compass, first aid kit, pliers, wire cutters, catapult, whistle, spear head, screwdriver, sharpening stone, pencil, matches, fish hooks, line, bottle opener, tweezers, fret saw, etc.

Thanks guys, think I'll give the camping shop a go first!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi All Having gained more confidence over the past months and venturing further for longer I am finding I get a real numb bum after about 4hrs. Not noticeable whilst paddling but after drifting for sometime it does become quite uncomfortable. I use an OK seat, one of the better ones, but anyone know where I might be able to get some sort of suitable cushion. Nick

Hi Simon I fished the bank at Cawsand for 4 hrs, I found it ok with the fishfinder and your landmarks but I think someone forgot to tell the fish where it is! Never had one fish alarm all the time I was there. However, it looks a good spot and well sheltered from the prevailing s.w. wind so will try it again. Nick

Hi Kelvin I have the same fishfinder as you, when you see fish in one particular layer as you did top 8 foot, use the menu button, go to the zoom menu, and switch it from auto to manual. Then zoom in on this particular depth i.e., surface down to 15ft. You can practice this at home in simulation mode. Another alternative is to use the fish-tracker menu, in this mode the cuda 128 will do the above automatically for you. Depending on where your sonar is, will also depend on where your finder is seeing the fish, so make sure your bait goes to the correct spot. Nick

Hi Grant Fishfinder is the Eagle Cuda 128, page 93 of this months Sea Angler. Nick

Hi John Have just seen my fishfinder advertised in this months Sea Angler for £65, you know what I paid for mine. Am I gutted????????????? :-((

Hi darnsarf Musket caught most of his fish on this trip on float gear, and basically the same principles apply as they do to the shore. However, in a Yak you have the enormous advantage of being able to put the float out past shore casting range (as on this trip over a submerged reef) and fishing with delicate baits as here using live sandeel. Also, the Yak and the float tend to drift together so you are not constantly winding in to re-cast. Furthermore as you have no need to cast any great distance you can use lighter more sensitive gear.

Great report and pics guys, sounds like you had fun but a bit hairy with the tide race stuff though.

Hi All Musket and I launched from Wembury beach on Sunday late afternoon to fish the 9pm tide at the Mewstone, about a 20 min. paddle. The sea, as you can see in the pics was like a millpond, weather hot and sunny a perfect evening. I lost count of the Pollack we had between us but the biggest went to just over 4lb by yours truly. I also had a couple of decent Wrasse. Musket had plenty of Pollack, Mackerel and a Bass. We had great sport for a couple of hours, sometimes with fish on both rods! Fishfinder worked great and was able to fish close to the underwater peaks, whilst Musket fished in closer to the Mewstone. The depth varied from 60 odd feet rising sharply on the reef to as little as 9 feet! Bait used was live and frozen sandeel, methods were float, freelined and jigged on a long trace (which accounted for the biggest one). With very little wind the drift was slow with the action pretty much non-stop for about two hours. We got back to the beach just as it was getting dark, a great evening's sport and looking forward to the next time. Here are a few pics of the evening. Ready & Rigged to go. The target, known as The Mewstone. Yaskalos and Musket (in the distance) drift over the reefs around the Mewstone. Peace on a Prowler Yaskalos' tea tonight the larger one wieghed a tad over 4lb at home.

Hi Jon Good find, I have been using a similar one http://www.a1surf.com/company.html web cams down the left-hand side Nick

Hi Steve I use a rigid cool box which I bought from a local hardware shop, which fits in the well with room for a few other bits and bobs of tackle. Just a reminder though everything you put in the after well will get wet! Nick

Forgot to say, I made it a little higher as a couple of the places where I fish I have to go down a few steps. If I made it lower it would have bumped the Yak on the steps. Bought the 'Sandhopper' wheels from Towsure website for £10. Nick

Hi Starvin No problem for you using my trolley pic have others if you want anymore. I teach in Plymouth. Nick

Hi Starvin Yes that's right I teach boatbuilding, welding (all processes), shipbuilding, metal fabrication, engineering drawing and pattern development.

Starvinmarvin not bad with a welder, though I should be as I am a time-served Shipwright (boatbuilder in steel/wood/composites). Also it is one of the subjects I teach in my work.

Yakmad Use the link as given by Starvin, upload your picture as directed and simply copy and paste the upload link given to you when picture is uploaded. Its best to have to windows open one for here and one open with Starvin's link.

I bought one of the divers net bags, thought it might do for keeping caught fish in or even live bait. It appears quite strong netting and has a locking handle all for the grand price of £0.99p!