Yaskalos

Starvin Thanks for that but as you see I bit the bullet and got one anyway. I had done a fair bit of research and had it down to three, one of which I ended up with, but thanks again. Hope the fishing trip went well was it the Tope bash?

Hi All Decided to bite the bullet and have bought and fitted an Eagle-Lowrance Cuda 128 Portable Fishfinder. The complete unit is portable, waterproof and simple to fit and operate. I didn't like the idea of epoxying the transducer into the hull so have made a simple bracket on the stern of my Caper to hold the transducer. It seems to work fine and gives a crystal clear screen display no interference at all and excellent signals. The cable I routed under the edge of the cargo net along the side of the yak through my rod/paddle holders and into the unit. The unit is powered by 8 AA batteries (I am using NiMH re-chargeables) and I had it on continuously today for 5hrs and still going strong. The portable unit is excellent as when it is off the Yak it all collapses into a secure carrying case for the screen/cable and transducer. I am using the after securing strap on the forward hatch to hold the unit and have added two extra velcros as extra security. I can easily lean forward to operate all of the menu options quite easily. It took about 3mins to assemble and dismantle on the beach.

Hi Yakmad I have made my own variation of Stearvin's hace added some pipe lagging since the pic to protect the bottom of my yak.

yy Sounds just perfect

YY Look forward to your report!! There are 14 of us going, 8 under 13yrs, so I may need to get away for a few hours!!!!!!!!

YY Perfect sense I think, so what this enables you to do is to either be anchored by the bow or by the stern. But, at the same time enables you to manouvre the anchor connection back to you without moving your position from the seat.

Thanks YY It is something I've thought about recently as, as you know it doesn't take much to make the Yak drift. In some cases this is a bonus I suppose but it would be nice to be able to be stationary over one spot. Look forward to seeing the pics, as I can think of several spots down here where it would be a real advantage, let alone the safety aspect.

Am off to the very same place in August, so will be interested to hear how you get on. Have a good one. Nick

Hi YY As space is limited on the Yak, is there one type of anchor that will cover most situations, i.e. rough ground, sand, mud? Or would it be better to have two or more types and just take the one for the area you plan to fish over? Also, where on the Yak is it best for the anchor to be attached, thinking about hull strength from the pull of the anchor rope. Nick

Hi All Due to some extra hours worked last month (teaching Arab students) I have a few extra pennies in the pay cheque this month. I had promised myself a fishfinder for the Yak (Caper Angler). Have been looking around and am lost in all the jargon. This is what I think I want: 1. Waterproof. 2. Removable from its bracket. 3. A see-through the hull transducer. (are the suction type any good, to save glueing?) 4. Possibly powered by rechargeable batteries (trying to cut down on wiring) I can possibly go up to about £200 without having to make an appointment with a divorce lawyer! Would be grateful for any advice. Thanks Nick

Hi All YY - great to see you back, was beginning to worry I might miss out on our trip out this Summer. My Opinion. My name here is Yaskalos which, is Greek for 'Teacher', the word 'forum' also has its roots in the Greek language. A Forum was a place where people could come, present their beliefs, thoughts, opinions in a coherent manner and open these to others of similar status to comment on. It was the foundation of modern democracy. If a topic raises the emotions of those who participate in a 'forum' then the topic should and must be continually debated as this will be to the benefit of all. Why? Because from debate and discussion we all gain knowledge, and as an educator of adults I firmly believe that knowledge is power. Knowledge gives us the opportunity to make our own decisions as informed adults. The only other way we can learn as humans is through experience, to not be informed fully regarding an issue such as safety means only experience remains. You do NOT learn after you have drowned, only those who remain learn from your experience! Nick

Mark I'd agree with both of the above but the latter seems a great idea. A few weeks back I bought a Perception Five-0 sit on surf ski on e-bay tried it out once didn't like it and sold it again two weeks later on e-bay when the weather was better and made £90. Certainly got me thinking about buying similar items cheap in the winter and selling at a higher price in the summer. However, don't think the wife would appreciate the living room full of kayaks etc.

Jon Hope you enjoyed looking over my Caper and how I have it set up and hope it helps you make your decision. Also, thamks for the tip about putting some sort of ID on it, just in case we should ever become separated. Nick

Hi Jon I am in Plymouth (Plympton) so 10mins away, I have an OK Caper Angler, and fish all round Plymouth Sound, Mothecombe, Salcombe and have yet to try loads more spots in our area. Would be glad to pass on all I have learnt so far or any thoughts I have. Am going out tomorrow but not made up my mind quite where yet. Had a good session last week end with Red Bream in the Sound, but have just completed my trolley so maybe I'll go elsewhere. Happy to chat anytime and if you'd like to meet to see my set-up just let me know. Nick

Speciman will look forward to it then, speak to you in more detail nearer the time. Salcombe is always good for something and really sheltered from most winds. Outside the bar going East is Lannacombe Bay, real Bass and Ray country, go west and your into Starhole Bay a real shore favourite of mine, had allsorts there from Bass, Plaice to Huss.

Speciman love to join you if you want another to tag along, I know the area really well from my shore fishing days.

Hi All Not sure if this is the right place to put a sort of report but am sure someone will put me right if it's not. Launched from the beach south of Mountbatten Pier at 0445 Sunday morning - like a millpond! Paddled out to a spot between the Breakwater and Bovisand about 2 miles of easy going paddling. First drop to the bottom and had a good bite using ragworm, and it produced a first for me in 20 odd years of fishing - a red bream, and quite a decent scrap on my 12lb class rod. As the morning progressed I had another 6 interspersed with some Ballan Wrasse. All the bream were in the half pound to one pound mark at a guess, but a really great mornings fishing. Stayed until exactly 0945 when the sea breeze began to stir which was at my back all the way in. Up until then there was not a ripple on the sea and a beautiful blue sky. YAK FISHING HEAVEN All fish returned.

Hi All I use these for my car keys and after a recent bad experience with a wet mobile now have one for my phone and one for the camera. They really are the business, for keeping your important bits dry. You can swim with these and get not a drop of water inside. http://www.aquapac.co.uk/storeframesets/po...Frameset-11.htm

Steve For me its the Caper, it has many of the advantages Prowler and some advantages that the Prowler does not have. For example, it is easier to handle (on dry land), transport and store. From what you have stated about the type of use it will get, which is similar to me it's the Caper for you. It was not too long ago as many on here will testify that I agonised with a similar decision. I now have the Caper Angler with a few of my own additions and more planed and I have to say that the boat is a gem. It is stable, smooth riding even in an easterly chop, adequate storage space, and if you are reasonably fit, it moves quick enough and tracks really well. All this said, the best advice I can give, is to pass on what the good folk here told me to do, if you can, try before you buy. I don't mean just paddling either, try carrying then for a couple hundred yards!!! Good luck in your final choice.

Hi All When I did my practice self-rescues I found it easier to re-right my Caper by swimming to the back and turning it over from there. Using both hands I grabbed the aft end and twisted her over fairly easy. However, I have read about other methods such as using the scupper holes. Is there a correct way or is it a case of whatever works best for you? Or, does it vary from Yak to Yak?

Hi Zzippy, I have the OK Caper and am new to YAK fishing. I am also in the process of building my own trolley and like you have the wheels. Am plannin to copy pretty closely the one made by Starvin on anglersafloat. I have got all the tubing and dowels to make one that fits into the scupper holes. Just trying to sort out the best way to make an axel for my wheels. Good luck with your trolley

Gotcha now, many thanks YY, will try and get in touch with him. Don't know what it's like up the coast a little but it's blowing a hooley down here. Also, forgot to add to the Mothecombe story had a bruise on my shoulder the size of an apple all week!

OK YY why do I detect more than a little hint of sarcasm there, you ain't going to tell me its you are you?

Many thanks from me.

Yeh thanks YY Am intending to closely copy the trolley from anglersafloat, excuse my ignorance here, but is the guy who's site that is on this forum, as I have a question regarding the axle.