darnsarf

Just caught up with this. Just for the record I am unpaid but affiliated to OK. Funny enough all they have ever asked me to do is not bring their brand into disrepute. You can review something impartially even if you have an interest. The problem is whether those reading it can look at it without seeing it as tainted. Time and other reviews allows the reader to get a feel for the balance of a reviewer. Also my opinions are just that. They are as valid or not as the next person that has the same experience. Has for the weekend it is also being run in conjunction with the local RNLI station fund raising day. (I am a member of them as well). Richi is doing a great job promoting the sport. It is a great day and ideal for those that want to have a go and see. You do not have to place an order as many did not last year. Its a fun day for all and as OK have donated the yaks for the day then why shouldn't they get the PR. There is nothing to stop others doing it. I for one support OK because they have supported the sport over and above any other manufacturer. I look forward to the day when another manufacturer can give them a run for their money. It good to see Wildrness trying. I will be there one day (unpaid) hopefully handing over some money to the RNLI station. This will be the proceeds from the Courses myself and Dorado (Simon Everett) run. Now hang on a minute I have affiliations with OK, the RNLI, KAskazi agent and SPOT have sent me a unit to review. At this rate I am going to be mkore highly contaminated than a Chenobyl bin collector and nothing I say will be worth didly squat. Might as well go fishing then.

Like Richi will definately be buying the book. I wont slow you down at the meet as I will need to fish everytime I see an arch on the Fish Finder Good Luck with the book

SDD. Organise a meet, I would love to come to catch MULLET (keeping it on thread) I'm in Soutyhampton but its well worth the trip just to get kayak wet never mind the fishing. I might even be able to bring up the Cabo and give someone an easy days fishing. (for Mullet obviously)

Be careful Dave. With scenery like that I might just take you up on it. Stunning. Oh nice fish as well.

A regular coating of candle wax is a good second option

Nice one Musket. Still not got round to getting one of the elusive critters. Hats off to you. Sorry not sure which it is, I only know them from the front. Given what you caught it on I would guess a thin lipped. Top marks.

Personally I love winter fishing. Particularly at night; as GB says it gets difficult from Jan to Mar but I still get out just for the craic.

If you can get in the Scupper you can probably get in the Sprinter although it is tighter. Its not often that you see a SOT that makes the Scupper look like a barge but here is the exception. One witness described the Sprinter as "an outrigger". However, on the water the Sprinter flies (not literally). It will feel tippy to those not used to a narrow boat but actually it is more stable that you think and the quicker you go the more stable it becomes. It would make a great trainer and light tourer. A great boat for the serious distance paddler. The hatches give it good internal storage but deck storage is almost non-existant. This limits it's fishing application but for the light fly or lure fisherman who wanted to cover distance it may be an option. It would certainly be a challanging and rewarding platform to try to adapt to fishing. I wouldn't want to run an anchor on such a narrow hull but a drift chute could be a practical option that ties in with the fly and lure themes. I loved it as a paddle. the only caveat I would put in is that i only used it on flat water. In summary, not for lard a...s or novices but will suit those looking to develop their technique and distance ability. Great for those that enjoy paddling and it has some potential to the light tackle guy that wants to put himself about a bit. It would also make a great yak for the experienced wife (Kayaking) :-)

Just to add to the chorus of well dones for Mark. It was great a meet. The highlight as always is meeting up with the guys from the forum, the fishing is just the excuse. Arrived early Friday and met SM for a quick chat then out on the water. To the delight of SM I blanked while those around got into the Pike. Unfortunately, I was suffering on the Saturday ala Starvin and took the Saturday off. Great excuse to watch the sport ;D However, on Sunday I was determined to break the Pike duck and fished the Oulton Broad again while the others tackled the Codling. After much effort this 6lb er snagged the hook. Well he was just after the Roach freebie really and despite his best efforts to make his own way back to the water I managed to take a quick snap for the scrap book. Not the biggest I've had but probably the most rewarding given the effort. Rumour has it that SM heard about this monster (comparatively) and went home early ;D Never to be seen again. Me, well I just soaked up the location and great weather. Monday finished off with a trip to Ocean Kayak. Many thanks to Andrew for entertaining us despite his busy schedule. The highlight was getting to see the newly arrived Scrambler 11. For those thinking about an inshore, estuary or freshwater yak add this to your list of possibles. Overall a great weekend and I look forward to the next meet. Thanks again Mark

I have had to cut myself free twice, once I was in the water. This makes the knife my most used safety item. Endorse the on the PFD advice. I have just re rigged the Scuppers trolly so that the anchor line will go directly out over the stern as it makes such a difference to stability.

Mark feel free to cut and paste. The fishfinder hatch just isn't for me. (personal preference) I did not go to public school and was never very good at touching my toes I prefer my finder closer, just past my knees. I'm not very good at stretching. Again this would be difficult in the Trident because of the centre hatch. But as I said earlier great for sarnies or tackle that you want to hand without exposing the the inner hull if in a chop. This just demonstrates that even one of the most thoroughly thought out designs, and it is, just can't tick all the boxes. As Isetafox says "horses for courses". Paul

I am with Martin on this one. The Trident is great fishing kayak (hold on to that) for the guy that wants to carry lots of ready to access gear or the bigger paddler who is fed up paddling a barge. However, for the guy that carries just what he needs or wants to enjoy the paddling experience then there are others in the OK range that will suit better. My likes are the storage and thats it really. My dislikes are the high volume which gives the impression of sitting on a raft, it almost needs ballast for someone my size (unfortunately I like to travel light). Having to add weight is never a good thing. The high seating position (thats a personal thing). It picks up windage due to the high sides and as a paddling experience I would best describe it as neutral. None of these are flaws and many may see them as an advantage but equally it is only fair that these should be highlighted as charachteristics (wheres spell check when you need it) that may influence individual choices. The only flaw I do see in the design is the placement of the crate. It seems a long way back from the seating area. May be I just need to get longer arms. Oh and I still don't get the Finder cover. Should be marked up "sandwhiches" Would I recommend it? Yes I would but not for all. OK should be congratulated for designing a Yak for such a specific minority use. That is a brave but calculated business decision that I know will bring them benefits. But I'm with Martin on this "cuddling and backslapping" I think for the Tridents benefit some objectivity needs to be included. So thats me off OKs christmas list then

Good Luck Mate The fish were definately on the feed this afternoon so I am expecting a cracking report. Looks like I am land bound for the next couple of weeks but I will be back out in OCT. What about a Conger session?

For fishing down to zero degrees I have comfortably done an overnight session with the following. Feet: 2 pair x serious wool hiiking socks legs: 3 Layers modern wicking long johns Dry suit teddy suit Lined hiking trousers or light ski/snowboard trousers upper body: 4 layers modern wicking skin layer (long sleeved) Dry Suit Teddy suit Polartec 100 light fleece shirt or equivalent Zipped quality fleece (Berghaus Extreme is ideal (Light)) Head: Fleece Shimano Yushanka Thinsulate neck warmer On top a Crewsaver Dry suit with a separate Gortex breathable jacket with a hood carried in a dry bag. This extra layer in a wind makes a huge difference as the dry suite has almost zero thermal properties. Although it looks a lot these items are all fairly light and not as bulky as you may think. They wick moisture away from the body and keep their thermal properties when wet. Important as you still sweat a bit getting out there. The layer principle is key to staying warm. Two light pairs of socks are better that 1 thick pair; 2 thick pairs are even better. However, the ugly part are the thermal fishing wellies, as used on the shore, they go over the dry suit feet. I have never had cold feet even with a frost forming on the yak. I have not found any practical gloves and find that keeping my hands in between my PFD and body keeps them warm. Winter fishing gear should be treated very seriously and spend some money on quality gear. Hyperthermia is a very real risk made even more deadly by the environment we fish in. If I am paddling solo, in addition to the usual safety gear I carry one of those turbo lighters, a stove; soup, water, and sleeping bag with Bivi bag. This is normally only for remote winter night fishing trips in the Purbecks etc. This way I can hit the beach and spend the night if it all goes pear shaped. I have done this twice by choice, never underestimate the moral boosting effect of a fire :-) For what its worth

WOW thats one ugly MoFo on the left.

I think its just another reason to sit in a pink Canoe Shame you didn't take it out you could have written a review and given the rest of us a chance in the comp

Congrats Boomphat! Just keep it to yourself or they will all want one :-)

Dont want to be a party pooper but strictly single 360 degree white light on a small craft like a Kayak. Putting on the red and green can make you look further away than you actually are. This is all down to the small beam of the yak. Sorry.

Its the Dogs doodaas. Its interesting that while many owners of other yaks buy the Scupper as their prefered choice I have not known any move away from the SPTW. Its not perfect, but there is just something special about being that low in the water. Probably a bit like driving a sports car after driving a 4 x 4. Hands Off Just dont use it as an air to ground missile. Although it does home with unerring accuracy when targeting large expensive cars.

Well said Martin. I have stayed out of this one so far. But it is worth noting that this is a Fishing forum and not a touring or surf/whitwater forum. Attach the leash to the yak then you have the option to hold on or release depending on the situation. I have only seen Kayak fishermen fall off either at anchor or in the surf. I have never known someone go in while paddling. If they are at anchr the yak goes no where anyway. we do not go out in big water conditions purely because you cant fish in those conditions. We tend to land in moderate surf at worst and normally the yak beats you to the beach and you just walk in with egg on your face. As for not wearing a PFD, well says it all really.

HI Ped Can't really go wrong with the sliding rig that Gilbo described so well. The only thing to that I change are the beads below the float. I tend to use rubber beads (Carp) to help protect the swivel knot and line. I also now use longer hook lengths up to 4ft-6ft useing flouro. This gives a really natural presentation. For certain fish and conditions I will actually use a heavier hook length than main line. Rocks, Conger, Tope, Huss etc. If it breaks you always recover the float anyway. Mainline is usually 8-15lb but at the moment I am trialing 25lb braid with mixed results. Rods are 6-12lb or a 18g spinning rod for the centrepin. That is fun. Deepest I have succesfully fished in is 60ft, worse conditions is about a 3-4ft swell. Sea float fishing is widely regarded as a summer method but I have proved to myself that it can be used all year to catch just about all species. I have been using more and more Pike tactics such as float ledgering to get those bottom species and intend to try pop up baits this year. The good thing is that float fishing conditions and kayak fishing conditions are the same. Highlight to date was watching a conger steel a sandeel bait at night. The light stick just dived under water and slowly headed off into the night. Unfortunately with just a 12lb hook length once it realised it was hooked it just bit me off. This was closely followed by a suspected Tope take at Towyn last year. Great fun and definately underated method I don't think anybody realy knows the limitations of sea float fishing. Depth is probably one but I know that I could go deeper with a slack tide and braid. Give it a go, definately at night and you wont regret it.

This could be fun!! "Death from above!" that would be a particularly heavy load of bird s..t then

Gawd help us I can feel Khaki Kayaks coming on!!

NIce one Kev. Certainly beats my Black Goby!! Great pics looks like you have found your Warbarrow

NIko. You have hit it on the head. Different strokes etc. I think its great that people are singing the praises of different Yaks. All have strengths and weaknesses and suit different needs. The only problem is that many people that are new to the sport buy into this myth that wider is more stable and this mistake can lead to lots of extra expenditure and a few unexpected dunkings. The other myth is that the main reason for a narrow Yak is so that you can cover more distance or just get there quicker. The main reason for a narrower yak is so that you can handle tougher sea conditions when that suprise squall gets you. This was highlighted to me on my first serious trip out when me and Richi (very experienced paddler) was hit by 25-30mph winds (not forcast). Richi in the Caper could not make any headway and had to hit the nearest bit of shingle while the scupper allowed me to make it into a more sheltered bay. Luckily there was some shingle in amongst the cliffs for Richi to beach. Richi decided there and then that he needed a new kayak and his tarty love affair with the P13 was born. Narrower yaks also use less energy when paddling leaving more in reserve for that unexpected emergency. The down side is normally less storage space on deck and often a wetter ride. Is there a truly dry ride? All this means nothing if your plans are to fish estuaries and sheltered waters. Here the Scupper is over kill and my next purchase, if I buy with my head, will probably be a shorter yak for inlets etc. Although my heart tells me that I could have a serious affair with a Dorado. A match made in He.............well enough of that the purse keeper still wants a new kitchen :-)