JRT

The other weekend I took the kayak to the beach for a family day. Spent a good hour jumping off the kayak with my daughter and climbing back on. All good practice although I wouldn't want to be in a situation where the kayak is up side down and you had to right it first!

I had a Tarpon 120. I haven't tried the MR12 but based on my experience and seeing reports on the MR I would say that whilst the T120 is comfortable, reasonably , stable, it isn't that fast, its heavy and a wet ride. The hatches aren't big enough to be of much use either. I do like the look of the MR but the metal fittings look crap and those mouldings infront of the seat look bloody pointless to me? I heard that there were some quality issues on a MR that a friend paddled to. However if the choice was down to only these 2 I would probably go with the MR12.

Excellent post HA.

Glenn, as you know most anglers are apathetic so any fishing organisation game/course or sea is poorly subscribed to compared to the numbers of anglers. Also who's trying to 'impose' anything on anybody? Most are just trying to fight for better stocks so we at least have a chance of more bigger fish. Most of the anglers I speak to understand that current fisheries policy only serves the fishing sector not fish stocks and want change. Poor government leadership combined with crazy EU politics and decades of complex bylaws has created a situation that fisheries policy is a farce and simply doesn't work. If you think change is not needed then your living in denial.

The 2008 version of TidePlotter has a new feature that shows the direction and strength of the tide at each hour for a given location. It's a bit clucky but does the job and at £10 a pop for a year, cheaper for 3 years I think its total value. Comes with a version that works on Windows Mobile to. JRT

NFFO are having a laugh if they think they are going to get cheap fuel subs from the Government. If this happened EVERY sector would be demanding the same. And why shouldn't they, what makes the fishing sector special? Market forces effect everyone including the millions of commuters that spend their post-tax earnings on getting to work and are unable to even claim the VAT back.

Do you have evidence that there is a move or even calls for no-bait areas Steve or is some more unfounded forum hearsay? As for protection of bass stocks the obvious and sensible thing to do would be protect them whilst they spawn and then disperse, as well as ban pair trawling across the EU, not just within 12miles. Unfortunately despite being common sense this would require EU legislation and we all know that common-sense is rarely a factor in EU decision-making! I find it bizarre that the inshore fleet, the area of the sector that supports more jobs and communities don't put pressure on the offshore fleet as they are are the ones doing most of the damage?

Outstanding post!

I like the layout and they get rave reviews in the states with folks citing speed, stability and comfort. Has anyone used them over here? There seems to be a lack of dealers in the south/south west to.# Cheers John

Perhaps they don't stock it because it's so crap? Just a thought..

Were the deaths attributed to drowning or hyperthermia?

Martin that's pig, well done sir! Usual questions apply, what did you catch it on/did you weigh/measure it? Full details please. John

Sterling review Mark, thanks for posting It's refreshing to hear an honest opinion rather than the normal 'my yaks perfect' type. Like everything, kayak design is about compromises and it sounds like OK have an excellent balance in the Trident. I have a Ride135 which weighs a ton, is quite slow and always has water in the footwell.. but the comfort, stability and layout suits me fine. Hopefully I'll get a chance to paddle Starvin's Trident in a couple weeks. Cheers JRT

16lb Bass.. the stuff of dreams! That is an outstanding fish and kudos for returning her, she'll be 17lbs next year!

Good advise. Thanks Speciman JRT

I've heard 3 to 4 knots is the optimum trolling speed but I have no idea how fast this is? Is this a medium or fast paddle rate? Any other tips? Thanks JRT

Great report overrun. That's some way you paddled. I love that area but it's tough fishing when the water vis is crystal clear and bright sun. JRT

Naughty Bucketboy. I know what you mean though. I was standing next to her for a while outside the Live earth concert and she is fit.

I really enjoyed it and thought Kate Silverton was extremely brave not mention tough to complete all the challenges. The cold water lesson was a useful reminder to anyone with a kayak. JRT

You get them in Hong Kong harbour to. They do boat trips to see them. Although the pollution is getting so bad they will be extinct soon.

I catch & release hundreds of bass a year, as do friends. If the fish we released died then our marks would be devoid of fish. Also the bass tagging programme that has been running for years proves fish survive being caught. In fact an 9lb bass has been caught and release 4 times over 4 years at the same mark at roughly the same time of year in sourthern ireland by bass members, identified by the tag! Heavily fished bonefish flats and tarpon flats would also become devoid of fish if they died. A 100lb+ tarpon floating around would be pretty obvious in these busy areas even if for a short time before being eaten by sharks. So in this report how do you observe a bonefish 'hours after release'? FlyGuy

I've caught plenty of bonefish and tarpon and KNOW that they have survived... How? I take time reviving them and watch them speed off. On sand flats with less than 1 foot of water you would see a cuda or shark hit a mile off. Yet another half arsed 'paper' released by a researcher trying to justify their funding. FlyGuy

--> QUOTE(Norm B @ Aug 6 2007, 01:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My biggest shore caught bass, 13lb 9oz, 13lb 5 1/8oz on certified scales 1 hour later was caught on chicken skin and was reported in all the angling mags and won me 3 reels and a £40 cheque. Years later people were still asking me, "what did you really catch it on", they just didn't believe it. I proved to one of the "unbelievers" that you could catch fish on anything if you "educated" them. I groundbaited a swim in Portsmouth harbour with hard boiled chickens eggs for a week, I then took him there and free lined a hard boiled egg, within minutes I had a 3lb+ bass in the net and a few more during the session, he's now a believer. Genius! I wonder if you could feed the bass up on ginger and spring onion so that they are pre-seasoned? ... Just kidding. I used to dive in the Red Sea alot and folks used to hand feed huge Napoleon Wrasse with boiled eggs. But it was really bad for them apparently? Chicken skin.. brilliant

What a great session Norm. Good to know that those fish are still swimming around for you to catch next time to I think many of us give bass to much credit sometimes. Expensive baits, lures, flies when all you need is cheesey bread paste!!

Andrew, nothing wrong with promoting your own product However examples of fittings that I would improve on the OK Trident would be decent cut-outs under the handles so you don't smash your knuckles when lifting the yak. Paddle keeper integrated with the handles to reduce the number of eyelets. Flat floor as I find the ridges hurt my heels after a while. Move the rod/fish hatch forward so there is room to sit side-saddle. Maybe reduce the height of this hatch so that there is more room to move your legs around? On the LL Manta I really like the idea of the drain plug on the side so you don't have to up end the yak to drain it. I still think the built in seats are the best as they don't slip like the after market ones. Just some ideas. But I think the rest of the Tident is really nice. See you at the boat show. JRT