Ollie Summerfield

Thanks Bill. I am living in Exeter at present and work between there and Plymouth. I am enjoying the change in pace but hope it is not always so wet My kayak is in Dorset until I sell up in london and get a place with some storage, keen on some land based fishing any time but realistically the kayaking will be next year now. Excited about getting to know some of the north coast surf beaches also. look forward to meeting you Ollie

I would like to come to the meet also. I have been a member for some time but have not posted in a while. Have just moved to Devon from London and hope to use my Perception Freedom alot more in 2007. Thanks Ollie

With better weather fast approaching I need to finally rig up my Percetion Freedom with rod holders etc. I saw this on the Mailspeed site http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/ProductDeta...74-52d518e38957 Looks quite a good idea as easy to mount plate with well nuts, pointing side ways would give good spread and will help keep reels out of the spray. Anyone give these a try? Thanks Ollie Update: Some more research on a US site states these are for vertical mounting only, so not much use on the yak.Shame.

I have a Perception Freedom after the trouble I had with the Prowler 13 scuppers (Johnson handled this well and I am pleased it seems to be sorted now ). Got a great deal on a nearly new Freedom and it seems nicely made and easy to lift with one hand due to the moulded carry handle. Needs some fitting out with hatches and rod holders still. The small hatch directly behind the seat makes reaching the tankwell abit harder than the prowler. Do a Google search for "Perception Swing" (the name used for this boat in Australia and the USA) and as Simon said they are well regarded. As yet I have not paddled it but look forward to chasing the Dorset bass in the spring (great Kimmeridge report Richi and darnsarf, looking forward to getting down there). Here are a few pics I collected whilst researching (they are not mine)

Thanks for that help, I think I will wait until next year to be rigged and ready for spring. Starvin I will take you up on that kind offer and send you a PM with possible dates. Ollie

Unwrapped my new Sunrise Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 and it looked great. I was planning to leak test it before the maiden voyage but thought I would have a quick look at the scuppers first. Aaaargh- the right side seat scupper has a 2-3mm hole and a another thinned area of plastic . No point leak testing. Called the dealer who spoke to Johnsons UK - apparently they are now withdrawing all of the current batch of Prowler 13s, and new ones from USA will be 2 months or so. I called Andrew Dron at Johnsons UK who was very apologetic and keen to make things right. He said a factory software problem with the cooling cycle had caused this rogue batch. The boat has gone back to Johnsons and I have been refunded but this meant I wasted my time off work and probably the last chance this year for a fish which is pretty annoying. Before I spoke to Andrew I thought there was no way I wanted another OK but I feel reassured as to the customer support and I now need to decide on my new purchase. At a dainty 6'4" 100kg (220lbs) my choices are limited and I want to keep the boat as portable as possible. My choices are 1. Perception Freedom (used to be called Swing in USA): old layout but well proven and well built. Seemed very easy to lift with the moulded in handle. Well priced (£325) as bare boat- I would add one hatch for £40. 2. Tarpon 120 or (heavier) 140. Generally well reviewed but no local dealers to London/ Dorset that I have found. 3. OK Caper. Light and Portable, maybe a bit slow. On US sites people weighing over 300lbs have said the boat works well for them. 4. Wait for the new watertight P13 5. Wait for new boats like the Cobra Marauder Any suggestions are welcomed. Hope this is of some use, I will add a picture.

Thanks alot for the opinions. I think I might order a lotus mildwater PFD as I like the idea of it having a mesh back to not interfere with the seat and they are well reviewed ( ok....and I like patagonia gear). http://www.patagonia.com/za/PDC?OPTION=PRO...=&promo_cat_id= I get to try the prowler 13 tommorrow but with the windy forecast it may be just a leak test (please no leaks) rather than a paddle test! One dealer told me the problems were all in the green ones but I am not so sure. Hoping for the unthinkable dream- a boat with no holes. Ollie

The kayak has arrived and I am off to Dorset a week on monday to have a go. The only piece of kit I still need to get is a bouyancy aid. Important features are comfort, visibility, good flotation (I am 100kg) and lots of pockets would be good. What do you guys use or recommend? Thanks Ollie [ 15. October 2005, 01:23 PM: Message edited by: Ollie Summerfield ]

JRT, I looked at the thread again and just noticed you mentioned the Kamlei in a post the day previously. In that case my post looks a bit weird...."I must not scan read...I must not scan read..." I think you will like the jacket. Ollie

Ooops....Sorry David Thanks to everyone for the kind welcome. Ollie [ 05. October 2005, 05:34 PM: Message edited by: Ollie Summerfield ]

Yes an adjustable velcro/neoprene type collar that goes from loose to tight Ollie

Just thought I would introduce myself after my first post on another topic on this very useful board. I almost bought a sit-on-top for fishing 3 years ago after reading US sites and trying in warmer climes. I thought it would be too cold (!)in Blighty but Anglersnet and AnglersAfloat (great site David-thanks) have convinced me. My new Sunrise Prowler 13 is delivered next week to live at my Mums house near Ringstead Bay in Dorset- not much use to me in London! It would be great to meet up with some of the other Dorset based yakkers in the future once my paddling has improved! In the meantime I will fit the sounder and continue to enjoy all your pictures. [ 05. October 2005, 08:50 PM: Message edited by: Ollie Summerfield ]

JRT, I have just bought a Lotus Designs (Patagonia) Kamlei jacket from Sierra Trading Post. I think these are last years version of the Seaward in your link as the design and fabric are similar but they are now heavily discounted in the States. I got one in XL from SierraDesigns.com for $80 delivered to USA (I picked it up from family on a trip). I have just used it surf fishing in Montauk and was very good. Have a look at this link or google Lotus Designs Kamlei if you need XL as Sierra seem to have sold out of this size. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/ba.../qx/product.htm

I would echo the advice of a fixed spool for light lures especially with a headwind. However I have spent alot of time using multpliers for lure fishing for Barramundi when I lived in Australia, and for close accurate casting and "twitch" retreives they have an advantage. Alot of these lures were bass sized eg. bomber 15A and rebel pop-r. At first I bought an Abu 5601 C4 and used it for about six months. I did not feel the casting was great with smaller lures and certainly in the humidity the drag was suspect on big fish(fixed with a greased leather washer system). I noticed that virtually all professional guides used the Shimano Curado for this fishing. A guide friend of mine lent me one on a trip and I bought a Curado 201 (left hand) when I got back. I used this reel heavily in Darwin for a year and since for piking etc and I have been very happy. Despite being small it holds 200m of 20lb fireline and the smoothness of retreive, drag, casting and all day comfort are very good. Being one piece aluminium frame and graphite side plates make them less prone to corrosion. As someone who still owns both I think the curado is a much better lure reel. Ollie

The Daiwa Saltiga SA30L fits the bill. However you have to buy from America and they cost about US$400, not too bad with the current exchange rate. I own a Saltiga 40 and the power, drag and build quality are outstanding and they are a reel that can be loaded with braid to catch very large fish. Try this review of the slightly narrower SA20 ]http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwasaltiga.html PM me for any more info.

Test post by Elton for new member.