richi

It started a lot foggier this morning but by the time I'd crossed the channel it had cleared up nicely headed to the same spot as yesterday and anchored up offshore of most of the boats next to a big blue and white cat.Fishing was slow,didn't catch anything till the tide slackened off and then all I could get were pout(3 of them) around 4pm decided to up the sail and head for home I love this place sailing onwards towards Hurst the usual turbulence sailed the whole way back right up to the slipway fishing wasn't good but had a terrific day on the water again,can't win em all. a PB and 30 miles this weekend will do me

Woke up to fog so took my time getting ready,none too hopeful of the glorious weather that everybody had predicted. Left home and drove to keyhaven and within a few miles of the launch point and the fog had lifted. Readied myself and was on the slipway ready for launch shortly after 1030am Lovely calm day,even the usual turbulent parts of the trip were subdued.I was soon out through Hurst narrows and on my way approaching the Needles I saw a group of kayakers,I took their photo and carried on paddling through to my planned mark about 2 miles south. Once through the Needles many fishing boats were in sight I paddled just offshore of them and anchored up in 87 ft. First fish to the yak was bloody pout the second fish that was on was definately fighting better than the pout,soon realised why then I had a bigger fish on,what was it,could it be ,YES!!!!!!!!!! shouted over to the other boats "Cod are in" as I held it high so they could see I wasn't the only one having a nice day others had caught cod too and a conger was caught by one of the boats just after 4pm decided to head for home,took some pics along the way Alum bay The Cod is in the freezer

great review Zzippy,must have taken up a fair bit of your valuable time.I hope the people reading it appreciate that instead of trying to pick holes every time someone tries to further other peoples enjoyment of our sport

http://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/product_inf...roducts_id=1000

go and ask them and let us know how you get on

well done Mark,that is one of the best reports I've ever read

too cold for me mate!!!!!!!!!!

so many options,I will definately be doing a real epic trip or two next year I'll be going in to serious training over Winter the Aussies loved the report----here is one reply made me laugh What a great read, If nothing else I now know there the Isle of Wight is… I done a Google Earth on it and followed you around using your description. I then plotted it……..100 fuc*&%g km… What a top effort…..and you want to WORK ON YOUR fitness… Well done and a top effort. Bloody poms beat us at the Olympics and now this.......

thanks YakDiver! medal,that's a good idea! does one have to apply for an OBE?

thanks Andrew,IOW radio have picked up the story and want to cover the next circumnavigation then maybe I'll have a crack at the channel next year

Had wanted to do this for quite some time and had been planning and preparing all week.Launched at Keyhaven at 0545 Saturday.The SPTW front hatch completely full. paddled out through the estuary and was at Hurst for 0600,beautiful flat sea.The tide helped me scoot along at 7mph and was at the Needles by 0700 even with a short stop at Alum bay Through the Needles and out came the sail,it was so peaceful with very little boat traffic.I was paddling as I was sailing to gain extra speed. feathered up a few mackerel for bait to use at St.Catherines trench. Soon the Needles were in the distance Rounded St.Catherines and the mackerel could be clearly seen darting about on the surface.Headed off towards the trench Couldn't find any pot bouys out there and wasn't game to anchor in such a notorius spot so decided to move on. with Ventnor in the distance kept going,by this time I'd decided to have a go at going round in under 24 hrs the sail being a great help to the paddling The tide was fierce here with huge pot bouys getting dragged under. sailing onwards,me not him! Shanklin Sandown where I met Ollypolly for a chat at Yaverland Slip,nice to see you again ,Olly I'll be back After a chat with Ollypolly launched again and headed round Culver Spit,it was a bit choppy going round the spit And onwards towards Bembridge there were a lot more boats on this side of the island one of them was a Trident met Lozz just before Bembridge harbour and gave him the mackies I had caught earlier for bait. Onwards and onwards hovercraft launching past Cowes and the wind was full in my face and the going got tough.This was undoubtedly the hardest part of the trip with fatigue on top.Had to take continual rests along this stretch,it didn't help matters that I switched the GPS off and went up the Beaulieu river Finally made it back to Keyhaven after 26 hours asbsolutely shattered 65 miles my longest paddle yet.still need to work on the fitness.

I think he was from Toga or something,bit like Darnsarf on the first S.O.T. course

We won a Silver in the slalom yesterday

Nice one Glen,I never had a Bass when I was a shore fisherman,but with the yak it is so much better

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AND WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE A DEMO WEEKEND 25th-----26th-----27th JULY BETWEEN 10AM AND 5PM AT MUDEFORD SPIT(next to the ferry pier and the Beach Cafe) THE FULL RANGE OF OCEAN KAYAKS WILL BE THERE FOR ALL TO TRY UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF EXPERIENCED GUIDES AND THE OCEAN KAYAKS FISHING TEAM KAYAKS,PADDLES AND BOUYANCY VESTS WILL BE PROVIDED THERE WILL ALSO BE FULLY RIGGED FISHING KAYAKS ON DISPLAY ON SAT/SUN IF YOU ARE THINKING OF JOINING THE FASTEST GROWING SPORT ON THE WATER OR REQUIRE ADVICE ON PADDLING,SAFETY OR RIGGING YOUR KAYAK COME AND MEET THE CREW ALL AGES,SEXES WELCOME.

anyone want to try a demo kayak

only while recieving the personal service -----on the water it's compulsory

Great idea H,send them down to the demo and I'll give them the personal service

make no mistake though SDD without the support of Johnsons this demo would be impossible. whether you like them or not our sport wouldn't be where it is today without their input,the other manufacturers are starting to get involved now though,Exmouth was a good example of that. like everything,you can't please everyone all the time. At least I'll be able to please the people who have been eager to try our sport and that is what this demo day is for at the end of the day we've all got to ask ourselves "These people have all done their bit towards getting people on the water safely---have I?"

Without days like these(I held a demo weekend last year too,can't recall having a problem then )for which I would like to stress that I do without payment,many people would not have a chance to demo kayaks and many that are enjoying the sport now probably wouldn't be. All I get out of it is thanks from many people for introducing them to our sport in a safe environment under experienced guidance Think for a minute how much you enjoy the sport. It's all about helping people Mike Giving them the chance to enjoy our sport,after all we wouldn't want to ruin the only chance that most people will get would we?

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AND WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE A DEMO WEEKEND 25th-----26th-----27th JULY BETWEEN 10AM AND 5PM AT MUDEFORD SPIT(next to the ferry pier and the Beach Cafe) THE FULL RANGE OF OCEAN KAYAKS WILL BE THERE FOR ALL TO TRY UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF EXPERIENCED GUIDES KAYAKS,PADDLES AND BOUYANCY VESTS WILL BE PROVIDED THERE WILL ALSO BE FULLY RIGGED FISHING KAYAKS ON DISPLAY ON SAT/SUN IF YOU ARE THINKING OF JOINING THE FASTEST GROWING SPORT ON THE WATER OR REQUIRE ADVICE ON PADDLING,SAFETY OR RIGGING YOUR KAYAK COME AND MEET THE CREW ALL AGES,SEXES WELCOME.

A great new format for the AA species Hunt http://www.anglersafloat.co.uk/ Who will be British Champion?--------It could be you but it'll take a lot of hard work and dedication

Just to clarify there is Prowler 15 and Prowler 4.5 Elite there is no Prowler 15 Elite

linea effe 9ltr cooler also takes the igloo 25ltr Scotty compact mounts made to fit also stainless anchor retrieval cleat Sail rigged cleats fitted to yak and carry handles a la Caper with hull bracing Transducer fitted battery box ff/gps have since changed to the longer Scotty extensions hobie hinged 6" hatch fitted with preston innovations collapsable bait bucket inside since taking these pictures I have fitted a Peli box onto one of the threaded inserts on the centre console,two pad eyes in the tankwell for securing the seat,one pad eye near the ff for paddle leash etc and a quick release jam cleat next to my seat--more pics to follow edit: have also fitted a screw thread to the bottom of my Yakbitz Navigation Light so it fits in the place allocated for the flag

Ocean Kayaks make the Scupper Pro and at around £400 it is very good value for money,here is mine As you rightly say the Trident is slightly faster than the Prowler but the Scupper is the fastest plastic fishing S.O.T. on the market