phooey

Shimano TLD 20 - lever drag, 300+ yds of 40lb capacity, ball bearing thingys and all for £90.00 delivered - so long as the posties don't go on strike

Don't think I'll use anything much above a 30lb class but not sure how much abuse the euroboats will take ( Richi has busted 2 that I know of ). Its really down to how much you can pressure a running fish from the yak. I would opt for the tow with a drogue - they really work - just try paddling with a bait bag hanging off the side of your yak ! No point in a really heavy rod - my arms would prolly come off. I got some traces from ROK MAX and they are 480lb 3' shackled to a 15' 480lb leader ( both out of multi strand wire). OK so thats for charter fishing but it makes you think a bit. Ordered a nice new reel as well

The current thinking is if a 'tiddler' takes the bait we'll hang on for dear life and try and 'boat' it. Anything that looks like we've just thoroughly annoyed it its a 'cut the line and every man for himself....'

Well that's the $64,000 question is it not ? I've never hooked a 'proper' shark so don't know what to expect - my first trip out for one is on the 30th courtesy of Esox Tim - in a charter. When and IF I get to see what they behave like I will consider having a go from the yak. I reckon even a bad tempered one would have to 'go some' to upset 3-4 yaks rafted up for stability ( safety in numbers ). Of course it would only REALLY count if you dragged it into your lap for the mugshot

I have a LOWERANCE unit and although the screen has always been fine the 5 pin connector on the head has corroded twice. Its almost unusable now and will be going back a 2nd time I sent Hummingbird an E-mail suggesting with the emergence of the yak as a highly popular fishing platform, they should make one that can stand a dunking and which has NO connections between the head and transducer / power supply. That was over a week ago... Haven't heard anything back....

He's got my VHF as well Lessons so far... If you want to keep it - tie it to the boat. Take rods out of holders and stow flat before returning through the surf.

Great read Simon Would be great to do something similar over maybe a week - self propelled, self sufficient ( no popping into the CO-OP on the way back to the campsite ). Really whet my appetite

The minimum I need to get the bait down to the bottom and keep it there ! Generally the heaviest I use is about 3oz.

Are you bored yet? Stu Bored of reading about Tope fishing off kayaks - NEVER ! Very informative and well put together post Stu. 2 ? seasons fishing for these wonderful beasts and already a LOT of knowledge is building up. That Charlie 'B' must half know some stuff !

Nifty doesn't like the look of it at all.... BIG surf and swell BAH !

Hmmm, I plan to go fish from thursday on - metcheck seems to think its fishable ? think I'll ring Nifty....

I can see where they are comming from - pike are delicate fish and unhooking a frisky 20 you have chinned might prove awkward on a yak That said little uns are easy enough.

Anyone here fished for cats on the ebro can advise of park and fish locations ? I plan to drive down in the van which I'll be using as a camper and fish off the kayak. Any other advice would be welcome too. Cheers.

HaHa! no lack of advice on this one Here's my tuppenceworth... Hook a mustad 8/0 barbless tope / ray. Attached by a swivel to a 18" biting trace of 200lb mono ( apparently this is kinder to the fish as wire can cut ). This is attached to a rubbing trace 5'6" using 75lb mono with a swivel to attach to the mainline ( this is so a new trace can be attached in seconds should the need arise eg. the pack are in and your trace took a bit of a hammering from the last fish ). Mainline is Berkley 'big game' 15lb mono which I was going to up to 25 but I tested it last week and it held tied to a swivel with 22lb hanging off it !! The thinner the line the less resistance to the tide and less weight needed to get the bait down. I use a slider same as Richi, attached just above the mainline swivel. Lead is less than 1oz. Richi has been lucky with his 'short traces' IMHO, I lost a 35lber last year when using one, fish brushed the mainline ( 12lbs ) and cut it like a knife. I know this because 15 mins later I hooked it again and it still had the macky, hook, trace and mainline stuck in its throat. The fish was safely returned minus the tackle My rods have been upgraded to 7'9" from 6'6" to cope with the trace length.

Very enjoyable read - I'm office bound at the mo but storing up the days for fishing hols. Hope to see you in Tywyn soon