spuds

Try the rapala x rap in mackeral or silver colours around dawn /dusk on incoming tide.Also the small bubble floats with a small pearl coloured rubber eel work well.Troll with the tide at an angle across reefs or submerged features.Losing gear is a total pain but you have to try where the fish are likely to be and it tends to be in the snaggy areas.For ease of release i would suggest flattenning the hook barbs down with pliars as this will cause less harm to the Bass and also your fingers when retrieving hooks.All the best

Marvelous pics kishkash.

David,I see you live in cumbria which is similar coastline to where i live in north Devon ?.I tend to troll the lures around rocky headlands or snaggy shallow reefs where shore anglers or charter boats won't go.depths vary from 8-20ft very rocky gound with pinnacles or weed which tends to hold bass or pollock.I sometimes use a very small snap link swivel to prevent line twist and to change lures.The Xrap works down to about 5ft and will float when not being worked.The bubble float with small pearl gill works just under the surface and is good aound weeded areas arond 6ft deep (estuary mouths etc).Set the clutch on your reel very light as the ratchet will alert you of a take and will also prevent a crack off if you are unlucky enough to get snagged. I also sometimes tie the lure on using the rapala knot which allows the lure to work unhindered. I personally would'nt use extra items to weigh the lures down but different venues need different methods. I like to kepp things simple/stupid There is nothing like the first time your ratchet starts whiiring and you realise it is'nt because you got snagged.If you catch and release then bend down the barbs on your hooks this also prevents nasty accidents in the yak as the hookpoints need to be supersharp.A couple of months ago whilst retrieving a snagged lure this pinged back and stuck in my ear I looked like Pat Butcher

Rapala xrap.mackeral colours,have worked for me.Also small bubble float then swivel with 6-10ft light line with pearl white small redgill.Troll with the tide and slight angle over shallow reefs or other feature.Have lures about 50yds back and troll 1-2 mph.Have picked up Bass,Mackeral and Pollock this way.Good on a rising spring tide especially at dusk/dawn.Avoid anywhere where there are moorings as i have found to my cost that the Lures will invariably foul these.

Well done mike b.It's great just to be out on the water is'nt it.

Spot on.enuff said.

Kishkash,the depth is about 60-65ft on medium tide with rough ground reef.The tide flow is strong especially on incoming.About quarter to half mile east there is a strong upwelling current which could be treacherous for kayak.It may be better to try a neap first with a buddy as backup.

U BE CURSED MR HURST.

go about halfway along beach towards putsborough from woolacombe.fish incoming tide with frozen sandeel on flowing trace just beyond back surf break. park up on long carpark road which extends from woolacombe west towards putsborough for access.There should be less surfers or bathers here. good reports over past couple of weeks re Bass and Ray from this beach. The rocks are very dangerous so please be aware.regards neil..

I have no trouble holding station with the hobie outback off the north devon coast even on spring tides.however the tide flow at these tides in the Taw Torridge estuary are up to 4 knots and are too much like hard work .They are also too fast to anchor on. You can phone 07816-209935 and speak to stewart of hobie uk(based in dartmouth devon) I haven't had to get parts yet but i'm sure this can be sourced locally or via the us with no problems.I haven't heard of any problems with the drive system on the US sites.Hobie uk do go to various boat/outdoor shows around the country so it may be worthwhile contacting them so you can have a look.The feedback from our American cousins is that the Adventure is a great bit of kit with no vices or problems other than the expense. The drive system is silent and allows you to get right up to bass even in shallow water.However i don't know how to fly fish but this method would be deadly.I went out a couple of days ago in the estuary and could see the dorsals of numerous bass all around me. I tried a rapala without success and have promised myself to get some fly gear and tuition.

I've got the hobie mirage outback.A bit of a barge eh Not a bit of it.Its very stable comfortable and ideal for hands free fishing.The ideal trolling speed is only 1-2 knots and i find you have to concentrate to keep the speed that low and can troll all day no problem.No problem as a paddler either i enjoy doing both. The Adventure looks great and is a fast yak.But at 16ft i was put off by the length (oooerr missus) When Fishing over a reef or rock mark the system allows you to hover hands free and fish happily away without having to anchor up and then go through the effort of hauling this up if the mark is not producing.When trolling i hold the rod and every now and then l flick this forward to make the lure more realistic.This is more often than not when you get a take.Because you're also using leg power which is a larger muscle group you can cover greater distances with less effort.Can do about 4 knots all day.Ive had no problems with the drive which just needs a wash down and a squirt of wd40 on the mechanism. Get one.You won't regret it.They are pricey however but you have to pay for your pleasures.

welcome to the forum.spuds north devon

Global warming causes melted fresh water from the ice packs to desalinate the deep water conveyer which keeps the gulf stream running which in turn affects our weather patterns. THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW WE ARE DOOMED. OOPS! Sorry chaps.Yeah it is a bit unseasonal.Hopefully it will pick up soon.

Great pics,Well done.Did you catch them by trolling or spinning? Where did you launch from. Regards Spuds