gilbo

Thanks Andy - where are you in the Country? The best thing was how clean Branscombe was after all that shipwreck thing and the sea bed was clear. Looking forward to a good few sessions there through Spring and Early Summer.

Went to fish Branscombe last night to see if the smoothies had started to show. Armed with a dozen good peeler crab and some nice worm. When I arrived the car park was busy and walking down to the beach I was amazed to see so many anglers there. There was a match on:unsure: . Anyway took a long walk up the left hand side of the beach and got a spot to fish. Plenty of dogfish taking anything thrown at them but managed to work my way through them and had my first Smooth Hound of the year. Was only small but like they do gave a good solid scrap. Delighted they have started to show. Grab your crabs and target them.

Had a couple of days down at Caerhayes this week and had a cracking time with the family, weather - well what could have been better! Fished some Lures and Wedges just having one pull and a massive swirl at the surface. Sadly fish shook the hook and the rod never bent over. Half a mile or so off shore I noticed a black back gull skimming a fish or two off the surface. Paddled out to take a look and it was Pilchards feeding on Very small fry at the surface. In some places the water was jumping with them. Left a few of them Prawn / Crab traps overnight and pulled them today with some fun and anticipation. Anyway photos will say more so here they are: The launch site. Whats that Dad!!!!!!!!!!!! Please note that I only take him out when it is flat and notice the extra handle fitted for his safety. He loves it and is so brave! 2 dogfish 1 Huss (6lb) and an undersized edible crab. Next one up - 1 dogfish, 5 undersized edibles and 4 velvet swimmers. Last pot had three goldsinney wrasse and a big rockling. Those red bouys show up well and are extremely visable in the sunshine. Then back for a bite to eat and safetly back on the beach. Kids playing poker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pleased with the couple of days!!!!!! Next time maybe some more fishing proper!!!! Was a couple of days of fun and the fishing is sometimes just an addition.

Use your own kit and rod as you will enjoy the experience much more. The hired kit may be some huge old world penn reel and a broom handle. Here is the best set up and my suggestion: Lever drag multiplier reel such as TLD30 with 30 to 35lb main line - lever drag allows you to set it in a run position and have the clicker on. Long boat rod best and I use an Ugly stick Conger in the 20 to 30lb rating. Rig is this: Slide on mainline in this order Bead. Snap lock swivel spinning on the line ( blow up a ballon and clip the snap into the loose end of the knotted balloon) Bead Heavey 2oz drilled ball weight or similar bead Then tie on the trace which must be the following: Large swivel rated 200lb plus 12 to 15ft of twisting rubbing length of 200lb nylon or wire but nylon best. another swivel 3 to 4ft of biting length of heavy coated wire large bronzed hook 9/0 to 12/0. All double tied or crimped. Finish the set up by forming a sliding stop knot on the main line to set the depth which can be a few feet up the line or 50 to 60ft. I like to use some heavey power gum.The depth is a varied thing and usually all fishing rods (4) are set at different depths and distances from the drifting boat. This covers the water and slick the shark may approach the boat from. Do not use stainless or galvanised hooks as if the shark should take the hook then you want something that will corrode easily. Best to debarb the hook. Mackerel flapper or two or three squid are better than whole mackerel and setting the hook seems easier with them. Sit back and wait for the run. Take a second rod and enjoy the abundance of mackerel that are attracted to the dubby slick. Hope this helps.

Go straight for a fishing kayak and depending on your size the Prowlers are most popular. Then do not rig up and paddle out for fishing. I spent a long time watching and reading and gathering tips and ideas. Its far better for the first few trips to go somewhere safe. I spent my first session paddling up and down my local Resevoir where tides, wind and surf wans't a problem. Then move onto a safe sea location and practice in and out of the surf and launching and landing. purposely fall out in a few feet of water and try you techniques of re entry. Best thing I learnt is dont be in a rush to get your feet in when you launch. Best to sit and dangle your feet while you paddle and keep straight on in the surf. Go sideways and your over! Second best tip is landing and when coming in through the surf dont even try paddling. Let the surf bring you in and use your paddle as a rudder. Kayak turning left then shove and hold your paddle to the right. It all comes easy but as a beginner like myself you will have a few tumbles. Safety gear that I would say is a must is PDF, Anchor, VHF, Flares, Compass and a First Aid Kit (the order written is how important I think they figure). I would also say to get a GPRS if you can. Dont try to go with out the correct gear. Dont know the North East coast but understand it can be very harsh.

I bought the waders as a very second spare and may even use them for some of my boat and beach fishing. Handy repair kit came with them. I also bought a couple of them cheap folding stools for beach fishing when I need to travel light - may be handy in the hatch of the kayak if you intend to stop and have a break onshore! The box of lures was a bargain and even though they dont compare to a storm thunderstick I picked them up. Cheap as chips and worth having even just for the box they come in. The handlines is a great suggestion and I may invest in one. I recal changing my rigs last year everytime I saw mid water fish under the kayak - Great suggestion that Nifty A warning though. I was stupid enough to let my boy have a starlight which here then bent so far it split and sprayed him in the eye with the liquid. I found out they contain Hydrogen Peroxide and immiediately flushed his eye with several vials of eye wash. Dont let kids play with them even though they are sold as braclets, necklaces and stuff for kids.

Or they may have been bait fish. Had the same thing on Sunday last when at times the whole of the mid water span was black with marks. I tried mackerel feathers but never has a touch. Put this down to sandeels or small pilchards. Its worth adjusting the fishfinder sensitivity and I can vouch that the Eagle one I have shows me a shoal of mackerel as it was spot on last year. Remember some sea weed like bladderack has numerous air pockets - each will show as a fish.

A reply to all I hope as there were quite a few posts. The beach carpark is excellent with a small shop / cafe and a toilet block. It doest get very busy apart from the high summer holiday time. When I pulled that prawn trap in I thought I had four or five doggies in it. The big huss had got in and twisted itself up into the trap. The weight was estimate and it was 3 1/2 ft long ish. Mouth that could suck on a grapefruit. I reckon them traps are fine and fairly sturdy. I would suggest that you anchor them well so they cant smash and rip on rocks and kelp. I used an 80mm open flange on each of them which was about 2lb in weight each. This was tied a metre up the main line. On each rope there was a 6" red and marked buoy (marked with my name and contact as this is the regs for hobbie potters!). I allowed more than 6 metres of slack to allow for the change between high and low water and also along the length of the line caught in some heavy steel bolt nuts so all the line sank. Dont want a boat to get them caught in their prop. Bait was some mackerel heads and half the frame that I froze down a couple of weeks ago after having some mackerel fillets for my tea. Dont bother with the little bait pouch and zip - just bung em in there! Anyone buying them should check the entrance hole size as some are just a couple of inches round. The ones I got had a good 125mm to 150mm entrance. The drifter is fine for a big bloke and am pleased with my choice. Its very stable and paddles well. It may be a little slower than the prowler but we are sit on top owners who fish! If I wanted a racing kayak then I would have bought one! Your sizes and weights are similar to mine - just under 18 stone and 5ft 11", 19" neck and 48 chest with 42" waist. I am not a big fatty but a solid and wide build. The cockpit area of the drifter is roomy and excellent for you size. Have a go in one and I know you will like it.

I have a frenzy as a second kayak and it seems to be very capable. It handles very well and tracks pretty well. My Daughter uses it and has paddled out a good few miles along the coast. If you get a chance of one try and get the New Zealand moulding, it seems far more superior to the others. I have thought about rigging it and would look at a bar across the front of the foot well. It is possible to get a stainless steel grab rail and as long as it is correct length, bolt it across. You will need to fit a hatch to do this. This could easily hold a vhf, rod holder and fishfinder. Flush mounted holders can be installed behind the seat position and an anchor trolley line also. I will rig up my one eventually but am interested in any pictures and ideas anyone else has with this kayak.

Back to work today but took a trip down to Caerhayes near Gorran on Easter Sunday. Daughter used the Frenzy and I paddled out in the Drifter Angler. Went around to the left inside the Dobman point. Fished for a short while but wanted to try some of those Prawn / Crab traps (the collapsable ones that cost around £5). Left three out for a couple of hours and first one up had a 12lb bull huss in it. I am amazed it managed to get into the trap and had a bit of a job trying to get the lively thing out of it. Was black and came up out of kelp and rock. Second one up had a single dogfish in and third empty. Fish were returned alive. They are pretty fun things to use and well worth dropping one down for a crab, lobster or 12lb huss!!!!! Weather looking nice this weekend and so will be off for another session - this time to do some real fishing with bass and mackerel showing down there.

Have a look at them before you decline - they are not waders as I would imagine waders, they are more like a pair of semi dry trousers with built in socks. They come up over the chest. I have a full dry suit and a lighter semi dry trousers and kag for summer but I am getting a set of these. For anyone (as many seem to be on a tight budget) who needs a cheap item for kayak use have a serious look at them. Andymcb - have a good look at them and let me know what you think.

There are a few bits coming up from the 9th at Lidl. They have some waders at £4.99 which are worth a look for anyone who wants some light weight waterproof bottoms. They dont have wellies built in but more of a waterproof sock. You could use them in a kayak and wear a pair of wet suit shoes or boots with them. Box of 50 star lights 2.99! Worth a look me thinks.

Thanks for letting me know Sea View is moving - will they still be keeping Live Eel? I asked my Bro who lives there and he reckons that there is no one selling Live Eel locally. It will be a case of feathering up some or bringing them down on the day. Hope them prawn traps catch some prawn and should have some to spare.

Fantastic post and great photos - Thanks Martin.

I think Ray Andrews retired a good few years ago with ill health and the Torsk is no longer running. I dont know how he is getting on. The Aquila is also running but has a new Skipper. A new fishing boat is arriving skippered by David Hunkin who is the son and grandson of Les and Bernard. They had the boat Eileen and held the British Record Ling. I think David will do very well.

Dont worry about it - the three foot trace allows the bait some natural movement. I sometimes use a couple of lumi beads above the hook and a bait stop and even a silver sequin or two. I always carry a few split shot that allow a bit of weight and means you can sink the float to a very balanced and exact degree. Try a piece of elastic band a couple of feet above the weight. This stops some tangling and when cast bounces the float back up the line. It amazing how effective this can be! This will get you into mackerel, pollock, wrasse and bass. If you are able to target garfish then a self weighted float and a much shorter length will do as they feed high in the water.

Why not try "Venus" out of Mevagissey. Skipper John Arthur. He is in Sea Angler every other month and could easily carry 3 or 4 kayaks. He is fairly priced for a days sharking. I could speak to him if you like.

There are a few places locally that worm can be purchased. Shark and Angling Centre, On the Harbour Front, Mevagissey, Contact Dave (01726) 843430. He keeps some worm and has frozen baits too. There are also a couple of places in St Austell. A nerw shop has open on Clifden Road. St Autell and is a small shop that does hobby crafts and some Fishing stuff. I popped in there and they do fresh local worm by the dozen ( Lug and Rag). This is near the junction with Sandy Lane and Polkyth Road a couple of doors down from the reptile shop. On the St Austell to Mevagissey Road there is also a Caravan Place that has started to do fresh worm and have some frozen baits too. This is a couple of miles from St Austell on just on the left as you leave London Apprentice think it is called Mount Caravans 01726874100. I am travelling from Okehampton and can collect some bait from Exeter or even Plymouth. At that time of year there is a couple of places in Plymouth that do live eel. Seaview bait and tackle on the Kingsbridge road have tanks and usually a top supply of them. Exeter Angling centre have live peeler most of the time. I will have three prawn traps and hope to have some live prawn which is a very good bait. There is also a good chance of feathering up some Launce from the sandy bay at Gorran. Hope this helps member attending.

This is my set up and follow the below: Slide up the reel linethe follwing: bead Float (must be the type which is sliding) bead Drilld bullet weight to suit float bead Then tie on a smal swivel From here tie on a 3 ft trace of lighter line say 3 or 4 lb lighter than main line. Slide up attractor bead or sequin if desired. Tie on a hook to suit. This is the basic set up. Above everything on the main line you need to form a small stop knot using a 3" piece of power gum. pull this tight and trim the ends. This will pass through the rod rings easily and is better than rubber bands and cheaper than other rig stops. Decide the depth and slide the stop knot up and down the line. You can easily set it to 30 or 40 ft. Let out line to find the depth and adjust the stop knot as you do. you can fish it right down to the bottom. Hope this helps.

I am really looking forward to this and will be there. It will be good to finally meet some of the members and hopefully gain some experience from them. Although I have all the gear I have limited outings and practice. I have family nearby and hence may not be camping but hope to fish over a couple of days. I will be bringing two kayaks "Drifter" and "Frenzy" and so the second is available for anyone who fancies a paddle out. Let me know if anyone has a child, wife or anyone who would like to have a go in the frenzy over the weekend. Also if anyone wants any bait collecting (worm or live peeler) then let me know. I may be able to help anyone out who is travelling.

Register your set and get the free "Radio License" at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/licensing/olc/

I bought a cheap one for £50 and a dry pouch but now need to change it. It only has 3 watts output. I am getting an ICOM waterproof or Submersible. Make sure you get the best power output you can find. Minimum of 5 watts. The battery is also an important choice and ensure it has a Lithium Iron which is by far the best. The RYA training only gives you an "operators Licence" and aswell you must go on to the Ofcom site and register your set. This will give you a free license for your portable or fixed "Radio License". Here the licence for a portable includes the issue of a "T" number which is what is registered with the Coast Guard etc. This is important and provides the coastguard with all your details such as next of kin and other contacts. You must be able to identify yourself with the coastguard and when communicating they will ask you for this. Hope this helps.

Interesting idea and sounds like it could be arranged. I know a few of the boats that operate out of Mevagissey and I am sure that a skipper there would be willing to oblige. However there is no guarantee of seeing any shark. I have been out a few times in as many years and only saw one that swam around the boat and went off up tide. I would be interested in this and could arrange a trip. Best thing though is when you are drifting with the dubby trail out there are a lot of fish that come in. You can spend the waiting time feathering mackerel and targeting some garfish. I would suggest you would need to tether to the boat whilst drifting and then release for the fight. Would be excellent.

I found that some of the SW Lakes insist you have insurance for a Kayak and wont let you launch without it. I looked into it and found it was relatively cheap. Think I pay about £37 a year which gives third party cover, Theft or damage in transit, Personal Injury up to £20,000 and also theft from where I store mine when not being used. I added my second Kayak to the insurance for another £7. Martyn is right and the most likely accident could be hitting a child in the surf. We live in a Nanny State were everyone is looking for compensation. I dont think it is a legal requirment but Insurance can make you relax a bit more. I found the N W Brown can offer a policy exactly tailored to your needs. Well worth looking into.