sandgrownen

This was the quote for me "having a quiet fish 10 kms out to sea and decide to come back in. The answer is to wear two PFDs to give extra bouyancy, hop out, swim behind yak, reach up, pull starter, DO NOT LET GO OF CORD AS NO CLUTCH AND YAK TAKES OFF, drag yourself along cord to yak and crawl in. Simple once you have done it a few times." Do you that this procedure would get approval from the RNLI? And again check this out this guy Troppo is a real star http://www.akff.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1430 Cheers Chris

Thanks Gedi Why did you choose this model and does it come with the Elite transducer as standard. I will whatch out for your review, pictures would be good if its not a hassle. Cheers Chris

I just had to post this link after reading this. http://www.akff.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1751 Cheers Chris

Thanks for the reply Speciman. I will go Humminbird but I know nothing about them or what you get with them. Does the Elite type transducer come as standard with all models of Humminbird FF's? Is there a recommended model for the Elite? There doesn't seem to be a lot of info from Ocean or Johnsons yet on the available extras so I'm trying to pick the brains of anyone who has been there before me. Cheers Chris

Has anyone bought the fishfinder for the Elite yet? If so, Where did you buy it from? How much are they? Is there only one model that fits? Do you get the transducer with the FF or do you have to buy it seperate? I will probably be turned over in the surf more than most, will this cause a lot of problems? If this is the case should I go for one of the cheaper units? Any info would be big help. Cheers Chris

Sorry for not replying sonner NoMore I've been pushed for time. On the set screws, I hand to ring johnson about a malabu 2 XL I had order which seemed to not have been order. Ended up with a blue & white instead of the sunburst. I asked them if they could supply the set screws but just got a short 'Please contact the dealer you bought it from' answer. I found a web site that has them but I would have to buy 200 for around £10 I only want about 20. http://www.fastfixdirect.co.uk/code/naviga...arch=Show+Items. Have you had any better luck? On the bait tank I think this is taking things a bit far unless you live right on the water you would spend most of your time setting up and packing away. I'm tempted to get / make all of the goodies but I am aware that they only increase the setting up time. Does anyone know the longest time for a rookie to catch his first fish on a new yak. I think I may have the record. I'm thinking of nameing my 4.5 'Fishless'. I tried it on Ullswater recently just to try drifting with the trout rod. I must say It was great, i found I could set the Yak at the angle I wanted so that I drifted parallel to the shore but no fish. I live at Blackpool and when off shore it is like being in the sahara desert there is no cliffs rocks just sea and sea wall so fish finder will be next purchase. Have you fitted yours yet? / Did you get your anchor trolley fittted? If so what did you use to bridge the 2 screw holes? If your interested in a sail I found these instructions on making one, seems pretty simple. Also an on-line kite materials site to get the materials from. http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/grantglazer...k/Hintssail.htm http://www.freespiritkites.co.uk/ I made some leg straps, they worked out OK hope info is of help Cheers Chris

I'm a bit of a DIY buff I've made a trolley, leg straps, and a butyl drum skin hatch cover and I am going to try to make a rudder. For the anchor trolley I am going to copy the one on anglers afloat. http://www.anglersafloat.co.uk/Prowler_AnchorTrolley.htm I will contact Johnsons to see if I can get some screws thanks for your help. I've had the kayak out a few times now but no fish yet. Even after draging a lip hooked sand eel around Abersock bay for 3 hours. I've had great fun, I've even seen a seal 150 yards off Blackpool and I would never thought I'd have seen that in my life before getting the kayak. Thanks again for the help Chris

Does anyone know what thread and size the set screw are for the 4.5's molded in brass fixing points? I want to fix an anchor trolley & rudder to my kayak and need to source some of the fixing screws Cheeers Chris

No problem. I got it from Ray at Victoria Pier (Colwyn) www.victoriapierangling.co.uk. I paid £575 for the Elite 4.5, 2 piece paddle, PFD High visibility with pockets & Rod holder (Scotty type) Cheers Chris

I have just bought an Elite 4.5 I am very please with it but one thing I am not so confident in is the front hatch. There are slides on the straps only on one side and the buckles that secure it are hard to keep tightened so that they compress the seal. I also feel that a strong wave could lift the front edge and allow water to gradually enter. I have made a butyl drum skin to cover the hatch hole before the hatch goes on. I just seams to me that when you look in too the hole it represents a single point of failure for the whole kayak and it would only take a short time to swap the kayak if the cover came loose. Am I being unduly cautious? What are your experiences of these hatches when the weather catches you out? Has anyone fitted a more mechanical fixing to these hatch covers? Cheers Chris

After reading this and other threads about Sea Bass there seems to be an single accepted view being formed along a single line of thought. This piece of research by one of the local Boat fishing clubs into Bass conservation suggests that there is no correlation between Sea Bass size and there maturity in the Fylde Coast & Morcecambe Bay area. http://www.fbac.co.uk/General%20Informatio...3%20summary.pdf The boat guys take big fish yet the Bass stocks in the area would appear to be strengthening. Also anecdotally the beach fishermen seem to be catching & taking more and more Bass from the beach I have seen it myself while walking the beach and talking to them. One conclusion I have made from the general feel of the FBAC site is that the Bass fishing off our coasts has been improving with the warmer waters. It a good site with interesting information. I am thinking of buying Elite 4.5 and trying some fishing but the Lune Deeps between Fleetwood and the Bay seems to be a place to avoid as the boat guys find it a place to take extreme care. Regards Chris

Can you clarify were we are up to with this as I am thinking of ordering a 4.5. Are the prices £529 for the standard Elite ? £599 for the Elite Fish Finder ready? ( including everything to fit the Humminbird) or £599 for the Elite Fish Finder ready + extra expense for FF mounting bracket, Cables, Battery, Rod holder etc ? Can someone post what is included in each package and the range and cost of the extras for the UK Elite 4.5? Cheers Chris

That sound like the experience of a lifetime. Much more pleasent than this bloke http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h...6lr%3D%26sa%3DN Chris

Hi I have read through a lot of the threads for yak fishing in the last few days trying to get a feel for the subject & some things have occurred to me. These kayaks are injection molded polyurethane the same as kiddies garden play houses? The kids houses have far more castings in their make up and retail around £150 plus. How can they justify £350 upwards for these kayaks? Also all manufacturers seem to come out conveniently at the same prices, or am I being cynical? I had an idea for the scupper hole problem. Has anyone tried to create some sort of internal flap operated none return valve that would shut against a rebate when the water pushed up the scupper hole and would open when the water flowed out of the deck. Has any one ever tried fishing off the fylde coast near Blackpool in one of these craft? I would have the dedicated single fishing, girlfriend twin day out decision to make when buying a YAK. Has anyone really conquered that one yet? Loads more questions and ideas but this will do to start. Cheers Sandgrownen