new guys seeks advice before i go drown meself :D

[Simon Everett]

Seems a sound enough idea to me.

A good trip out, fresh fish on the BBQ and training all in one. Couldn't be better.

I hope your scuba activities don't involve the speargun - snorkel yes, but bottle no! I used to spearfish myself, years ago. Did a bit of competition spearfishing, was reasonably good at it, based South Hams then.

[Hungry Fisherman]

doubt ill spearfish or dive for a while tbh one step at a time ill be happy with coasting and fishing to start im still at a loss what kayak to get lol so many to choose from yakity yaks xt looks good but is it ok for a beginner?

[Hungry Fisherman]

k the easy bit done untill recomended other wise ll go for a prowler xt now what paddle lol what bouyancy aid to aim for what thermal or weatherproofs am i looking at still trying to locate an all in safety pack some flares assorted torch first aid kit etc should i get one of them stowaway kayak trolleys radio dry bags after all this i wont have enuff for me fish finder thats another one whatmodel do i go for do i go for a gps finder or just a plain finder smart cast oh the list goes on lol im slowly getting there yup so far im sure of the prowler xt lol

 

sorry for my rambling i cll it shared thinking so ppl iff need be can correct me as i go along

 

oh yeah bungs? attachments rivets?? its dounting

[Hungry Fisherman]

darn lol soo many kayaks i meant the scrambler xt doh

[Simon Everett]

Scrambler XT will do you fine. There are others you could consider. How far do you need to paddle to your marks - which bit of coast?

 

The Prowler 13 has been the kayak of choice for all folks this year. It is very capable but £70 dearer for the standard model and £100 for the Angler version.

 

The XT is very open. It isn't fitted with a hatch, but the others are, so add the hatch into your budget and the gap narrows. The Scupper Pro TW is another good one to consider - the Yanks love it to bits! Sleek but still stable because of the low Centre of Gravity. The Scupper Pro TW is a bit longer at 14' 9", but the same weight as the Prowler 13 (1lb in it) and only 4lbs between the Scrambler XT and the others.

 

Buoyancy aid: go for a vest type with pockets for fishing. Plastimo do one for £30.

 

Fish Finder - don't bother for a bit. Add that later when you know what you need better. You may find you don't need one at all.

 

Paddle - best you can afford. Try a 220cm (guess without knowing your build and height but if you are going for a Scrambler that gives an indication!)fibreglass shaft with carbon blades. Weight is important, you lift the paddle evry stroke - by the end of the day you will know the difference. Also a stiffer paddle transfers more energy to the water. Go for a touring blade and a shorter shaft - something in the 215cm - 220cm range will suit a kayak of 29" beam and a paddler in the 6' bracket - if you are a midget you can get away with shorter.

 

Clothing: specialised kayak gear available, but many of us are happy making do with other stuff. Nifty just uses a wetsuit, I use a pair of neoprene waders and a wading type jacket (mine is actually a yachting jacket but is totally waterproof until i go base over apex).

 

Footwear: pair of neoprene booties - can't beat them. I have just got a pair for £10 from a waterski shop.

 

Personal flares - mini flare pack from National Boating Centre in Shefield (cheapest around).

 

Torch? Mini maglight or Petzl head torch.

 

First Aid kit - from Boots or make up your own in a tupperware box.

 

Trolley - most definitely. Build one or buy one.

 

VHF - optional. A good one is waterproof to 1m depth for immersion for 30 mins. (IPX7 is the code for this standard). Go for a 5w model and don't worry about why, but a 5w is 25% more powerful than a 4w. Icom Euro 1V for £170, a very good one with Lithuium battery that lasts for weeks.

 

Whistle - a very simple signalling device which costs pence, doesn't break and is very eficient.

 

That'll do you.

Simon.

PS don't forget an anchor - .75kgs and 1.5m of 1/2" chain is plenty for the kayak. Get 50m, of anchor line - 6mm parachute cord is about the cheapest way of doing it - 15p/m from the army surplus.

[Yakity - Yak - u.k.]

Hi there Hungry Fisherman.

 

Lots of advice there for you.

 

The Scrambler XT.....is a very nice Kayak to ride, plenty of room in the cockpit, and lots of friendly surfaces to accept your rigging choices.

Low centre of gravity and good width offering great stability.

She is no slouch going through the water either.

 

If you decide to Spearfish or Dive from a Kayak, the XT is a very good choice.

 

However, I had to get rid of one of mine because of problems with the front hatch fitting badly, and leaking, taking on lots of water in choppy conditions.

Fitting the centre hatch isnt a good idea if you are thinking of diving from her.

The wieght of you and the gear might take the centre hatch below the water line.

 

If you just want to fish from one, then its a great Kayak, without the addition of the hatches.

 

If your needs warrent a Kayak with a hatch/hatches, then you would be better off looking at another choice of Kayak.

 

Still have one Scrambler, but its a basic Yak with no hatches installed, great for venues that are difficult to get to, fun in the surf too.

 

I have replaced one of the XTs with the Prowler 15, a big old bird, but a terrific Kayak to ride and fish from, nice to rig too.

 

On the subject of rigging, keep it simple, and think about keeping your fishing arch and area clear of awkward obstructions.

 

Choice of Kayak is down to what you want to do, and where, storage, transportation, wieght, rigging, need to be thought about too.

 

On the subject of clothing, there are lots of variations to choose from, to suit conditions and tempratures, but take it from me, a pair of dry paddle pants is a good addition, you wont look back.

 

Personal Floatation Device, do not scrimp on this item buy the best you can afford.

Having a diving background,as you do, you already have a healthy respect and knowlage of the sea and her moods.

 

Good luck, and have fun making your choices.

 

Yakity.

[Hungry Fisherman]

cool ty for the advice as the kayak is a hard choice im gonna pick that last think ill get me gear first kayak last as it looks like ill be drilling holes adding mounts etc hmm thinking prowler 13 is a good idea as im thinking a noob like me trying to get in and out the surf id like to be able to fit all i can inside one maybe so hatches or a fixed firm rod holder on the side ty btw for ya advice and feedback ppl

[SpeciMan]

HF I took a similar route buying a lot of my bits (which can add up!) before buying the kayak.

 

I prefer to keep any kit I don't need to access on the water in the hatch (eg my trolley). You can strap down external items to the yak when coming back in through the surf.

 

If you check www.anglersafloat.co.uk there are instructions on how to install a paddle keep in the Project Caper section. A paddle keep of this design can also be used to hold rods alongside the yak.

[Starvinmarvin]

Hey HF,

 

Everything seems to be covered here, but I would say that don't think about using the Prowler 13 hatch at sea, not possible without a fight, most of the other OK kayaks are fine if the conditions are right. The Prowler has a neoprene cover which can be difficult to fit on dry land so not a good idea to try at sea.

 

Clothing wise, I've recently converted to the way of the Paddle Trouser and Cag combination, I won't be going back to wetsuits. Cags and Paddle Trousers are so comfortable and easy to wear, plus they fold up for easy storage, which is nice.

 

Might be worth hanging on for details of the new OK offering before you leap in and buy a Prowler, there is a review elsewhere on this forum. Looks fantastic.

 

SM

[Hungry Fisherman]

im still here trying to process info into a good decision lol im thinking atm sorry if these replys makes this thread messy

 

i want a kayak that i can get good access to inside of rod rod stowing item access etc while on the water if possible so easy to open hatch or fitting a hatch soley for the access of rods you say the 13 has a hard to access hatch on it?

 

i saw a prototype test on a kayak somewhere here scupper pro is that a new model or a nmodel update you was testing should i wait for it to be released? also i see a lot of yaks solds as anglers editions those rod holders anyidea if the pluggged ir open? some of these anglers edition yaks come with a tackle box i cant find no piccys of it lol and so any of these yaks comes with attachable box's that fit flush or countoured for the molded wells usually situated behind the paddlers? clothing wise i was thinking leggins neo prene boots cag and floatation vest will i need neoprene headgear glloves [fingerless]? i dont want to make the mistake of buying to mutch stuff and not use half of it do want flexibility warmth and will i need a dry suit if i was gonna do winter yaking?

 

well any way im goona go get me stars for yaking

 

ive been reading the yak forums uk ones that is and its seems theres a core of yakers out there that seem to run the show advice wise and events etc maybe you guys should make a dedicated yak mag either online only to start or a rea magazine i think theres a market for it out there it could make ya hobby a buisiness