PlanetSeafishing.com

Small boat & kayak fishing at Scrabster feature

2010-01-09T08:16:04+00:00

http://www.planetseafishing.com/features/read/scrabster-small-boat-fishing

Kayak advice needed

2009-12-16T20:38:23+00:00

I was looking to buy a fishing kayak next year and was looking for some pointers on what to go for. Two kayaks have caught my eye so far, Perception freedom and Ocean kayak prowler 13, anyone got an opinion on which 1 of these is better.
I was also thinking about an inflatable due to transport/ storage convienence and would like to hear anyones thoughts on these. I am average build and would be using the kayak in lochs and coasts around central scotland. Thanks.

Scarborough Open Kayak Match

2009-09-28T22:11:06+00:00

It was a cracking weekend indeed and the weather was spectacular, the water’s even warmer down South in Yorkshire. I arrived at 6.30 on Saturday morning, plenty time for the 10am launch then…... , I seemed to think Scarborough was further away than it actually was, the sun was popping it’s head above the horizon as I pulled up ............

A few cuppas and a couple of bacon rolls later it was time to launch, it was a bit hectic until we all got our gear down onto the beach, I almost got run over crossing the road as I was rudely distracted by a bra-less jogger, should have been looking at the landrover that was coming in the opposite direction…....

Then on the beach before we all set off….......

Perfect conditions on the water so I made off to the North headland to try my luck.

I had a load of bait with me hoping for a lunker of a Cod for the weigh in. After 20 mins of fruitless drifts I jacked that in and broke out the proper gear, on went the jelly worms.

The rest of the day was spent trawling these rubbery fellows up and down a small reef that was bristling with Pollock…

Hungry little devils….....

The comp ended all to soon and in no time we were on the beach comparing notes and peeking in everyones holds to see what had been caught. It soon became obvious that Steve’s Cod was going to take a bit of beating.

A pint , a sandwich and a cracking prize table finished off the day, I even managed to win something my self, which makes a change.

A big thanks to Dave and all the orginisers for a smashing, well orginised event. I think this one will go from strength to strength.

Back to Ken’s caravan awning for a post match shakedown and an impromptu filleting session in the campsite sinks. That poor old bloke that asked for ” A wee bit of fish”. I reckon he could have opened a fish shop with the pile of fillets we gave him… ;D ;D

Beer, pizza and more beer was the order of the evening but it managed to end at a sensible hour which was good as I planned an early launch for Sunday.

Ken, thanks for the hospitality, your a star, I don’t know how your misses puts up with you…..... ;D

Sunday dawned bright but a bit windy, I made a dash down to the beach to try and get a few hours afloat before I made for home. I paddled out to have a shot over Filey Brig which is somewhere I have read about but never fished. it certainly lived up to it’s reputation, very jaggy bottom and at times the surface was little better…

I lost a fish and landed one which was enough for me, time to head back in and have some fun at the safety training for a couple of hours.

And what fun it was, Simon had the lads afloat and performing self rescues in no time, paddle techniques and all sorts of information was free flowing. What a great benefit to anyone starting out….....

Cracking weekend, but it’s time for a few weekends catch up on my own turf until the Sunart meet.

Neil.

Big tide at Berwick upon Tweed

2009-09-20T18:53:00+00:00

I managed to sneak away for a few hours this morning and try for a Codling or two for the freezer from Berwick. A huge tide with a fresh breeze off the land made the drift a bit unmanageable at times. Even with the drogue in I was clocking 1.2 knts at times. We managed to boat a few small Codlings, most of which were around the 2lb mark and went back to fight another day. The tide eventually eased so I decided to dig out the Pollock gear and trawl a reef that frequently produces a decent fish. First bit of excitement was a snag that broke clear, I decided to bring the Firetail to the surface to check for damage. Within 10’ of the top the lure stopped and a crashing dive took everything 40’ back down to the bottom, good job I had the drag set..

A short battle ensued and after another 3 or 4 crashing dives I had this beast on the surface…..

It certainly gave me a run for my money and I had it’s weight guestimated at around 15lb.

It was spewing blood from it’s gill covers so rather than throw it back to the seals I chapped it on the head and took it ashore for an exact weigh in. I was a tad disappointed when it only made 12lb 8oz on the scales, that was three hours later though so it might have lost a little bit. None the less it was a nice fish and gave me the two biggest fillets I have ever seen.

Neil.

Isle of Skye

2009-09-20T19:52:23+00:00

I had a few days earlier this week over on the Isle of Skye. The main reason for the visit was to take a Sea Kayak training course with the Uk‘s, if not the worlds most qualified instructor, our very own Gordon Brown……no not that one…!

We did manage to take some time out and get some fishing done. On the whole the results were poor. I’ve never seen so many fish anywhere in the UK but the majority were all on the small side. We had Whiting, Pollock, Coalfish and Mackerel. Our best fish was around the 4lb mark.

That aside I have never paddled in such beautiful surroundings, the scenery was spectacular and the weather was positively Caribbean. To the extent that I will be back very, very, soon. I have since spoken to a local and he has given me a few marks to try that have given him a few double figure Pollock this year.

Some pics to whet your apatite…………..

And did I mention that the Ale was good over there……………………

Neil.

First Solo Trip - Skateraw

2009-09-11T18:11:31+00:00

After last weeks tuition from Neil and the forecast of a flat calm, sunny day with little wind I decided to get out on my own. I took a couple of rods to see what it would be like casting and if the leashes were in good positions etc. I used the old glass sucker and plumbing pieces to get the Yak on and off the roof as I wanted to make sure I could do a trip completely solo if required. It all worked really well and it was a doddle getting the yak on the roof rack. The only thing is it is sitting the way it would in the water. It seemed fine at 60mph so I dare say I will leave it that way.

After phoning the coastguard I paddled out into the bay. A hundred yards out I realised I hadn’t unleashed the rudder - Doh back to shore. The paddling was better than the first time and I felt a bit more confident. The decision to wear the bear suit under the drysuit was a poor one as it was hot work out there. After a good paddle to dolly point I went for my first cast. The rudder really helps keeping you facing in the right direction and it was reasonably easy to get a cast away and retrieve. I was fishing with a leadhead with jelly worm but the fishes weren’t interested.

One thing was clear to me though. I have to find better mounting points for the rod leashes. They were around my feet as was the paddle leash so in the event of a tip they could be dangerous. I paddled over to the other side of the bay to try amongst the kelp but still no takers. After a couple of hours it was lunch time. Very pleasant tucking into a sarnie and a bottle of water in the middle of the bay.

I went for a paddle and cast round the lifeboat and pillars but still no joy. I went side saddle to fish here to make sure I was comfortable turning round. I wouldn’t say I was balletic but I got round and it felt pretty stable fishing that way.

After a total of 3.5 hours on the water the arms were getting a bit tired and I headed for the beach.

No fish but a really enjoyable session and another step toward getting out a bit further and deeper. I managed to stay in the boat for a whole trip which was also good news.

There have been some reports of decent catches not too far out from the boats so hopefully I will be safe to get out a bit deeper soon.

First go.

2009-09-06T14:50:36+00:00

Many, many thanks to Neil today who took time out from his pursuit of the fishy fella’s to show myself and another aspiring ‘yakker’ around his rig, he went as far as to bring a spare kayak, paddle and dry suit clothing for me to have a go, Simon having bought his own kayak recently brought that along for his maiden voyage around Skateraw harbour area, most enjoyable and what an absolute bonus for anybody wanting to take up a sport to be able to pick the brains of somebody with the ‘hands on’ know how Neil and his brother obviously possess.

Having been furnished with first hand practical experience during which we had a good couple of hours paddling about and going over a few drills, we all swapped kayaks to see how the three differed in their handling etc, even this has helped me narrow down what type of equipment and kayak I would be better buying, invaluable first hand information that should go a long way in preventing me spending a not unsubstantial amount of money on something that might not be suited to me.

My thanks again to an absolute gentleman, Neil.

Mark.

One of your mates Neil?

2009-08-26T11:07:55+00:00

Spotted this chap off Puerto Rico on Gran Canaria last week Neil. Asked him if he knew you. Couldn’t quite catch everything he said but it sounded like -

“Vete a la mierda de cerdo Inglés. No podemos coger los peces en el Mar del Norte debido a que el capítulo Turnbull y sus amigos tienen todos ellos. Oh - es que un pez vela me siento en el final de mi línea?”

He then disappeared beneath the swell. Hope he managed to land it lol

Looking for yakers on Scotlands west coast

2009-08-26T20:20:38+00:00

Hi all,

New to your site and hoping to meet up with any of you that fish anywhere on the west coast. I live in Dunoon - Argyll and am happy to travel around to find new venues and hopefully new friends.

Cheers

Doolittle…......................

Tested: Icom IC-M35 VHF Transceiver

2009-08-20T22:36:26+00:00

http://www.planetseafishing.com/reviews/read/tested-icom-ic-m35-vhf-transceiver/