lofty

It's all about planning on a yak. And knowing your limits and knowing the forecasts are doing what they say.So far this year I've aborted after getting to my launch 6 times if I've not been happy with the prediction. Races I tend to give a wide berth. Like many things competence comes with experience and knowledge of the area. I've fished along the ledge but had a hairy one this year when my anchor was caught. I have several knives and rope cutters to hand and I cut the warp in seconds. I always carry money and a padlock with me so if I got into real trouble with a strong tide I'd give up and go with the flow. I've never had to but it's nice to know I could land elsewhere, lock the yak and get a cab back to my car. It's one of the benefits of being flexible for launching almost anywhere. I carry on myself line cutters, safety knife, strobe light, flares, mobile in waterproof case,pfd,vhf with dsc, throwline, drysuit, and dress for the water temperature should i be in for an extended period. This is all attached to me, not the boat. but i would always give up first and land somewhere with the tide. If i did get caught in a race i couldnt get free off then id be on the radio to the cg pronto. I can't talk for a 100 hp getting stuck in a race, I wouldn't have a clue what to do eczept call it in ,most of been a bit worrying? All I can really do is plan not to put myself in a dodgy situation and hope I don't need to use my safety gear. Cheers

I'm chuffed to bits for you mate . Good effort

My mate Richi will sail his kayak from key haven to the needles and back again .This is about an18 mile round trip. I want it for the ledge for bassing. Getting out to the end of the ledge is no problem paddling from Southbourne but I'd like to drift with livelys and sail back to the start to re run. Will need lots of planning and conditions but I'm confident on the right day it will be doable. Ill bring a chart if your going to the dec meet and you can advise me please. Yesterday's sail info

Ill have it in a couple of years. All fish swam away strong

I targeted flounders today for my species list. Sorted. I also had a bonus bass Darkest bass I've had Around 4lb . I'm not sure if you can keep them at this time of year but she went back as well as the flounders.

Cheers for all your replies. It was a great couple of days with most catching cod, the best at 17lb I heard . My favourite part was the seal launch. I know it's childish but the photo below shows my yak at the top of a 50 foot slope. I slid all the way down and punched through the swell. Biggest swell I've ever been in but not rough? Just sea sick inducing for those that suffer

The Ultrateers Kent story. It was omg early Saturday for me and Barry Robson as we left sleepy Poole on the 171 miles to Dymchurch on the south Kent coast. We arrived at Steve (pipes) caravan park to find a motley bunch of kayak fishermen nursing hangovers from the Friday night. Fuelled on a fry up ,cars were loaded and Sandgate was chosen as a launch We arrived under a thick grey sky to gaze upon a very lumpy sea. It was very different to Poole as the swell was huge (5 feet?) but no white horses. The beach was all shingle down a 40-60 foot slope into the sea. We watched Steve- another- ( lure man) seal launch ( toboggan ) down the beach to a perfect entry and paddle out through the breakers. Well my turn . With a push from Barry he managed to time it so I smashed head first into a breaker and drenched paddled out to sea. I used big pre prep'd cuttle stuffed with lug( a la Cam) and managed this cod around 5 .5 lb The whiting were very annoying with almost constant pecking on the baits. They really needed to be wrapped up to death with bait elastic. After the fishing session me and Barto checked into The Ship Inn at Dymchurch( rated third best on trip advisor) and had some nice grub before joining Oceans Ten back at the campsite for tall tales, reggae , disco balls , booze and choccy. The world was put to rights and a plan hatched to fish Dungeness beach on Sunday. Up nice and early and off to the launch by the lifeboat station on Dungeness. Now this beach is massive and made of pebbles with a picturesque nuclear reactor in the background. Bloody hard work getting the yaks to the water but we done it and launched about 10 am I scanned the horizon for a potential mark and decided on the spot with 25 private boats on it ( Kent car park) You can see we're my anchor dragged until I payed out more line. Looking at Navionics I reckon a lot of the boats were around the wreck Samida? Today the weather was kind and the sea state flat. I had a cod around 6.5 and one just under 5 in the first 2 hours but that was to be it today. The whiting and dogs kept Barry busy while I paddled off to say cheerio to the chaps. Thanks John for the money shot Barry with his ultra 4.7xt What I wasn't ready for was the 7 metre neap tide that turned our 15 foot slope into a bloody mountain of shingle. You can just make out Richi at the bottom With my heart bursting through my chest we got mine , Barry's and Richis yaks back to the car park for our return journey A big thank you to all who put this on and attended the meet. Ill definitely be back for Sandgate 2013( will probably give Dungy a swerve though) Cheers Lofty

Going well so far More to follow

No worries. It was horrible having that on my face so rather you than me. After all. It is about raising funds to research men's cancer. I'm sure were all going to know someone affected by cancer so best to support them directly by giving to your fundraiser. Come on chaps. A couple of quid for robs discomfort please My effort 2011

Done

Not much to add other than I phone Portland cg and tell them my plans. It's a great feeling out at night. I'm always spooked as many fish come and have a look. Last trip out I had a bass swirl 2 feet from me and sh1t me right up I know it's different on a yak but I dress for the water, and have loads of kit on me that should facilitate a rescue, if not a recovery

Cheers for the comments. I guess if there's one there's more? Another night session next week weather permitting. Such a lot of waste . Got 4 good fillets but anything smaller would be a shame to keep really. Just FYI. Belly full of crabs

Happy Birthday bud. Got a new project for your birthday???? Have a good one

Got out this afternoon as the sea was flat and calm. Tied of on a net and put out a big squid bait on one Kawazaki and ragworm on the other Kawasaki . Not a lot happened until I got a baby smoothy. Caught another two the same but not a sniff on the squid . Darkness came and I headed closer to my launch as I was solo. Tried maccy fillets and thought I'd try for a conger as I've never had one. Stuck on head and guts of a maccy but nothing. Meanwhile the pout and more baby smoothys kept the rod nod going with my blue tip lights. Thought I'd stick on a squid with the maccy . MASSIVE bait now Not a sniff. I don't know if its only me who does this but I said to myself if this bait doesn't get a knock in the next two minutes I'm calling it a day. With 30 seconds to go . Nod. Nod . Bend in the 6/12 Kenzaki . My first conger I thought. Up pops mr cod Chuffed to nuts Called it a day and got a beach angler to take some money shots On my digital scales it came up 10-1 and on his 10-3 so I'm calling it 10 Gave him some inspiration too. Looking forward to Kent even more now. Lofty

My humminbird 385cxi will easily spot the lead and feathers as I jig for maccys. Humminbird do some nice units.

Lucky John has one on his kayak. Give him a pm.

Been playing around on the laptop tonight and came up with an idea for a tshirt logo Does anyone object if I float this idea on Anglers Afloat for interest ? Any profits would go to RNLI Thoughts people?

I have problems with wind!! It's one of the main considerations with a kayak. There is always a lot of pre trip planning and watching the wind forecast. I envy you chaps with engines ( sometimes)We knew on the day that with a westerly we'd be afforded some shelter but right in the middle of the bay it was too much. It dropped off for half an hour and we were about to get anchor by the Fleur de Lys when it came back . At the end of the day it had dropped completely . Would have been nicer today but other tings to do.

Had a day on the water with Geordie Brian. After a road trip looking for a decent spot we ended up in Swanage bay. The westerly wind was the problem today and we rocked up at Swanage to a deceptively flat bay. On the water for 11 and paddled over to Ballard. Once away from the shelter of the cliffs it wasn't very pleasant. Brian had the first of many( too many) wrasse as we sat at the far end of the bay. We ventured out to a wreck but as soon as we got there the wind kicked off again. We headed back to the shelter of the cliffs and paddled back to the grand hotel. I'd had trouble catching anything . Just a few Ballans. Anchored up by the ledges and popped some maccy fillets down hoping for a bass but it wasn't to be. Decided to get a dexter wedge out . A big mackie was first , quickly stuck down as a non successful lively. Then I had 2 Pollock, returned. Four Garfish then fell to the dexter. I missed another 3. They were jumping at the wedge before it hit the water. The sea must have been full of them. Back on the beach my recent drysuit test inspired my chum to test his own gear. Happily he returned dry inside Ok. The fishing wasn't on fire but good to be afloat and catching and having a crack with GB

As my chums know I slipped a disc a few weeks ago. Not bad but bad enough to knock my confidence for spending time seated in my yak. Today was not about the fishing, more about testing new kit and testing seating positions. I've recently changed to a Fladen pfd with crotch strap. 100N. Wasn't sure at first but today I forgot I was wearing it. Lucky John was impressed at how visible I was. The drysuit was very comfy but there was only one real test Mind you , from 100 yards away I start to disappear. I only had one base layer on, my Gucci merino wool layer, but will be adding more as the water cools. On cams advice I also bought a throw line that straps around the waist and clips to the yak. It was brilliant as it also acts as a back bolster and kept my posture good all day. I only caught wrasse along the training bank although I'd had a tip off for Gilts. Met up with Lucky who wasn't having the best day. Good to have a brew and a chat at the cafe though. Now I've got my new drysuit I fit in with the gang brilliantly Looking forward to getting out for a proper fishing session now

im doing a photo upload demo this is a demo page

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-19770025

Monster maccy and the sky on fire. Nice

http://anglersafloat.proboards.com/index.c...ay&thread=24177