lofty

Seriously thinking about one of these now. Have you got a figure in mind for the yak +seat .?Lofty

Just to report on my day. Following Bens advice I set out from Wareham quay at midday after being dropped by my lovely wife. The paddle down the river was very relaxing and I didnt see another soul .If you've not done it before it is a bit on the dull side as there is nothing to see but reeds ,although the fast flowing water is nice to be on. The river is about 3 miles before it widens out into the harbour backwaters and a well marked channel is easy to follow. Here is where it got a bit grim. The wind was blowing across the harbour in a NW at about 15miles per hour and this made the water very choppy and got me pretty wet. The going was a bit of a slog and I think I was also going against the tide as well as I think it was 2nd high which I wasn't banking on being so strong. After a piss stop at the old pits opposite Rockley I pushed across to the marine hard and this was a low as I seemed to be going hammer and tong to get nowhere but eventually made the foreshore in the lee of the wind and what a difference a bit of shelter makes. I then got my own second wind and enjoyed the paddle along the Hamworthy shore,past the park and had a little bit of fishing by the Ro Ro terminal to no success ,although I was only using the portland eel lure which has worked for me before with bass. Then just the final paddle over to Baitor and my waiting car. In all it took about 3.5 hrs. I worked it out to be about 8 miles.I am a pretty fit chap but there is no way I could have gone back again so hats off to Ben for doing the return trip previously.Thanks for all the input pre-trip and I hope this helps if anyone else is contemplating doing it. Tiring but enjoyable, What it really highlighted to me was my little tek sit on is not built for distance paddling and a proper sea kayak was the only realistic boat to do it in . For the effort I put in ,in a sea kayak I could have probably gone twice as far.

The call of the yak is strong.The weather seems good and the tide is big. I've never paddled Wareham river and with the big tide Saturday i'm hatching a plan. Dropping my wifes car at Baitor about 10.30,driving her and my kit to Wareham.She drives back to Baitor,swaps parking ticket and cars ,and all I have to do is catch the ebbing tide down from Wareham to Poole. All comments welcome as I've not done this trip before and if anyone wants to come with I can get another boat on my roof bars,just have to meet up at Baitor. Anyone know the time this should take or the distances?.Is it worth taking a rod and if so what bait and what and where should be fished? Im not so bothered about the fishing this time ,just fancy the trip but all input welcome. Lofty

Just to fill you in. Had a perfect paddle day,the sun shone in the morning,the sea was calm and apart from my cold feet(had on 4mm neoprene socksnand wellies???any ideas) it was great to snatch the opportunity in this current cold snap to get out. No fish bit but thats probably down to my bad technique. Need some kayak fishing mentors.

Ive got my rag,checked the tides and the weather is good enough(no sunscreen for me) so look out 8lb cods ,although more likely to catch a cold. If you see a happy kayaker with an orange wooly hat come and say hello. Lofty

Is it ok to catch bass in the harbour or is that seasonal? Thanks for the tips

After working and crap weather I really need to get out again. My better half is Christmas shopping leaving me at a loose end for the first time in ages. The Tek is on the roof and weather permitting(dry and not too windy) I will be going for a paddle on Saturday.I am planning on a leisurely trip from Baitor over to Brownsea and then on to the back waters by Studland. If any kayakers want to hook up just turn up at 10 for a 10 -30 start. As I am a novice fisherman Im not sure if its worth fishing in the harbour at this time of year and all info is welcome(bait,kit,whats allowed etc). If you are interested in coming along and or have a better idea give me an message and we could meet up . Lofty

Sounds like a plan

Cheers Zippy.Do you know of anywhere I could get some kit secondhand because these look to be about 400 quid online....ouch Also im 6'2" so do they do suits in height or l xl xxl Lofty

Hi all. I intend to stay afloat through out the winter and in the past have gone paddling in my Yak longjohn , gul kag and neoprene cloves and boots.Whats everyones opinions of dry suits,flotation suits ,waders, etc for out and about on my S O T. Don't intend to fall in but no one ever has. Obviously the kit needs movement and what I currently wear suits me for paddling comfort but i'd be interested in what you guys tog yourselfs out in. Regards Lofty

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Put my name on the list 07740456081 Cheers Lofty

Hi guys. Decided to get a handheld radio today as a bit of safety kit when Im bobbing about in neptunes back yard. Thought i'd post on here for advice on the course I need to do to get the cert.Can anyone recomend the best place to get this lot sorted?The radio seems quite straight forward but if im going to carry it then i need to know how to use it i guess. Regards Lofty

Cheers.Think it was a bit crap to begin with.What about maintenance?Wd? Silicone? Lofty

Cheers for the offer,got commitments on Sunday though.What are you fishing for and what bait will you use? Do you think it might be worth spinning along the training bank on Saturday ,or would you try other methods and baits along shell bay,middle beach? Thanks for any advice as i'm making it up as I go along. Also,reel maintenance? I've bollocked up my reel as I,m not sure what sort of maintenance to give it after a sea fish. Any advice? Regards Lofty

Toying wiyh going out early on Saturday but the tide is flooding pretty big so not sure where to go or what to try for?.I like to go at 6ish as I can get back by 11 .Thinking about launching at baiter and staying in the harbour. Any ideas?What would you try?

I had been toying with the idea of doing this trip.Seeing your photos I reckon you had the perfect day.Reading the other guys reports I think i'll bail on this idea now. Cheers Lofty

Got down to Branksome beach at 6.20. Watched the sun up over IOW and put out. The sea was horrible yesterday with big breakers to get through.Went out about 500 yards and paddled against a gentle tide and breeze to just passed the studland dene. The swell was disgusting in my little tek,maybe 3 to 5 feet. Tried spinning on the way down and caught some mackeral wth a dexter.Then for an hour tried to fish squid for something but gave up on that.Then spent an hour with feathers and caught lots of mackeral between branksome and the next chine,opposite the pink house on the cliff was best,oh and a 8 inch gurnard which went back with the smaller macks. By this time the swell made me feel a bit yeewy so called it a lumpy day and took my dinner home. Hope this is useful,as im a newbie to this site. Toodle pip Lofty ps. the macks only took the bottom white feather with blue band?????????????

Just off at the crack of sparrows to branksome chine to drown some worms.If you see me come and say howdy. Lofty

Hi all I was recommended this site by a plasterer/fisherman called Kieth who told me a bit about it. I am a 41 year old chap living in Poole and have been kayaking most of my life. In the last five years I have really got into sit on kayaking as a preference and have put in a lot of time in and around the harbour and bay. Fishing!!!!!!It started out after some one said why dont i give fishing a go ,so I bought a hand line ,caught my first mackeral and that was it. I love kayak fishing. The trouble is I dont know a lot about fishing.I now have some kayak rods and various kit but I dont have the know how.I have caught,more by luck,mackeral,pout whiting,garfish,an ugly pink thing,and some foot long bass that I put back ,but i'd like to bring home something nice for the dinner table to impress the family. If any fellow kayakers want to go on an early morning fishing trip in the bay one weekend and give me some tips I'd love to meet up. Also any advice on what and where and how to catch a big beasty for my plate would be greatly appreciated Best Regards Steve