Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I've just bought my first fishing kayak. Am interested if anybody else has played around with this sport. Eventually I hope to take my kayak offshore, but this will be a bit of a way off as I want to get used to her first and understand her capabilities as well as build up my muscles

I have a fishing kayak and get out when I can. I sold my tinnie to get one as I enjoy the fishing .. but like to get exercise at the same time.

My current tip is get rod leases and use them, I have them .. but last time I was out, it was very calm, up early for first light on the last day of a fishing / camping week in Jervis Bay. I thought I didn't need to use the leash on the trolling line as it was so calm, I let out my lure that catches everything, reach behind to put it in the rod holder .. slip .. and the rod goes into what felt like 15 - 20 m of water. I spent ages going back and forth trying to catch it but the weed was too thick. Expensive lesson, twas a very good okuma trolling reel.

What type of kayak did you get ?

Good advice which I will definitely take up.

I was desperate for a Viking Profish, but in the end could not justify the cost when I also need to get yaks to cater for the rest of the family (for family paddling outings).

Last week Anaconda had 25% off kayaks in their catalogue and then had an additional 20% off everything in store for 1 day only.

Bit the bullett and bought a Emotion Grand Slam Angler (with rudder option). Am going to get out for a first paddle today, not a fish though. I've not bought a paddle yet, but have a crappy two piece here which stays in my canoe in case the motor fails, so will use that until I get a better one.

At the same time as I bought my yak, I also bought my son (turned 9 last week) a cheapy (Seak Swift) so that he can paddle by himself. The plan is to buy a double so that the family of 4 can all go paddling (other son is 5, so the double will have to be paddled by one person - most likely me).

What sort of yak do you have?

Was into it for awhile.
Spent a small fortune setting a yak up then went and got a bigger stinkboat to play with instead.
I'm a member of http://www.kfdu.com.au and http://www.akff.net forums (you should check them out if you havn't already)

And heres a thread about my old rig http://kfdu.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5499

Nice rig. What's a stinkboat.

Reasons I have gone the kyaks instead of just getting tinny are several, including exercise which I get little of currently.

I've got a canoe that I fish out of. Nothing as flash as watta's beaut rig. Just a simple two man canoe with an electric outboard (I paddle some but like taking it easy going home).

The canoe is great for sneaking around the flats or up narrow creeks chasing flathead etc. I have also used mine a bit out on the murrimbidgee etc trolling for Cod, that is where the electric comes in handy

I've got a canoe also. It is a big sucker, which unfortunately makes it very cumbersome to get in and out of the water and transport. It is about 16.5 foot and weighs heaps. It does however fit the family of four reasonably comfortably. It has outriggers which can be attached for extra stability also. I have a 4hp outboard for it, but it is only really any good for rivers/creeks/totally sheltered bays. The freeboard at the back is bugger all, particularly when using the outboard which tends to pull the boat down (should look into a stingray or something for the motor). When using it at caloundra last year (in the sheltered area between bribie and golden beach) I nearly swamped it when it blew up and there was a bit of chop . Took it out on the dam the other week with a 54lb electric to propel it. Didn't go real fast with me, the mrs and 2 kids on board. Used up the 75ah in an hour.

I fish offshore quite a bit for shark and poons. My yak cuts through the surf well on the way out, but on the way in the boat tends to want to flip. The first time I turned it over all 5 rod holders were full with rigged rods. I didn’t think of it until it was happening, but the thought of lures catching me connected to the yak dragging me through the surf… Not a good way to go.

That is what the kayak fishos call motor boats because of the fuel fumes.

They look good, the center mounted rod holder would go well with a sounder.



The good thing is you can always throw a rod with a lure out the back .. never know what you might get.



Hobie Revolution.

Exactly .. I have had quite a few days where I am trashed from trolling all day ... great exercise with an incentive to do it.

Actually I think my little boat is classed as a kayak. It is a Perception Minnow II.

Anyway it is quite light and easy to put on the rooftop. Very roomy and stable and a good little fishing platform.

I have a 75AH battery and a small eletric outboard and I get about 6 hours out of the battery just poking around and taking it easy

Would have loved a hobie - but not in my price range I'm affraid. Maybe one day.

The AI would be my dream setup.

I have a question for you hobie and general kayak owners. How stable are they for people with no experience of such things?

I was going to ask about the speed with the hobbies and the funny underneath peddle paddle things, but just watched an online video and looks like they are fairly fast and powerful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLUXWXrW9Qg I have a wilderness systems t140 and t160 I can stand in both or hang both feet over the side and take a leek. Very stable for the beginner.