Kayak for fishing help

[Sandworm]

Can anyone help me with the idea of getting a kayak for fishing the likes of patterson river and other water ways, i dont have a clue to look at as there is more than just one style of them. Whats best for this style and could i still go out on calm days say on Gippsland lakes or maybe even shallow on the bay?

[shoey]

Hi sandworm,

After months of saving and searching the kayakfishing sites I finally bought an Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro TW.
I test paddled and hired about 10 different kayaks and nothing even came close to the scupper(except for the scrambler which is also made by Ocean Kayak).
I have mine set up with rod holders and a depth sounder and have so far used it in the Yarra and around Station Pier(underneath the piers is awsome) and also in the Bass river and Phillip Island.
I'll be heading down to Patterson River hopefully this weekend so get back to me and you can try mine out if you like.

Regards Shoey.

[SWANK-E]

the latest "modern fishing' magazine has a major article on kayak/canoe fishing, check it out, it should help

[bparker]

Sandworm...I've too have been scouring the web for a Kayak suitable for the Patterson River. I haven't found anything yet although the Perception Minnow I or II is sort of along the lines of what I'm after. I have also started looking a canadian canoes and there a few around that will probably suit. I've also checked aout the Porta-botes.

Shoey, I've had a brief look at the Ocean Kayak, they look pretty flash. I know they are highly regarded by the Kayak fishing fraternity in the USA (particularly Florida) but are they suitable for Melbourne in the winter. They look like sit-on-top kayaks, so I'd imagine you'd get pretty wet.

[yaker]

Sandworm,

The sit-on-top kayaks are excellent for fishing. Stable, good carrying capacity, easy to paddle, easy to get back on if you do capsize. Don't make the mistake of going to short (eg Pacer) which are more suited to surf and general messing about.

shoey's suggestion of a Scupper Pro TW is a good one. I use a Perception Swing and can recommend it. Either of these will handle PPB and the Gippsland Lakes okay.

With sit-on-tops you WILL get a wet bum. In a Melbourne winter I'd be wearing wetsuit pants and a spray jacket.

Take a look at my site http://www.aus-kayak-fishing.com/

cheers, Tony

[shoey]

Your right Bry Bry, they are a sit on top and I am yet to go through a winter on one.

I chose a sit on top because I felt there was firstly a safety factor in that they are generally unsinkable in the event of a roll over,and secondly storage seems to be better depending on the model you go for. You can also move around a bit and aren't just stuck in the same spot(to an extent).
No matter whether you go for a sit in or a sit on, you are going to get wet, paddle splash, waves, just the elements in general.I intended to buy a wetsuit for winter but was lucky enough to find a drysuit at a market very cheap so I should be right.

I'm 110% happy with mine and look forward to trying different styles of fishing from it.I did find that when I was under Station Pier, it was difficult to throw lures,keep the boat off the pylons and ride the swell all at once. I'ts going to take plenty of practise, however I did manage to get my first bream on softies during all that dancing.

Regards Shoey

[shoey]

Sandworm

definately check out Tony's site, thats how I found my way to Bream Master.

Hey Tony, nice to see you here.I did manage to get that scupper,I was going to email you soon and let you know how I got on.

Regards Gerard(aka, Shoey).

[Sandworm]

guys all these names fly over my head but i would like to have aprice rage you are talking i think i can see $1K come and go very quickly????

thanks

P.S shoey i will try to get down to patto on the weekend to see your kyak if your down there,i wont use it but a chat get to know a face and see what these things look like etc would be great
(i'll be offline till thursday) i 'll tell you if i will be there and you can name a time

[Sandworm]

by the way i thought i would get a sit in because i "thought" they would be dryer and more stable but having never used or really even seen one i could be totaly wrong! often am :)

price will be my problem, and having just got a new car transporting the kayak will be trouble, no tow ball or roof racks (the racks or tow ball will need to be gen Honda for warenty hence $$$$$$ to have installed)
(car is honda jazz 1.5Lt no work horse)

[shoey]

hi sandworm

I looked into buying a kayak pretty extensively.Youre right about the $$. If you buy new dont expect any change out of$1k.

I'd expect some 2nd hand boats to start appearing in the trading post over the colder months. Just decide how much you will use it.If like me (a lot), dont skimp on the $.
As I said I tested a lot if the cheaper kayaks and they dont come close.

I'm hoping to get to Patto Sunday.Morning or arvo depends on the weather.I'm happy for you to have a test,these things are indestructable and safe as.I take my 4y/o son on the back with me.
Let me know if your keen.

Shoey.

[Sandworm]

what do i need to spend for a beginer set up as i cant afford a fantastic set up yet altho i would love to, whats the difference between "good"and bad setups,

weight, strength???

i wanted to look at second hand in the trading post to save but dont have a clue what to buy :( Woe is me $$$ sucks - atleast lack of $$$ does :)

[Sandworm]

shoey how do you transport yous? roof or trailer, how long are they i guess longer than say 2Meters if not i will fit it in the car :) sweet!!!

[Jason B]

Hello everyone, wow my first post :)
Sandworm I have been using a kayak for Bream & Bass fishing for the last 5 years, not sure about your area as i am in Sydney, but I have a Perception Minnow, it is a sit in style , I bought it 2nd hand but I think they are around $600-800.00 new, Also check out Australias(spelling)canoes down south of Sydney ( they have a web page) they do a Bass Kayak and sometimes have 2nds for sale aswell as ex hire.

Hope This Helps:)

JasonB

[shoey]

sandworm

the main thing to worry about is how far you will travel in it.
If you are planning to use it in the bay, or are just going to use it in lakes and rivers.
The more distance you cover the longer the kayak should be.Mine is 14.5 ft long, but I intend to use mine for longer trips on the bays and Gippi Lakes.
As Jason said the minnow is a good boat.I have used one for trout in Eildon Lake and it was great.I have seen them in the trading post reasonably priced($450-$600) but you will still need roof racks.
There is a Seakayak club at the Patto,you can use their boats for a small fee, give them a try.
Come and see me on Sunday,we'll have a fish and a chat.

Shoey

[Simon]

I've used my humble rosco kayak for the last 10 years to fish from. Its your basic fibreglass sit in kayak and with a skirt and fishing vest its real easy. hardly use the skirt though. Have attached a cheap metal rod holder for ease and protection of rod when paddleing. I can also carry the fly rod and spare spin stick inside for a bit of variety. I have used it in rivers, creeks (some basic white watertoo), bays, lakes and sheltered headlands with no probs. All kayaks closed or open should have built in floatation of some sort. In rougher water closed kayak's are a lot more pleasant to use.

Cheers

Simon

[Sandworm]

ok Shoey i will organise (weather pending to catch up for a chat if nothing else!) on sunday.

In the trading post the following showed up:
Dagger Vampire bat -($800 new) sell $500
Bandit - blue paddles $800
plastic Veletta extras $500
sit on top 9no name) $380
Laser 3.5M plastic $520
Kiwi K2 $140
Viking 2.4M new $800 - sell $650

are there anything above thats worth looking into. With out knowing kayaks second hand is almost imposible

might have to go to the shops as they can advise and i can see them with out all the trading post troubles :(

[shoey]

How's it going Sandworm?

Im heading down to the Patto on Saturday around lunchtime now,try my mobile 0427623097 if you can make it then.

Regards Shoey

[Sandworm]

yeah i will try all depends on the young lady. (who said i was under the thumb) :)


I went to " Capacity Sports" to have a look at there stock.

there was a lit of options. I think i will at this stage go with the "Escapee" 3.3 M long 23Kgs made for beach and sea. sit on top "tri-keeled"

there was other cheaper ones still looked ok at $650 the"largo" that was a fishing set up one with rod holder 310cm long 25Kgs 150mm hatches (x2) for fishing gentle surf and grade 2 river

a "nomad" $695 3m 20kgs and looks ok
"spirit fun ski" lot smaller and lighter 16kgs 2.6m long.

I think the Escapee at $695 is the one i'll think about

other costs
- Vest's $60-$125(with drink on back)
paddles $65(Aluminium crapy one) - to $85 for some better ones


So at this stage $695 + $125 + $85 total $905

then roof racks (from dear honda) $315 + $195 for Kayak attatchement

total
$1415

getting right up there! but thats a lot of gear from the roof racks and kayak atatchememnt to the ectras and kayak itself.

ohh then there is a wet suit DOH getting so much money now

[Sandworm]

ooops shoey i have just now noted that you have been ang gone to patto so i missed you. At lunchtime i was infact in the shop looking at the kayaks.

dam oh well maybe next time

[Ol' slab sides]

Hey guys
Check out www.fishnet.com.au they have a couple of articles on the hobie mirage kayaks (pedal powered). I want one!!!:)

[shoey]

sorry I changed the days sandworm.My better have advised me Sunday was gardening day.

When I was looking to buy, I hired the Largo for a weekend and took it down to Lake Tyers .It was OK but was just a bit slow when the wind and chop picked up.
I also thought about the escapee, but didnt test it.I would recommend try before you buy a few dirrernt models.
.Capacity charge you to try but take the cost off if you buy.Down the road at Sandringham, you can test different kayaks for free for 15 minutes each.I did this and knew which one I wanted after 5 minutes.

Give me a ring and I'll try to catch up with you in the near future.

Shoey

[Lizardboy]

As a cheap alternative to conventional roof racks you can use soft roof racks, two padded straps that are positioned like roof racks. they have adjustable straps to hold the kayak in place. they are meant for surfboards I think and sell 4 around $50-60. I used one today and it help a kayak in place fine.

Lizard

[SWANK-E]

lizardboy, so where can you find these 'soft' roof racks??
thanks

[Sandworm]

I have seen the soft racks and they recomended them to me but with a 1 month old car i am really worried about it scratching or dinting the roof....

shoey i went to Sandy but it looked so small and i didn't think they sold them (olny having about 20 kayaks there) and i couldn't find a car park so i left :)

Where did you buy yours from? and did you find the price's at capacity to be good?
Does Sandy have the same kayaks as capacity, eg so i can try them all out?

I think the $700 mark is getting cloase to my limit since i need to still buy the gear and roof racks etc etc

P.S guys the hobie outback kayak $2250 or very close to :) so thats way to mych for me!

[Bear]

Guys,
Just to come at it from a different point of view. If you don't have the room to carry one then have a look at the inflatable ones from Sevylor. They are now owned by Zodiac and are fantastic.

A double, 4.1m long is about $1000 with seats, paddles and so on.

Easy to use and inflate.

[Lizardboy]

Swank-E,
The ones I used were made for surfboards, so try a surfshop.

Bear I'm not sure about fishing and inflatables, it seems to me that's asking for trouble! Especially with the hooks us bream fishermen use (the sharpest of sharp), I could be wrong, I've never tried one. The ease of storage and transportation would obviously be a plus though.

Lizard

[shoey]

sandworm

those inflatables might be for you.Have a look on ebay under'kayak' I have seen them there.I dont know how they paddle though.

shoey