Breamin' kayak... and Darling Hbr?

[Fishaholic]

Hi fellers,

I'm finding shorebased breaming a great way to spend a couple of hrs before/after work but locked gates to prime country like marinas is very frustrating. So I'm seriously considering a little kayak to throw on the roofracks just to get at better breaming country.

My requirements are 1. Easy to throw on/off the roofracks on top of the Landcruiser, so its got to be light coz its a looong way up there 2. Easily manoeuverable around tight country like marinas and wharfs. 3. Cheap to buy & run coz the wife sees it as 'another boat'

What do you guys think of the Australis Bass? It looks like the Perception Minnow but costs about $100 less - and is an Aussie product any other models I should be looking at?

As usual, all advice is greatly appreciated

P.S. All that structure in and around darling harbour looks extremely fishy and kayak-friendly, have any of you guys got in there on a yak before?

Cheers,
Gab.

[rigzz]

Hi,
I can't comment on the Bass but can certainly give a thumbs up to the Minnow. I've had mine for years and find it easy and quick to load on a vehicle, light enough to carry up tracks to the water, super stable and easy to manoeuvre. Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Rigzz

[Fishaholic]

Thanks Rigzz

That sounds exactly like what I'm after. Did you fit any sort of rod holders, or paddle clips to yours? I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth the $$ and time, or just leave it as a bare shell...

Cheers,
Gab.

[shoey]

Hi Gab.

I'm also a fan of the minnow. I've got a double which I move the seat back when I'm on my own. A great way to fish! It is a bit heavier than a single but I have no trouble lifting it onto the top of my Hiace.
I've also got a sit on top kayak, which you could also look at, but the minnow has been great for the colder weather.

Shoey.

[rigzz]

Hi,
I basically fished mine bare apart from a home made removable rod holder which fitted to the front deck. Handy when trolling for trout or bream. I'm not a fan of rear deck mounted rod holders as you'd have to be a lot more flexible than I am to reach one !
Maybe one of the kayak/canoe shops in Sydney would let you compare the Minnow and Bass on the water.
Cheers,
Rigzz

[Fishaholic]

Thaks for the feedback guys, I am now the proud owner of a multicolored australis bass, in blue/white/black.

I won't have a chance to get it wet for a few days yet but I'll let you know how it goes.

Cheers,
Gab.

[canerod]

I just bought a one man Loon (the kiwis made it but thats sumthin i can live with), i looked at the bass and single minnows but got the loon due to bigger cockpit opening so that i could stow fishin gear and lay my rod in my lap without the need for a rod holder. price including paddle was under $950. all i need now is a weekend with more than 2 minutes sunshine and less than a 40 knot breeze and i'll be out there fishin
CHEERS!:D

[Fishaholic]

Well, i've had the new pointy ended lunchbox :p out a few times in Iron Cove and have had an absolute ball chasing bream.

Wow, talk about a stealth machine! I'm hooked on yak breaming :) yesterday I pulled a new PB - 42cm to the fork fat mean bugger that gave me some curry on 4lb. Got him out from under a crusty bottomed yacht :p on a swing mooring in Balmain. Fortunately I had him in open water, I doubt I would have stopped him if he was under a wharf. You really know about it when you hook up a good one in the kayak!

I wish I had a piccie but I'm too scared to take the camera on the yak in case I go for an unplanned swim. I might get one of those disposables, are they any good? What do you guys do to keep your camera safe from salt water?

I haven't tried Darling Hbr yet, haven't figured out where to launch from to get in there.

Cheers,
Gab.

[Bluey]

Well done Gab,

I think it's great to be able to catch bream like that from a Kayak "in suburbia" instead of running an expensive rig long distances often for no better result.

I've used the Kodak waterproof disposable camera and the photos are reasonable in good light conditions, but at around $19 every time you buy one, it gets a bit expensive.

I therefore picked up a "Vivitar Mariner" waterproof camera from my local camera shop for about $30 and I now only pay about $5 for each new roll of film.

It's just a cheap camera housed in a waterproof clear plastic case and gives similar photo quality to the disposables but it's okay for me and the photos scan up okay.

Even though it floats I still attach it to the Yak when not using it as it makes one more item I don't have to chase if I go over.

[Ruggie]

Fishaholic,

About fishing in d/harbour i remember watching Rex Hunt one day and he fished in there but from the shore and if memory serves me correctly he had to get a permit. I don't know if this would apply to water craft but it may be worth checking out before you run afoul of the MSB or Fisheries.

Have you actually seen the size and quantity of bream in d/harbour. Next time your there go and get some food from the shops and chuck some around the pilons. Went there after the boat show 2003 and was a dribbling idiot. Some absolute MONSTERS under them there whaves. Multiple 40cm+++ models and i would go so far as to say a couple of 50cm models.

Maybe their that big because fishing is banned. Lets hope not. CU

Ruggie