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Post by earthdog on Jan 10, 2013 14:20:12 GMT
Hi, have just got rid of my Canadian canoe, as it was a bit of a chore, moving/fishing on my own. I will be fishing the river bure in Norfolk mostly and a few local broads, any help would be greatly appreciated, was wondering size/spec etc, as they say you only want to buy once! Cheers lads
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Post by philpot on Jan 10, 2013 15:58:28 GMT
Oh my, how long is a piece of string. This is a very common question to ask but not always so easy to answer.
It does rather depend what type of fishing you are going to be doing, fresh water, sea or both. It is fair to say that most kayaks will allow you to catch fish from so we start to look more closely at what you would like from a kayak.
Some people who tend to fish close to the sea shore or on calm fresh water venues prefer a small 9-9.5' kayak which is easy to store and easy to carry on the car and at the venue but it has it's limitations. Depending on your size and weight and how much gear you are going to take fishing. I take very little gear preferring to only what I need, one of my friends takes the kitchen sink with him. The smaller kayaks are usually capable of carrying 120-150kgs in good water conditions. I have a couple of these for holiday fun and a bit of holiday fishing but for me at 61yrs and 16st I want a little more security on the water.
The FatYak is a good little example of this at around £300, there is also the FeelFree Nomad which again is a good little kayak and the Ocean Mysto or Tetra 10 all going up a little in price.
If size is not a major issue, I would personally look at 12-14' kayaks. Now the door swings wide open as this covers 90% of the fishing kayaks sold in the UK.
I have an Ocean Big Game which has massive carrying capacity and plenty of room onboard as well as huge stability at 12'6"
The biggest make in this sector is Ocean kayaks with a good range of craft available, the new Tetra's 10' 11' 12', the prowler 13' and the Tridents 11' 13' 15' in various models within the range. Look to pay from £550-1000 depending on the model.
Others like MantaRay from Native Kayaks, Tarpon from Wilderness Systems and a number of others such as Teksport, Perception and Moken kayaks.
All those listed above are used regularly by kayak fishermen all over the UK and you will find those who say the kayak that they have is better than the others. The reason for that is simply because we all like different things about the craft in question and one thing you will be told over and over again is ---TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. Most kayak fishermen will let you have a go in their kayaks to get a feel of them and this gives you the chance to see how the kayaks have been modified with fish finders, rod holders, anchor system, tackle crates etc etc.
The Norfolk area has a few kayak dealers and some of those have open days or a loan system to allow you to try a kayak out for yourself.
You will have many questions so keep firing away but for now, I hope that helps a little.
One person in your area is Snapper who has more experience than almost anyone else with Ocean Kayaks as he used to work for them and has paddled just about all of them. He fishes both salt water and on the Broads as well as throwing himself around in the surf with special surf kayaks. Mark is a straight talking chap who will give you good advice and is well respected in this game, hopefully he will pick this thread up.
Phil
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Post by bananaman on Jan 10, 2013 16:54:23 GMT
Welcome on board. The world is literally your oyster as far as boats is concerned. I'm guessing you're not far from Norwich so feel free to drop in and we'll have a chat and get a load of boats down for you to have a good look at. If you let me know when you're able to drop in I'll have the kettle going. ;D
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Post by Izzetafox on Jan 10, 2013 17:49:42 GMT
Phil's advice is spot on and Steve's offer of a chat and a cuppa is something you should take up.
There are several lads here from Norfolk and Suffolk I am sure you will get offers to meet up and try kayaks, take up all the offers you can, try as many as you can. A meet is an ideal place to see a few models.
Some you will love some you will hate. spend a little time working out what you really need and go for it, you know how much fun paddling is and now with your rods and a SOT your fun will only increase.
Good Luck Mate
Terry
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Post by earthdog on Jan 10, 2013 19:10:46 GMT
Cheers lads, I'll pop into Norfolk canoes as I only live in coltishall, I've always found its better to get "hands on" advice than taking the sales pitch, looking forward to trying out a new option for my lure fishing, I'll keep you all posted cheers
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Post by philpot on Jan 10, 2013 19:51:27 GMT
Good luck and enjoy
Phil
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Post by earthdog on Mar 18, 2013 16:13:07 GMT
Settled on a perception catch 390, after trying one of my friends, will be having a few days on the river just to get a bit of practice in for the new season, cheers for all your help lads. Onwards and upwards! :0)
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Post by Daz on Mar 18, 2013 16:18:14 GMT
welcome  |
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Post by Izzetafox on Mar 18, 2013 19:27:05 GMT
Well done mate.
I am sure tou will love it.
Terry
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Post by philpot on Mar 18, 2013 21:34:18 GMT
Good for boy ( think that what you say down there ). If you need help and advice on fittings, ask away.
Phil
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Post by Daz on Mar 19, 2013 6:37:58 GMT
Good for boy ( think that what you say down there ). If you need help and advice on fittings, ask away. Phil we could maybe add a fitting/kitting out section ? |
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Post by philpot on Mar 19, 2013 9:25:26 GMT
Not a bad idea Daz, I enjoy kitting and fitting almost as much as using the kayak.
Phil
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Post by earthdog on Mar 19, 2013 10:28:12 GMT
Cheers again lads, I've bought a fish finder and some rod holders, but they seem straight forward enough, I was going to rivet them on, any thoughts as opposed to other fixing methods?? Also will be adding a decent seat any ideas on make? cheers again
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Post by Izzetafox on Mar 19, 2013 17:21:52 GMT
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Post by earthdog on Mar 21, 2013 14:25:49 GMT
Cheers for that, I've been in a few times to h20 as he's only 5 mins from me, cheers again just looking for a bit of mild weather to get out and have a go now!
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Post by philpot on Mar 21, 2013 20:36:19 GMT
May I make a suggestion, before you start fitting out the kayak, take time to look that your position for the various items are actually going to work where you are thinking. For example, my first fishing kayak was a Tarpon 120 which I fitted out and found on the first trip at sea, I could do with the rod holders being 2'' further forward. Before I refit any kayak I get rods, pfd and other bits along with the fittings and armed with a cup of coffee and smokes, I simply sit on the kayak with the assorted fittings trying them for final position before actually drilling any holes. To aid this a roll of Duck tape to hold things in place while I pretend to fish. You would be amazed at what you find because with your pfd on, your line of sight close up is hindered so the rod holder ( ram tube ) needs to be slightly further forward than you might think so you can at least see the spot to pop the rod into. Again, with a pfd on, can you easily reach to turn off the ff while actually fishing and reach to turn on again when hunting for the next spot to fish. Oh yes I aught to say why turn off the ff, the sonar sends those high pitched ping noises you hear when watching films inside a submarine. The ping can and often does screw up fishing. An example for you, my fishing buddy was fishing within 30' of me one day, I was hauling whiting in at a fair rate of knots while my friend had not caught anything. I told him to switch off the ff, within minutes he was into fish. A note worth remembering  Hope that is of some help Phil |
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Post by earthdog on Mar 23, 2013 12:41:45 GMT
Cheers Phil, that is defo worth knowing, especially as I'm fishing the broads that are fairly shallow, but will be using thr ff more as feature finding that fish location. Good point about the pfd limiting movement/access also, will take note, can't see the kayak for snow at the min so no rush!! :0)
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Post by Daz on Mar 23, 2013 15:29:58 GMT
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Post by earthdog on Mar 24, 2013 16:41:04 GMT
Cheers for that mate, save making a few mistakes.
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Post by snapper on Apr 8, 2013 7:05:30 GMT
Hiya, I used to live around the corner in buxton; learnt to swim at coltishall in the Puffin Club...this would be around 1977-78. Anyway, it's worth going to have a chat with Steve over at Norfolk Canoes as much for the gen on local places as the gear there; also worth going to have a chat with Mark at Wroxham Angling, he's a very good angler and often gets his yak out. If you fancy heading out to the Waveney at beccles once the season starts again or having a go on the sea inthe pakefield - Goreston area give me a yell.
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Post by earthdog on Apr 8, 2013 19:29:43 GMT
Cheers snapper, I'll take you up on that offer mate, I know the river bure well as used to have a canoe, and have pike fished it for many years. I know mark at wroxham but will only be freshwater fishing and have a few locations to keep me going for a while, have my kayak pretty much set up and am looking forward to a few trials on the local bure before the season starts, am looking forward to having a go on Rockland broad as I used to lure fish on there years ago, really is a lovely water. Could meet up there when the season starts, be good to get some info cheers
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Post by Izzetafox on Apr 8, 2013 19:49:54 GMT
You two are making me jealous...that is special water over there.
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Post by snapper on Apr 8, 2013 20:47:23 GMT
You'll be back Terry...tell me that evening with the gippy arm wasn't one hell of a lot of fun!
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Post by Izzetafox on Apr 8, 2013 22:46:25 GMT
It was great as were the trips from Beccles and the beer up river..
Yes we will be back.
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Post by snapper on Apr 9, 2013 7:21:25 GMT
Beccles to Geldeston locks, lures out back, real ales on arrival, back by moonlight and coming around the bend to see the church tower all lit up. A great little stretch.
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