lee
Junior Member
Posts: 11 
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Post by lee on Nov 27, 2014 21:18:17 GMT
Hi all, my names Lee and I live in Nottingham, I've recently bought a teksport 330 angler kayak and am itching to give it a go! I'm a keen all round angler but have yet to try it from a yak! (except a little mackerel bashing on holiday) Any hints, tips and advice would be gratefully received! Also does anyone know of any social kayak events or meets in the Midlands? Or even just someone who fancies a paddle and chit chat in the notts area? Many thanks Lee
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Post by Izzetafox on Nov 27, 2014 21:35:52 GMT
Welcome Lee, Nottingham eh! We have got lads from Derby area, Melton, Lincs, S Yorks and me in Leicester plus others so you are not alone in the Midlands.  Now and then we have a get together. I know we have GBthebuilder who was looking at planning something on the Fens if it come off there will be a thread. Hopefully if anyone is going out they can post on here and you can join them. At the minute most of the lads are looking towards lure fishing and drop shooting. Loads of us are still learning mate so you are not alone. Ask away with you questions mate, don't worry if you feel daft asking something, we have all been there and one of the main ideas here is to help every one newbies and old hands. It's always better to ask than muddle on in confusion. Terry |
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lee
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by lee on Nov 27, 2014 22:12:36 GMT
Hi Terry, thanks for the response! Well, where do I start? I'm literally a complete novice with regard to kayak fishing! I've bought a teksport 330 angler kayak, which I've been on twice and have to say is brilliant! Although I have nothing to compare it to!! I've also got myself a drysuit and buoyancy aid on the way from the big bearded fellow in red! I'm looking into a dedicated set of tackle for the yak, probably a lure rod, and a lighter drop shotting rod, any recommendations???. Do you fish mainly for predators? I would also like to try for carp and barbel or whatever swims really! I'm happy catching anything. I'm unsure about rigging, anchors, do I need a licence? Can I launch anywhere? Dog's and donts etc etc, basically everything! Ha ha I need to get out with some experienced kayakers to learn a thing or two I think!
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Post by philpot on Nov 28, 2014 0:11:17 GMT
Welcome aboard Lee
Before jumping into loads of tackle and chasing all the fish, I would respectfully suggest a little time on the kayak to learn a few basics such as paddling technique, a feel for the kayak and self rescue, although that is better done with someone to offer help and advice.
Don't jump into a tackle buying frenzy which we anglers love to do but think about where you are going to fish and what fish you are going to target. I'm sure you will have reels in your box that can be used but perhaps the rods you use are not suited as they will be too long. As a general rule, we tend to use rods for the target species or method being around 7 - 9' long which is long enough to reach over the front of the kayak in case a fish decides to go under the kayak but not too long for you to handle on board a kayak.
Your best bet will be to meet up with someone with experience and just note the type of gear used. Once you know where you intend to fish, use the kayak to go and do a reccie of the venue and make your plans. Close quarter paddling into small becks or hidden from the bank spots that will now become available to you are really interesting ways of learning to position the kayak and can be a little tricky at first so it is good practice and making mental notes for future fishing trips.
Things like fish finders are a boon to have and perhaps fitting a different arrangement of rod holders. Kayaks are modified to suit the person on board which is great fun setting the kayak to what YOU want or need for your fishing. With any new kayak I always get a mug of coffee and a supply of smokes and plant myself on the kayak having rods, tackle boxes, bait, lures scattered around, slowly starting to place the items I need to hand. You may get your family laugh at you with really helpful comments like 'caught many yet ' but this works so take no notice. When you are on the water early on in your kayak fishing experience, it is easy to make an error by reaching out too far resulting in an early dip for you. This brings me to a golden rule, fasten everything down or you WILL lose it sooner or later. It is important to connect a leash of some sort to your fishing item and on to the kayak.
Take a tip, stream line your gear and don't take the kitchen sink ( Terry takes his entire garage contents with him )if you are lure fishing for example, take what you NEED only. Spreading tackle all over the kayak will be a hinderance particularly when you first get started, keep it simple and keep it all neat on board the kayak.
Enough for you to think about for now Lee.
Phil
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Post by Izzetafox on Nov 28, 2014 0:41:23 GMT
That's why i have a bigger yak Phil.
Lee, like you I cover all species throughout the year.
One place to have a look at is Frisby Lakes near Melton, just down the A46 for you. There is a thread in the Venues section. You must phone first. Weekdays only in Summer but they will consider weekends as the cold weather comes.
There is more details about general access on the coarsekayakfishing.co.uk site.
You will probably find a lot of your existing gear will be ok on the yak.
Biggest thing is that you must have the consent of whoever controls the fishing rights to launch.
Terry
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lee
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by lee on Nov 28, 2014 8:00:18 GMT
Hi guys! Some great advice there! Great stuff! I'll try and suppress the urge to go out and buy too much tackle (very difficult) I'm used to being organized as I do a bit of match fishing and big carping so it should be relatively easy to transfer. It sounds like some slightly smaller rods are the order of the day! But like you say I really need to plan for an intended quarry rather than anything that swims! I really like the look of drop shotting, jellys and deadbaiting for the predators which in turn will keep my tackle to a minimum. I think most of my fishing will be on local canals and tributaries of the Trent, I'm hoping to bag my first zed!!! I will definitely check out frisby lake at Melton! Positioning the yak as you say is very tricky especially on moving water!!!! Would you suggest an anchor of some sort? I'm planning a trip out over Christmas, not to fish, but just to get some time on the water. If anyone fancies a paddle please let me know. At the risk of sounding like a lonely hearts column i am willing to travel! Ha ha
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Post by Izzetafox on Nov 28, 2014 9:32:41 GMT
A great place to launch from near you as Holme Pierrepoint. Free car park and a floating pontoon to go from. If you paddle upstream just past the sailing club there is a day ticket stretch with loads of rushes on the bank. Keep going and you have a nice view of the Embankment, Trent Bridge etc and an easy paddle back.
Terry
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lee
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by lee on Nov 28, 2014 9:50:06 GMT
I know the spot you mean Phil! I've done a little bank fishing, opposite colwick park Marina entrance. The Trent is in full flow and very coloured at the moment so I think I'll give it a miss until I have a bit more experience. I've been on the canal from beeston to London road, a very nice stretch! Do you have any experience of the soar at all? It has a certain pull for me, a lovely river, I've also looked at the Devon in Newark.
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Post by Izzetafox on Nov 28, 2014 11:28:00 GMT
Yes I have paddled a lot of the Soar. Much of it is season ticket only. A good launch point is a little lane at the side of The Plough at Normanton on Soar and a nice beer after.  Long Eaton Vic have as yet not given permission to their water. If a stretch is day ticket I always make sure I have cash to buy a ticket if asked and I always aim to be very polite. One point is that you should have navigation rights to the water, where it is deemed 'navigable' that right can be gained either by being a member of the British Canoe Union which gives you almost all the canals and rivers that carry boats plus The Norfolk Broads. OR via the Angling Trust which gives similar cover with the exception of, in particular, The Broads and a lot of the East Anglian water, Nene, Welland, Ouse etc. Oh and of course a rod licence but as an angler you know that A Right of Navigation though does not give you a right to fish. Another water near you is just of the A46 at Six Hills, Six Hills Jet Ski Lake ( again there is a thread about it) is fishable but you MUST phone first, the number is in the thread. Six Hills has only carp in it and I have been the only person to fish it in about 20 years. In Summer on my first visit I had 100lbs plus up to about albs but they do go bigger. Next two visits I just had a couple. Summer time there is a lot of weed, you do get the skis on the water in which case I tether to the island in the middle. Remember to phone first though and tell them Terry told you about it. Not easy but great potential. The Devon I have never fished. Nip into Future Angling and have a world there, they are just outside Newark, they have a website to find the exact location. While in the area there is a small free stretch in Farndon on the Trent. Go to the village near the Salvation Barge there is a slip, the free stretch is from below the Nature Reserve upstream I believe down to the marina entrance. A good mixed stretch. The tidal area of the Trent is free fishing so long as you have a legal access to launch. BUT beware of the gravel barges and the strong tides. Oh and don't forget the mud below the high tide line. Terry |
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Post by philpot on Nov 28, 2014 13:39:33 GMT
One point to take into account lee is that you need to look at the height of the bank to the water, it is easy to look at a stretch of water and think that is fine but you must consider getting the gear up and down the bank but also when the kayak is on the water, just how easy is it to get on and off. A 2' drop into the water is quite tricky at first without falling in or falling off the kayak. Try to find areas where the bank runs gently down into the water rather than a sharp drop. Canals can be quite a drop when you actually stand at the edge and think of how to get on. It is a technique that you need to learn or the kayak WILL tip over. The best entry points are slipways or very shallow water where you can stand in the water to get on / off the kayak.
Phil
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Post by gbthejoiner on Nov 28, 2014 14:22:35 GMT
Hi Lee
Welcome to the site you will find some helpful people on here the certainly helped me out when I started.
Phils point about setting things out to suit yourself and trying to keep your gear to a minimum are certainly good points.
Graham
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Post by philpot on Nov 28, 2014 15:38:34 GMT
As you are not a huge distance from me, if you need help to fit the various items on the kayak like fish finder, anchor trolley etc, just let me know and you can bring all the gear over to my place and we will sort it for you if that helps. Drilling a hole in a kayak for the first time can be a problem for people but not me, I enjoy modifying kayaks, ask those who know me well.
Phil
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lee
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by lee on Nov 28, 2014 16:06:31 GMT
Wow! I'm already feeling a little overwhelmed!!! I can't thank you all enough for all your advice thus far. I can already see I have a lot (understatement) to think about! I need to get out on the water with some of you guys, not necessarily to fish, but to see you in action and see what I need to buy and the safe practices you use. I really am a complete novice on the kayaking side. I can really see myself getting totally immersed (excuse the pun) in kayak angling!! If you don't mind a tag along please please let me know when and where you are going and I'll do my best to come along! Thanks again guys!
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Post by gbthejoiner on Nov 28, 2014 18:50:16 GMT
Phil helped me kit out my kayak and install my fish finder. If you have the time take him up on his offer he has a few tricks up his sleeve and a real nice and knowledgeable
As far as asking questions goes don't be afraid to ask anything the guys on here don't mind and they won't take the mickey like on some of the forums.
Graham
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Post by philpot on Nov 28, 2014 20:47:46 GMT
It sounds like a few of us may have a session on Ashby Ville lake, Scunthorpe which you are welcome to come along.
Phil
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lee
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by lee on Nov 29, 2014 15:02:44 GMT
Hi guys, ive just been in to desperate measures and purchased a buoyancy aid and some lovely boots! At discount price! I have to thank the incredibly helpful guy in there who looked after me and gave me some great advice! Very welcoming and good value too. I'm gonna pop in the other shop at the rowing course at some point and check out the angling yaks. He also mentioned a couple of you guys I've met on here, spoke very highly of you. If any of you are down there anytime soon please let me know and I'll pop down and introduce myself! All the best guys!
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Post by Izzetafox on Nov 29, 2014 16:12:53 GMT
They are a great bunch. Phil and I have been in there. I have been in the rowing course one several times. Got to know them well and took one of their kayaks to the PAC Congress in Sept.
Very useful place to have local to you.
Terr
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Tanglefoot
Predator
Ocean Kayak UK Fishing Team
Posts: 236
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Post by Tanglefoot on Nov 29, 2014 17:15:12 GMT
Welcome Lee.... I'm not to far from you. I live Nr Ashby/Coalville J13 A42.
More than happy to help if you require. I work at EMA so only up the road.
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lee
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by lee on Nov 30, 2014 17:32:56 GMT
Hi all, thank you all so much for your offers of help, I can only apologize for not replying to you all individually, my only access to this forum is via my smartphone which is slow at best! I feel I am at the point now where I need to look at rigging my yak up ready to go, I have nothing on it and am not sure what I need to be honest??? I need some more advice please......
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2014 11:16:12 GMT
Lee
Have a word with Philpot and take him up on his offer with regards to helping you rig your Kayak. Offers like that don't come along too often.
Ian
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Post by Izzetafox on Dec 3, 2014 11:31:36 GMT
Lee Have a word with Philpot and take him up on his offer with regards to helping you rig your Kayak. Offers like that don't come along too often. Ian Totally agree Phil is a regular at teaching lads all about rigging. Terry |
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lee
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by lee on Dec 3, 2014 19:09:22 GMT
Thanks guys! I'll contact him straight away! Thanks again!
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Post by philpot on Dec 9, 2014 7:02:00 GMT
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Post by philpot on Dec 9, 2014 9:21:11 GMT
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Post by ALtop on Dec 9, 2014 19:49:10 GMT
Hi mate lots of very good points already brought up,keeping things tethered,not taking the kitchen sink. I myself take very little usally a fishing waistcoat with plenty of pockets,on top of a b.a of course,a rod or 2 ,drink ,spare paddle, some sort of anchor ,thats about it .If out at sea then theres more to look at.Simple and stressless is the key.Prehaps will meet at scunny or somehere.Cheers
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lee
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by lee on Dec 11, 2014 23:11:34 GMT
Hi Phil! Well, that's a pretty comprehensive list!!!! I can't thank you enough! I'm sorry I haven't been in touch sooner but with family commitments and work it's been difficult to find time, especially with the festivities taking place, It's gonna take a bit of time for me to get this little lot together but as soon as I do you'll be the first to know, in reply to your earlier question, yes it is the teksport 330 angler kayak matey. Anyway all the best! Thanks again,
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