kayak angling

[predator1]

How do you do this kayak angling? never come across it before. is it fairly new?

[martinw]

Have you had a read over the threads of todays meet?? theres some good pics there too, shame you didn't get to todays meet at dinas, you could have had a good look at everyones kayaks and the different set ups, or even had a paddle, and a good soaking, like me ;D.
The next meet will be well advertised on the forum, try and come along, its starting to get quite a following.

All the best, Martin

[predator1]

Thanks for that mate, will have to come along

[dorado]

Predator, kayak fishing is not very new at all. I was fishing from a kayak in the 1970s - nothing like todays sit-on-tops though. The eskimos from Greenland and Lapland have been fishing and hunting from their kayaks for many centuries - and they could take on some mighty creatures too. Whales are not too big to be targetted from their kayaks, seals are normal fare and cod are staple diet.
Most newcomers are worried about stability, but to be honest they are quite difficult to fall off if the design is any good - a good kayak has a low seat and this is where the stability comes from. A wide kayak is difficult to paddle compared to a finer one - more wetted area and it is also a function of the waves created as the kayak goes through the water (I could put up some formulae if anyone is interested).
The actual fishing is the same as from a rocky headland or a pier or a small boat - with restrictions on the amount of clobber you take. Kayak angling will certainly get you organised, you will soon only take what you actally need.
As for the effectiveness of fishing from a kayak, several of us found the tope last year. We shall do better this year because of what we learned from last years forays. Inshore species like flatties, ray and even conger are also worth going for.

I am off out to South Africa kayak fishing next week - over there they go out 20 miles in the kayaks (paddle out, not like the yanks and hitch a lift!) and they target anything from yellowfin tuna downwards. Have a trawl and look at some of the Australian, South African and American sites to see what can be done. The only limit to what you can do is what you think you can do.
Kayaks are very, very seaworthy craft and capable of sitting out much worse conditions than a small boat - Ireland is not too far to paddle and open sea crossings like this are commonplace. Sure, it takes a while - Ireland would be a 15 hour paddle. But there are trips from Scotland to Norway each year - and from the Scottish mainland to the Outer Hebrides and then on to the Faroes. Open sea crossings are not to be recommended in the purpose builtangling kayaks - they are far too slow and carry too much windage, but expedition kayaks are built for this.
Like anyone else who tries it, you won't look back.

[martinw]

Interesting that dorado, i think ill put my kayak on my shoulder and sea-cat it to ireland, theres no way im paddling that ;D ;D. Havnt caught anything on my kayak yet, not had it long, but looking forward to it.

Have fun in south africa next week, take plenty of pics and post em on so we can all have a good look. ;D