This post is going to be a growing list, a dynamic post where I want to detail fish finders used on Kayaks.

I would like you to comment on this post or send me an email with the fish finder you use on your fishing kayak, detailed with why you have chosen this particular model of fish finder, why you chose it, if you would recommend it and what advantages has it got over other models. I would like to build a review list for people searching for the best kayak mounted fish finder.

• Here is a past post on how to fit a fish finder to your kayak

• Here is a big-game prowler kayak with all the additions – Prowler fishing kayak

• Here is a list of fish finders to buy from amazon

Fish finder list

1. Humminbird Matrix 47 3D fishfinder – A great, very popular fish finder with large clear display and excellent functionality.

Kayak scupper bungs

Ocean Kayak Bungs

Always worth having a spare set of bungs! I have lost so many and regret not having a spare set to hand, or in the car. Have a look here at our online amazon store for more details – Ocean Kayak bungs

From amazon

“Ocean Kayak Scupper Stoppers can be used to plug the scupper holes in your Ocean Kayak. This will help you stay dry while you are paddling. Fit fit Kea, Prowler 13 and SideKick.”

Fitting a fish finder

This as you will hear is a US video on how to fit a fish finder. The terms “Captain Dick” uses may not sound familiar but it may well be of use to you in some way and provide you with some ideas for fitting your fish finder.

FIsh finders can be a really useful tool to help locate fish holding areas and check out the sea bed for gullies, reefs and other sea bed features that may in the future hold fish. I use a GPS to mark these areas, have a look here – fitting a gps to your kayak . If you are interested in buying a GPS have a look at our store over here – GPS systems

Let me us know please if you use a GPS system or fish finder on your kayak. If you do what system do you use and do you find it a useful attachmant. Let us know by commenting on this post.

Popular kayaks of 2008

RTM Disco video tour

Ocean Malibu two semi rigged

Big game prowler fully rigged – Well worth a look!!!

Second hand Kayaks

Then, by commenting on this post, let us know your findings and decisions you have made, so we can all learn from each other.

We all have different requirements: Size, our weight, max length, stability, speed, family and friends etc but we could help each other by sharing our research.

If you own a kayak and would be happy to let others have a paddle to try it out then also let us know, tell us where you live! I have a RTM Disco if anyone wants a paddle. I am based Nr. Helston, Cornwall.

Any really helpfull comments might be made into standalone articles here at the fishing blog.

You can comment here or by email here

Hi.
just bought a malibu pro fish&dive tandem,have got a nice 2002 small camper with lock up trailer,done a lot of holiday sea fishing but never been on the sea except in the med or with a skipper. I live in the midlands but i can travel at short notice ,i am very aware of the dangers of the sea so dont want to venture out on my own to start,very aware that the buddy system is the safest way to go and would love to join up with some experienced guys. I am planning two trips for the near future, west coast of scotland, and spain and would like to find a partner to share expenses, used to go camping and fishing, but depended on expensive campsites, but with the camper and trailer am totally independent, plus no wet tents in the morning so if you can suggest anything i would be grateful,i am a very experienced fly fisher and tyer,but i got bored, my true love is the sea, all comments answered.
kind regards steve.

To reply, please comment below

Kayak Fishing Match At Marine Drive Scarborough.

Date : 27th September 2008

Fishing Times 8am – 12 noon.

Heaviest fish match.

Boundaries are from the Sea life centre to the lighthouse with a limit of approx 800yd which will be marked with buoys.

The match will be held over the slack water period and there will be a safety boat at hand.

There will be a significant prize table with both cash and tackle prizes. Tri Star Angling and Ocean kayak will be sponsoring the event and have donated a kayak as one of the match prizes.

If you are interested in sponsoring the event please get in touch with anyone from the list of contacts below. Further information on this match will be released via the page whoose link you will find at the bottom of this page (so please add this page to your favourites). It may also be worth while keeping an eye on the Whitby Fishing Forum for future updates.

Match Organisers:

Iain Sellors : 01723 364452 or iainsellers@hotmail.co.uk

Glenn Kilpatrick : 01947 604395 or whitbyseaanglers@gmail.com

http://www.whitbyseaanglers.co.uk/kayak-fishing-competition.php

Please note these measurements need to be checked before you buy I will not take responsibility for any errors in my maths and they have been rounded up! I hope this is of some value to somebody out there, I just find it very annoying trying to find all the dimensions to compare fishing kayaks and they are never in one place.

Malibu Kayaks mini X – 9’3” long by 33” wide (2.82 m x 84cm) max capacity 140 kg come with 2 rear flush rod holders and centre hatch. Rear tank well. From £379

Perception freedom angler – 13’2” long by 30” wide (4.01m x 76cm)Max capacity 180 kg. 3 flush rod holders, 1 spinning rod holder, centre and front hatch. Adjustable foot rests, drinks bottle holder from £550

Ocean kayak Caper angling – 3.3 m long x 79cm wide (10’10” x 31”) and weighing 20kg. Max capacity 135kg. Rear storage recess, side carry handles, bow and stern toggles, drain plug, 2 rod holders and front hatch. From £459

Malibu Kayaks Pro explorer – 12′ 6″‘ long 31″ wide (3.8m x 79cm ) weighing 42lbs. Max Capacity 205kg 2 inset rod holders – Centre hatch – Front hatch – Rear Cargo Deck. End handles – Drain plug – Rear Tank well – Footstops – Bait bucket options. From £549

Malibu Kayaks Pro 2 tandem – 13′ long 33″ wide (3.96m x 84cm)weighing 55lbs. Max Capacity 250kg 6 inset rod holders – Centre hatch – Front hatch – Rear hatch.
End handles – Drain plug – 2 dive wells – Footstops – Bait well and back rest options. From £649

Ocean Kayak prowler 13 Angler edition – 4.1m long x 71.1cm wide (13’ 5” x 28.cm) and weighing 24.5kg. Max paddlers weight 204kg.. 2 flush mounted rod holders, paddle clip and seat, rear tank well and mini tackle box. From £569

Malibu Kayaks X factor – 14′ 4″‘ long 33″ wide (4.4 meters 84cm)weighing 55lbs. Max Capacity 275kg 4 inset rod holders – Centre hatch – Front hatch – Rear Hatch.
End and side handles – Drain plug – Rear Tank well – Adjustable foot stops – Bait well options. From £649

Ocean Kayaks Prowler elite – 4.5m long x 71.1cm wide (14’ 9” x 28cm) and weighing 24.5kg. Max paddlers weight 204kg. Front and central hatches, 2 flush rod holders, paddle clip rear tank well. Transducer mount and tackle box. Fropm £589

Ocean Kayaks Prowler Elite 4.5 FFR – all the above and also comes with a fitted rudder, transducer boot, fitting plate, fused power cable, battery box and scotty adjustable rod holder. All this for £869 – Have a look here for a Big game prowler kitted out

Malibu Kayaks extreme – 14′ 4″ long 33″ wide (4.4 meters 84cm) weighing 55lbs. Max Capacity 275kg 4 inset rod holders – Centre hatch – Front hatch – Rear hatch. End handles – Side handles – Drain plug – 2 dive wells – Adjustable foot stops Bait well and backrest options from £649

Liquid Logic MANTA RAY 10 – Length: 305cm, Width: 74cm, (10’ x 29” ) Weight: 21.8kg, Max. Cap. 125kg, Price £449.95.

Liquid Logic MANTA RAY 12 – Length: 365cm, Width: 73cm, ( 12’ x 29” ) Weight: 26kg, Max. Cap. 158kg, Price £549.95

Liquid Logic MANTA RAY 14 – Length: 442cm, Width: 71cm x (14’ 6” x28“ ) Weight: 29.4kg, Max. Cap. 181kg, Price £549.95

RTM Tango Angler - Length: 345cm Width:78cm Height:34cm (11’4” x 31”) Weight:26kg Max Cap:140kg Paddle holder, 2 flush mounted rod holders, 6” front hatch and centre tackle box hatch from £549.99

RTM Disco angler – Length : 428 cm width : 65 cm height : 33 cm (14’ x 26”) weight: 23 kg C.max : 130 kg Front large rubber hatch, rear tank well, 2 flush mounted rod holders. From £449 – Video of the Disco here

RTM Tempo – Length: 450cm Width: 67cm Depth: 33cm (14’ 9” x 26”) Weight 24kg Max Cap: 180kg The Tempo comes standard with two fishing rod holders, paddle clip, a stowage net in the back well and massive hatch up front. From £449.99

RTM Quatro angler – Length: 13 ft Width: 34 inches ( 3.96m x 86cm )Max Capacity: 575 lbs. 2 hatches, solid back rests 2 flush rod holders and 2 paddle holders. From TBC

Wilderness systems Tarpon 120 Angler – Length 12’, width 28” (366cm x 71cm) max capacity 170 Kg. Comfort seating, 2 x 6” day hatch, 18.5” bow hatch, 2 flush rod holders, spinning rod holder, paddle holder, anchor system Price TBC

Wilderness systems Tarpon 140 Angler - Length 14’, width 28” (427cm x 71cm) max capacity 170 Kg. Comfort seating, 2 x 6” day hatch, 18.5” bow hatch, 2 flush rod holders, spinning rod holder, paddle holder, anchor system Price TBC

Wilderness systems Tarpon 160i Angler – Length 16’, width 28” (4.9m x 71cm) max capacity 170 Kg. Comfort seating, 18.5” bow hatch, 8” day hatch, 6” day hatch, 2 flush rod holders, spinning rod holder, paddle holder, anchor system and optinal rudder. Price TBC

To find out more information and to see pictures have a look at these links

• Wilderness Systems

• UK Stockist of Wilderness systems – Wildthings Canoes

• Atlantic Kayaks

• Bournmouth Canoes

If there is a popular fishing kayak I have missed out please comment on this post.

To cut a rope in water you need a serrated edge. it will make cutting so much easier and fast. If you are stuck under water after being entangled in your anchor warp, speed will be your life saver.

When I first decided to start kayak fishing I decided to buy all the boring equipment before I purchased my Kayak. For birthdays and Christmas I requested safety and comfort gear for Kayak fishing. When I bought my Kayak – an RTM Disco I had all the safety gear ready to go. So many people scrape enough to by the boat yet cannot afford the really important gear, consider it carefully!!!!

This item is just £12.95 and well worth it in my opinion.

Tight lines

www.fishing-blog.co.uk

Having spent a few hours on Wednesday in my local tackle shop, I heard that Bass were falling to live sand eel. Bottom fished from the shore was the most popular method, resulting in 2 x 7lb Bass being caught from Loebar Nr. Helston in the past few days. The technique they used for these fish was a ball bullet on a flowing trace fished about 40 – 50 yds out. This method allows the sand eel to cover a lot of the sea bed, finding the holes and gullies holding the Bass.

The tide was small on Thursday, high at about 10:50 hrs and the weather was very fine, no wind and no swell. I managed to get to the tackle shop at opening time and was en-route with a bubbling live bait holder full of eel. My anticipation level was really high, combined with being stuck in the house for the past month, I really thought this was it!

I arrived at the beach ready to go sea fishing. I always pay to park and drop in an extra few quid as I am launching my Kayak from there, it’s an honesty box system.

I then have my system which allows me to get everything right and not forget things (generally),

• Straps off the kayak and rolled ready for re-use on my return.
• Kayak off the roof and either on to it wheels or carried to the waters edge.
• Check the Kayak hatches and bungs are secure and well fitting.
• Carry fishing gear, paddles, leashes, bait, GPS to Kayak.
• Get changed, put camera phone and car key in water proof holder.
• Pick up fresh drinking water and snacks.
• Sun lotion if required.
• Check safety gear is working.
• Check car is secure, hand brake applied.
• Put on PFD, lock car and go fishing.

Just a quick tip – I always, on finishing the trip put the Kayak onto the roof while in my wet gear. There is nothing worse than getting warm and dry, then getting soaked lifting the kayak onto the roof and getting covered in water (trust me I have done it).

I paddled out 10 yds and rigged up my rod. I am not sure why I don’t rig up on the beach, but these few minutes bobbing about allow me to find my balance and I seem to find I get on like this much better, feeling the shape of the water and getting into the groove.

I started by heading to some rough ground towards Porthkerris. I fished a simple bottom rig as describe above, hooked up my sand eel and started to drift. The drift speed was very slow and I did not cover much ground. Small Pollock fell to the live eel but, I could not entice anything else to the bait.

Getting a bit bored, I moved closer to the shore line. Bass like to hunt gullies and rough ground close to the shore line. I changed the rig to a bubble float with a 10 ft 14lb fluro carbon leader. I set the float about 2 feet from the end of the main line which meant the sand eel was fishing 12 feet from the bottom of the float. I dropped the rig into the water then paddled about 30yds away from the gear and drifted along the shore line in about 16 to 20 feet of water.

The water was very clear and I could see small wrasse and Pollock moving along the edge of weed beds over clean sand. Mullet of about 3 – 5 lbs were also cruising these weed margins. In fact the Mullet looked very interested in me and my Kayak, coming out of cover to have a better look at the hull of the boat. I thought one mullet was a Bass until I saw it flat nose which clearly distinguishes it from a Bass.

This method worked, but as I have found all year I could only manage small Bass in the 1 – 2 lb range. Nothing worth keeping but good sport. I experimented with the presentation of the Sand eel. Hooking it through the tail end made for a more lively bait with great action, but missed takes. Looking closely at the eels hooked this way I could see damage to the head end of the Sand eel. I then tried a couple hooked in the middle of the eel. I often notice that Bass caught on plugs are hooked on the central treble, but this was not reflected when using live bait. The best location for the hook was as close to the mouth of the eel as possible. I think that the Bass will take hold of a pray item however is easiest at the time, generally from underneath and towards the mid to front area but, when they mouth the bait, ready for consumption, they arrange the fish so it can be swallowed head fist. Hence, preventing fins and body appendages from fouling the mouth and allowing for easy passage down the throat.

I moved location after learning a lot from this area. The tide was now falling rapidly and the weather was still fine and the sun was now hot! I moved to the side of the cove where the prevailing light breeze was blowing towards and the tidal current was flowing. The reason for this was I hoped that any food stuffs would be carried to this area, and the bigger fish may be hunting in this location. I was wrong (again)!

My drifts were short, which I was prepared for because both tide and breeze were on shore. The sea bed is similar, more clean sand and fewer boulders but I saw less and hooked less. I did catch a nice Pollock which I wanted to return but sadly the fish had taken the hook very deep and had damaged its self, so I decide to dispatch it and took it home for the freezer.

I moved along the shore line to a distant headland, looking for deeper water close in shore. I only had about one hour of fishing left by now. I was fishing a deep hole I found and suddenly my rod bent over hard, then eased and the tip was nodding – A Cod! I started to reel in, not pumping the rod but keeping nice even pressure all the time. The fish became lighter and easier to pull in and I got my first sight of it. I could see a deep red colour coming towards me, aah cod from kelp I thought. At that exact time I could then see my Cod was in fact a Cuttle fish. His skin was bright red and sticking up in mini spines created by the millions of muscles in this fascinating animals outerlayer. It was not happy to see me, but it was beautiful and a first for me!!

It was now time to make for port and head home. I replaced my sand eel for a Power Bait cray fish lure and dropped the rig to the bottom and started towards the shore. No more than 10 strokes and I was into a Mackerel. I started again and I was into another Mackerel. They loved this lure and watching it fall from my hand towards the sea bed I could see why. It had a lovely motion and fantastic reflective quality. I had about 10 Mackerel before I had to give up and just go straight back to the shore.

On arriving shattered at the shore line, I proceeded to dismantle my fishing gear and start storing it away in the car, not forgetting to place the kayak onto the roof before getting out of my wet suite.

In all it was a successful fishing trip at this interesting mark. A few lesson were learnt and I look forward to using this information on my next fishing trip.

I would love to hear about any lessons you have learnt recently on a fishing trip, do you experiment while on a session? Let us know by commenting on this post.

I am always looking for suppliers of good quality kayak fishing gear. I find companies who dabble in Kayak fishing but not many who offer a comprehensive range. I normally buy a bit from here and a bit from there, but this company offers a whole lot from under one roof. I have not purchased anything from this company yet, but they seem to offer the whole 9 yards for kayak fishing in the UK.

Outdoor Active offer a whole range of products and deals including I quote,

Boats for every type of fishing

Boat packages

Bass fishing gear

Rod holders

Fish finders

And a whole lot more. For their full product range call 01454 261058

He is using a Dexter wedge. Casting it, then retrieving just after its touched the bottom. Fish are following it right to the surface and on balanced tackle its proving to be very good sport for him.

I do not know the gear he is using, but he describes it as a light spinning rod and small fixed spool reel. The line is mono of about 15lb breaking strain.

Using a kayak as a platform to cast a fly from is nothing new, the Americans and a few Brits have been doing it for ages. This is because they have seen the advantages and they are getting the results.

Why use your Kayak

The kayak, as I have mentioned before in an article about the huge growth in kayak fishing creates a small foot print in the water and with a bit of thought its a great tool to stalk fish from. This allows the limited range when casting a fly to be over come and you can cover an immense area of water as well as fishing off shore reefs and sand banks in search of fish.

Casting a fly from a kayak

The cast you use has to be sound. Tight loops full of energy to keep the line high above the water is a must. You can practice casting standing in a field, then start sitting on the floor. You will find it hard work at first, but it will allow you to get a feel for how much line you can keep in the air.

From here move into your kayak. Depending on your kayak you will feel the balance point changing at different stages of the cast. You will get better with practice! I found on my RTM Disco which feels tippie, that hanging my legs over the side so they stabilized the kayak helped a lot in the initial stages.

Fly fishing Rod holders

You can buy rod holders designed to take a fly rod, or adapters for holding your rod. This is quite important as a delicate fly rod will not stand up to many knocks.

Holding the rod in a safe position while you are maneuvering is a must. I have tried laying it on the deck and holding it between my knees. It makes you very unstable and paddling becomes a real effort.

To have a look at some images and read more about this design have a look here The NuCanoe

These rod mounts can bee seen on the RTM Disco in this video tour. There are a range of manufactures who design the products to slightly different specifications. There are some where the main tube has not got a bottom, so if not capped your kayak will fill with water when you are sea fishing. This problem can be overcome with the use of a plastic end cap being glued to the bottom and extra strength can be achieved using a metal pin through the cap and tube, riveting the cap in place and it gives something for the rod to rest on.

Scotty Rod holders

Probably the best range of kayak rod holders on the market. They design a range of solutions depending on the type of kayak fishing rod you are using. They have products designed for spinning gear, multipliers and fly rods. Many of the Scotty kayak rod holders are multi purpose and there are multiple rod holder versions. Some even have tackle holder facilities or GPS and sounder add ons.

Buying your Rod holder

Kayak rod holders can be bought from a whole host of web sites, just type your requirements into google. The other great place for good deals is E-bay!