Kayak fishing trip at Falmouth bay and Helford river

I have been wanting to get the Kayak into Falmouth bay for a while, I have fished St Antony and the actual Helford river, but never Dennis head, Falmouth bay and The mouth of the Helford. This trip was a minor disaster and I will explain why.

Friday the 8th was a red hot day and on the late evening of the 7th I decided that it was perfect for this trip. I checked the weather and tide, got my gear together but I did not research where I was going fully, and the likely areas I would fish to catch a Bass, Pollock or even a Bream. I do not know why I did not do this but read on!!!!.

I arrived at St Antony, rigged the Kayak, took it to the waters edge, removed the wheels and put them in the car, locked the car ran back to the Kayak and launched looking forward to fishing the tide up for 3 hrs and down for an hour or so.

I first of all set up a lure to troll, I can see no point in paddling to a location without trolling on the way, so tied on a deep diving lure from stateside (my brother bought it for me) and cast it out, SPLASH !!!!!! I had not put the spool properly on the reel and I had cast out the lure and the spool of my fixed spool reel. I managed to get the spool back and not end up in a huge nest of line. Considering I had to empty the spool of line while it was on the sea bed before it would start coming back this was no mean feat. When back in hand I made sure it was well connected to the reel and started again. I was off kayak fishing at last.

I headed out to Dennis head, the water was flat calm and the sun was beating down, bugger I thought I have come out without any water to drink. The second mistake. I know I was surrounded by the stuff but a hard days fishing would require a sip of water every 15 mins on such a hot day. I decided to fish for a while then return for the water.

I finally started a drift taking me into the mouth of the Helford, but I did not have a touch, as I was floating I was looking at a headland about 1 mile away. I could see broken rocks and a possible reef as the headland entered the water. I will go there I thought. Off I went like a rocket, lure trolling behind me, I am going to have a great session kayak fishing over there I thought to my self.

I arrived and the reel screamed for about 3 seconds. I landed a fine Pollock of about ¾ of a pound. The coloration was fantastic almost red with bluish spots. This is the color of Pollock that come from weed beds I thought. Sadly I did not take a picture. I returned the Pollock and carried on kayak fishing for about 10 mins, but nothing. I could see a set of crab pot about ½ a mile further out so off I headed.

Just as a point of interest as I was paddling out I saw 2 twigs spinning around in the water, what the hell is going on there. As I got to within about 6 feet a Gar fish lept from the sea and scuttled off.

Anyway I got to the Crab pots and started a drift. The bottom was well snaggy and drop after drop I got nothing. I changed rigs, line weight, bait you name it all I got was fed up should have gone to the Manacles I thought.
I then decided to try the mouth of the Helford. I set my lure and off I went. I guess I was about 2 miles away from the mouth at this point. I still had no water and was getting thirsty and very hot. Suddenly I got a proper run on the reel. I hit the GPS to mark the point. I played the fish that was fast but not strong only to land a Mackerel of about 1.5 lbs. Not The Bass I hoped for but a fish at least.

I carried on towards the Helford and finally go into the mouth. You can’t keep Bass here from a boat, but you do get Pollock, bream and ray to so I was edging my bets. Again when I was in the river mouth I would navigate one headland and then for some reason push onto the next because it looked better. I finally started to fish from the kayak but lost 3 rigs on the trot. I only had my backup bought rigs left now. I fished here for a while and blanked. I moved from one side to another, deep to shallow you name it I tried it but nothing. I finally decided to give up Kayak fishing and head for home which was about 1 mile away by now.

Kayak fishing I thought, why bother 7 miles I have covered today according to my GPS and why. My arms were sore, I was thirsty, I caught very little, my back was stiff and head numb with it all. But I have now reflected on the day and pulled out some very useful learning from it

• Always have water with you and take it fishing. Dehydration is a killer in the hot and cold. It weakens you and you will start to make poor decisions.

• Check your gear is fitted correctly before you go Kayak fishing. Do not throw your spools in. Make sure your knots are sound, rod rings are in good order etc.

• When you catch a fish take a photo. That Pollock was the most striking fish I have seen in ages but I have only my memory to remind me of it.

• PLAN your fishing day. Decide the day or week before where you are going, which bit of ground you are going to fish and stick to that plan. Use charts, your knowledge and MSN maps to study the ground.

• The grass is not always greener on the other REEF. Do not get fooled and stick it out where you are, consider moving to a new location as the last option, not like I did as the first option.

• The Gar fish WOW how fantastic to have crept up to nature at its best doing what comes naturally to it. This stealth will come in useful in the future for stalking fish.

• I remember using the stretches of paddling to practice my stroke and improve my technique to get the paddles into the water almost silently.

• Always troll while you are moving, you just never know.

• Most important remember you are getting exercise, fresh air and you are out there Kayak fishing.