Questions about kayak fishing

[fishnewb]

Hi all,

I've got a few questions about kayak fishing - I'm considering getting one for fishing in a lough that's connected from the sea. There's strong currents, but it's generally quite calm (other than at the mouth of the lough, where it connects to the sea).

My questions:

1. Are kayaks/fishing kayaks stable enough for fishing?

2. I've heard people say that you should never go out in a kayak on your own. This seems to be because for non sit-on-tops, you need two people to empty a capsized kayak of water when out at sea. Could you happily go out on your own in a sit-on-top kayak? If no, they're quite useless for me.

3. With strong currents, would you get whisked away a lot? Would this happen more/less than a wooden dinghy?

4. If the current is going one way and you need to go against it, would this be extremely difficult? More/less so than a wooden dinghy with oars (or an outboard)?


Thanks in advance!
fishnewb

[NICK R]

this place may have your answers mate

http://www.kayakfishing.co.uk/

[maghouse]

FNB ...

1. Yes absolutely - make sure you get a 'proper fishing Kayak though - sit on top type for open water

2. Yes you can go on your own but always recommended in pairs in case of problems - I often venture out on my own - the right safety equipment is essential .... decent PFD, clothing and VHF radio for calling for help ...

Capsizing is no real problem - SOT (sit-on-top's) rarely turn turtle and stay there, even if it did - relativley easy for one person to right - they are watertight so dont need to empty out after a capsize (provided all the hatches & covers are on).

3. Currents yes & no - plan your paddle with the tide & currents - so go out with the ebb and back with the flood for instance - know your water!

4. Paddling against wind/tide/currents is harder work than with - but not impossible - I do it regularly - reasonable fitness is needed ...

Number 5 - my own - PLEASE get some instruction first, practice falling off and getting back on in calm sheltered water - it just might save your life !
Number 6 - my own as well - you wont look back - top fishing

Another great site :

www.anglersafloat.co.uk

[fishnewb]

Hi all,

Many thanks for your answers - very informative.

I'm wondering, do you really need a kayak fishing rod (shorter, different grip) to fish from a kayak, or could you comfortably use a e.g. 9ft boat rod?

Does anyone recommend any books on general sea-faring? I've no experience on the open seas, and things how to read currents, understanding where rocks are and other essential bits of knowledge would be needed.

Also, and this may seem like a silly question, but would it be physically possible to raise a lobster pot from a fishing kayak?

Thanks!
fishnewb

[maghouse]

A shorter rod would be better IMHO - 7' or 8' rod 5-10 or 10-20 class rod for most fish, can go bigger (class) if you are after bigger fish ...

Small spinning rods are ideal - the longer the rod - the more cumbersome it becomes and if in rod holders etc - the extra strain will be placed due to leverage if you go too big.

Books - any marine chandler will sell books on sea-faring or fleabay ... but does take years to 'learn the waters so get out there as often as you can ... marine charts do give a lot of information and important to have for your area I would say ...

Lobsterpot - I would say no to a commercial type - too heavy and where would you stick it ! I use these smaller fold up net types - very lightweight and easy to store ...

[fishnewb]

Hi Maghouse

Thanks for the input!

I've been researching my local area, and have come across something that may cause a bit of a problem for kayak fishing. The lough I fish in has a bottleneck at the mouth, and during flood tide the currents there can get up to 8 knots, tapering down to 4 knots past the bottle neck, then lower the farther up the lough you go.

The area I was planning to fish in is the 4 knots area (~10m deep), as it's my local area - would fishing in this level of current (though the water is very calm) prove to be troublesome? Would it be too difficult to stay on a mark?

The 8 knots area, would it be completely out of the question for fishing at any time other than slack water? It's 66m deep in places, so could turn up something interesting ;)

Thanks in advance!