Sunday, October 18, 2009

The adventure begins

My first trip in Sharkbait 1 was last saturday, 17th October. It was an average day at Coronet Bay, with 15 knots or so of wing and white caps. However, I was bored and the kayak looked tempting, so I ventured out, without taking any rods. It was easy to handle and smooth through the water. With the waves I did get fairly wet but that's kayaking. I didn't use the scupper plugs for under my backside but that may have been an option. Overall a very enjoyable experience.
Since then I have purchased a 1.5kg anchor from ebay for $16, and need to get some chain, anchor cord and rig up a pulley system for it, so that I can get out on the whiting over summer. Am at a wedding this weekend but the following weekend is cup day, so 4 days at the beach for testing it further and putting on my new anchor system!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Sharkbait 1 has arrived!

Here is my new baby - A Perception Swing.


I have just picked it up and can't wait to try it out. It has 2 storage hatches (Front and rear) and a mini one between your knees for wallet/phone/keys/etc. It also has 4 flush mount rod holders and a modified berkley rod holder for one of the front. Now I figure I need a PFD, anchor and waterproof bag for my phone!
Next on the list are a crate/esky or similar to fit in the back and a fish finder.... Not that I'm getting too greedy.
Here is a view from the business section of it:

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Trips and research

I have just spent a couple of hours researching kayaks first hand. Capacity Sports in Sandringham and Sport Phillip Marine in Mornington. I first went to Capacity Sports and they were extremely helpful and I am very interested in their Moken 12 by Feel Free, which they had at $1595 with a decent seat and rudder, or an Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 at $1795 with seat and rudder. I will try them both out probably next weekend (They hire them for up to 3 days). The Moken particularly looks good, although the advantage of the Prowler is the bait board. Both have pros and cons. Sport Phillip Marine was a long drive for only a couple of kayaks, and they tended to be a bit more expensive than Capacity Sports, so I think I'll stick to the guys in Sandringham. I figure if Dad, Glen and myself each put in about $1000 then we can get 2 kayaks, as if three of us are fishing at once we may as well just take the boat!