Brisbane Waters Yak Popping

[high_speed_metal]

have not done a report in a while as I have been spending every spare second on my new Old Town Loon Yak.

Over the last two weeks I have been working around Woy Woy/Gosford/Erina Creek to get used to this new fishing tool, After overcoming some issues in the yak like what to do and what not to do, what to take and so on I finally feel comfortable and confident.

I have been popping and shallow diving only from 5.30am until around 9 or whenever the wind picks up, As I have worked out wind and Kayaks do NOT get along, I have lost Lures in Mangroves and dropped pliers over-board and a baby bream put a treble through my thumb. haha.

But to the fishing, It has been Hard work some days being better than others but I have only come up fish-less on one occasion but with a lot of slow mornings, bream and Eps have been the target to start with. With the bream I have been using Stiffy Poppers and river to sea Bubble Pops. Working at a fast pace then pausing with inquisitive fish on just about every cast around the leases, But only 1 out of 10 times found the hook. I also lost a lot of gear as even a 35/40cm bream will pull around a yak and I was a little confused as what to do to start with as there is was so much deadly structure around.... Learning how to Hold a fish tight and carefully paddle with one hand is a must learn haha...

Have only got One EP in the yak so far, Kayaks are so perfect for this Small river fishing only problem again is the blasted wind!! Salmo sinking 3.5cm in fallen tree snags was getting me a heap of solid strikes but again with so much structure around I was quickly made into a fool!

Another issue is Photos, I catch and release unless I have a BBQ planned in advance. So I still have not worked out a tripod system yet, Any Ideas? Taking pictures of just the fish in the yak does not cut it for me.

Ups and downs of Yak fishing is fun but Hectic at times. Fisherman in Boats I find 9 times out of 10 have respect for a lone yak fisherman, as for wake boarders riding what seems like a 10 foot wake in a yak is no fun at all!

Some BBQ Bream

Mine is on the right.

Sunrise is a great time in a yak.

the Only thing I have done to pimp my yak so far is a rod Holder But I'm looking for a good cheaper sounder, Live bait tank, so any ideas fire away.

[arpie]

Hi HSM

It is always a big learning curve when we get our first yak - very quickly, you learn to tie your paddle on & shortly after, everything esle! Most of us have lost stuff overboard at one stage or another .... just a matter of how much, & when!!

Make sure you make up (or buy) a tall flag to make you more obvious to boaters - as we are so low to the water, sometimes the waves will hide our presence till it is too late! I have a 'manual hooter' that you can get from any decent tackle shop. It sounds like a fog horn & the noise will travel across 1km of water.

Just make sure you tackle any boat wake head on (not sideways!) It is easy to get swamped & sink if you get broadsided!

You've got the right idea by getting out early - not only beating the wind, but most boaters, too!

Congrats on your terrific bream - more will come, that is sure!

Make sure you rig up an anchor system that allows you to move it from front to back or sideways ...... attach a 'd shackle' thru the handles with a pulley & connect both ends with 'rolling rope' so you can just drop the anchor when you get onto a good fish, or find a good spot to fish & want to stay there.

I also have a spare rope with a big wire hook on it going from front to back handle, to allow me to 'tie off' to poles, leases or even branches if I want to.

Gdcalmer added a small ' splash deck' that she screwed (made from a plastic chopping board) to her Perception & fitted the fish finder there. She removed the forward 'floatation' to fit the transducer, then replaced it. She fitted the 12v 7amp battery in a waterproof container behind the seat.

Here is her yak before she added the fishfinder. You can also see the 'anchor trolley' ropes.

http://fishraider.com.au/Invision/index.ph...4477&st=180

She moved the rod holder to the front side of the yak & put the fish finder where her rod holder currently was. The carpet on the floor makes the yak much more soundproof. Amazing how much noise you make, dropping things etc. That little set of drawers works really well for her - between her feet.

It is fun setting your yak up to your own specifications! Enjoy!!

Cheerio

Roberta

[Sandini]

Hi Mr Metal,

Snuck up Patonga Creek early Saturday morning with the much better half, in our double yak. Threw poppers and sp's around the mangroves and leases. Caught a few littlies and a few trees, but always a great way to start the day. The much better half, caught her first fish on a popper (Bubble Baby pop - white/clear) and was stoked.

This is our second early start in that system, low and high tide turns, with not much success, as yet. Holds lots of ribbon weed. Haven't tried around the areas that you have mentioned as yet, but is on the to do list.

Only our fourth fish in the yak, but have found info from people like Roberta and others, to be extremely helpfull. Keep up the posts and let us know how you go.

Regards

Sandini

[Steve07]

Well done on getting out there on the yak & giving it a go,in fishing you never stop learning something new

so im sure things will get better for you with every trip out.

Some nice bream captures for you as well.

Steve