Getting to know venues (safely)

[moniar]

Hi
If I get a yak this spring (as I plan to) I have a few marks around the island that I would like to fish. My general question in the run up to this is - what research (apart from the obvious one of posting on here and asking if anyone has kayaked there before) should I be trying to do beforehand. For example, some venues I am thinking of trying in the yak (all close in marks) :
Porthdafarch (left and right sides)
Rhosneigr (round the rocks towards Cymyran and along broad beach towards cable bay)
Cable Bay and along the ty croes coastline towards Aberfraw
Lligwy beach and round the rocks into dulas
Penmon beach (by the slipway and by the wreck ie before you get to Penmon point)
Newborough main beach and up right around Llandwyn

(If you spot a general theme - yes it is bass ;D)

As a novice I am unlikely to paddle any of these areas without company, but if I was to venture out, how do I found out how the tides affect these venues and what state/size of the tides they should or should not be attempted in. Are there some sea kayak guides or websites I should be checking out before making up a float plan, should I speak with the local inshore life boat guys? Are there tide/charts (as opposed to tide tables) which indicate the direction of flow at different tide states?

Whilst I am still fairly adventurous at the age of nearly 45, I have rock climbed and mountaineered for years so I know the importance of minimising the risks and leaving a plan, in order to carry on enjoying life / hobbies ;D Although I have sailed/ paddled before on river lake and sea, I have always been out in groups (usually with a leader) and have never been taught the seacraft stuff about tides/currents/ route planning etc - hence my questions. I may well try the SurfLines course for SOT anglers in august, but in the meantime I need to read up on any available basics material.

THanks, Steve

[TimO]

Hi Moniar,

Very good post, I think you will find that most of us do not fish from our yaks alone, only on water we know well. The biggest problem we have is the wind, if you have to paddle back after a few hours fishing into a wind it really is quite interesting if not frightening (been there and done it).
Best plan is to come to the meets, see what some of the more experienced lads say and do, and you will soon pick up some very useful tips.

Look forward to meeting you soon

Cheers

Tim

[moniar]

Cheers Tim - yes I learnt a lot from my first meet at Penmon this month. Hoping to get out on the island this weekend with a borrowed yak. Looking forward to the easter meet on the island here. Most of the marks I fancy trying on the island here are very close in bass marks, so have still got the mini x factor I tried out at Penmon on top of my wish list.