update from nth east yakker.

[djacketts]

Just thought I would let you guys know how my first trip two trips out in my prowler13 went.
Was offered some company by a top lad from the Whitby sea anglers site (robq) so we headed off to Flamborough Head near Bridlington (Nth landing to be exact). After a relatively easy yomp down from the car park I was bricking it as the launch approached.Seeing as I d never sat on a kayak before let alone venture out into a decent sea it was fair to say I wa questioning what I d let myself in for.

Anyway the launch went ok and without further ado off we went out to sea.Heart was really pounding as I wobbled my way out of the bay, the yak felt really unstable , but thought must be me being nervous transmitting down through to the yak.

The water was coloured so we decided to bait fish with mussel bait, the swell was shown on magic seaweed as only being 3 ft, but no way it was a huge swell rob was vanishing then rising up over each crest of swell, I was reaaly unsure about being out there.

Then we decided to lower anchors and fish a good area of rough ground.That is when it went horribly wrong for me and the "no experience" showed through. On one minute off the next, robs face was a picture.

At this point I must say that Kev and his video re-boarding efforts are what kept me calm, I d watched them over and over , and so when it happened for real i just calmly sorted myself out turned the yak back over and then got back on from the side !!!!
After a further two get offs I sussed out the anchor was too tight and set wrong side to tide , I went back in , fishless and a bit un-nerved by it all.

Rob came in shortly after and we called a halt to the day due to ever increasing sea.

Not to be put off I returned Monday for a quick trip out again at the same place, this time alone.
The sea was much calmer to start with and after a steady paddle out I got my first cod, only about 3lb s but a fish at least, added another smaller one before the weather turned and a storm blew up so yet again I retreated to the beach, but at least I d stayed on this time and the whole trip was much more comfortable, reckon I am at the start of a very steep learning curve but boy will I learn, can t wait to get out again.

Ok chaps/chapesses, if a few of you ever fancy a trip over and a get together with a few of us over here do let me know and we can sort something, it would be a squeeze but could accom about 4-5 yakkers and yaks , so just let me know.

Cheers Dave

[ZEBRA]

a great read dave well played doing the re-entry first time out in such demanding conditions it would be great to come over sometime and have a fish together .

[jonnychaos]

djacketts said:

Not to be put off I returned Monday for a quick trip out again at the same place, this time alone.
The sea was much calmer to start with and after a steady paddle out I got my first cod, only about 3lb s but a fish at least

ONLY 3LB You guys are so spoilt up there I would be over the moon with a cod that size. Mind you I fished from a boat in Whitby 5 or 6 years ago and had some beautiful cod. I gave one to a mate at work which he has never stopped reminding me about as it cost him £40 because went through a red/amber light on the way to my house to get it and was nicked ;D ;D

John

[SEAJUNKY]

Hi Djacketts

I'm new to yakking as well, unlike you, I had the next best thing to professional advise from the off, on my first ever trip out on a yak I was taught the fine art of re-entry from the side. This gave me great confidence. I fully understand the excitement of it all, and how easy it is to get carried away. I do think that to go out alone so soon after getting the yak is a bit risky, I always try and go put with at least one other yakker for safety reasons.

Be safe and enjoy. ;D ;D ;D

Happy yakking

seajunky

[djacketts]

ah hah seajunkey you see I combined my re-entry training with dropping anchor to create a realistic scenario rather than the false environment of calm waters........only joking !!!
I have the upmost respect for the power and danger of the sea and agree that safety and training are required, but also there will always be a steep learing curve to any extreme sport and at least I know that my prep of equipment and going with someone helped a what could have been a tricky situation, but thabkfully wasnt. I now have a bench mark of how big a swell i will be comfortable in going out in and my next two trips will be accompanied.
I have also now purchased a flare kit, gps/fishfinder and a vhf radio so fully kitted now.

As for the size of the fish, just been chatting to a mate who was fishing the same ground i did but he was out last night and he bagged up on cod to 6lb with stacks in the 3 - 5 lb bracket, hence 2 of us are going to have a go tomorrow wind looks good swell only at 1.5 ft so lot better conditions.

Yeehaa bring on the thump thump thump of a plump cod !!!!
Regards Dave....( oh by the way seajunkey i work for one of the emergency services so I m well aware of not presenting a possible risk or at least doing the most to reduce that risk.....cheers for the concern tho ;D ;D)

Kindest regards and the offer of accom if a few of you guys fancy a codding trip is genuine.)

Dave.

[SEAJUNKY]

Hi djacketts

I apologize for sounding like an old fart, and trying to teach you to suck eggs. Being new to the sport myself I suppose I may tend to over react when I hear of a new yakker getting into situations that I would feel at risk in.

[djacketts]

No need for any apologies mr seajunkey ;D ;D, you only offering concern, my reply was very tongue in cheek, i m big and daft enough to be careful, I hope !!! Having fished the sea on boats and from rocks/beaches for many years I developed a respect for the water a long time ago, but hey , thanks for the thoughts.

Cheers Dave (good sharing a common interest with peeps around the country/world too)