Journal Entries
Kayak fishing article [ draft ]
Posted Feb 11, 2010
I have been asked to write a short 300 word article for publishing in a new on line kayak fishing magazine . 
The article is to be accompanied with photographs and video , also to be supplied by me .
Any comments or constructive criticism would be greatfully recieved .
.......................................................................
Kayak fishing is not always golden sandy beaches and clear sparkling seas , sometimes it's murky mud filled estuaries , factories and abandoned wharves as a backdrop . There are advanteges to such places , they can be quiet and lightly fished , plus they can also hold a few suprises . The river Medway becomes tidal after Allington lock just below Maidstone . But this is not the end of the course fishing , for several miles down stream it is still possible to catch roach , dace , bream , pike and carp .
The course fish are often found near freshwater outfalls . Severall small spring fed streams enter the upper estuary , along with the outpourings from 2 paper mills and a sewage treatment works . It is in these areas I have concentrated my efforts . Most trips I have targeted the carp , using large cage feeders filled with method mix and large bright orange , tutti-fuitti boilies as hook bait .
It was soon after dawn one summers morning , that I caught my first Esturine carp . It was low water and some hard ground had become exposed at the edge of the river . So I took the opportunity to stretch my legs and answer the call of nature . Sitting on the edge of my yak drinking a coffee , I was shaken from my reverie by a my baitrunner reel bursting into life . Putting the reel into gear I bent into the fish . It stayed hard on the bottom and doggedly refused to come up . It went on a few powerfull runs and fought quite hard . Eventually it began to tire and and once its head was up , I eased it into my landing net . I let out a whoop of joy and did a little jig . There was no one to see me , just a seagull or two or a passing heron .
I had no scales with me but I would guess it weighed 12 lb or so . A bit of a snub nosed brute of a thing , but it lived in a tough place and I thought it was beautiful . I took a quick photo and then eased it back into its watery home . I paddled back to my launch point with a big grin on my face that day . I have yet to catch my second estuary carp , but I keep trying .
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Latest reply: Feb 11, 2010
The ramblings of a compulsive angler
Posted Mar 2, 2009
2nd March 2009
It has been many months since I last posted , but not many months since I last fished . As so few people view this page I see little point in keeping up a journal . However I do post here : http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,16559.0.html and here : http://www.anglersafloat.co.uk/ for those interested in kayak fishing .
Discuss this Journal entry [1]
Latest reply: Mar 2, 2009
The ramblings of a compulsive angler
Posted Oct 4, 2008
29th September 2008
One of my friends from work invited me out on his boat and with our days off coinsiding and the weather looking good . We towed the boat down to Rye and launched . It was a beautifull day and despite some engine problems we made it out of the harbour and into the channel . It was not long before fish showed up on the sonar , so we stopped the engine and began to catch mackerel by the dozen . We carried on until we had filled the coolboxes and then had a go at anchoring up and fishing on the bottom . Neither of us had a bite from bottom baits and it was soon time to head back . It was a good day out and I was pleased to be able to fill the freezer with mackerel , I will now not be short of bait over the winter and I will save a few bob into the bargain .
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Latest reply: Oct 4, 2008
The ramblings of a compulsive angler
Posted Sep 26, 2008
19th September 2008
A mate rang me up and said he was fishing the river Medway at Maidstone . As I still had the yak strapped to the roof of the car I decided to have a go at trolling lures for pike . I launched at Springfield and made my way down stream to Allington . Turning round I headed up towards Maidstone , passing my mate for a second time . " have you had any " no I had not " whats wrong with yer I've had loads " I carried on towards the town centre , When I got to the bishops palace I decided to call it a day and headed back . So that was 2 days kayaking and no fish .
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Latest reply: Sep 26, 2008
The ramblings of a compulsive angler
Posted Sep 25, 2008
18th September 2008
I have not been out on my kayak for a while and as the forecast was good I decided to have another go at St Margerets bay . I arrived at mid morning and was in the water by 10:30 am . I had timed it so that the tide would take me towards Dover for an hour or so before turning and bringing me back towards St Margerets . I paddled straight out for half a mile and set my drogue to keep my bow towards the sea . It was a bit lumpy but not unmanageable .
I used hokai lures hoping to catch Mackerel . After an hour I had not had a sniff and the tide was beginning to flow the other way . I carried on fishing for another couple of hours , still with no bites . The wind had begun to pick up and with it blowing against the tide it was getting uncomfortable [ dangerous ] I decided to call it a day . I was suprised at how far I had drifted back past St Margrets bay . I began the tricky paddle back , it was hard work keeping the kayak pointing the right direction with the confused following sea . When I looked at the GPS I saw I was barely making 1 knot , it was going to be a hard slog . I noticed a small beach under the cliffs and decided to make for that , as I was running out of puff . The beach when I managed to get to it was very steep . There are only 2 ways to approach a beach in a kayak , tentatively or go for it . I went for it and hit the beach with a thump leaped out and dragged the yak up the beach out of the surf . The only casualty a broken rod tip [ easily repaired ] .
After a breather a drink and a sandwich , I launched again and made my way back to St Margerets and the car park . I got back not long before the ticket ran out on my car , safe but with no fish . It was good to get out and I certainly got plenty of exercise .
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Latest reply: Sep 25, 2008
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