KcKayak Fishing Kayak

I am a bit of a kayak nut. I don't own any but I just love them. I do have a fishingski and it is similar to a kayak but made out of fiberglass and not plastic.

I tend to spend a bit of time surfing the net looking at youtube videos of people fishing of kayaks and showing you how they kit them out. It does make me daydream a lot. 

So today I came across this kayak. I am super impressed. The innovation is very clever. 2 things that stuck out for me is. 1) the seat can be flipped over. So you can either sit low or high. You can stand on it so perfect for that bass fishing when you need some extra height to get into those structures. 2) The KcKayak stacks like crates so you can load one on top of the other on your vehicle. That is very cool.

Here is a bit more from the site. 

Fishing Kayak - KcKayak K12 Kayak

Our custom fishing kayaks offers a unique hull design providing anglers with the most stable and comfortable experience possible on the water. Anglers have the option of easily fishing from either a sitting or standing position. The K12 is the first kayak to offer anglers the ability to sit in the traditional low position, or reverse the seat and sit up high. This provides the best experience for all types of fishing including fly fishing and marsh fishing. The open deck makes moving freely around the craft a breeze. Large tank wells at the bow and stern provide plenty of storage space for all your gear. KC Kayaks come standard with flush mount rod holders, dry storage hatch, and a seat. Our unique track system means your KC Kayak can easily be outfitted to suit your needs with plenty of space for mounting a GPS, extra rod holders, and other kayaking accessories. 

KcKayak Fishing Kayak

I am a bit of a kayak nut. I don't own any but I just love them. I do have a fishingski and it is similar to a kayak but made out of fiberglass and not plastic.

I tend to spend a bit of time surfing the net looking at youtube videos of people fishing of kayaks and showing you how they kit them out. It does make me daydream a lot. 

So today I came across this kayak. I am super impressed. The innovation is very clever. 2 things that stuck out for me is. 1) the seat can be flipped over. So you can either sit low or high. You can stand on it so perfect for that bass fishing when you need some extra height to get into those structures. 2) The KcKayak stacks like crates so you can load one on top of the other on your vehicle. That is very cool.

Here is a bit more from the site. 

Fishing Kayak - KcKayak K12 Kayak

Our custom fishing kayaks offers a unique hull design providing anglers with the most stable and comfortable experience possible on the water. Anglers have the option of easily fishing from either a sitting or standing position. The K12 is the first kayak to offer anglers the ability to sit in the traditional low position, or reverse the seat and sit up high. This provides the best experience for all types of fishing including fly fishing and marsh fishing. The open deck makes moving freely around the craft a breeze. Large tank wells at the bow and stern provide plenty of storage space for all your gear. KC Kayaks come standard with flush mount rod holders, dry storage hatch, and a seat. Our unique track system means your KC Kayak can easily be outfitted to suit your needs with plenty of space for mounting a GPS, extra rod holders, and other kayaking accessories. 

Hey Joe a boat has flipped

I was recently at Sodwana and it just so happened that there was a fishing comp on that week. So on Monday morning we hit the beach early with My Father in-law Joe to check out the boats launching. The kids played around in the small waves so that I could keep an eye on them while we watched the spectacle.

It is very impressive to see such huge boats being launched straight into the sea. It comes with some drama tractors getting stuck in the soft sand in the surf zone then other tractors pulling them out. There is a lot to see as boat after boat gets launched and does a few turns in the safe zone. Then they time the gap and race out punching a few waves until they are beyond the breakers to start a days fishing for the big one.

My father in law is snapping pictures like crazy. Next thing I see a boat upside down in the surf zone. I shout to mt father in law, "Hey Joy a boat has flipped". It was gut wrenching for me. I have never been in a boat flip before but I have been flipped in my fishingski many times. Also once in Cape town when the dungeons surfing comp was on. But that is another story.

The launching stops and I think there might be a rescue boat. Nothing! Lucky the guys all have life jackets on and they float back to shore. The boat does not do the same thing. It floats down the coast a bit and then does not go in or out. I think it had to do with the fly bridge keeping it in one place. The launching continues and nothing further happens. A few people have gathered on the shore waiting for the boat to come closer. They try and swim out to it but with life jackets on they just can't get through the surf zone. 

I mention to my father in law that I am going to see if I can help. I have borrowed a small plastic boat to have some fun in the waves. I am thinking that I can paddle a rope out and tie it onto the boat. Paddle back an they can then pull the boat back. I speak to the guys and they say that will be great. I get the boat and put a life jacket on. I tie the rope onto the back of the plastic kayak. I then start paddling out. The rope is too short and the guys are holding onto it. I am in the surf zone and being stopped so I think I am going to get flipped. Lucky the guys let go and I punch through to waves and come close to the boat. 

It is a very eerie feeling seeing a boat upside down in the see. The water is clean so I can see that the fly bridge is touching the ground. I also take my time as I want to make sure things are ok before I do anything. I jump off the plastic kayak and untie the rope and attach it to the front of the boat. This was a bit of a challenge as I was also holding onto the kayak. A big wave came over and flipped the kayak so I was dealing with that also. I took my time and in the end had the rope on and was back on the kayak. At first I thought I would feed the rope through a loop on the kayak until I got to the other end of it. That did not work and the first wave snapped the loop. I then paddled until I found the end of the rope. I then wrapped that around the paddle. I did not tie it on just in case I had to let go. In the white water the rope went very taught and I bailed from the kayak. In that moment as the wave washed over me it also took off the life jacket. Lucky I could stand and a few more waves washed over me and I was pulled with massive force, it took all my might to hold on. Lucky my kayak fishing experience had taught me a few tricks and I braced myself for the waves by keeping my arms close to my body and using them as a spring. Then it felt like the rope had snapped as there was no more tension. I was now much closer and a guy had managed to swim out and he took hold of the rope and started pulling. The rope had not snapped but the boat had moved closer to shore. The plan had worked.

I then left them to it and they pulled the boat ashore. I was watching the back of the boat and saw a few feet behind the fly bridge all messed up. I collected it and started carrying it to the beach. They then got the boat close enough to the shore and used a bakkie and some rope to flip it back over. It was a very sad site to see.

It was then back to my family and home for breakfast. I chatted to my kids and they shared that they where scared for me. I explained what I had done and that safety was a top priority for me.

What I found worrying was where is the safety crew. These guys have massive boats and not all of them are fit and healthy. I am glad that the people where ok and managed to get back to shore safely. I was glad that I could help. It was fun and full of adrenaline. 

The boats name is Wizzard.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Hey Joe a boat has flipped

I was recently at Sodwana and it just so happened that there was a fishing comp on that week. So on Monday morning we hit the beach early with My Father in-law Joe to check out the boats launching. The kids played around in the small waves so that I could keep an eye on them while we watched the spectacle.

It is very impressive to see such huge boats being launched straight into the sea. It comes with some drama tractors getting stuck in the soft sand in the surf zone then other tractors pulling them out. There is a lot to see as boat after boat gets launched and does a few turns in the safe zone. Then they time the gap and race out punching a few waves until they are beyond the breakers to start a days fishing for the big one.

My father in law is snapping pictures like crazy. Next thing I see a boat upside down in the surf zone. I shout to mt father in law, "Hey Joy a boat has flipped". It was gut wrenching for me. I have never been in a boat flip before but I have been flipped in my fishingski many times. Also once in Cape town when the dungeons surfing comp was on. But that is another story.

The launching stops and I think there might be a rescue boat. Nothing! Lucky the guys all have life jackets on and they float back to shore. The boat does not do the same thing. It floats down the coast a bit and then does not go in or out. I think it had to do with the fly bridge keeping it in one place. The launching continues and nothing further happens. A few people have gathered on the shore waiting for the boat to come closer. They try and swim out to it but with life jackets on they just can't get through the surf zone. 

I mention to my father in law that I am going to see if I can help. I have borrowed a small plastic boat to have some fun in the waves. I am thinking that I can paddle a rope out and tie it onto the boat. Paddle back an they can then pull the boat back. I speak to the guys and they say that will be great. I get the boat and put a life jacket on. I tie the rope onto the back of the plastic kayak. I then start paddling out. The rope is too short and the guys are holding onto it. I am in the surf zone and being stopped so I think I am going to get flipped. Lucky the guys let go and I punch through to waves and come close to the boat. 

It is a very eerie feeling seeing a boat upside down in the see. The water is clean so I can see that the fly bridge is touching the ground. I also take my time as I want to make sure things are ok before I do anything. I jump off the plastic kayak and untie the rope and attach it to the front of the boat. This was a bit of a challenge as I was also holding onto the kayak. A big wave came over and flipped the kayak so I was dealing with that also. I took my time and in the end had the rope on and was back on the kayak. At first I thought I would feed the rope through a loop on the kayak until I got to the other end of it. That did not work and the first wave snapped the loop. I then paddled until I found the end of the rope. I then wrapped that around the paddle. I did not tie it on just in case I had to let go. In the white water the rope went very taught and I bailed from the kayak. In that moment as the wave washed over me it also took off the life jacket. Lucky I could stand and a few more waves washed over me and I was pulled with massive force, it took all my might to hold on. Lucky my kayak fishing experience had taught me a few tricks and I braced myself for the waves by keeping my arms close to my body and using them as a spring. Then it felt like the rope had snapped as there was no more tension. I was now much closer and a guy had managed to swim out and he took hold of the rope and started pulling. The rope had not snapped but the boat had moved closer to shore. The plan had worked.

I then left them to it and they pulled the boat ashore. I was watching the back of the boat and saw a few feet behind the fly bridge all messed up. I collected it and started carrying it to the beach. They then got the boat close enough to the shore and used a bakkie and some rope to flip it back over. It was a very sad site to see.

It was then back to my family and home for breakfast. I chatted to my kids and they shared that they where scared for me. I explained what I had done and that safety was a top priority for me.

What I found worrying was where is the safety crew. These guys have massive boats and not all of them are fit and healthy. I am glad that the people where ok and managed to get back to shore safely. I was glad that I could help. It was fun and full of adrenaline. 

The boats name is Wizzard.

See the full gallery on Posterous

stealth kayak

This is a piece about what I do for a living and my freelance job. It is also a sales pitch for www.stealthkayak.co.za . My day job I work as a virtual branch manager for www.hypergroup.co.za, well that was the title I have been given. What I really do is update the website, add and remove stock. I also do a bit of online marketing and I am about to start some banner advertising. We have a few companies under the hypergroup umbrella and I have also started developing their websites.

My freelance job is www.afromedia.co.za which has been around for about  9 years. Here I build, host, market, websites. I do training so that people can run their own websites and I am involved in Social media. I have a few other projects that provide a bit of income now and again. I sell the Hunterski and the Surfa online (not the best product for online sales). The other thing I sell is a Makooker it is a great idea and works like a charm. Check out the website www.makooker.co.za for more details. I also run a few blogs, some with other people and some on my own. I have 2 that are collaboration www.coolnewstuff.co.za and www.vuvuzelasouthafrica.co.za/. I do fishing encounters because I love fishing. So now that you know a little bit more about what I do let me explain what I have done.

In my job domains are hot property. A lot of people don't realise the value of a domain, especially when you add a website to that domain. I have been doing some research and found that the domain www.stealthkayak.co.za is available. So I have bought it. I am thinking of 2 things here. If anybody that sells Stealth Kayaks might be interested in the domain lets talk . In the meantime I am going to build a site and see if I can come up tops of the search engines. The nice thing is that the name "stealth kayak" gets about 1600 searches a month. Stealth do make great products.

Call me when in need here in Mozambique

I am based in Maputo - Mozambique.

For many years now I have been On Stand By for many Anglers visiting Mozambique - In that I will sort any trouble they have with the Transit Police and Regular Police.

Many travelers have my direct cell number and when any Police stop them - they would call me and I will sort all via the phone and they would be on there way without having to PAY ANY BRIBE.

I would like to post a open invite to all fishermen to take my cell number - store it on there cell phones and call me when in need here in Mozambique - I do offer to help with all Maputo safety Inspections when boats gets launched in the Maputo Bay and visit Inhaca Island - I do all this AT NO CHARGE what so ever.

I am a third generation Carvalho in Mozambique and would just like all visitors to my Paradise Country to have a great time - it is a FACT that the Police in Mozambique TARGET South African visitors and force them to pay Bribes - especially when visitors tow a boat.

So that is my offer of help

Best regards

Carlos "Tsutsuma"

+258846179110

carlosjcarvalho@intra.co.mz

Tiger fishing

I have done a very little bit of tiger fishing in my time. Once when I was a kid and we went to Lake Kariba and stayed on a houseboat. That was fun. Part of that tour we went to Mana Pools, I think I also almost caught a croc and could have been taken out by one. Was a bit clueless as we where fishing from the side and the next thing a croc appears. We all did a serious back jump. I have also fished above Vic falls and below. The below is where you go down by the old Vic Hotel. We also started our white water rafting from that spot. I have been twice to Chirundu, that was an amazing experience and we caught some 8kg tigers there. It was great as I also started playing with lures as I got bored of just drifting with bait. When that tiger hits the lure it is something else. The power and speed catches me ever time. We lost many as I was a bit clueless on how to get a hookup. 

The other place I have fished was lake Jozini. My father, brother in-law and I did the annual Jozini tiger fishing comp. It was a blast but the fishing was not great. I need to make a mission to go there again. We ending up drifting in the clean water and casting spoons, it was fun to see the tigers racing after the spoon.

I was checking out http://www.tourettefishing.com/ facebook updates and that is what has got me excited about tiger fishing. Here is their facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tourette-Fishing-try-fight-it-in-Africa/90837823797

   

The Milkcrate

I am in love with this sport and it touches my heart when I find a site like this. To take to the words from their site because I could not explain it any better.

"The Milkcrate is a celebration of the people who define and grow the culture and lifestyle of kayak angling.  Through interviews, photographs, and editorials, this project documents the ideals and motivations of a group bonded by a sport that, while still in its beginning stages, is heavy in self-defined growth.

Like the plastic boxes affixed to so many fish-bound kayaks, The Milkcrate is a gathering place for many of the details integral to the sport.  Here you will find a community of artists, professionals, craftsmen, and anglers coming together to tell the stories of how and why they pursue a life touched by water and nature."

Go and have a good read on their site and be inspired. http://themilkcratemag.com

Tuna Frenzy Panama!.mov - YouTube

via youtube.com

When this kind of thing happens and I try and cast I end up with a serious bunch in my line. It is so hard to keep cool calm and collected.

Hunterski is Alive

Just got a newsletter from Brian from http://www.hunterski.co.za

Hello Paddling Friends,

My long silence has not been as a result of me fishing at every opportunity, but rather because of the blood sweat and tears we have been putting in to become one of the worlds leading plastic kayak manufacturers. I am happy to say that we have reached, if not passed all possible expectations by the quality we have reached in such a short space of time.

We now manufacture a range of 8 kayaks, enabling us to build the perfect kayak for you. From a small kiddies kayak up to a double, as well as the 2 dedicated fishing kayaks, the Hunter Ski and the Fluid Bamba. Let me know if I can furnish you a quote on the kayak best suited to your purpose.

If I have learnt anything in the last 5 months, its that the Hunter Ski still fills a very large gap in the available range of fishing kayaks in South Africa. There are features that other kayaks have that make them more suitable for certain functions, but as an all-round light tackle fishermans kayak, the Hunter Ski is unmatched! Some paddlers are looking for performance and weight, but the more practical are looking for comfort and durability. The Hunter Ski is still the best value for money fishing platform on the market.

We are running an unbelievable winter special on the Hunter Ski kayak, with prices as close to costs as we can get. So drop me a mail on brian@hunterski.co.za (please let him know I sent you lantz@fishingencounters.co.za ) and I'll get you on the water before you can say "Fish".

I am based 60km South of Durban now, and the fishing on this coastline can be brilliant. We are expecting the "Sliver Tide"(Sard Run) to arrive any moment now. Please let me know if you are ever in this area and I will try to get you into some saltwater fish off the kayak.

Tight Lines!

Bass Fishing on the weekend

I went bass fishing this weekend "twice" managed to catch a few bass. I was battling to get hookup with the bottom fly. The top fly was the winner in the end. The 2nd day it had rained the night before and the bass where just not operating. I caught nothing and the others managed to get 3 bass between them. The interesting thing is they where using a pink worm.

Winter is closing in fast not sure if there are many fishing days left.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Diablo Paddlesports

Out on the water, we want to stand up and fish, and also sit down and paddle. And, sometimes, we want to do the opposite. This looks like one very cool boat. If I have the bucks I would have a rather large boat collection.

Have a look at this great looking stand up kayak.

Sail Fish from a Bote Paddle Board

Check out the full story here  Taking SUP fishing to the next level!

It is catch and release as I don't see a hatch. I would love to try this sport for some bass fishing.

Wave Turning Like Never Before - Pinnacke Fishing Kayak - YouTube

Man this kind of stuff is fun

Kosi Bay GPS fishing Spots

I have attached a file that can be used in a garmin software like basecamp. Basecamp has a nice feature where you can view your gps points in google earth. Google earth just gives you an amazing perspective, and you never know you might just find a better fishing spot.

The spot called hole, is a place where the deep water comes very close to land via a steep drop off. The trick to fishing these spots is to NOT put your bait in the deep water but to keep it in the shallow next to the drop off. It is also wind dependant if the spot is good for fishing, also if the water is clean it is best to fish at night.

Good Luck

Kosi Bay.gpx Download this file

Stand up and fish

I was busy looking at pinterest when this caught my eye https://pinterest.com/pin/151081762469325464/ I like it a lot!

I love fishing off a kayak but one thing I miss is standing, being on your bum for hours is not ideal. The places you can use this here is South Africa is wide. Not to mention the challenges of croc and shark infested fishing waters. Think of this in Richards Bay, just watch out for the ships, not to mention the lots and lots of rivers we have. When you go to a farm dam for a quick fish, the paddle board will be lots of fun.

Alvey Reels

One of me top reels on my fishingski (kayak) is a alvey. It is a very simple reel which is ideal for the salt water conditions. It is like a fly reel but only bigger and more simple. In the center is has a tension knob and you can activate a ratchet sound. I use this reel when I am trolling and bottom fishing. The big thing for me is that I feel connected to the fish and I have control of how much tension I put on the line. It also is simple so no parts that are going to rust and seize up, I can remove the spool and add some grease now and again and it just keeps working and working. I did have a funny thing happen once when I was fighting a fish. The handle unscrewed in my hand so suddenly the fish had freedom :)

More of what I have on my fishingski (kayak) and the tackle I use in posts to come. 

5 places I want to fish ( for now )

1. The wreck off Mtunzini. There is a wreck off Mtunzini about a km offshore, it is just north of the river mouth. I did once fish the wreck from a ski boat and as the waves went past part of the wreck became exposed. For me there is something scarying about fishing near a wreck. My plan is to paddle from the parking lot in the lagoon to the mouth and then from there paddle out to sea. The other option is to get a lift on a boat which I think might be better.
   
2. Hemmingways. Always been a dream of fishing in the clear Kenyan waters and catching sailfish on fly. The wives can also have a good time there.
   
3. Mozambique (again). I think I could spend many moons here fishing the waters. Mozambique has got some most amazing coastline and some very good fishing. Not to mention the captain and coke.
   
4. Sodwana (again). Find a mate and go and paddle to the reefs early in the morning and catch some king fish. Who's in?
   
5. Zimbabwe. I hear the bass fishing is awesome, and there are big tigers in the river below the dam wall.
   

Dolphin by KAYAKFISH - YouTube

via youtube.com

This is one of the really nice parts of being on a kayak, you are so quiet that you do not scare nature and you feel like you are part of it.

Natal Snoek or Queen Mackerel

I love fishing for Snoek, you can see when they are around. I remember a time before I had a fishingski, my mate Paul had a white water kayak, it was called a banana. Well by us it was, called a banana because it was yellow and shaped like a banana. Anyway it had the splash cover and was lots of fun in the surf. Ideal for a beginner to learn how to Eskimo roll. I was staying in Umhlanga at the time and my mate had left his boat with me. I was checking out the sea with the binoculars  as I often do and I could see there was some action on the surface of the water. I decided to paddle out and catch what ever was out there. I got the white water kayak, grabbed my 2 piece rod with a coffee grinder on it and a spoon. Off I went to the beach, not a far walk. I stowed the rod inside the kayak and put the splash cover on and was soon paddling out to sea. When I go out there I could see that something was chasing some sprats, I did think that it might be snoek. So out with the rod and cast away, click over the bail and reel in like a mad man. I find that fish love a fast retrieve so that the spoon is bouncing out the water. I could see the snoek chasing the lure then BAM I was on, but a fish also went for the swivel and I was off. I was gutted, I did not have any tackle with me. So back to the beach, I leave the boat on the beach and run up to the flat to grab another few spoons, also while I was there grabbed a bag to put the fish into. They would be right by my legs and a bite from them would not be good. Back to the beach and paddle back out to sea and again right in the action. This time I get it right and hook and land a Natal Snoek ( Queen Mackerel ). I just love it when you can see the lure and the fish chasing it, it gets the adrenaline going. I have to use a coffee grinder for that kind of stuff, if I don't I generally end up with bunches and snapped line and tears because I just get so carried away I forget how to use a reel. I ended up with 2 snoek that day and a great experience.
When I got my fishingski (kayak) I would often go to blue lagoon in Durban and fish for snoek, I would troll halco's and cast spoons. I would be paddeling along and suddenly you would see one jump ahead. That is when I would get my flick stick out and do some casting, it is amazing but soon afterwards it would find that spoon and chase after it and get caught. Snoek are fun, the other thing I find is if you go early before the boats get to the spots you will find them. This is exactly what happened to me with the snoek in the picture. I went out at Umhlanga before sunrise. Just south of the light house there are some rocks, and as I trolled over them I hooked into this beaut of a Snoek, what a fight. I thought it was a couta but it was just a big snoek. I had seen some action as I got out beyond back-line and tried to spoon but a guy on another kayak managed to catch that one.
I must make a plan to go and do some snoek fishing again soon.