Spring
has sprung and the Kayak anglers are dusting off their set ups and hitting the
water.
<’((((>-{
Three seafaring Kayaks }-))))’>
Many
of our guys are using their Kayaks to access areas that us Shore and Boat
anglers cannot get near, it is true to say that Southampton with its deep water
and industry covered shore line is an untapped resource for Bass and many other
UK fish species.
<’((((>-{ A
brave Kayak angler getting very close }-))))’>
Let’s
face it if you are in the water you are not trespassing on land, if you are in
a kayak you can sit on 5” of water and access hundreds of fishing locations and
if you do get a lecture from the harbour master you look a lot less menacing in
a kayak than stood on a boat with 3 or 4 mates and are much more likely to just
get asked to move. Kayak angling is more like stealth boat fishing really.
<’((((>-{
Three seafaring Kayaks }-))))’>
There are many ways
of fishing from a kayak, you can simply drift along with a Mackerel trace
flowing out behind of your rig, anchor up and fish on the bottom with a lead or
paddle into fishy looking areas and cast lures into hot spots.
<’((((>-{An
angler making his way up Southampton Water}-))))’>
The lures used by
kayak anglers vary greatly. For drifting along behind the kayak or casting away
from the kayak over shallow ground a lot of anglers prefer the hard body
plastic lures such as the Yo Zuri Crystal Minnows.
<’((((>-{Yo Zuri Crystal Minnow Red Head Lure}-))))’>
<’((((>-{Yo Zuri Crystal Minnow Mackerel Colour Lure}-))))’>
For casting away
from the kayak or dropping down into shoals of mackerel some anglers prefer the
Abu Toby style metal lures.
<’((((>-{
Sinking Metal Abu Toby Style Lure }-))))’>
These lures are
ideal for Bass and Sea Trout and will often induce bites time and time again in
the same conditions.
<’((((>-{ 6lb
Lure Caught Bass }-))))’>
To fish the
Magazine Lane stretch of Southampton Water you park up and launch your kayak at
Cracknore Hard for free. Cracknore hard is only ¾ mile south east of magazine
lane and the journey up there is the perfect excuse to troll a lure.
<’((((>-{ Cracknore
Hard Launch And Car Park }-))))’>
On arrival to this
particular spot at Marchwood you will first see the Marchwood Yatch Club
pontoons, these pontoons are set in deeper water and hold some very large Bass
under them. Anglers use live or dead pout as bait for the Bass on long flowing
traces and fish around the 5-6lb mar are not uncommon.
You will also see
the long wall that stretches ¾ of the way along the shore, this wall is also a
good area to troll lures for Bass. At the end of the wall you will see a
shingle beach, the beach section is good to fish from from the shore but not so
great from the kayak as there are no real features there unless you head out
deeper and find the drop off ledge just before the channel. The final spot is
around the corner near the pier, this pier has Bass, Mullet, Mackerel, Black
Bream, Gilthead Bream and a lot of mini species living around it.
<’((((>-{ Magazine
lane Spots }-))))’>
Now, is the point
that we are supposed to tell you lot out there in reader land that kayak
fishing in such a busy stretch of water is dangerous and that you should be
very vigilant and carry a decent knife with you if you intend to anchor up and
also the correct safety gear should be worm at all times, but, this is also the
point where we say that most kayak anglers are the pioneering type that are
fairly fearless, this means they are very aware of the risks involved and are
usually much more sensible then any Yachtsmen that I have ever met. But
seriously keep it safe guys and whenever possible get out there in pairs if
only to get better fish pictures for us for our next blog!
Cheers.
