1st Pollack session of the year 03/06/2014

 

Had a quick blast out on the hunt for Pollack today in between the school runs a lovely day for it had to work hard as the fish were few and far between but had a couple upto 4lb the odd Coalie but had to get them into the kayak quicker than usual as a big grey seal was like my shadow all session

Good to see the big flock of Eiders on the outlying scaurs again too

On the way back in I checked on my collapsible pots I had set on the way out only to find them full of small Coalies and a Butterfish no Crabs today

Not mega clear today but its starting to head the right way

Always nice to supply your own tea

Tandem Toping a Welsh adventure May 2014

Myself Mark and my 7 year old son Jack headed off to sunny Wales early Thursday morning for a boys weekend of kayaking fishing and camping after arriving at the campsite we set up base had something to eat and then loaded the car back up to get to our fishing spot as the campsite is cut off at high water we had to plan our trips carefully as the launch site was a good drive south of the campsite and the road is closed for a few hours either side of high water on the bigger tides

we eventually got the kayaks down on to the beach a very tiring slog but the conditions were perfect for the mark we were planning on fishing anything other than perfect would have been a non starter as we had a 7 year old with us safety as always is paramount


we had quite a paddle out but in great conditions also joined by a small pod of dolphins after 45mins or so we were anchored up and Jack was getting stuck into his mini Sharks like a pro



After watching Jack bagging up I was starting to get concerned of a whitewash until my rod lurched and baitrunner started to sing I didnt think the first run was going to end but it did and as soon as the second run developed I engaged the reel and the fight was on after a rather hectic fight and having to ditch the anchor after being towed backwards into it we were back under control and soon got a glimpse of a large Tope in the depths



10/10 for young Jack who remained cool as a cucumber even when the Tope was crashing it tail and swiping the underside of the Kayak making a hell of a racket and also whilst I was dealing with it on board just inches away from his back




Not sure of the weight but was a lot bigger than last years estimated at 30lb but would guess in the 40-50lb range Target achieved and possibly the 1st tandem Kayak Tope in the UK
Shortly after Mark was into a Tope causing all kinds of trouble for him but will let Mark give his own report

The other planned trips were aborted by coastal mist so we had fun crab potting and dogfishing at the campsite also a great place to play in the strong tidal flow out of the harbour in a safe environment








Managed some shots of some sand gobies (I think?) and a snakeslock anemone what a difference a change of perspective can make to a photo



I couldn't be prouder of this little fellar well done Jack

worn out

A great weekend away

Video of the Tope

 

Andy

Anglesey February 2014

Just back from an excellent 2 days on Anglesey NW Wales paddling the Menai Straits and also had a days relaxed rockhopping at Moelfre on the NE coast of Anglesey, I was kindly invited over by Ken and Fi and we were fortunate to be lead for the 2 days by Jim Krawiecki along with Ken Oliver we couldnt be in safer hands as part of this trip we had the privilege of a tour around the Rockpool Kayaks factory at Holyhead very close to our accommodation at the outdoors centre  will stay here again very affordable and everything you could need

Supper at the outdoors centre

 

 

Some fun on the Menai Straits

 

 

Managed to get some pics at South Stack on the 1st night some rough seas and big tides here

 

 

Trearddur Bay below looked an awesome place in these sea conditions and I would have loved a paddle here but the group wasn’t up to this level just yet

 

 

 

 

 

The second day we had great conditions for a relaxed paddle from Moelfre to Red Wharf Bay

 

The fun started immediately hehe!

 

 

 

 

Dinner break

 

 

 

 

A couple of short Videos below one Courtesy of Mark Dowse

 

paddling at Anglesey north wales from mark dowse on Vimeo.

I will definitely be heading back over here and need to work on my paddling a lot too