Drop shot from a fishing kayak?

Hi all

I've been pottering along the coast around PE with my drop shot rig. Having good fun. So here is my question.

With the water around PE being quite flat (and with swartkops, sondags etc) how feaseable would a fishing kayak be as a platform for DS / lure fishing? And yes of course my main goal is catching edibles to eat - and you cannot cut sushi from PnP frozen hake...

Also the gadget factor rates high for me - small fish finders and the like :kaykak

So any wise words or advice? Been looking at the Bamba unit..

Howzit SlowPoke,

Welcome bru, although i don't do a huge amount of d/shot myself, i do use a bit of artificials on the ski, and i'm sure dropshot is very viable indeed; i'm sure you'll have a blast. You may get more replies reposting in the fishing ski section though.

enjoy, cheers Fredster  

Great thanks.

Now I'll take my ski questions elsewhere.

Thanks

Hi Slowpoke, you have a PM. regards Fredsta

Fredster - hahaha for the record I did not take offence - just following your guidance. No worries mate! ::S

I found this ski at outdoor warehouse for R5999. It looks like it has most of the bells and whistles. I thought is looked like a good deal but then this forum may have some much valued experience and insight.

My words of wisdom Regarding the ski in picture... is check the weight. If i recall it is over 30kg, which can be quite teh bugger to lift onto a car.
It also sits quite high out the water so a slight wind may become a bit of a bugger.

Mmm ok. It is a bit heavier but is that due to the chair, ruddrers etc or is that on top of the 35kg? (must admit, lifting 35kg is not a major pelaba to me, but rowing the extra weight.. well not sure if it is an issue?)

What alernatives in that sort of price class are available. I initially looked at and read up on the Bamba but with chair, rudder etc it seems like setting me back about R15k. Way more than I really want to spend on an occasional hobby outing.

Rowing it is not the issue... loading and offloading is the B!tch. And trust me, if it is a las to load and offload, it is just an excuse to find something else to do instead of going on the quick fishing trip.

Ok, I hear you.

What alternatives can I look at and more importantly (The PE boys might need to help here) where can I go look at the thing?

Thanks for your input and help :wfish

Regarding the weight issue, those extra 7 to 10 kgs really can become the straw that breaks the camel's back when it comes to getting your loaded ski from the water back to the car...uphilllll

The volume of the cockpit is also a bit of a concern - when you've taken a wave or heading into the chop, (the bath-tub effect) the extra weight of the water in the cockpit isn't leka (yes it self-drains, but it takes time and before then, the next one is over the nose...back to square one)

The level of the hatch openings is below the level of the sides of the cockpit = can't open your hatches in rough water or risk taking water or even flooding the boat. (In contrast on most of the 'glass ski's commonly used you'll find the hatch access to be the highest/most proud part of the ski.)  

Also are you able to store your dropshot rods inside the boat when launching and coming in?

on flat water - ok, but i don't think it'll be comfortable when the westerly buster comes thru and the sea picks up

If you compare the ski's used by the local guys who paddle regularly, you may be surprised at how similar they all actually are in general overall design despite different makes and models - essentially because its a proven formula that works here. Choosing any of those particular skis would therefore not be a mistake, so long as it fits your leg length and your in its weight range - and you'll have a ski that'll work.

Enjoy.. regards F   

I looked at the fibreglass ski's
Admittedly very nice but also heavy.
The downside with fibreglass is it does brake. If you lift a heavy ski it occasionally looses balance and fall/bump or it can get broken in the surf/rocks. They also do not like long exposures to the sun (stored outsided). Fibreglass skis does not like been bashed onto rockes in rivers. They are much heaviera and less manuverable than K1 or K2 canoes (they have less rocker) and therefor brake easier.
Plactics are indistructable. I have personall seen a plastic ski fall from a roof at 120Km/h. It was majorly scratched and rudder needed some repairs and later replacement but it still works.
I have A Wilderness system Tarpon 160 with a front and rear hatch. Not always easy to get to but I worked out a system. Newer had a problem with cockpit full of water. The hatches are high above the water and shouldnt flood. I have onece in the pool tried to sink the ski by opening the hatches and filling it with water. Even when full it does not sink to the bottom so still something to hold onto in an emergency.

My Tarpon 160 is actually faster out through the surf and on the long rows than the fibreglass ski's. The downs side is it doesnt ride waves back to shore very well but that might just be me.

Plastics (good once) are expespensive though.

I guess its personal preferance
Just my opinion

Fredster wrote:

Howzit SlowPoke,

Welcome bru, although i don't do a huge amount of d/shot myself, i do use a bit of artificials on the ski, and i'm sure dropshot is very viable indeed; i'm sure you'll have a blast. You may get more replies reposting in the fishing ski section though.

enjoy, cheers Fredster  

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Hey guys! Well I'm from the cold water of the West Coast and we do not have as much Cob/Shad / Garrick like you guys have on the east and south coast! I started ski fishing about a year ago and after a couple of trips started to take drop shot with. I now do not bother to take bait with, I only fish drop shot! If I new how successful this type of fishing would be a year ago I would never have ever taken bait with. In the last 3 weeks I have sat in an area where there have been other fisherman on ducks and skis and I have caught my quota of Cob all on drop shot and the rest of the guys around me did not get a fish! Thinking back if I saw what I have just written a year ago I would be laughing at my self in disbelief. It works!!!!!

what amazes me still - even in the rocks and gullies is that even the small rock ballies go for the DS baits. It works super well - I find myself int he same incredelous position.

Bhah! bits of plastic on a hook... get real man...

but it works! :wfish

dropshot off the kayak was the biggest surprise for me.

at first i only fished with baits and then delved into dropshot.
with my proper kit rod reel and plastics, in two outings with dropshot i have manged 7 cob!
find the channels and work them take a thermometer with to check temp of water channels are ussually warmer.

i still take bait to use as chum.

Don't know if u have come right,I'm in Mossel Bay and Craig does a lot of kayaking and quite clued up,pm me if u still need kayak or more!!tight lines

manoliverdoukas636 wrote:

Don't know if u have come right,I'm in Mossel Bay and Craig does a lot of kayaking and quite clued up,pm me if u still need kayak or more!!tight lines

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@ Manoli - Yes ou maat, jy weet nie van iemand wat 'n plastic kayak(gee nie om oor die brand so lank hy deur die surk kan roei) sal wil ruil vir 'n stealth superlite nie?

Stealth kayaks are the best! I have 495 and will one day upgrade to a profisha. They are strong and fast and believe me no plastic coke bottle (i know,i still have my old plastic), will be able to run at the speeds these ski's does. I just started fishing with dropshot, managed one cob. A cob striking dropshot is a memorable moment! ::tight: