ACT - LBG IN THE FREEZING RAIN 29/5/10

It has been months and months since I've fished Burley Griffin, so it was great to hit the lake again this morning. The massive was out in force with Paffoh, Patwah, Fishwhisperer, Hammo and Butters in attendance. Cold and wet conditions greeted us at the lake, so we immediately fortified ouselves with cream cake and a breakfast ale. Conditions were miserable at times, but there were some great redfin on offer with most fish nudging 30cm and in fat condition.

Working the weed beds around Spinnaker Island with plastics we found a school of willing fish that stayed in the area for a while. Heading over towards Black Mountain Peninsula we couldn’t find any takers, and with the steady rain and numb fingers it wasn’t real happy fishing. The weather got the better of most of us in the end, Hammo and Butters stayed out, I hope you were rewarded fellas. As we meandered back towards the launch site. Patwah and I banged out a few more casts near Spinnaker on the way past and landed a couple of really nice reddies to finish the trip, best was a very fat 42cm on a red and orange Grass Minnow L.

AN INTERVIEW WITH GREG LEWIS - HOBIE AOY

With the Hobie/ABT kayak tournaments wrapped up for this season, Mr. Greg Lewis took some time from his busy schedule to answer a few questions for us here on KFA. For those that dont already know, Greg was awarded Angler of the year (AOY) after topping the points table at the end of the inaugural Hobie/ABT kayak tournaments in 2009. Greg then backed it up with yet another AOY award in the 09/10 season which is a fantastic achievement.

What inspired you to start fishing from a kayak and how long have you been doing it for?

A: I've been kayak fishing for almost 3 years now. Before that I owned a few boats and never even considered owning a yak. However, some tough times meant that I had to sell my big trailerboat that I used to target marlin and yellowfin, and I was without a fishing platform. I ended up buying a small tinnie for the lake (Burrill Lake), and it was around that time that my neighbour with whom, I spent a lot of time fishing in a little row boat, bought a little sit in bass yak. He kept telling me how cool it was fishing from a yak and getting towed around the lake by big flatties, but it still wasn't enough to get me really interested. Then one day I was at his house and he showed me a magazine (Yak Fisher) which had a list of pretty much every fishing yak that was available at the time.

Initially I was really taken by the Viking Tempo which was fitted with an electric motor - the whole set up was very affordable and I ended up taking the magazine home and reading through it properly and getting a grip on what the differences were between all the various brands of kayaks. As I learned more, I kept coming back to the Hobie's - the Mirage Drive system really made sense to me and my personal needs, and in the end I went up to the Sydney Boat Show and bought a Revolution with all the bits and peices to have it fully rigged for fishing. Funnily enough, I didn't tell my neighbour what I'd bought, and looked forward to surprising him with it. As it turned out, he actually went out and bought one too before I picked mine up, and so we ended up with identical yaks!

What do you think are the pro’s and con’s of fishing from a kayak, and more specifically a Hobie pedal craft?

A: I guess the main con with kayaks is simply that you are fairly restricted to how far you can travel during a session. In a boat you can be fishing in one spot, and then decide to pull the pin and shoot over to the far side of the lake, or another spot down the coast which might only take a few minutes under horse power, but under your own steam in the yak, it might take half an hour or more - so that can be pretty frustrating at times. Having said that though, it's not the end of the world, and can actually mean that being restricted to an area allows you to really give that area a thorough work over and find the fish that you thought were possibly somewhere else. As they say, the grass isn't always greener...

As for pro's, how long have you got? There are so many pro's to kayak fishing, but I'll just stick to a couple of key ones that are important to me. Stealth is a massive key to fishing, and as we all know, creeping into the quiet area's of a waterway without any noise or disturbance can only put the odds in our favour. Even offshore, I'm now concentrating my snapper efforts in water often less than 5m deep - areas where it simply would be too dangerous to take a boat, let alone all the noise - and the results I, and the guys who I often fish with, have been getting have blown away the other guys I know who fish from boats - and I'd also say its frustrated them a bit too because they know that they just can't do what we're doing unless they get yaks themselves... Suits me though!

Other pros include the simplicity of yakking - not being restricted to boat ramps, dealing with trailers, rego's, fuel etc etc. Its just so easy to chuck the yak on the roof and away you go. The Mirage Drive is what really does it for me though. A highly effective propulsion system that requires such little effort, which allows me to keep casting whilst maintain position in current or wind - that was my initial impression of the Mirage Drive when I first got the Revo, and I felt I couldn't really ask for anything else when it comes to yak fishing.

But I soon realised the other benefits of 'hands free kayaking', especially during hook ups. Even though we all love getting towed around by big fish, there are times when that will cost you big fish. With the Mirage Drive, I'm able to effectively 'drive down' on big snapper and kings, and I love being able to drag big bream out of racks or other heavy structure, whilst still putting pressure on the fish and regaining lost line. I just can't see how you can do the same thing from a paddle yak - but I'll be the first to admit that I've done very little paddle yak fishing! (Each to their own, but I love the Mirage Drive).

You have received the award of Angler of the year in the Hobie ABT kayak tournaments 2 years in a row, and fished most of the rounds, what were your 3 favourite locations from each series?

A: Yeah, BREAM Kayak AOY back to back - that was awesome, and I am stoked to have pulled it off. The Hobie/BREAM series have been an absolute ball - highly addictive, and I'm proud to have attended every round since it started. The inaugral round in Sydney was pretty unforgettable. In the morning before kick off, it was so weird - hardly anyone knew eachother, there was no banter and you could have heard a pin drop during Steve's briefing. Then, when we all got back in, it was completely different and everyone was helping eachother out, relaxed and having a laugh - that really indicated the birth of a successful competition that lots of people would have a great time being involved in. I placed 6th which was a little bittersweet, because I'd missed out on qualifying for the Grand Final, but at the same time I'd made it into the top 10 (which was a main goal) and I realised that this was a lot of fun and I was keen to do more.

My first win came at Round 3 on the Gold Coast, and naturally I was stoked to bits with that one, and then another win in Round 1 of the second series down at Glenelg in Victoria. You can't beat winning a comp! There have been so many highlights though, and so many great venues. Just about anyone who fished Bemm River or Marlo this year will tell you what insane days of fishing they were, and I was really happy to get to go to Tassie and also to Walpole in WA - two places I've always wanted to fish.

The Grand Final this year is also well worth mentioning. It was such a massive event and a truely fitting end to the series for this year. Seeing so many guys making big efforts not to miss out on the chance of winning the comp was awesome, let alone the spectacle of all those Pro Anglers charging up the river! It was such a cool weekend for everyone.

What do you enjoy most about fishing the kayak tournaments?

A: I love the comps! I've done heaps of game fishing comps over the years and love the extra pressure of really having to catch fish really adds an edge to what would otherwise just be another day out fishing. I'd never fished bream comps until the Hobie Series kicked off, and I was really pleased that the feeling of pressure, and really trying to be at the top of your game was just as intense as in a marlin comp. I feel that over the last couple of years my fishing has really improved exponentially, not only from what I have taught myself, but more importantly from learning from all the other guys taking part. I've also made some really, really good mates purely through being involved in the comps so that has been a major plus too.

Who do you think will be the anglers to look out for in the next series of the Hobie ABT tournaments?

A: Hmmm, thats a tough one!

Last series there were only a few 'regulars', but this year there was a real influx of new faces and some exceptional talent, and with the success of the series this year, I'm highly anticipating seeing another wave of anglers getting involved and I'm sure we'll see some new faces up there on the leader board.
I guess thats dodging the question though...!

There are plenty of guys from last year who I reckon will be in with a shot, but the three I'd be watching out for are Jason 'Zohan' Meech (he's performed consistently well and really knows his stuff), Dan Brown (he just won the Grand Final, so that means he's got a yak and is more than likely going to get a lot more involved in the series next year!, and finally Stewart Dunn - he's an absolute gun angler, and if he gets on a roll, look out! There's also a dark horse called Bevan. He's turned up at a few events but never really showed his true form. I'm pretty sure he's just waiting for the right time....

What species do you enjoy targeting the most?

A: I obviously love chasing bream, but I'm also right into chasing big reds on the South Coast, and ducking up the Clyde looking for bass. I don't really have a favourite though - I'm just a guy who loves his fishing and being out there doing it. If I'm fishing, then I'm happy.

What species would you like to catch from your kayak that you have not already caught?

A: Easy - a marlin.

Its a big call, but I am determined to do it. I've had a lot of experience with marlin from boats over the years so I've got a good idea of what to expect, and I know it certainly won't be easy, but I'll be giving it my best shot each summer until I've done it.

If you were given the choice, to go kayak fishing anywhere in Australia where would it be?

A: I'd love to go up to the Top End and have a go at all those thumping great barra, queenies, threadfin etc that hang around the river mouths and mangroves - I reckon that would be awesome. Naturally the crocs probably mean that will never happen though! I do plan on heading up the coast sometime in the future to chase the LongTail , Cobia, Mackeral and other large pelagics that they get up around Queensland - I'm pretty envious of all those guys! A barra trip is also on the cards.

Is there anyone you would like to thank that has helped you on your journey through kayak fishing and the kayak tournament scene?

A: Yeah a couple of people in particular - firstly my neighbour 'Coops' - its all his fault! If he'd never got into yakking, then I probably never would have either. I'd also like to thank Steve Fields from Hobie - he's given me a huge amount of support, and recently a new career! I'm very happy to be working for Hobie, and its great promoting a product that has personally given me so much enjoyment over the years. Ian Miller (Millerods) has also been right behind me since I began fishing the bream comps, and I'm very grateful for all his support, both in the fantastic rods he builds for me, and for the knowledge he so generously shares. Its great having such an icon of Australian fishing having belief in little old me!

Finally, I want to say the biggest thankyou to all the new guys I've met through my yak fishing journey so far. There really are too many to mention, but without having met such a cool bunch of like minded guys, there is no way I would be enjoying my kayak fishing as much as I am - cheers guys!

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us all Greg, and we look forward to seeing you on the water soon

AN INTERVIEW WITH STEWART 'BLUEYAK' DUNN

Stewart Dunn is a name many people whisper around tournament gatherings, “I wonder how Stuey went?” is usually a silly question. You see, ever since Craig and I met Stewart at round 1 of the 2009 Hobie ABT tournament we couldn’t help but be impressed. Not only was he showing class skills second to none he also pointed me in the direction of some healthy fishing, even though it could have resulted in his downfall (Luckily for him, I flopped badly – ed).

His tournament wins and placings in the various Kayak Fishing comps have earned him great dollars, greater friends and the greatest respect from one and all. He fishes more than most of us think, chasing many types of species and topping PB’s weekly. For Stewart though It’s not all about the glory, it’s about the sharing and Involvement with mates. KFA caught up with ‘The Little Maestro’ for a quick chat, asking the questions most people hardly ever get around to come inquiry time:


How long have you been kayak fishing and how did you get into it?

A: I've been kayak fishing for around ten years now. Originally i was looking for a hobby that would let me get some exercise and keep me on the water when I wasn't surfing, I bought a kayak frenzy and started hitting the local back waters looking for bream on lures. I was instantly addicted and after all these years I still can't get enough.


Most people know you from your blue Ocean kayak Frenzy, how was winning a new Hobie Outback and what has it done to enhance your kayak fishing experience?

A: Winning the Hobie Outback in the Forster fishing carnival (round 4 ABT kayak 2009) was awesome. Apart from the fact that it is simply a much more comfortable kayak to fish out of it has really changed the way I fish at certain spots. Holding position with the mirage drive makes it so much easier to fish around bridge pylons in current looking for Jews. It means I can keep my lures in the strike zone so much longer.




You have done very well in both the SSBS and the ABT Hobie Kayak fishing tournaments, what; if anything have you learned or gained while competing in these competitions?

A: I've had a great time fishing both the Hobie/ABT kayak and the SSBS tournaments. It's been such a good learning curve. You really need to head out with a plan of spots to fish and try not to be concerned by what others are or aren't catching. One thing that really took me by surprise is that fishing a spot that has just been flogged can sometimes pay off. I used to believe that once a spot had been fished pretty hard you may as well just leave it alone but if you try to show the fish something different it can really pay off.

I've also made some great friendships out of the bream tournaments so it's been a really positive experience for me. I remember being so nervous at the first one I went to but I would definitely recommend any one who is considering it to give it a go. It really is the quickest way to improve your skills.


The south Sydney Kayak fishing community seems quite strong and has bonded well with us lads from Canberra and the NSW South Coast, why do you think that is?

A: It's been great fishing with the Canberra and South Coast crew, getting amongst some of those cracking reds on silly string and having a ball at the comps. I'm really enjoying the mateship and friendly rivalry that has evolved within that crew.




Who do you look up to in kayak fishing tournament circles and why?

A: There are so many good guys who I look up to in the kayak fishing scene. Guys like Greg Lewis, Meechy, Craig Coughlan, Jason Price, Carl Dubious, Andrew Death, Scotty Baker and Peter Woods. All these guys can string a bag together wherever they go. To be up there competing with those guys is such a thrill.


What is your favourite species to target from a kayak / favourite area to fish?

A: I like chasing Jew, kings, snapper and bream equally, they all have their own challenges and rewards. Some days the hardest thing is choosing where to go and what to chase with so much good fishing to be had these days. My favourite style of bream fishing would have to be fishing oyster racks; it can be so brutal yet very rewarding.


What about your Barra experience, what it was like hauling in a monster from your Frenzy?

A: Catching meter plus barra from our small kayaks was so much fun. I'll never forget the look on my friend Leigh Blakes face as an absolute beast of a fish came up beside him and threw the hook in an almighty boil, or the first barra I ever saw when my other mate on the trip hooked into a good one amongst the tree's and it launched from the water just meters from me. It really was exciting stuff and we all had meter plus barra under our belts at the end of the trip.




Tell us about the one place you are dying to fish from your kayak?

A: I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY WANT TO GO BACK THERE!


Any goals or future movements for the one nicknamed ‘The Little Maestro?’

A: My goals for kayak fishing will be to keep going down the same road I'm heading, doing well in comps and trying new stuff all the time. By the way, big thank you to Paul and all from Sailing Scene Mona Vale for their past and current support.

YAK FISHER MAGAZINE #50 (WINTER EDITION)

Issue #50 winter edition of Sport Fishing Australia (Incorporating YAK Fisher) is out in stores now, just in time for the onset of seasonal change. The Sport Fishing Australia section features many top articles from seasoned sport fishing journalists such as Jason Metcalf, Shane Mensforth, Brent Hodges, Roderick Walmsley, Nigel Webster, Lee Brake, Daniel Kent just to name a few.

YAK Fisher Kayaking Magazine has Yak news, Tournament results, dedicated Kayak test rundowns and also features many articles by industry stalwarts covering new products / innovations / gear reviews. The winter Issue includes Kayak Fishing in Mckay, Shallow water Cod, Bream Tournamnet Tactics (Go Carl go), Elliot River five C's, Small craft Subs (Gummy Sharks), Winter Impoundment Trouting (By yours truly) and much, much more.

Available at all good newsagents or by subscription,

http://www.afn.com.au/cms/details.asp?NewsID=114

HOBIE ABT GRAND FINAL RESULTS NOW ONLINE

The Grand Final at Forster was perfect in more ways than one (To say the least), a great way to wrap up a very successful series. 48 Competitors battled it out for Bream honours over a two day combined bag limit event. Day one was differing to other rounds with many of the top pros out of the running, needing massive bags to culminate a whole series effort. Not to say the top eight didn’t deserve to be there, anyone who had progressed to the Grand Final had nothing left to prove.

Day two saw some rise and some fall, best of all it reward a win to a local’ish angler who had been competing in Bream Tournaments for the last seven years. Daniel Brown took out the event, earning himself a Hobie Pro Angler kayak, wads of dollars, prestige, a incredible looking trophy and a spot on the next AFC series. His victory speech showed that the man was humbled but also quite knowledgeable.

As for the KFA massive we left holding our heads high (Some were raw from the local Saturday night RSL bash). Craig ‘450’ Coughlan was close to the top 10, Jason and myself made the low 30’s and Paddy notched up some more valuable tournament experience that money just can’t buy. Over 1200kms travelled to and from the event (More for the South Coast) saw us arriving home well after midnight, bruised and battered and inspired as hell to participate and win through next year.

At this stage I would like to take the opportunity to thank Hobie and ABT for a wonderful series, along with Daiwa, Berkley, JML, Hogs Breath and the rest for supporting such grand experiences. The full results are online on the Hobie Fishing website, along with images of the event and a general positive rant and rave.

THE HOBIE ABT GRAND FINAL TOP 5:

1ts Place Daniel BROWN, NSW 3 2.17 3 2.45 6 4.62
2nd Place Andrew KRUSHKA, TAS 3 2.28 3 1.94 6 4.22 3
3rd Place Jordan TRUSTY, VIC 3 2.32 3 1.46 6 3.78
4th Place Greg LEWIS, NSW 3 1.74 3 1.87 6 3.61
5th Place Stewart DUNN, NSW 3 1.94 3 1.64 6 3.58

To view the full results, please click here.

BLF - SQUIDGIE SOUTHERN BREAM SERIES 2010

BLF - Squidgie Southern Bream Series 2010 (Kayak Tournament dates):

• Round 1 - January 31st (Georges River)
  
• Round 2 - 2 February 21st (Batemans Bay)
  
• Round 3 - 3 March 7th (Port Hacking)
  
• Round 4 - April 18th (St Georges Basin)
  
• Round 5 - May 30th (Shoalhaven River)
  
• Round 6 - June 20th (Hawkesbury River)
  
• Round 7 - July 25th (Lake Illawarra)
  
• Round 8 - August 22nd (Tuross)
  
• Round 9 - September 19th (Sydney Harbor)
  
• Grand Final - October 23rd, 24th (St Georges Basin/Shoalhaven)
  

For more information, please visit:
http://www.basinlureandfly.org.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=859

PRESS RELEASE - BWP FISHING HAND PADDLES

Backwater Paddles is launching its patented "hook and teeth" kayak blade design. Predator and Piranha Fishing Hand Paddles and Raptor Kayak Paddles are shocking the paddle sports market. Its revolutionary blade profile has left everyone in awe after their initial introduction to the paddles. Paddle sportsmen and enthusiasts are thrilled by the paddles extraordinary looks, function and safety features.

"The patented 'hook and teeth' blade design instantly grabs your attention." The unique blades provide unparalleled function. The "hook" on the top of the radically designed blades affords the paddler the opportunity to grab onto lines, docks, trees, boats, swimmers, floating gear, or anything you can possibly snag. The "teeth" on the outside blade edge provide positive contact during any pushing evolution with the paddles.

Ed Halm, retired US Naval Survival Instructor and Backwater Paddle Company owner, is capitalizing on one of the fastest growing recreational markets. Paddle sports. Kayaking and canoeing, particularly kayak fishing is exploding into the paddling arena. Kayak and paddle manufacturers are rapidly evolving to develop and introduce new paddle equipment and accessories to satisfy this exploding outdoor sports market. With his vast paddling and military survival experience, Ed identified potential paddling problems and provided distinctive solutions to the paddle sports market in an immeasurable way. Thus, the patented Backwater Paddle design.

The vision of Backwater Paddles is "not to just be another paddle manufacturer, but rather a cultural phenomenon in paddle innovation."

There are no other paddle companies on the market competing with the Backwater Paddles design. There is no sacrificing of hydrodynamics, weight or integral strength with these distinctive paddles. Whether paddling for fun, fitness or fishing, Backwater Paddles patented designs are unmatched in quality, practicality and value. These innovative paddle features guarantee a more controlled and secure evolution while paddling in any environment. These revolutionary paddles can be seen at www.backwaterpaddles.com.

After retiring from the Navy, Ed launched Backwater Paddle Company in 2007. Ed is known and respected throughout Central Florida for his comprehensive knowledge of wildlife and paddling. He is a kayak eco-tour guide and avid paddle sportsman. A paddling adventure down the Econlochatchee River in Central Florida forever changed the outlook of the basic kayak blade configuration. For decades, manufacturing materials have been the only significant modifications in paddle blade designs. Plastic to composite materials, from cheap to expensive, paddle blades have all looked and performed the same since the Inuit's first stretched seal skins over wooden frames.

Backwater Paddle Company is manufacturing and marketing the exclusive seven ounce Predator and Piranha Kayak Fishing Hand Paddles to kayak anglers and sportsmen. Kayak hand paddles were specifically designed to meet the needs of skinny (shallow) water fishermen and sportsmen desiring stealth in their fishing and sporting endeavors.

Paddle or fish? Paddle or shoot? This is the kayak angler and kayak sportsmen's invariable dilemma. How do I fish, photograph or hunt while paddling my kayak? How can I stealthily move my boat without spooking the prey?

Backwater Paddles introduction of the Predator and Piranha Fishing Hand Paddles to the kayak angler and sportsmen market was again precipitated by function. The demand for fishing hand paddles was born from necessity. See the exclusive fishing hand paddles and action videos at www.backwaterpaddles.com/Stalker.html

Have you ever tried holding an eight foot fishing rod and move your kayak with a seven foot paddle simultaneously? It is a very cumbersome proposition from the start. You either have to put down your rod, then paddle, or grow another arm. You cannot selectively hold a rod or camera with one hand and paddle your boat with a standard kayak paddle. Stow that unwieldy kayak paddle and grab a seven ounce Predator or Piranha Hand Paddle. Effortlessly move your kayak with one hand while continuing to fish, photograph or hunt without spooking your prey.

Please visit http://store.backwaterpaddles.com to purchase select Backwater Paddles models. Backwater Paddles Predator and Piranha Kayak Fishing Hand Paddles are readily available to kayak anglers and sportsmen. Raptor Kayak and Havoc Canoe paddles are slated for release this summer. Backwater Paddle articles and paddle reviews can be seen at www.KayakFishingMagazine.net/gear-guide and at www.kayakonline.com/paddles. All paddles come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Dealerships and ground floor investment opportunities are available. Paddle shops, outfitters and prospective investors can contact Ed Halm at Backwater Paddle Company for further information.

Paddle With Attitude...Paddle Anywhere!!