Thursday 21 November 2013

Ocean kayak prowler 13, review

Ocean kayak prowler 13, review
Hi all welcome to my review of the prowler 13.
I bought this kayak some years ago and fished it for near 3 years.
I have to say I really liked this kayak, it was fast enough on the water, tracking was quiet good and had lots of storage and comfortable.
 
                   Here was my new kayak the day it landed, My son Craig had to try it out for size.
                                         He was chased out before he got to comfortable lol.

On the water
On the water this kayak is easy paddled and quiet stable. I can comfortably paddle at 3knots with out busting a gut. It comes with 2 built in rod holders that are quiet good.
It is not bad for pushing through small surf, but is dificult to surf back in.
The only disadvantage I found was not having some where to gear safely away when making a rough landing. But thats what the ocean kayak trident is for.
                         
                                    Pic taken by a friend of mine Sean O'Carrol
Tracking.
The only time I have any hassle is when I have a strong breeze from behind it has a habit of trying to swing in the wind. But that's just kayaks for you you could add a rudder but in my view it is not necessary

Comfort
The seating is not bad at all and I find it good for long sessions [8hrs plus] But friends of mine haven't found it as comfortable but with a comfy foam seat they seemed quiet happy.
As this kayak came with rod holders already in a good position there wasn't much for me to add, I just added a fish finder and made some rod holders for the rods when in fishing position.
This kayak is not to heavy at 28kg and can be put on to the roof of your car with out any help.
Just watch yourself on a breezy day as its easy to bang the car with 13ft of kayak swinging about.
Along day afloat and a total of 24 spurdogs, 5 ling, 1 codling and 1 good whiting.
You need comfort when out for along day of this action.
                                      
Heres my well used kayak ready for sale and went to its new owner with many years of kayaking left in it. I only sold it so I could get the trident 13 for the center console, for rough landings.

Over all.
Over all I found this kayak a really nice kayak very reasonably priced and if you where never going to make a surf landing I don't see any reason why this kayak couldn't do you for all your kayak fishing.
In short its easy enough paddled, good on a lumpy day, handles moderate surf well is even ideal on small lakes.
So if your looking for an angling kayak in my view it really is a kayak to have a look at and if possible try before you buy, if your over 6ft tall the prower 15 may be a better choice for you.
I hope this has helped you.
So untill next time tight lines and stay safe.

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Dip Dyna Kabura 180-.100. Review

Dip Dyna Kabura 180-100, action 20g to 100g and 5.6ft long
Hi all heres my review of the above rod.
I was in Farrens filling station in Culdaff recently, I know not where you would expect to find a range of fishing gear. But they have a modest amount of gear, but it seems to be every thing you would want for a good days fishing, They have a good range of ready made rigs, leads and all you need to make your own to. Along with a good selection of frozen baits.

Back to the Dip Dyna Kabura I was in the shop and I spyed the rod and I liked the look of  it alot.
Its like one of those speed jigging rods you see on youtube, It has a sensitive tip and also has a plenty of back bone for heavier fish. They are very reasonably priced and worth every penny.
The rings are good and sturdy and the reel seat can take a decent sized fixed reel.
The rod sensitivity and strong back bone was apperent on my first trip out I had a go at corkwing wrasse and ballen wrasse and you could feel the nibbles coming and bang a good scrapping fish on the end.The rod is great fun with a good scrapper on or even a tiddler.
I have a vid below of it in action, catching from small golden shinneys, ballen wrasse and up to 7.3lb pollack and it was well able for them all.
Heres the vid and I hope you enjoy it.

                                

Home made kayak trolley.

Home made kayak trolley
As per title I eventually got around to making a new kayak trolley.
I made it this time from stainless steel. the first one was made of standard box iron.
This trolley work well for so it was worth the making a stainless version.
It's quiet easy to make and the video below shows you how to make it.
It comes apart and can be stowed in the forward hatch of the Ocean kayak prowler and trident 13.
In total it weighted 12lb including the wheels and I don't notice it in the forward hatch when paddling.
Heres the vid on how to make it and hope you enjoy it.
 
 
Here is the old one, this was my first attempt it worked well so I had to make a stainless version.

Monday 11 November 2013

2013 my highlights

Even though it's only november I have put my years kayak angling highlights together on a video.
I had some amount of video this year it was hard to trim it down and I just put the best of the year on it,
There is a small bit from my basking shark encounter that made quiet few a tv apperiences and news papers. I was delighted but a bit bewildered by the hype but none the less it was a bit of fun while it lasted.
My own personal favorite was being dragged around by a porbegal for almost half an hour. It was fantastic and nerve racking all at the same time. That will be hard to be for an adrenilin rush.
This year has been my best year of tope from the kayak and managed around 35 tope, the best funnily enough where a male and a female around the 35lb mark.
The best sport of which was had on lough foyle fishing in less than 35 feet of water they screamed up and down in the shallows. Seriously good fun. And I will be counting the days untill they come back.
So not to bore you's to much heres the vid its about 18mins a tad long but thats as small as I could make it. There was to much good stuff lol.
I hope you enjoy the video, and tight lines untill the next time.