The first launch...

[imnotoriginal]

After over a year of talking about it I finally bought myself a hobie outback last weekend. After a false start last Sunday and some discussion with those in the know I finally got her on the water today for her first outing.

Got to Kawana well before sunrise and went through all the rigmarole to get her ready, eventually putting her in the canals not long after the sun had popped over the horizon. After adjusting all sorts of bits and bobs finally got stuck into some fishing around the kawana marina and on my second cast had a small bream smack my plastic, only for him to drop off about 3 foot from the kayak. I dropped the plastic right in front of his nose before he bolted and he took it again, less than a foot from the kayak, but this time only by the very tip of the tail...smartarse!

This continued on for the rest of the day, with numerous hits from Bream that only wanted to play with the tails of the shrimp and wouldn't touch a powerbait or turtleback worm. Nuggstar joined me for a short while and managed a few smaller fish before heading off to try another spot.

I had another rod rigged with a switchblade that I threw a few casts with, but I wasn't a fan of the splash it was making when it hit the water, so I left that out the back while I was moving around and cast with the plastics. I did manage a great hit on the switchblade as it was trolled, but didn't have my act together with what goes where in the yak yet and by the time I had my hand on the rod it was all over.

Luckily, a few pike and moses perch saved me from a complete duck on my first trip, but it was good to get out and play with the new toy;D .
Joel

[stack]

sounds like a bit of fun,hope nuggs did`nt catch anything after you left Joel.

stack

[imnotoriginal]

lol, he left my spot way before I did, bound for a jack and trev spot supposedly. I called him as I was leaving and he hadn't managed either to that point, but he's probably been to another 5 or 6 spots since then. He just keeps trying til he gets one!
Joel

[jim_bream]

Welcome to the quiet side Joel!
No motor, no petrol, no smoke, no easy way home in the wind!!! I just got a yak a few weeks ago and have spent every available moment on the water. Being close to DW Bend ramp is also a good excuse...
Just remember this: warm up before you go out the first few times or you'll pay big time the day after! And always take leak just before you get in... sure as G-d made little apples, as soon as I sit down I get the 'yellow' light.
Enjoy, and if you ever come down Brisbane way give us a holler, I'll show you around.
Cheers and happy yakking.
Jimbo.
P.S. Are you fishing the Lake Wivenhoe Kayak & Canoe Convention?

[stack]

lol, the man loves it doesnt he.

stack

[imnotoriginal]

Welcome to the quiet side Joel!
No motor, no petrol, no smoke, no easy way home in the wind!!! I just got a yak a few weeks ago and have spent every available moment on the water. Being close to DW Bend ramp is also a good excuse...
Just remember this: warm up before you go out the first few times or you'll pay big time the day after! And always take leak just before you get in... sure as G-d made little apples, as soon as I sit down I get the 'yellow' light.
Enjoy, and if you ever come down Brisbane way give us a holler, I'll show you around.
Cheers and happy yakking.
Jimbo.
P.S. Are you fishing the Lake Wivenhoe Kayak & Canoe Convention?

The yellow light was what called an end to proceedings today! I hadn't even heard of the convention, I'm just going to spend the next few weekends doing short trips around some of my favourite spots, working out a lot of the little things before I make any improvements to the yak. I've recently recalled the exercise bike from the garage to help with the fitness, but so far the biggest workout is getting the yak on and off the car! Cheers for the invite Jimbo, I may have to hit the pine with you one day.
Joel

[breamnut]

i can see it now nugg and yourself team hobie!:P

[imnotoriginal]

Yeah right Nath, not unless someone buys one for him. There's too many lures, leaders, plastics, jigheads, rods, reels and all sorts of other bits and bobs for Nugg to spend his money on before he'll save enough for a hobie! Maybe if he finds another wallet, it'd have to be a fat wallet though!
Joel

[Pistol_P]

Ok Joel...

My kayak has been sitting in the garage getting cob webs on it.

When the tuna and mackeral hit the bay here are you keen to chase them..?

Pete

[jim_bream]

Ha ha ha, I know what you mean, sometimes I stop for a breather & drink after I take the yak out the car and load her up. (Gotta love those roomy VN wagons!!)
Let us know if you head down to Brisbane.
Jimbo

[imnotoriginal]

Ok Joel...

My kayak has been sitting in the garage getting cob webs on it.

When the tuna and mackeral hit the bay here are you keen to chase them..?

Pete

Nice, what sort of yak do you have Pete? I'm going to have to get a few practice sessions in first, get the confidence levels up, but it sure sounds like fun. Have you seen the winter edition of yak fisher with Paulo's marlin from a Hobie Revolution? Getting towed 3km by a marlin and landing it, classic!
Joel

[Pistol_P]

Nice, what sort of yak do you have Pete? I'm going to have to get a few practice sessions in first, get the confidence levels up, but it sure sounds like fun. Have you seen the winter edition of yak fisher with Paulo's marlin from a Hobie Revolution? Getting towed 3km by a marlin and landing it, classic!
Joel

I have a perception Joel.

You will love it in the bay mate....I have been on top of a school of tuna and had them hitting the yak from underneath....awesome fun.
Never once have I seen a shark either.

Heres a photo of my PB longtail from the yak to warm you up.

http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o326/PeterMorris_Photo/LagunaBayLongtailFromKayak24-06--1.jpg

Pete

[nufin_flash]

hey mate great to see ya finally got the yak you were dreaming about cant wait to hear your reports , surprised you haven't posted any pics of it yet

[imnotoriginal]

I have a perception Joel.

You will love it in the bay mate....I have been on top of a school of tuna and had them hitting the yak from underneath....awesome fun.
Never once have I seen a shark either.

Heres a photo of my PB longtail from the yak to warm you up.

Pete

NICE! That would have been an awesome day! Even better to do it from a paddler, I tried one but I got the irrits with picking up and putting down the paddle all the time so I could fish and keep myself in position.


hey mate great to see ya finally got the yak you were dreaming about cant wait to hear your reports , surprised you haven't posted any pics of it yet

Cheers Jose, I was hoping nugg would get a few photos of me on the water but he arrived after I'd already launched and had moved on before I brought her back in. There's sure to be a photo or two on their way in the coming weeks.
Joel

[choppa]

maybe this was you i spotted,,,,,lol