Kayak Fishing UK

New from Ocean Kayak Torque Angler

The Torque Angler is inspired by the much loved Prowler Trident 13, but is a completely new design with a twist, the rear tank well has a slot to accommodate a Minn Kota Maximiser trolling motor which provides 33 pounds of thrust and yes its approved for saltwater!

Steering is hands free via foot controlled extra large rudder, perfect for lure, fly fishermen and those with disabilities. The Minn Kota has forward and reverse drive all controlled with a speed control knob within the cockpit.

The motor can be assembled and disassembled without tools. If you want to go for a paddle a skeg can be fitted in the tank well slot to improve tracking.

Colours are Yellow or sand, length of 4.2m (13’ 10” for us old buggers).

Since first seeing the Ocean Kayak Torque, I was quite keen, along with a few others to get out and try her in ernest. The keenness surprised me, I've never thought that was a place for a kayak with a motor in my life, but seeing her on the stand at Southampton made something stir deep inside.

I had to wait a while before I could get my hands on her, she was a roaring success at her first outing in Devon, but I was unable to get down to the demo day. However, there was an AnglersAfloat meet in Lowestoft near to the home of Johnson Outdoors Watercraft in the UK.

Andrew had agreed to drop off the demo fleet and on Saturday evening he was good to his word, I was returning back to the slipway on Oulton Broad when John came flying past me on the Torque, back at the slip there was an orderly queue of the lads waiting to get out and have a go, I had to wait my time.

So I decided to use my time wisely and headed out on the new Ocean Kayak Nalu, a paddle board, something new to me, but having had many different styles of board under my feet at some time during my life, I felt very at home on the Nalu. For those looking for a good upper and lower body workout along with a bit of fun, this might just be the bit of kit your looking for.

Nice paddle.

As the light began to fade I managed to get out for a quick blast on the broad with the Torque. I was impressed.

Next morning many of the lads headed out to sea, only a handful of us going out on the broad. When I wheel'd the Scupper Pro down to the slipway, the Torque was sat there glistening in the sunshine just where we had left it the previous night. I decided that fate was with me and I should spend some time getting to know the Ocean Kayak Torque a little better.

I tackled the Torque up and trollied the short way to the water and headed out.

The Minn Kota drive unit is controlled by a small lever in front of the Rod Pod, there is a small delay before the motor kicks in, this is normal with an electric motor, but does take a little getting use to when maneuovering amongst the boats!

Clear of the marina I pushed hard on the rudder peddle, she did a 360 in around 2 boat lengths a little less when leaned hard, enough playing silly beggers, time to fish.

This demo Ocean Kayak Torque is the only one in the UK, Johnson Outdoors Watercraft were still waiting for the first container with units for sale to arrive, and it was still fishless.

I dropped my new favourite lure (it caught the day before) over the side and started to head down towards the reeds between the house boats. I upped the revs a little guessing I was travelling at around 2.5-3mph, the rod lurched in my hands and a healthy bend was put into the light spinning rod. I shut the engine off and using the rudder turned the yak side on to the fish. The Pike took a couple of good runs, stripping line from the spool it was a nice fish, I had to bully it a little as I was keen to get it onboard, after its third run my rod decided to snap at the spigot on the top section, this was going to be fun. Thankfully the Pike was tiring and came along side with little trouble, with the lure across its chin I wasn't able to chin it as normal, so had to grab it behind the neck, not the best method.

Unhooking the little beauty swiftly, she was lifted for the camera...

... the first fish caught from an Ocean Kayak Torque in the UK... Cheers!

I spent a further 3 hours on the Ocean Kayak Torque, sadly no more Pike, but we did grow close, I was impressed with the ease of fishing from her and can't wait to try fly fishing at sea from her. For fishing where having your hands free is an absolute bonus, lure and fly fishing, I can see the Ocean Kayak Torque becoming quite popular, I'll be making room in my garage!

Disability Day a Huge Success

Llangorse Lake, Brecon was the venue for a disability sailing and kayaking fun day. AnglersAfloat.co.uk in association with Powys County Council, Disability Sport Wales, and the Llangorse Sailing Club held the event on a calm, sunny Saturday in June.

The event catered for all disabilities with over 40 people pre-booked and more turning up on the day. The boys and girls from AnglersAfloat made 90 trips around the top part of the lake giving a safe escort to those wishing to paddle a sit-on-top kayak, either alone, or with the aid of an experienced paddler.

Fun was at the top of the agenda, but with a keen eye on safety from the Anglers Afloat, Keith Rollason, RYA level 3 instructor and Steve Raynor a BCU Level 3 Instructor.

Once everyone had been given the opportunity to paddle out on the lake and splash the safety officer, it was time for some pike fishing, trolling lures being the order of the day.

With the abundance of weed and warm water temperatures we knew the fishing would be tough, however a group from the British Disabled Anglers Association, all kayak fishing for the first time, were having a wail of a time, with full access to a lake, when so often they can only fish the few pegs allocated for wheel chair users, the lads were keen to explore and Terry was soon into a pike, chinned, unhooked and released with ease, he later described kayak fishing as “Freedom Afloat“.

There was only one more hook up before the day was done, sadly it was the one that got away.

With the Llangorse Sailing Club taking visitors out in sailability dinghy’s and a few lucky ones out in the safety boats it was a day that all will remember.

Thanks must go to Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Ltd for sending their Ocean Kayak demo fleet, WSB Tackle for supplying spinning outfits for the kids, Ammo Bait for a selection of dead baits and Kiddy and Sons for a huge selection of lures, all of which helped make the day such a huge success.

Easysearch.org.uk

During 2008 our forum members began fund raising for various charities, our main charity being the RNLI. For 2009 we have joined the Easysearch.org.uk scheme, and have added their search button to our Menu Bar. For each search using this button funds are added to our charity pot.

As well as Easysearch.org.uk there is work going on in the background to help a variety of charities throughout 2009.

All of the monies received will be redirected to our chosen charities and not used to fund AnglersAfloat in any way.

Rod Holder, Mounts and Rod Leash Guide

At last a list of the most popular rod holders, mounts and rod leashes, we know that there are a few others to add to the list such as Fladens offering, but as yet we have not been able to get a photo or specific details, we will update as those details become available.

Click here for more details.

Thinking about having a go at kayak fishing

You might like to read our new Getting Started Guide, click here.