KAYAK fishing is becoming increasingly popular and in the current fuel crisis it all makes good sense.
I’m finding kayak fishers heading further to sea in the quest for snapper and kingfish.
It is surprising for me in “Stinkpot” when I’m out bobbing around in front of the Fingal lighthouse to hear someone say “G’day mate”.
So quiet are kayaks that you do not hear them coming.
Inside the harbour, kayakers work the shallow water for flathead in Tilligerry Creek, North Arm Cove, Pindimar and the Karuah River tossing plastics or hard body lures behind the oyster racks on the top of the tide.
Outside the heads, in the open ocean, things are different.
Considering the swell and wind direction and strength kayakers launch off the beach at Fingal and Boat Harbour and paddle out to the close reefs or rocky outcrops.
Conditions are perfect for kayakers to launch in Kiddies Corner, in the southern corner of Fingal Beach, which is protected from most swells.
From Kiddies Corner, the kayakers head for the south-western tip of Fingal Island just out of the Marine Park Sanctuary Zone or head to Battleship which is the first rocky outcrop south.
Drifting and tossing plastics has proven to be very successful particularly for snapper.
Some choose to toss unweighted baits of king prawn, cubed yellowtail or fillet of slimy mackerel.
Anchoring can create problems, particularly if the rock anchor jams in 40 feet of water and cannot be lifted.
The answer for those who prefer to anchor is to use a bag of sand instead of a rock pick.
By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE
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