HOW FAR WILL YOU GO?

[THE WATER SHED]

Since opening The Water Shed we have had lots of Kayak fishermen coming into the shop. Like us all they don't mind a good story telling session of the last trip out.
I had 1 good Hobie man come in who had been out 8 miles North of Cape Reinga in his Hobie Tandem Island in search for the big King Fish and by all accounts was very successful.

I would like to know how far you go out in your Kayak in search for good fishing grounds?

[Limitless]

With serious trip planning and carrying a full size 25W VHF with long range antenna (along with all the rest of my safety kit) I've GPS'd several trips in excess of 13.5nm (25km) from the nearest land on paddle power alone (no sails or motors). Mostly they have been to fish beyond the 200m mark from Cape Karikari. It's a wide blue ocean out there and to be so far away from islands and the coast puts a whole different perspective on your paddling!

Just as an aside - the fishing was rubbish, but the adventure was awesome!

Disclaimer - I've done this several times and the planning is extensive with very strict go/no-go decision criteria. If a single no-go factor is triggered the trip is converted to a safer "Plan B" alternate. There is very little chance of assistance out there, and even with the full size VHF and high gain antennae communication was difficult. Only attempt this type of expedition if you have all the safety equipment and suitable experience.

[Jamie D]

Stephen , I think what you do by saying that your going on these 25km trips out into the ocean is you place a bench mark in the minds of others one which inspires . Obviously as you say a sane rational man isn't going to rush out there and complete a trip like that tomorrow without all the gear and the appropriate experience, however what it does do is prove it can be done and place the thought in a mans mind it's possible .

[Limitless]

Thanks Prowlin, that's why I talk about it rather than hide what I sometimes get up to.It also let's me spread the necessary safety messages and make the point its about fun and adventure rather than being necessary to catch fish.

[Hairy Little Dwarf]

I think the furthest I used to do to a regular spot would be about 3mile. But I'm not chasing trophies anymore so now content with fishing the wash and shallows to get a feed.

I hate paddling empty water with nothing to look at, gets too tedious for me now

[Jamie D]

Sidenote; I must say in my mind and this is just for me, someone saying they are going miles offshore in a paddle yak is inspiring and courageous as opposed to someone saying they are going miles offshore in a Tandem or Adventure Island, lets be honest , they're small yachts .

[paddlesnap]

You're onto it Prowlin , and thanks Limitless for all your articles and inspiration ( Actually it's his articles that got me thinking I can do the fishing in the sea kayak)
I have recently got myself a hand held GPS and will tell accurately soon and I know 60km day paddles I have done already by plotting on charts .
These are quite easily attainable and Guys regularly pack their Sea kayaks for unsupported trips of 10 days to go to Great barrier from Auckland via top of Coromandel, or round coast to Whitianga or Tauranga.
Still reckon a good double Seakayak would be the shizz for catching Beakies as easy to get good speed up and one could skipper while the other played the fish.

[THE WATER SHED]

Quit the adventures. Its really cool that you guys get that far out and Im presuming that the safety factor is fully respected .

[oldwetfish]

I am sure you will remember te epic tale from last year.
The 40 or so kilometre (non stop) trop from Auckland to Coromandel.
if not see the link below:
http://www.kayakfishingnz.com/forum/vie ... f=8&t=6301

That is currently my longest trip, but that is not to say that there wont be a longer one this year.

I am now based in the Whangaparaoa, so I will possibly consider a whangaparaoa to Coromandel trip this year.
its a little longer (about 55km) but there are lots of islands along the way.

[nzimp]

I am full of admiration of those that head out further than I would want to go in anything too small to have its own lifeboats. Thought about it lots but tend to make my long trips up and down the coast for the scenery and landing points. I am quite happy paddling out to the nearest sign of fish or reef and dropping a line. If I get a hit that's pretty much as far as I go. Done a couple of near 20km trips but that is all day with half of it drifting, laid back watching the world go by.

[WaikatoYakka]

26km in a day circumnavigating all the Islands from Papa Aroha to Amodeo bay. Probably about 3km of drift in that also.

(I'll never do that wearing a 6mm wetsuit mid November again)

[Rusty]

yes you did look a bit hot and bothered when you made it back

[destin]

42Km

[Gannet73]

Easter Barrier trip from Stoney Bay to Rakitu Island 130km approx (give or take aborted haul outs and double backs).

Easterlys 10 knots, 1 metre swell (add 20 metres when going around cape barrier)

both Colville crossings took about 3 hours.

[BigDave]

42Km

Yeah but you travel 20k on your normal route don't you? Like, weekly...

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk 2

[Pointloader]

Interesting to see this thread pop up again, I never thought I would paddle anything I considered excessive when I started yak fishing just over a year ago (at that time I thought 8km was excessive) however with more time on the water than I really thought I would spend, I have now done a 32km trip with very little drifting/fishing in a day with plenty of time and a surprisingly a little energy left in the tank to possibly go further, I am starting to wonder what that limit would be.
My fitness level could do with some work to make this a lot easier, and paddle technique could definatley do with some training so maybe it will go on hold for a while - I am after all known for being lazy when it comes to most things, somehow this got missed off the lazy list

[Kerry]

Easter Barrier trip from Stoney Bay to Rakitu Island 130km approx (give or take aborted haul outs and double backs).

Easterlys 10 knots, 1 metre swell (add 20 metres when going around cape barrier)

both Colville crossings took about 3 hours.

Hey mate thats a epic trip How'd the fishing go?

[poodle]

LOL... I live near a pretty good fishing spot so about 300m to get to the fish but I once paddled almost a km out to sea

[Gannet73]

Hey Kerry, yeah big trip, took the dive gear, left the rods behind, bit of a test trip. Remember xmas when I took ages to reach you in the current at spirits bay, well had plenty of that going on down at the cape barrier. Got on the home brew and socialised mainly.. Saw a whale!

[Hairy Little Dwarf]

I think the OP was more after distance offshore rather than round trips, but if anyone wants to throw down the gauntlet of single day GPS triplogs, I'm in for a bit of friendly competition