KayaKing new Equipment and Advise

Hi all!so we've taken  bold step to do some kayak fishing!We've managed to get some inflatable ones because most of us live in HDB flats.

Here we'll review the different kayaks as well as inform you on what you should not do when using an inflatable kayak.
note that this is based on an individual's opinion and does not necessarily reflect upon those whom are better at this kind of fishing.

 so the first kayak in review is the Advance Element Air Fusion. this is in fact the flagship model for Advance element inflatable kayaks. built with very sturdy material enforced with metal rods as you can see,this kayak comes with a separate rudder.

the Air Fusion Kayak is smooth in the water and cuts through the current like a blade due to its balanced buoyancy and thick PVC exterior.This kayak was build for speed most definitely and can get you to places far.
whats the downside to such a "perfect" inflatable kayak?first of, setting up and keeping it is a hassle and takes a long time at least half an hour if a single person sets it up himself.Next is the weight.weighing at almost 30LB this kayak is not one that would be easily transported on a bus or train but if you have a car thats perfectly fine.

If you're one to choose convenience over performance than this kayak is not advisable.However if you wouldnt mind spending time setting it up to have a good trip out,meaning that performance is placed above convenience than this is definitely the right choice for you.

currently this kayak is going for $1000-$1200 retail which was what the owner invested.
you can get it for a secondhand price(if you're able to locate it online), it'll set you back around $600-$700 the bare minimum.




Second kayak in review would be the Lagoon 1. this kayak is like a couch at sea.very buoyant and comes with an inflatable seat making it a very comfortable ride. the ride is smooth and moves quite well against the current out at sea and only requires 10 mins of set up and packing.it has a double valve system as well so in the event that one layer punctures,you will still stay afloat.

downside to this?the speed.this kayak is very buoyant and doesn't do so well when paddling against the strong current.although it is possible to maneuver but it takes extra effort to paddle and move forward. once we were out at sea and it started raining so naturally,strong waves are formed by the strong winds and every 2 paddles I make,I was set back by 1 by the current. so before deciding to set out with this kayak, do consider the weather.
but in terms of weight?it is about 20LB in weight as is considered quite light.

 Lots of space in the kayak as you can see and the external material is enforced with a cloth like material to ensure that puncturing this kayak is not easy. the thick PVC layer also helps to protect against any sharp or rugged objects that it may collide with.(Rocks, clams,fish spikes etc.)

 If you were to invest in a more convenient foot air pump, it'll set you back for an additional $32.
retail, this would go for $500-$600 for a first hand in Singapore from active sports.com .
However i got this at a steal at only $230 which included a free foot pump,free lifevest and a new set of more professional paddles(Drift Pro).




last but not least is the Sevylor QuickPak K1.Currently out of production by the company and heavily in demand by consumers as a cheap and convenient kayak. this kayak folds up into a backpack and weights only 11LB! but whats the catch?the material of course. despite being made with a strong PVC material,it is relatively thin and punctures quite easily(even in storage).when using this kayak, do take caution when landing as fish as you'll never know when a fish might decide to toss and flip,creating a huge hole in the kayak. But of course like many non seaworthy kayaks, this kayak has definitely been tested out by ambitious fisherman due to its low cost and the fact that it is easy to clean.also another thing to consider is the speed out at sea.just like the lagoon 1,it isn't built for speed.

for a first hand, it will cost probably around $200-300 and for a secondhand about $150-200.



Advise and tip for kayak fishing:
1)always have a patch kit or the very least, strong PVC tape.you'll never know when you'll need it and if you're out in deeper waters the more you should be concern for safety as the shore will be quite a distance. sharp objects and even your fishing hooks may penetrate the material and cause a puncture.

2)always have a air pump with you or at least with a friend when kayaking. the hot weather and the possibility of puncturing your kayak means that you have to inflate your kayak well to maneuver back to shore. it's definitely bulky and space consuming but you'll be thankful if anything happens out at sea.

3)always have a life vest on.this is the most obvious and basic instruction.cant swim?it'll be a terrible mistake.even if you can swim you cant swim forever to stay afloat and the fact that the sea has current makes it even harder to move and stay afloat without a vest.

4)know the weaknesses in your kayak.Be it the material of the kayak that is easily punctured or the area in which it is safest to land a big fish. many a times people new to this don't realise that if a big fish comes along and you are not prepared,your kayak could easily flip sideways into the water and capsize instantaneously.

5) always be prepared for a situations.bring a pliers, a pair of scissors, a knife or  a pen knife. you'll never know what you'll encounter out there that may place you in harms way.a few problems we had were with gill nets.the build in dagger boards and rudders and even our fishing rod line often get caught in gill nets thus making it difficult to get free of these hap hazards. always be prepared to make important decisions to ensure that you will not run into dangerous situations.

6)head back when the weather looks bad.even if there are very few dark clouds looming above you, it is always safe to take precaution out there.stay near to shore when you suspect bad weather or if you're far out from shore,do head back promptly. there are many things that will pose a danger out there.Firstly lightning, impossible?not really especially if you have a fishing rod and the fact that you may be the tallest object out there. also the current is another factor.strong currents,wind and rain can capsize your boat or push in enough seawater to flood your boat making it heavier.

7) Try your best to travel with your friend.though it is easier to travel alone at times but having a friend with you, will benefit greatly. not just to hold a conversation during the boring times but also to look out for you in the ocean.the sea shows no mercy and will not aid you in times or trouble but a friend can and will.

that's all the info you can give you for now!do stay tune for the posts on our trips out!

cheers and peace out
-Abel

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KayaKims

by: Abel Yeo

after fishing for several years it was time to take the next logical step and try out kayak fishing to gain a new skill and to increase our catch rate!

to start off,we've invested in inflatable kayaks because they are the most sensible thing to get for someone who lives in a HDB flat.

the kayaks featured here are both from "Advanced Elements" series; Air Fusion and Lagoon 1.

why the sudden interest?because beach casting is generally a LIE!

to start off we've ventured to Pasir Ris waters to scout for good fishing locations. we've only been landing reasonable fishes but nothing big or exclusive yet as we're only using dead prawn meat for now.each time testing out the type of fishes that are caught in particular areas. Of course we'll be starting to micro jig and madai jig as soon as we familiarize ourselves with managing a kayak while fishing.

do take a look at our recent catches.

the most common fish caught offshore pasir ris is of course marine catfishes and eeltail catfishes!Pasir ris is never short of these even when plenty are being hooked up and kept,there seems to be a sustainable amount of them regardless.these catfish put up a pretty decent fight and struggle!it's always easy to identify a catfish on the line as they tend to "wobble" and swim from side to side.they tend to grow up to at least 1kg or more so if they are too small do release them as they don't exactly have the biggest fillets after filleting them.

 These fishes are more common just under the blue barrels where the're is structure,there is definitely these small fishes which tend to lurk around just bellow.the striped perch and tripod fish arent commonly caught if you cast from the beach so thats a new species that we've only uncovered in Pasir Ris.

Toadfish are very common all over Singapore. however the bigger ones tend to be found in deeper waters.they dont put up a fight and are generally lazy fish that just looks plain ugly. if you're considering to try them do note that they have a slightly muddy flavour as they are afterall bottom feeders. Dont be fooled by their appearances,they are extremely hardy fish and can survive out of water for a very long time so dont try sticking your fingers into their mouths even after you've brought them home,else you would be caught between their serrated teeth with extreme biting force.

Stingrays are definitely a prized catch however one must understand that they have the potential to grow much bigger.This is something many irresponsible anglers tend to forget and therefore they keep juvenile ones reducing the population of these poor creatures.stingrays often put up a good fight despite their size and tend  to suck to the bottom if you're not quick enough to reel them up. of course common sense tells you to keep away from their stings at it inflicts a painful sting when you get stabbed by the barb.But in the event that you do get stung by mistake do not panick as it is non venomous or toxic as many believe.

Breams are always a good catch and most that can swallow size 1 or 2 hooks are usually of reasonable size. they, like many "silver" and "scaley" fish tend to swim down when being hooked so do loosen your drag after you cast to ensure that a surprise strike will not catch you off guard.

Swamp eels and Moray eels are common in Pasir Ris. though they are quite an irritating thing to catch, they do put up a good struggle and swim down when hooked. However it is difficult to remove the hook when an eels takes the bait.The eel is most of the time gut hooked or it'll produce a gel like substance that will set on your rigs that produce a rather fowl smell. Most of the time, rigs cannot be saved unless the eel doesnt coil round the rig or it has not swallowed the bait completely.

other random photos of where we ventured to

thats all we've documented for 2 days out at sea and stay tuned for more action and catches!who knows?maybe videos the next round? Why are we called fishing kims?keep an eye out for an upcoming post that contains all of our KIM bak Lor catches (or also known as barramundi)

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