[Garfish]

Hi all,

After much guidance from the members on the forum - I'm now the proud owner of a new SOT. I went for the new Malibu MiniX, which I'm currently busy roadtesting in East Gippsland.

Even though windy conditions kept me at bay this morning, the last two mornings have been superb for kayaking. While the fish are yet to come to the party, I couldn't be happier with the yak's performance.

The stability is unbelievable, and the speed for a small yak seems to be good - I'll have to put it to the ultimate test when I have some other yaks for company.

The quality of the build is sensational, while the location of the four rod holders is excellent. I really didn't want to cut in to my yak too early - so the luxury of having all 4 setup from the word go is terrific.

Following my outings so far - the only remaining issues are:

1) Anchor Rig - I'm currently using a 4kg block of cement mixed in a water jug, tied to 10m of rope. This doesn't seem to be holding that well, and rope is getting in the way. I've looked at the various postings, and like the look of The Mariner's rig consisting of a cutting board with cleat screwed on. I think this is tossed over the side once secured and held on the kayak with a clip. This seems like a straight forward way of removing access rope, without modifying the yak.

2) Paddle - How do people secure their paddle to the kayak? Obviously I'm using a leash, but I'd also like to clip it to the kayak somehow, rather than rest it on my legs. Any ideas?

Again, thanks to everyone for their advice and the wisdom that they provided through the forum. It's given me the confidence to pretend like I know what I'm doing!

 

[paffoh]

Garfish,

Pretending is half the fun, welcome again mate we all look forward to reading your reports... You are in some good company!

Cheers,

 

[Dodge]

2) Paddle - How do people secure their paddle to the kayak? Obviously I'm using a leash, but I'd also like to clip it to the kayak somehow, rather than rest it on my legs. Any ideas?

Gar, I'm assuming you mean to hang the paddle up when not in use rather than over the legs, and if thats the case I'll post a pic tomorrow of the method I use using shockcord on the side of the boat and is the same as many on the forum

 

[knot-too-fast]

Well done Garfish.
I have learnt so much from others on this forum too.
What part of East Gippsland are you paddling?

 

[Garfish]

Thanks guys,

I've spent some time here with my girlfriend (also a MiniX owner) casting some soft plastics around Lake Tyers and bait fishing Reeves Channel out from Kalimna Jetty.

No luck with the soft plastics, and only small salmon and trevally at Reeves Channel. I have been comprehensively outfished though

Lake Tyers usually fires for me, but there hasn't been much action this week.

Dodge - a pic of that would be great!

I'll post a few pics of my MiniX in time.

Cheers.

 

[Garfish]

Hmmm, I did think I was over-doing it! But then, why isn't it working?? I noticed on the old forum that The Mariner got by with a 1.5kg dumbbell.. why isn't my 4kg cement block holding? The only thing I can think of, is that because the cement is inside a water jug, there is a fair bit of oxygen locked in as well which is making it floatable.

Should I be using a fold-out anchor instead? I was concerned about the fold-out anchor in case it got stuck.

I'll probably do a fair bit of fishing in Westernport Bay, so I need to make strong tides my friend. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Dodge]

Dodge - a pic of that would be great!

Gar here it is... saddles are 55cms apart and above the waterline, and the cargo hook is 90mm above the 3mm shock cord everything is available at any ships chandler

If you knock one up have at least 2cms of tension in your shock cord between the saddles; saddles are mostly stainless at ships chandlers, and the only tools are screwdriver and pliers to close the shock cord ends

By the way I only use a 2kgs dumbell and think the uneven shape my bite a bit on the bottom

 

[driftr]

excellent post Dodge, its a great setup..

Im interested in this minix kayak it looks pretty snazzy, anyone know roughly what they are worth???

 

[Captain]

My kayak has a handle that I thread a velcro strap thru to hold my paddle. A cheap easy solution without having to penetrate the yak again. It's a little awkward to use but it works. I still leash the paddle just in case it goes astray.

Brian
Cobra PF

 

[Guest]

Hmmm, I did think I was over-doing it! But then, why isn't it working?? I noticed on the old forum that The Mariner got by with a 1.5kg dumbbell.. why isn't my 4kg cement block holding? The only thing I can think of, is that because the cement is inside a water jug, there is a fair bit of oxygen locked in as well which is making it floatable.

Should I be using a fold-out anchor instead? I was concerned about the fold-out anchor in case it got stuck.

I'll probably do a fair bit of fishing in Westernport Bay, so I need to make strong tides my friend. What am I doing wrong?

If your over sand, the shape of the anchor might also be causing some problems......dragging rather than biting?

 

[Gator]

Garfish: Does you Mini not have a paddle keeper on it similar to the one that Dodge posted a photo of? It should be right at the side with a small tab on it to pull up. I just set up a Mini-X the other day and it was there.

 

[Flump]

Nice choice of kayak mate. Just a couple of hints about the anchor setup. Use rope/cord as thin as possible, 3 or 4 mm blind cord will easily lift 4kg. Also, what depth of water are you anchoring in? You should have at least three times the depth of rope out i.e. 5 metres depth = 15 metres rope minimum. You could use something like a handline reel to store excess line, but you will always need something to tie off to. These two things caused a problem for me first time out, but soon learnt. I now use a 1.5kg folding anchor with 3mm cord on an anchor trolley system to either the front or rear of the yak and it has always held for me.

Cheers......Nick

 

[Garfish]

Thanks for all the advice guys... hadn't even noticed the paddle holder to my embarassment (yes I will admit it).

I tried out my anchor rig the other day in strong currents. Basically a 1.5kg fold out anchor, attached to a bread board (that was cut to allow rope to be wound on), with a clete to tie it off. This was then followed by a pool noodle and a clip to the back of the yak. The rig worked a treat, but I couldn't get line out quick enough. I also had issues with tangles as I've got two ends that are being wound on.

I think I'll have to resort to a hand reel and somehow attach a clete to tie it off. I'll have to keep tinkering. Not sure how I will be able to attach a clete to a hand reel.

 

[troppo]

Garfish, I made my own style of anchor and found it works exceptionally well. It was posted up somewhere but don't know if it is still there. Here is a pic.

I used 1/2 inch old gal water pipe, some very heavy fencing wire, the top off a 2 li juice bottle. Cord is 30 m of venetian 3 mm or similar from Big W wrapped around a plywood handle. In sand, the plastic top digs into the sand and holds stronger than a stingray. The wire holds it in place and you just have to be careful when dropping it over that the plastic doesn't ride up the rope. For rocks, slide off the plastic top and just use it like a grapple style anchor. The wire will hold but if snagged it will easily straighten out.

If you want more info let me know.

 

[Garfish]

Believe it or not, I have a very similar setup, however I have tried to connect the other end to my kayak with a bit of rope coming from a clete off the board. Unfortunately the two ends keep causing tangles. Do you connect your rig to the kayak in any way?