Gopro After more than a year in the Ocean

As hard as it is to believe  my Gopro camera was lost in January 2012. The camera and SD card were handed  at the local fishing shop

It was the day I got flipped in big swell.

It was found in about 3 metres of water about 50m off the beach and about 400m from where I lost it. Even weirder it was found in an area where the swell breaks?

Apparently the pole mount was wedged under a big rock.

Whilst the camera housing looks a little worse for wear the SD card and the camera are in perfect working order. It was completely dry inside

The photo and video is from the camera the day I lost it.

I now have 3 gopros happy days :)

Humble pie for breakfast and a nice King for Dinner

It was a day of surprises last Sunday

Of most significance

1. Phil ditched his mojo encrusted signature octagonal and circle design singlet for a nice watermelon/pink number. Donations will be gladly accepted for pink ribbon day with that outfit

2. I got absolutely smoked for speed on my new fibreglass 575 v Phil's carbon 550. It was daylight between the 2 skis with Phil pulling away within 5 metres (we tested it twice and it no way could be the weight difference). Not too much of a surprise given the rocker differences between the 2 craft . We eluded to this point a couple of weeks ago. There is just too much nose out of the water.  Cost was banana bread and coffee

3 Phil scored a double hook up on kingfish on a single rig. The rats were as thick as it gets especially if you had squid. I end up with a few rats and a 78cm job. Phil scored a million rats on primo northern beaches squid

An entry in the 90cm band

 It would have to rate as the best season yet for big Kingy fishing off Sydney .

So far between the 3 of us we scored countless legal fish with Saturday no exception.

I scored a 92cm job on Saturday and Phil hooked a PB tuna out wide.

Apologise for the crappy photo but the gopro fogged up and i lost some good footage.

Pants did real well paddling out to the fads on his carbon 550 with a PB tuna. Rigor mortis had set in good and proper by the time he brought it onshore.


Well done Phil

Stealth 575 - Kayak Fishing Porn

The seed was sown about 4 weeks ago when Paul asked whether I’d  go to the Stealth open day at Balmoral to view the new 575.

Semi reluctantly , and without any intention to buy, I went with him and paddled the 575. 

Four weeks later I am now the proud owner of a 575 in Sydney. I wasn't prepared to wait for a carbon so I took a boat effectively straight off the container  (patience is not a strong trait of mine).

Main features are
- huge capacity to store rod/reels and fish

-dry rod and reel carrier with the metal bar and Velcro tabs (no more fish amongst your reels)

-fastest ski in the Stealth range (at least a few K's faster than the 550 ...bet outstanding v a carbon 550) . Talking maximum speed in the 10-12 km range. Main advantage is its capability in strong wind conditions. Will easily handle 20 knot conditions and more than comfortably get you home in a 30 knot southerly. Obviously not in racing ski league but not far behind. Speed impacted to some extent by the design changes (significantly more  rocker) ?? much greater potential in the surf than other models (refer Stealth video)

-extremely stable for a long craft (unlike a racing ski that requires balance , co-ordination and practice this ski does not require any).

-weight wise it is not too bad at 25 kgs. This is very surprising given its length and internal hatch features . Premium materials must have been used to get the weight down because the 495 is a ton heavier.

-excellent turning abilities despite the relatively small size of the rudder . No issues with the rudder as opposed to say the 495’s which  struggles into cross winds (completely different design like a racing ski)

- normal Stealth features such as additional rod holders, back hatch and external storage area at the back. It also has a well thought out bait cutting board on the hatch 

 Criticisms are minor except hull slap

• Paddle holder is too far away from body especially in strong winds.
• Why 1 velcro rod support on the left side and 2 on the right . Is this an oversight excuse my ignorance?
• I really think that the back bait box area is impractical. I can barely get to the hatch behind me let alone the back area
• Definitely significantly more hull slap especially in sloppy conditions. In flat, surf and and high winds  it is an A-1+ ski. Interested to hear from Stealth as to this. 

Either way I'm very happy. Don't understand why you would contemplate any other ski other than extreme shore dumping conditions then maybe you would choose something shorter. Other than that think you've got rocks in your head other than a carbon 550 that the other guys have (but thats short a fish hatch).

There unfortunately is no perfect ski for every condition

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Thanks  to Dennis from Stealth  for the great professional and prompt service.  Highly recommend the service. Bought Friday delivered Thursday .  Will sort you out a great deal and may even throw in a golf cart

The "Mona Vale Crew" at work.

The last two years of kayakfishing

Paul joins the 1.1m plus club.

Mark and Paul had a cracking session.

Pauls king 1.170m

Taken on slow trolled kahwai.

The Sausages better of been good?  

The following is Marks account of what can only be described as a few days of awesome fishing.


Unbelievable is the only word to fully comprehend the fishing from the Sunday to Wednesday last week.
It was out of control with Hoodlum kingies all over the surface and absolutely no one around except 1 boat and us for the most part.

All in all we bagged out with 15 or so significantly legal fish (1 significantly over a metre a 96, 92, 86, 84, several 72-77 and assorted stragglers in the 65-75 range. Best part about it was there was bugger all rats.

Of note also were 3 lost monsters 1 at the boat by Paul. I lost 2 on 80lb fluorocarbon.

A rough chronology of the events of last week was as follows..........

Saturday afternoon – Myself and an unknown hobbo out. Got a few almost legals but it felt fishy

Sunday Afternoon - Paul myself and 1 boat out. Lost count of the fish and effectively ran out of  live bait and plastics.

Monday had to Work

Tuesday morning- just Paul and myself were out. It was a relatively quiet morning before we had an almost simultaneous strike. Paul landed his 1.170m I drop another big fish. Faaaaarrrrrk. I had to work Paul goes back out immediately gets smashed lands another 92 then an 86 straight off the bat. Faaaaarrrk again from me for not suddenly feeling too ill for work.

Wednesday – only Paul fishing and a few hobbo's along with the whole of Sydney. The news was out photos were posted on a fishing website.....the damage as always had been done. There was a flotilla of boats, pro boats, charter boats, spear'os on jet skis and every recognisable local was there. Paul loses another big big fish. Looked like Pitt St on a busy day.

Nice one Mark...And that my friends is why we keep to ourselves and do what we do!

Two Soft Men

We decided to head south and take a break from the weekend hobo scene at Longreef .Target species squid.

Between the three of us we caught 24 with 8 well over the 1kg mark.

You catch da fresh squid...........You bang da big kings.

Two Stealths 4.950m vs "Two Jews".

Some good fishing indeed lad's.

"Team Cobia" taking a break from chasing Black Kingfish to target 'The Jew" and producing the goods.

Secret spot ,secret bait.....Bingo the midnight session pays dividends.

Great effort brothers.I think the smiles say it all.

Mark got spooled.

Watch for the fin moving left to right...then the splash as Mark gets spooled.

Ski Patrol bangin the "Toothy Critters.

Stealth 5.500m vs King 1.110m

Finally into the 1.1m plus club.

Caught on a Stealth 550 carbon ski on Sydney's Northern Beaches. 

1.110m in length.
10.2kg in weight. 
50lb braid...80lb leader.

Two ski's,one species,one rod...........no bling.

Stealth 5.5m vs snapper 0.770m

Decided to target snapper at a reliable spot with great results.

Mark clearly aroused (as seen in photo 1) by his 4.06 kg catch at 770mm in length.

Caught on a slow trolled Kina.

Banging da big Inkers.

Stealthy Squid from the 550's

Its that time of the year again roars the lion king.

Mark and Paul bag 8 nice squid... some well over the 1kg in weight.

Stealth 4.700m vs King 1.060m.Ski patrol...banging more of da big ones.

Two 1.0m plus kings in two weeks at either end of the peninsula has to be a kayakfishing first.

Great effort Henry...you are leading the way and kicking some serious arse.


The storey goes something like this.......

1.You troll up the stinky pike.

2.You head out into 20m of water.

3.You deploy the custom 3lb bomb via the Scotty 1050 depthmater downrigger with pike in tow.


4.You paddle two strokes hook the 1.0m plus king .

5.To conclude you proceed to wind up the downrigger and boat the fish.



It is as easy as that?????

Stealth 4.700m vs King 1.120m.Ski patrol...banging da big ones.

Henry joins the 1.0m+ club.
Measured at 1.120m.
Caught on downrigged stinky pike.
Awesome fish.......Awesome effort.
I witnessed the fight and it was top notch all the way.

Winter kings at their best.
Well done mate.

Stealth 4.700m vs king 0.970m.

Henrys turn to nail a 90 plus.

Yellowtail kingfish 0.970m
Downrigged live bait

Welcome to the club mate.

So let me get this right.You caught the thing on a Stealth using a live downrigged bait...cool.

Things then start to go down hill.....
1.I hear you were wearing that crazy eskimo hat.
2.I get hit on the head by a rogue Bennet paddle (looked like it had been used upside down for the past year) whilst swimming Mona Vale Basin.Since been informed that you lost a paddle fitting this description whilst landing the above brute.
3.My spies then tell me that some bloke wearing a strange hat was seen trying to paddle a mule back to shore with a Mona Vale Hilton bait tube as a paddle..... still full of live yellowtail I might add.
4.Then to top it off I hear my old 495 was seen rendering assistance with a mule in tow.

What a story.......Henry have I missed anything?????

Well done mate.....Both you and Dave sure have put the hours and effort in this season.

The Mud Snake.

Full carbon Stealth 550.

Screw hatch in lieu of lift hatch....Drybox not wetbox.

Custom color...Exposed carbon band/black band/tangerine band.

The perfect Snake.

Stealth 550.....Full Carbon Missile.

Paddling with a "NUDGE".

A tad awkward but reality when paddling the Mud Snake.

This thing is just insane.........Light ,fast,stiff and wicked on the water.

The 550 in carbon has a totally different feel to my 550 in glass.The reduced weight and stiffness result in a craft that accelerates and maintains speed with minimal effort.I would estimate a third lighter than the same ski in glass.

With these skis we opted for a screw hatch in lieu of the lift hatch to access the internal fishbox.This has resulted in 100% dry stowage and of course reduced weight with no water intake.

If you get the opportunity to paddle one of these skis...........you will buy one straight up.They are that good.


Hand made......Cutting edge....Pushing the boundaries.....Leading not following.....Good on you Stealth and well done Bruce.....Awesome craft.

Stealthy squid

The Exotic Weave.

Two carbon missiles in transit from South Africa.

One rod....One Species....No Bling.....Oh and a Rash Shirt.

In the pursuit of perfection Paul and myself have upgraded to carbon with our Stealth 550's.
To reduce weight and simplify things we have also opted for the screw hatch in lieu of the fish box.

Check out these for the ultimate dedicated pelagic hunting carbon missiles.


Mine is the "Mud Snake".

Pauls is "Guatemala".

Mark taking on The Dragon.

Stealth 5.5m "Trouser Snake" vs 1.5m Dragon.

Plenty of speed.....heaps of power......no back shute.

No dinner for you that night Dragon.

Snapper caught from EVO 495.

Caught on my old EVO 495 by Dave Beat whilst trolling for kingfish.

Beware of "SLEEPING DRAGON".

This fish came with a substantial damage bill.

Whilst landing this fish both Dave and Henry got dealt a fair spanking from "SLEEPING DRAGON".

Henry had a 200m swim to retrieve his ski (at 5.00am in the dark) and Dave sustained damage to his ski all as a direct result of an angry Dragon.

Doing time in the stones.02/02/11

Have been fishing some out of the way surges during the week day afternoons for some awesome results of late...especially this week.
We often get asked why we fish 80lb leader.
The short video clip shows just what damage a sub 90cm king can do to your leader when he has you on the bottom.

1.170m kingfish

Nice way to kick off the 0.900m kingfish season.

Blood On The Trousersnake. 1.170m Kingfish

24/01/11

4th king for the 2010/2011 season for us over 0.900m

Marks turn to pop the 0.900m cherry on his Stealth 550.

1.170m yellowtail kingfish.

Caught out wide on deep trolled squid head.

Epic battle on a 550 or any paddle ski for that matter.One rod,one ski,one paddle...no bling,no electronics pure ski fishing.

Mark was that excited he pissed his pants.

09/01/11. First 90cm plus from "The Cornsake".

The Boys reckon the singlet looks gay .....even more so tucked into the wetsuit pants.....maybe they have a point???

It is a fair dinkum hoot landing a 10kg plus King at nearly 1.0m in length from a ski.There is much to consider and many obstacles to over come.They are hard enough just to find let alone entice.Once these fish get to over 90cm they are just so brutal and unforgiving. A hook up can often end in a bust off if you are not prepared.

We "Think BIG" on every outing and target these things with a massive passion that appears to give us consistent results.We do have a system and finally feel as though we have a rough idea on how these larger specimens feed and behave.

For me this fish is the pinnacle so far in my pursuit of the yellowtail kingfish.To land it on probably the most unstable purpose built fishing ski just added to the challenge and thrill.

It's all about keeping things simple and raw ...One ski,one paddle,one rod,one bait and one species.No bling, no electronics.Kayak fishing in its purest form.

Please enjoy this short clip of the fish I caught and the ski I hooked it from.

Blood On The Cornsnake. 0.990m Kingfish

09/01/11

3rd king for the 2010/2011 season for us over 90cm
0.990m

Rigged the new ski for big fish and caught one.
Popped the cherry on the Cornsnake (Stealth 550).
0.990m yellowtail kingfish..Tried to stretch it out to 1.0m.
Caught out wide on live bait.
Monster Mesh rod/Torium 30 reel.50lb braid/80lb leader.

On water reveiw of the Stealth 550

Location; Long Reef Wide.
Conditions; 0.5m swell
Wind; 0.0 knots
Distance paddled; 5.5nm
Target species; Yellow tail kingfish.

First off a brief on what we wanted from this ski;

Speed...Length...Stability
A light yet durable ski that can be easily handled fully rigged on and off the car and then to the waters edge without the need for trolleys etc.
A ski that had the speed to run poppers, fast lures,deep divers and dead baits as well as the ability to cover vast distances with minimal effort.Incresed length to around the 5.500m.Reduced width with just enough balance to land 90cm plus fish.

Loaded the ski up with minimal kit comprising 1.6m rod, lures, cut bait, and assorted tackle. Set up time was around 5 min.Launch was a breeze carrying the complete rig down to the water. The minimal gear approach I feel is the only way to fish this ski to its true potential.Keeping the weight and thus displacement to a minimum so as hull speed does not suffer.

Plenty of speed and acceleration with minimal effort was the first thing I noticed. Turning circle was excellent for a 5.5m ski.
More than adequate stability with the skis 600mm beam. Having said that I still think you would need a reasonable amount of offshore paddling under your belt to hang onto some of the larger kings without the fear of being reefed.Cockpit area stays nice and dry in swell thanks to the raised forward deck area deflecting water off to the sides.

I intend to only carry and fish with the one rod to keep things simple and organised.One species one rod for this ski is my motto.May just sneak the odd squid session in.

Deployed a 100mm popper out the back and had it running like a dream. This is one lure up until now that I have never had enough boat speed to run. Went wider with cut bait and got into some action. I found fighting and bringing the fish on board no problem with both legs over the side of the ski.The rod shute can handle a 91cm king(Pauls fish...Marks ski) with a squeeze. The internal drain system in the rod shute and foot well is a weak point and as we is as speak being redesigned.It holds water and does not drain quick enough when the ski is nailed by a breaking wave.My next 550 will have a screw hatch in lieu of a lift hatch fish box arrangement.I have opted to fit a backrest to the ski which made for a very comfortable ride. A couple of the boys are paddling without one and say they find it OK.

The foot pedals are easy to adjust giving the ski correct leg length.

Rear hatch is large and easy to reach which makes it ideal for keeping gear dry.

I dont fish with a shark shield so did not bother trying to mount one. I think Mark uses one on his 550 and stows it in the rear hatch.

The ski is fitted with two rear flush mounts angled to the side.I opted to mount a forward Scotty which also accommodates the Go Pro camera.

Rear tank well comes with shock cord and is a great place for life jacket or spray jacket stowage.

To conclude the ski met all of my expectations and I believe it is “The Ultimate Fishing Ski” however it will not replace my BFS which I love for its stability,deck layout and massive fish box. The combination of the two skis is perfect. You could fit a downrigger to this ski(running a light 2lb bomb) making it much more vesatile however the BFS looks after that aspect of my fishing.

If you want the ultimate paddling /fishing experience this is your craft.The ski with its length/beam and cockpit layout is pure kayak fishing "Eye Candy".

Thanks Bruce...Thanks Barry you have produced a very tidy package that has raised the bar just a little higher and put a smile on a number of faces around the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

Stealth 550 Fitout.

Birth of a Stealth 550.."The Cornsnake".

The latest from the Stealth production line"The 550"

A welcome sight just three days before Christmas.We all opted for custom spray jobs air freighting them from Johannesburg. This time minor damage was sustained to one of them.Pauls had a knock from a fork truck.As we speak,in good faith Stealth are making a replacement.

At 5.5m long,600mm wide and weighing a tad over 20kgs....this thing will fly.

This is by far the "Ultimate fishing ski"aimed fair and square at the paddling purist with some experience and a love for all things glass

Early days of kayakfishing.The Dawn Prawn Fishing Club.

04/12/10 Yellow tail kingfish.

2nd king for the 2010/2011season over 90cm

0.905m

Caught on live yellowtail downrigged to 18ft