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!