kayak Fishing - Love that yak: April 2014

What started out slow was a great day out in the yak.

With me starting a new job it's not as easy to get away for a fish like it used to be. Other commitments come first but I have managed a few trips with great success chasing squid. This is something quite new to me and I wish I had started years ago.
One recent trip was when I was able to hook up with a mate and head up to one of my favourite places, Wallaroo in SA. Not only do I like fishing there but there is something about the place, the long jetty, the history, whatever it is I love it.
After getting on our way around 4.30am we had an easy drive and arrived to flat seas, always a nice sight after nearly a 2 hour drive.

My previous yak at Wallaroo Beach.

With great anticipation we set up the yaks, launched from the beach and headed to the jetty.
On the way I tried for Snook with no success. After fishing near the jetty with no success I thought I would try for some squid in the shallows - I'm glad I did.

The water was pretty calm at this point and I attached my jag to the my Raider Yak Rod 1-3kg and cast into the shallows. It wasn't long before I had a squid on and landed in the net unfortunately I also had ink over the yak!

A previous 'inking'.

The gear of choice is the Shimano Egixile squid jigs and my favourite colour seems to be Keimura Purple and the other (Keimura Orange I think), they have both served me well catching over 45+ squid between them and only now showing battle scars, they will still be good for a few session yet!.

The rods I use are a Raider Yak rod, 1-3kg, Starlo JungleStix 732L 2-4kg, and a Raider Lure Project (I take a variety of rods, normally 1 with a lure, 1 a plastic and the other a jag). They are matched with a Symetre 1000, Stradic Ci4+ 2500, and a Rarenium Ci4 1000, if you want a super smooth real and something that you can hold all day you can't beat these…

The braid I use is 3 and 5lb PowerPro Bite Motion, I love it because part form being super thin, it comes in a high vis' orange with a bite detecting black marks at one metre intervals. even if you did get a rare wind knot they are easy to get out, just take it slow.

Another squid comes on board.

I found the most success came with long casts and waiting until the jag was near the bottom. To achieve this I did a count back, drop the jag over the side of the yak and count how long it took to reach the bottom. I would then cast out and count the same time before starting the retrieve which was a series of 'flicks' and long pauses.

The Egixile squid jags are wighted correctly they have a great action and a slow drop.

At one point I had 2 in the net as as I caught one and his mate followed him up, I just had to catch him as well...

There are 2 in the net, they just can't resist the orange colour, I caught one and his mate followed him up.

Nice squid caught on a previous Metro Adelaide trip.

Some of the other locations I have had great success is Ardrossan and around Adelaide metro coast also. That being said these would work anywhere in 'Squid Territory'.

I was told a great tip and once you have caught a squid get your hand around its 'neck with a firm hold or it will try to bite you with its beak, then pinch them it the neck until it turns white, this will kill it quickly and also stop it squirting that horrible ink in the esky.

I also find that by keeping the wings attached and not removing the 'skin' until needed is easier as its defrosting as they aren't slippery.

I look forward to a another day off, calm seas and another great feed (and snapper baits).