Hey folks;
I have been following Rod for a while now. In is latest vid you get an idea how sometimes PPB or WPB don't just cut it for launching and variety of species.
He fishes of a Stealth beast (4.??????) and also has a Stealth skiff setup with a Tohatsu ob (for those longer trips)
Each to there own, but those that launch at Fishies, Sunnyside, Blackrock, Altona, Clifton Springs et al, you,ve got no idea!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceS8Og8acu8

If you just want to see how a 'real' beach launch is done, just watch till 4:55.
However, there is a cool hookup at 7:29........
Those going to SWR in 2019, have look at what you might encounter and gear choice.
Also note how often Rod checks his drag, and instantly reels in unwanted lines on hookup.

Things to note:
A pointy bow (and splash guard) are a real bonus for wet launches
A touch screen sounder can be a real pain on a kayak
On hookup, paddle/peddle like f### to really set the hook
A gaff can be a yak fishos best friend

And also............ sometimes we just forget why we get out there and have a fish on a bit of plastic/fibreglass
You've done the hard yards to get there so enjoy the moment and have some fun.

No link?

maverick wrote:No link?

erik the viking wrote:Hey folks;
I have been following Rod for a while now. In is latest vid you get an idea how sometimes PPB or WPB don't just cut it for launching and variety of species.
He fishes of a Stealth beast (4.??????)

Rodney fishes off a carbon profisha 475 Erik.
If you like Rodney's videos, here's one of Justin's from the weekend with more good launch footage you might like:

The Profisha footage rokkit has posted is usually more interesting than the skiff. His new skiff doesn’t have the seat with storage hatch. At least you can have a seat if you’re out for long.
I did suggest to Stealth fitting a foldable “H-Bar” & “Lowrance ready” style spot for transducers which they acknowledged but I don’t know if they’ll implement.

maverick wrote:No link?

Ooooppps.
Fixed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceS8Og8acu8

Yako wrote:The Profisha footage rokkit has posted is usually more interesting than the skiff. His new skiff doesn’t have the seat with storage hatch. At least you can have a seat if you’re out for long.
I did suggest to Stealth fitting a foldable “H-Bar” & “Lowrance ready” style spot for transducers which they acknowledged but I don’t know if they’ll implement.

The Stealth skiff is just a bit so so.
I really like Timmy Turtles newest home made Pipe Dreams II.

If I get that wet launching in Melbourne I'm turning around and going home

I've launched the PA there a couple of times. Not as rough conditions but a Palmy launch always involves a lot of trepidation.

At least SWR won't have launches anywhere near that level of surf (moderate surf only in the very worst conditions). The dead bait rigs were working very well on the spotties at SWR last year. I'll be making up plenty before I go this year (and suggest others do too) as they tend to get beaten up or snipped off during the week. Rod's video also reminded me I need to get the underwater camera out. I haven't used it in anger yet but cleaner water down the west coast and SWR should make it worthwhile.

With the hard paddling after a hook-up, I'm not personally a fan and see guys losing fish doing this that could have been kept on with rod work. It's also possibly a paddle thing where you can't apply much pressure to the fish with the yak once you stop pedaling. With pedals I've always found it better to grab the rod ASAP and use the pedals to put pressure on the fish while you set the hooks with the rod in hand. When sailing there's an extra step of needing to instantly furl the sail but it normally doesn't take long until the rod is in hand.

Zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzz ping is what I remember from SWR.

inshorebrawler wrote:Zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzz ping is what I remember from SWR.

Yeah, but Wahoo are several weight classes above spotties. A tiny lip hook and some 60lb wire to a stinger on a live bonito should keep the zzzzz's going.