Lang lang first timer

[Campbell]

Hi guys, I would really appreciate some advice before fishing lang lang. I have done most of my kayak fishing in PPB & I'm keen to get familiar with WPB to chase some gummies.

I am looking at heading there later next week, as the wind is forecast a bit lower. I will be in Oasis tandem with my 13yo son (who is a mad keen fisherman!).
I only tolerate up to 4.5 hours sitting in the yak, my plan is to launch 2 hours prior to high tide & return 2 hours after high tide.

Should I launch from the boat ramp or from the beach further down?

I gather there is a channel about 2.5km directly west from the beach. Should I head straight to that channel & anchor there, or just cruise the flats? Or at least make it to the channel before change of tide?

Thanks in advance,
Campbell

[happyas]

Don't be late back or it will be a looong trip. Maybe arrange for another Westernport experienced yacker to accompany you on your first trip into Westernport. I am not an expert, but there are many others on here who know the bay far better than me. Maybe launch on an ebbing tide and retrieve as the tide is rising. This would give you a much much bigger safety margin. If you were late returning or wind/tidal conditions varied on a dropping tide your window is much narrower. I was almost stuck there myself a few years ago and needed help retrieving. I was only 5 minutes behind others who made it ok. People far more expert than me have been caught out and have had to sit through a tide change. The tide in Westernport drops a lot faster than Port Philip and Lang Lang is a very shallow and gentle sloping seabed. Hopefully Cheater or someone with a far better local knowledge will advise you. Good luck.

[Yuz]

Hey Campbell,

I'm in a similar situation - regularly kayak fish PPB but yet to venture out WP.
I'd be tempted to pitch a tent and stay a couple of nights at the LL Caravan Park.
Have no idea about tides around that area but as Happyas suggested - perhaps tag along with someone who knows the area? I'd be interested too but we're heading into winter now...

[Yako]

Hi Campbell.
If you launch from the beach that is fine, if the tide is up.
The ramp being concrete gives a bit more depth and distance, especially as the mud there sucks (literally).
You certainly don't want to get stuck in it as from personal experience may years back sunk in almost to my waste and lost a shoe in there.
Also felt like I was stepping on crabs and pushing them into the mud (okay maybe they were just rocks/stones).
If you go into the channel, the current can get quite strong, so have a good anchor and decent sinkers.
I'm not a fan of the channel and prefer sitting off it on drop offs.
If you are in the caravan park you can head out towards Jam Jerrup side, that produces quite well (about 2.5Km from the ramp).
The mud flats should get you some good gummy's, there may be a few Red's closer to JJ side.
I'd say tide wise 1.8m is your cut off launch or retrieve.
If wind is down, you should have a great time that side.
If you launch from the ramp,you can also head towards Bolton (see map).

[Campbell]

Thanks guys, the advice is much appreciated. The tide concerns make WPB a bit intimidating for newcomers. I certainly don't want to sit through a tide change, which would also take me well into the night.

Sounds like the ramp is the logical place to launch. If 1.8m tide is the minimum to launch/retrieve, then next Saturday that gives about a 7 hour window at the absolute max. I am pretty conservative in my approach, so I will aim to be on land by 2 hours post high tide. I think that gives enough margin to allow for such things as a slower than expected journey back, or variability in forecasted conditions.

I realise that launching on an outgoing tide would take away the risk of getting stranded on the way back, & I assume makes for easier pedalling, but so many things have to align for me to get out on the water I am keen to make the high tide option viable as well. Also, heading out over low tide is not without risk, because if weather/conditions turn bad you still have to stay out there & manage it until the tide is suitable to return.

My fish finder does not have capability for maps (bloody Hook Reveal 5x ) but does have GPS plotting. I'll go out from ramp about 1.5km (stopping on the way to fish the flats) & look for sudden change of depth, & faster current, & try to anchor close to the drop off. Thanks for that map Yako! I probably won't stray too far south, just so I stay within reasonable distance of the launch site.

If it doesn't work out, it's not from lack of planning! I'll let you know how it goes.
If you happen to be out there, please say g'day. We're in a blue tandem yak with sidekicks.

[Campbell]

Went to Lang lang today as planned & had a pretty successful day. We landed 2 small gummies on the flats, & then a decent size one in a small channel, in about 5m depth 1hour after high tide. One was caught on prawn & the other 2 on salmon chunks.
Launched & retrieved without incident. Got back to the ramp in plenty of time - probably could have stayed out a bit longer but wanted to be very sure that we got back before tide too low.
Nearly didn't even get there today, as my kayak loader broke as I was getting ready. Wasted an hour trying to fix it so I nearly pulled the pin on the whole expedition. Glad we persisted in the end even though we lost some fishing time. We even avoided the rain & enjoyed very calm conditions.

Thanks again to all those who offered advice to help me out with this trip!

(I just tried to attach a photo, but no luck)

Campbell.