Tag Archives: kayak fishing

Double X Extreme Abrasion

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There are many different lines on the market and many different theories to go with them, so I thought I would let you know what I have bee using for the past year on my Shimano Torium trawling setup.
When I first got my Toriums I wanted to spoil myself and put on some fancy monofilament to go with my awesome new multipliers and I had just finished editing a show from the Transkei where the boys were Rock an surf fishing and had been using the Double X Extreme abrasion monofilament line and I was really impressed to say the least, not only did it handle catching big sharks but it could even withstand getting dragged along the rocks and mussels with big fish on and even handled getting rubbed on by braid with a fish on! So I knew straight away that it was strong line.
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Now having used the line for the last year I can say that it is the top monofilament in the market and having spoken with the Rapala men directly, the Double X extreme abrasion is the highest spec monofilament line in South Africa!
I use the 43lb 0.50mm diameter on my toriums in the Camo colour and I love it, very very strong and doesn’t get nicks or line damage and I have never experienced it breaking while fighting a fish, it definitely lasts longer on my reel, as i found with other line I was changing every 6 months, it has Extreme knot strength which is 20% stronger than any other mono so you can bully your fish knowing your knots are safe and  it also has Extreme low memory which i believe makes it last longer than other mono line. I love the camo colour as it becomes full “Camo” in the water and i think thats awesome as the fish can’t see it!
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All in all Double X extreme abrasion line has the greatest tensile strength vs diameter, and without a doubt the strongest line you can buy, it is a little more pricey than the standard mono line but with it lasting longer and it being EXTREMELY strong i believe it is worth it, so next time you looking at line for your trawling rods have a look at the Double X Extreme abrasion and i bet you won’t be sorry.
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Tackle Talk

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Getting back into the swing of things for us Freaks and we thought it would be a good idea to talk a bit on what tackle we are using, today Dick is going to run us through his trawling rod setup and what he uses.

Kayak fishing is and will always be hard on your tackle so when purchasing or looking at reels and rods you have to keep this in mind as you don’t want to spend your hard earned bucks on tackle that can’t last a month on your ski and believe me we have all been there and shed the tears over tackle.
Thomas (1 of 4)
So for me now having been kayak fishing for the last 7 years I have got to try a lot of tackle and have tweaked it to what i am comfortable fishing with. On a fishing kayak we normally fish with two trawling sticks and a flick stick and bait stick, my latest trawling setup and my favourite to date is the Shimano Torium 30 HG reel paired with the Shimano trevala 6’6″ heavy Jigging rod, a lot of kayak anglers have two different trawling setups for there kayaks as for targeting different species, i have found that with these typically jigging rods that i have a perfect all round rod, light enough to trawl for snoek and small lures but also heavy enough to turn a big tuna around and show him who is boss! For anyone who has fished with the Shimano Trevala flick stick the jigging rod is pretty much the same fantastic rod just made for overhand jigging with stronger eyes, they have awesome oversize handles which i love as you can really grip the rod and work it when you fighting a fish, to me without a doubt the best all round trawling stick for a ski.
The New Torium 30 HG from Shimano has a high speed gear ratio of 6,2 : 1 which i find handy when you have a fish on the one line and need to reel the other in makes it just that much faster, has a cross carbon drag making it flipping strong when fighting tunny and you need to put the pressure on the fish, it comes with E.I which is an Anti-Corrosion Surface treatment from Shimano, so it can handle the rough conditions experience on a ski, its light weight and compact which i also love as it fits in the hatch easy leaving more space for fish.
Thomas (4 of 4)
As i tell all fishermen who ask questions on tackle, be comfortable with your gear cause as soon as you have doubt in your tackle  you will always second guess yourself and you don’t want to be second guessing yourself when you fighting a fish of a lifetime! Like i said this setup is what i have fined tuned to my fishing and it may be very different for you, if any of you guys have any question regarding tackle or kayak fishing in general send us a mail or leave a comment and we will help out as much as we can.

The Moz Series

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You may have been wondering, “Where are The Freaks?” The truth is, we’ve had a horrid winter on the East Coast of South Africa. All the summer game fish moved deep and north in search of the warm Mozambique current.

With this haunting us, we did what any sane Fishing Freak would do.. We planned a Moz trip! A mere 5 hours north east of Durban, South Africa hides the rustic village of Ponta Molongane. We got up to our usual nonsense, sampling local cuisine (RUM), hunting game fish on local reefs and hanging with the locals.

The Moz Series is a two part series, here is the Official Trailer.

The Freaks Tips #42 – Relaunching in the surf zone

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Here is Tip #42 by The Fishing Freaks.

This post is aimed more for the newbies starting Kayak Fishing. If you’ve been doing this for more than a few launches you will have done this at least once. If you live on the east coast of South Africa you will have done this MANY times!

First and most IMPORTANT: Always wear a life jacket, no matter how “good” you think you are. Here I wasn’t wearing one, thought it looked flat out… But let me tell you, I sank like a stone! And I had a loooong swim after that wave took my ski.

There are two scenarios where you will be swimming for you ski. Going out or coming in. The slide example here is of me coming in and eating it. My ski was taken by the foamy and washed 100ft ahead of me. Now if you’re in this situation be very aware of the rip currents. I was lucky and there was very little movement.

Always hang onto your paddle. ALWAYS. I do a version of freestyle and doggy paddle whilst periodically throwing my paddle with each stroke. With each wave that passes, you will get pushed toward your kayak, you can now use your paddle in the waves to pull you toward the beach.

Once you get to your ski grab the closest handle. Often your kayak will be upside down. Provided you checked all your hatches like you should always do before reentering the surf zone, you stuff will still be sealed tight. If you’re on an American plastic kayak, now is the time to upgrade. If you’re short like me and can’t reach the sand below your kayak, you will have to do a little dunk under the water then push the side of your ski up with all your might and it will flip over one time.

Now slide your body up and over your seat so your belly is now in your seat. Then sling your leg closest to the tale over like a horse or bike. Boom you’re back on, now quickly check you’re not about to get drilled by another wave. If when you get to your ski there are still waves washing through, hang onto the tale or nose handle until there is a gap to get back on. If it’s really gnarly out you can just hang on and get dragged back to the beach.

If you come off your kayak when going out much the same applies. Turn to face the beach (which is where your kayak should be headed), get on your kayak but turn to face the sea and take your time to find the best gap and gas it.

Remember, we’re not professionals, but these techniques are tried and tested by us. We’re simply sharing what works for us. Only enter the sea when you feel it is safe enough for your level of paddling.

Relaunching in the surf zone

Relaunching in the surf zone

That Unforgettable Day.

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We all have those days that we can think back and remember so vividly like it was yesterday or the days were you say to yourself that that was the day that changed me!

Well for me (Dick) that day was about 4 years ago when i went on my first trip to Mozambique and well actually my first ever reel fishing trip! Wez came up with idea as he had been on a recent fishing trip to Moz and said it was Amazing and that the fish are loose on that side of the border and we have to go, I was still really only starting out at kayak fishing and only had a few launches under my belt but thought what the hell i had never been before.

First morning in Moz and its an absolute cracker, not a cloud in the sky , not a breath of wind , blue blue blue water and probably one of the easiest launches i had had. I get out past backline, pull my rods out , get my lures in the water and start chasing Wez to the closest reef from the launch. Must have paddled a good 3km before reaching the reef and i decided to have my first breather before continuing chasing the energizer bunny that Wez is. I must have stopped for about 20 seconds and had just called out to Wez, when all of a sardine my reel starts screaming!!!

When i say screaming, it was like nothing i have heard before! Now I have caught fish and been out on Ski-boats and what not but i had never heard a reel make that noise! My heart is now pumping and im screaming to Wez like a little school girl while i start reeling the fish in, I can clearly remember having two thoughts in my head, what the hell is on the end of this line and what was i going to do when i got it next to the ski! Good 10 minute fight an i can start seeing this big long silver thing doing big circles under my ski in that beautiful blue Mozambiquen water, while all this is going on Wez cannot contain himself and spots tunny jumping just a couple of meters from where i was and he turns and shouts to me “Sorry Dick i have too” and he was gone in a flash. I had now managed to get the fish under my ski but had no idea how i was getting it in my hatch, i know i have to gaff it but its huge!! So i scream for Wez to come help! With his help i get the fish on my lap and get Wez to take a photo!

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This is the day that changed me and the day that i was hooked on kayak fishing, i will never forget this day!Do you have a day that will be permanently imprinted in your mind? Share with us!!

UKFC Comp 2013

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The UKFC (Umgeni Kayak Fishing Club) is our local fishing club and every year they host and awesome competition with fantastic prizes and we were lucky enough to be invited to fish and to film the day at Umdloti, so take a look what we got up to and how the day went!!

S01 – E02 – Pink Cyclops

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This is the second video in the first season of Fishing Freaks. The start of the season introduces Wez & Dick, kayak fishing and the fruits of catching fresh game fish!

Stay tuned for new Fishing Freaks episodes, action packed with fishing, antics, recipes and more…

Like the Freaks on Facebook and follow us on Youtube

S01 – E01 – It Starts

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This is the first official episode in the first Web-series of Fishing Freaks. The start of the season introduces Wez & Dick, kayak fishing and the fruits of catching fresh game fish!

Stay tuned for new Fishing Freaks episodes, action packed with fishing, antics, recipes and more…

Like the Freaks on Facebook and follow us on Youtube