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Alex · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:50 pm Post subject: Kayak storage

Kayak storage for two AE 10.5s

Converted an old shoe rack to fit 2 kayaks. Nicely tucked away behind my house main door for easy access.

sonar · Joined: 28 May 2011 Posts: 174 Location: Northeast. U.K

I guess i am lucky as i have a very large shed to store mine in..

Alex · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:25 pm Post subject:

Alex · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:15 pm Post subject: Weekday sunset

Went to chill out yesterday on a weekday evening.

Anchored at a nice spot to watch the sunset.

The surprise of the day was this Tiger-tooth Croacker.

sonar · Joined: 28 May 2011 Posts: 174 Location: Northeast. U.K

Post Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 12:45 pm Post subject: Battling Punctures

Battling punctures
fantastic pictures and another great Blogg.

I Read with intrest the events of a parrot fish and the 6 puntures.
I was not sure if to smile or cry.

I have an idea before fitting the seat a sheet of thick noeprene rubber the sort that is used for diving suits very light and flexable 10mm thick with coloured nylon each side..

You could use this as a way of protecting the inflatable floor from sharp objects and fish.

When you have finished fishing it could then be used as a changing mat to stand on and change into other clothing.or

And them to wrap fragile items in for transporting back to base.

Or even the foam that campers use under there sleeping bags would do the same job as floor protection...

Alex · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 11:07 pm Post subject:

Thankfully and hopefully punctures are the things of the past.
I do not have such problems for about 2 years now.

It was indeed solved with an anti-puncture mat for bait fishing.
Two rectangular sheets joined in the middle, so that it folds with the kayak when kept.
Had it for more than 2 years now, but had not used it for more than a year.

Thanks to your posting, I took it out fishing last weekend.

Went to do some bait fishing too. Glad that my spot still yields lots of them.
Deep fried, they are an Asian delicacy with chilli paste, sometimes eaten with coconut flavoured rice.
My sons just ate the fishes whole, including the head and bones, really crunchy like a titbit snack.

Off course I did not leave without watching the sunset, again.

sonar · Joined: 28 May 2011 Posts: 174 Location: Northeast. U.K

Another great posting with clear detailed photos.
Many thanks

Alex · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 4:21 pm Post subject:

Alex · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 8:46 pm Post subject: Father and son expedition

Father and son expedition
St. John's Island and Sister's Island (3D2N)
13th to 15th August 2011

Thanks be to GOD for lots of sea breeze, very little HOT sun and only a slight drizzle before we headed out.

We launched from St. John's Island again.
There were no problems with the trailer this time as I had pumped it up and left it inflated the previous day and night.

Heading to Sister's Island was not too much trouble, the current flow was kind of unusual in a meandering "S" direction, pulling East for the first half of the journey, then West for the second.

This time, I had brought along my kayak lamp which also doubles up as a camping light.

It was with this powerful light that we were able to spot and bring back a dozen hermit crabs to study and release on our next trip. Each piece cost about US$15 at the local pet shops.

The next morning was really worth waking up to, captured this million-dollar sunrise.

After a lazy breakfast, we packed and started to head back to St John's Island to join my wife and elder son. That's when we were greeted by the surprise arrival of a church pastor with 40 other church mates on a ferry for a day trip. The usually deserted island became alive with people and activities. This photo was taken by one of them.

Heading back was quite difficult. The current flow at this time was really strong around the island we departed (island on the right in the photo). We had tried but failed to advance, so we tacked to the island on the East (Big Sister's) and was able to head out to open sea again. Swells were building up always on the starboard side of the kayak as we slowly paddled forward. We had to carefully tack further Eastward to avoid being drawn into turbulent waters.

Back on St. John's island my sons were able to spot more wildlife both on land and in the water. It is almost impossible to see a live chicken on mainland Singapore, an urban and modern city. There's an urban tale about a student, who once drew a fastfood drumstick when told to draw a chicken because he simply had not seen a real live chicken before!

Another wildlife we took back to study was a praying mantis. It, too, will be released on our next trip. So far, we have read that the female sometimes bites off the male's head after mating! Some of the other insects and mammals it feeds on includes moths, grasshoppers, goldfishes, mice, small snakes and humming birds! Amazing videos can be found on YouTube.

Did some fishing in the afternoon, went to a parrotfish spot recommended by a friend and indeed caught a parrotfish for BBQ.

Other fishes targetted includes whiptails and baitfishes. I have never BBQ them before, so I tried them marinated with soya sauce and butter. And the result, YUMMY! Also cleaned these fishes using a method I learned on the web, no need to remove the scales, just peel the skin and snip off the head with the intestines, a 2 minute job.

Other BBQ food we had included banana-leaf wrapped spicy fish, salmon and capsicon, chicken fillet.

The kids recently watched Star Wars and were inspired to some Jedi light sabering.

I had planned some night fishing and squid jigging, but decided to just let my crab nets do the job for me, while I slept.

On the third day, we went to a third island (Kusu "Turtle "island). There was a tortise enclosure and also a pond to feed the fish. These creatures are symbols of longevity in many Asian cultures.

With much grit and determination, we have done it again!
Until next time, this trip will bring back many fond memories of fun filled adventures with many encounters with nature and wildlife.

Alex · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 2:34 am Post subject:

FISH SPA

Nano Sea Creatures

Baby Squid (4mm in size)

Baby Crab, Baby Gar, Baby Puffer, Baby Mullet

Alex · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 3:08 am Post subject:

Kayak Fishing for kids

Full gear for fishing expedition

Baby Queenie for junior

Fishing expeditions beyond daylight
With approval from the local Coast Guards

Alex · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 4:05 am Post subject: Some recent catches

Some of my recent catches

From the kayak

To the kitchen

To the dinner table

There were some changes to my usual bus 82 route lately,
have to depend an additional mode of transport now,
the local subway!

Alex · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 7:28 am Post subject:

I did it again

My first Red Snapper

sonar · Joined: 28 May 2011 Posts: 174 Location: Northeast. U.K

What can I say.

Looks like your having a great time and really getting some good use out of your Kayak.

I myself still have yet to use mine for fishing.
Slowly getting everything together but the best fishing here is after dark.
the cold weather will help.

Keep up the great postings Alex.

I will not be able to wear summer clothes when fishing it will have to be all thermal clothing for me. and something to keep me dry and warm.

Pearly · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Posts: 434 Location: Malaysia

Nice fishing Alex! That Red Snapper looks nice and fat - should taste yummy!