Mate, well done.  Welcome to the Mighty Yakmen Spearfishing Club, members include Bounty Hunter, The Snapper Whisperer, Cod Piece and Snoop.

I use a Perception Swing Kayak.  I stow my fins in the front of the yak along with a floatline which I have rigged a 1m chain and 0.75kg grapnel anchor.  The floatline is attached by a D lock so I can snap it on or off ot the bow rope loop.  I purchased a pod which sits at the back of the yak which I store my mask/snorkel, gloves and floatline.  If it is calm I tow the entire kayak using the floatline to speargun.  If I anchor I take the pod with me and use it as my dive plat (bonus, no fish in the water).  I clip off my speargun to some bungy cord which I have rigged around the yak (cost about $15 from Canoes and Kayaks).  I loop my weight belt through the bungy cord just behind where I sit, so I can put the belt on straight away.  Everything on a yak needs to be secured, because you will flip at some stage launching or beaching.. trust me.  I also tie off my paddle using bungy line (about 1m) and loop it under the tied off bungy on the yak when I am diving so it is secure.

"You can't kayak long distances with the jacket on as it cuts your circulation."
What's it like putting your top on or taking it off when on the boat? Tippy, difficult? I find it hard enough taking my jacket off on land?

"fish storage/refrigeration is also an important consideration i believe"
I have seen these insulated cooling fish bags on trademe that clip in the rear well of a fishing kayak. I was thinking about getting one of those and clipping it to a boogie board and using that when making shore dives?

[QUOTE=DUTCHIE] "You can't kayak long distances with the jacket on as it cuts your circulation."
What's it like putting your top on or taking it off when on the boat? Tippy, difficult? I find it hard enough taking my jacket off on land?

DUTCHIE, my kayak is 4m long which is about right, but they key is the width of the beam which is close to a metre.  It is slower than an Ocean Kayak, but I prefer the greater stability (personal preference).  Putting the jacket on and of is a piece of cake.  After anchoring I wet the jacket at the side then make sure my balance is fine then put it on! Piece of cake.  The weight belt is looped behind me, so very carefully I unbuckle it, then put it straight on.  When in the water you have to make a couple of adjustments, but it is sweet.

Oh, and as for refridgeration, I just chuck a salt ice bottle in the pod.  In summer I will use a wet (sea water) sack to cover fish as well inside the pod.

TSW.
Try diving and paddling around the Able Tasman or the Marlborought Sounds. I must agree tho the the water is a lot cooler than you guys experience up north. Maybe thats not such a bad thing then

Interesting reading. I was quite lucky and brought a 2nd hand kayak which was already rigged for fishing. Which meant things like anchors were already in place and the paddle has a bungy cord clip.

I brought a 1m by 1m dive flag from the warehouse. Had rigged it on the end of a fishing rod then put the rod into a rod holder. Often I could see the flag while my kayak was out of sight.

It is probably hotter in the South Island during summer then it is in the north island. The water is already nice and warm locally.


from Niwa
Northern North Island
Typical summer daytime maximum air temperatures range from 22�C to 26�C, but seldom exceed 30�C.

Northern South Island
Typical summer daytime maximum air temperatures range from 20�C to 26�C, but occasionally rise above 30�C


It takes me ages to get into my jacket on shore, and even longer to take the tight thing off. I believe it is slightly to small, I have also gotten slightly larger sense buying it. For long trips, I think I would paddle to near my dive area then land to put on my jacket before paddling the rest of the way. Would have trouble doing that in a few spots.

[QUOTE=TheSnapperWhisperer]

Much of what Snoop says is good. 

i know it's been up to 25 on the boulder bank before..............

Mili, sounds like you need a new wettie.

girlie-men