Kent Cod meet 2011, England, 11/12/13 November

We had a meet in Kent this month targeting Cod. It was nice and local to me only 30 miles so it would be rude not to attend 




The weather for Friday was not good for a South coast launch, so we arranged to go from Westgate. Its a nice place to launch from and the deep water is only 3/4 of a mile paddle.





We got out to the mark and anchored. well Dan, Steve and Steve anchored I dragged, this was going to be the story of the weekend for me. I was not happy out at the mark and decided to head for shallower water. I cant put my finger on why I was not happy but as it turned out it was a good move. I caught Doggies and Whiting as did everybody else. The wind was brisk and offshore and by mid afternoon we had had enough and paddled in. Now I must say that when I was at anchor I had noticed that the water in the footwell was a higher than I remember it usually being. I vowed to go on a diet and use the the rowing machine. When it came to pulling the yak up the beach, it weighed a ton and no wonder it had a few gallons of water sloshing about in the hull...eek! I had been slowly but surely sinking But it was not all bad news at least I didn't have to lay off the beer and pies ;D
We headed back to Dymchurch but not before stopping at the chandlers at Dover where Steve [pipes] created bad karma for himself by rushing in and knabing the last bruce anchor in the shop. ??? Then it was back to base after a trip to Tescos to stock up on food, beer and wine. An improvised repair was done on my yak and it was deemed fit for launch the next day.




Next day [ Saturday ] and the weather was better and forecast to improve. So we all headed for Sandgate. It was a bit lumpy and dumpy, but what the hell we were eager fish.
Steve [pipes] went first with no dramas in the shore dump, but managed to get his dry suit hooked up on a carabina.



Next up came Steve [lureman] who launched onto the only bit of flat water I saw all day. Then came Dan. Dan seemed a little hesitant to launch so Ben, ever helpful, said he would give him a push, which he did; ready or not ;D



Loz was next. Thinking he could sneek out without being filmed he shot out into some of the bigger waves further up the beach. It was spectacular.



Then Ben decided to go for it. He launched. He came back. He fell off. He launched again, this time with more success.



We got out to the 50 ft mark and decided to stop there. Steve lowered his nice new bruce anchor over the side and promptly lost it. Thats what happens when you create bad karma
Steve tied up to me but we just drifted off slowly but surely towards Folkstone. Steve headed for shore and I still carried on drifting. By the time I was opposite the Metropole I decided to paddle back. It was a big slog against the tide I heard a big yell from the assembled kayakers it was Steve and his big Cod.





Steve managed a second good un' plus Loz had a couple and Dan lost one after it stripped half a dozen yards of line. We headed in for the beach at dusk and admired Steve's fish.





Sunday dawned breezy but sunny, Ben had headed back to his brothers the night before, Steve [lureman] headed home, as did Loz and Dan.



But me and Steve [pipes] went for a paddle up the river Stour near Canterbury with the Song of the Paddle crowd... if you think the Anglers Afloat crowd are weird you should meet this lot :
Anyway here's a few photos of the day and a video.








I did go back and have another bash a few days later this time successfully 

Very Cool looks like a good time. Thanks for posting a report from across the Globe.
Glad the repair went good.

that is one steep pebble beach you guys launch from.  Must be a pain getting back up it!

Glad to hear that ya noticed the leak before things got worse, even better to know y'all were able to repair the crack I enjoyed watching Loz's launch! Having experienced those, it definitely gets your blood and heart pumping especially when the plastic gets a lil air after punching through lol 

Thanks for another report across the Atlantic, cheers! 

Thank you for another awesome report with lots of video clips TM.

So awesome, not sure how I missed this report!!!  Some big looking fish this time too!    As always, I enjoy hearing your adventures!  Thanks for sharing what it's like across the pond.