I bought my Macski Kingfisher early 2006, after selling my plastic “ Epic” 2 man ski. Two of my mates and I cruised up to Mozambique end of August 2006 for 3 weeks of fishing (and drinking beer)
This is the off season period of the year as we were soon to find out, all three of us are serious fishermen but alas the southerly winds took their toll, the fish were generally off the bite and the see was rather wild. The first opportunity we had to launch was after a week of being in Mozambique.
Take note. This was the first time I had ever paddled out to sea, prior to this it was strictly estuary fishing. My mates launched in a double Fluid Plastic Ski and I on my Kingfisher. As we rounded the point of the reef we were confronted with what must have been a 4 meter swell, dark blue water and over cast. Having done a lot of Cuta fishing from Ski Boats I am aware that the best pick-ups are when you do a turn on a slow trawl. On my first turn against the back line I had my first pick up, missed, rebated and performed the same maneuver again, this time I was on and within about 10 minutes I gaffed my first 12 kg Cuta caught on a fishing ski, I must admit it was a scary thing sliding that fish with razor sharp teeth between my legs into the hatch. Shortly after the wind picked up and we headed for land.
I caught a wave from backline and raced to the beach, my two mates capsized about mid-wave, but managed to swim to shore..
My opinion of the Macski Kingfisher Fishing Ski.
As said before, I bought my Ski in 2006, I have fished Gonubie River, Nahoon River, Fish River and Xora River, My wife and I also did the overnight Buffalo River Harbor Challenge in East London.
I find the craft easily to handle in all conditions except howling side winds (but I can well imagine every other ski would react the same) My wife (Belinda) was so impressed with my ski that I ended up buying her one in 2007. She loves it, we often take a braai, my dog, ice box and all the fishing paraphernalia and spend the day on the river having a lunch time braai on a secluded bank.
I am in the process of training my wife for preparation of sea fishing, we will attempt Gonubie bay and beyond soon and hope for good weather on our planned trip to Mozambique early Feb 2010.
I made a stainless steel double rod holder which fits into the front bait up holder and allows me to have two rods parallel to the front of the ski and pointed slightly up from the water, this gives me better results when fishing for shy Spotties, when anchored I normally anchor from the rear of the ski and fish towards the front.
All and all, my wife and I are extremely happy with the Kingfisher, handling, stowage and mobility. The ski’s have given us excellent service and allow us to spend hours on the water, being it fishing or bird-watching or even just paddling to exercise the aging body.
Our two ski’s are aptly named:(mine) Witblitz (hers) Spinnakop
Best Regards
Steve A Henstock
Gonubie
East London
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