Shakespeare 145 Angler Review
By
Steve Wadley – Treasurer SWKA
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The folks at White Water Consulting, sponsors of the first prize in the 2010 & 2011 SWKA Oxwich Kayak Angling Festivals - a fishing kayak package on both occasions - have generously given South Wales Kayak Anglers two Shakespeare kayaks on long-term loan for the benefit of members.
So many thanks first of all to Keith and his team in Carmarthen!
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I’ve had the pleasure of paddling and trialling the ‘Shakespeare Angler 145’ kayak on three trips recently out of Oxwich, Langland and Newton and the good news is it’s a fish catcher! Well I’ve been lucky enough to catch fish from it anyway...... So here are my early views on it from both a paddling and fishing perspective. I’ll try and keep these honest and, hopefully, objective despite the fact that I like it a lot – so much so that I’ve gone and bought myself one! Here it is complete with my Skwoosh Pro Angler seat and R$obson Zephyr paddle upgrades
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First impressions - I think it looks a good! It’s a sleek looking yak, built for speed and comfortable efficient paddling whichever angle you look at it. The 145 is available in range of colours e.g. sandstone, yellow, or(in my eyes at least a very fetching granite. Ok that might not be “high viz” on a sort of er..... granite coloured Bristol Channel, but fitted with ‘fluorescent’ strips, a night/navigation light and paddled by someone wearing a Fladen fluoro yellow PFD, armed with a pocket full of flares, a VHF radio, mobile phone and, not forgetting, a whistle should be enough to get the RNLI to me if the worst happens. And that’s leaving aside that I’m usually out with a bunch safety minded SWKA fishing buddies. Shakespeare’s ‘emotion’ logo on the bow front doesn’t really capture the imagination or do anything particular for me if I’m honest. It’s a bit like the 'all seeing eye' from the Lord of the Rings. But that’s largely a marketing/branding thang and of only superficial significance from an overall perspective – unless branding is the be all and end all for you!
So working from the front we see and have:
One of the more comfortable carry handles around, with recess to spare your knuckles, to which you will note that I have fitted a (non-drill) anchor trolley fixing using one of the screw fittings supplied.
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The spacious front hatch provides access to loads of storage space. It swallowed up my c-tug trolley, dry bag and a load of other kit. Access and water ingress is protected by a neoprene cover, tethered to the yak to make sure you don’t lose it accidentally, and over that fits a snug cover secured by cross over bungees. All very neat, tidy and practical.
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A single Scotty rod holder is fitted as standard. But, and as is often the case on fishing yaks, it’s just that little bit too far forward to be ideal if you’re sitting back in the seat – but it’s much easier to get to if you’re sitting side saddle. And as I said it comes as part of the package so you can’t grumble about that!
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Beneath the rod holder is space/flat areas for kitting out fish finders / gps etc. Mine are still in the boxes - must get them on soon! The cockpit view shows just how roomy the cockpit is and the mouldings here are cleverly designed to offer maximum space and good leg room with adjustable footrests.
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The rectangular square centre hatch is just the right size, takes a heap of kit and is very easy to open and close with a positive locking system. Initial design has been re-enforced with a bulkhead to avoid undue flex. The deep lid make a great area to store plugs and lures. I’m aware that the 145 is also available with a circular screw-in hatch but I consider this to be an inferior option - it’s smaller and just that little bit harder and more awkward to open and close.
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The yak ships with a pretty standard Shakespeare seat which is Ok unless you lack a bit of padding on your backside like me (Ok, Ok, I'm allowed one lie at least!) but I upgraded to the ultra comfortable Skwoosh Pro Angler which I have to tell you is the dogs b's in terms of comfort. Quality bit of kit lads and lasses, with great support and a nice size pack on the back which comes with 3 plano type boxes for all yer lures and rigs or alternatively anything else you want to take afloat e.g. lunch!
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For the confident yakker, moving to a side saddle position is easy - the 145 is a very stable fishing platform. The rear of the boat is again well is well designed with two backward facing flush-fitting rod holders and mouldings for an easy to reach anchor and bait bucket, with more bungees to secure anything else you want to take afloat.
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Paddle keeps each side too. You'll see I've also added a couple of fittings here again to run my anchor trolley through. All no-drill again.
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The package comes with a standard (basic) Shakespeare paddle which I passed on in favour of a nice Robson Zephyr upgrade.
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So, and in summary, the Shakespeare 145 seems to me to be a well designed and impressive newcomer to the kayak angling scene, providing welcome competition to the other brands on the market. It is a fast, sleek, stable and comfortable yak, with excellent build quality and comes with a range of top quality features and equipment which provides most of which the paddling angler requires.
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The 145 (including standard seat, paddle Scotty rod holder) retails at £799, but you should be able to improve on that significantly by negotiating (make sure you ask!) a discount which will make it comparable in price to its competitors and represents good value for money. It is well worth a look. Try and a get a paddle/fish on before you buy - SWKA members just need to ask for a go on the loan yak!
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The UK distributors for the Shakespeare range (and lots of other good stuff) are:
White Water Consultancy
Bronwydd,
Carmarthen,
West Wales,
SA33 6BE
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Store Opening:
Mon-Fri: 9am to 5.30pm
Sat: 9am to 5pm
Tight Lines!
Steve
