Official show off your kayak thread

[Jump n Fish]

Since the boaters had their thread a while back, and kayaks are getting more popular on here, lets show off what we got. I like to see new rigging ideas. I'm in the market for a second kayak as well and would like to see what people have tried and how they like it. Any man-powered fishing craft would be cool to see as well. Float-tubers and canoers are welcome.

I've posted these pics before, but I'll start. Here's my Heritage Redfish 12' outfitted with rod holder, fishfinder, anchor trolley sytem, and paddle keeper. I absolutely love this kayak and cannot fault it in anyway. Very stable and tracks great. I can even out run a friend of mine in his 14' Malibu extreme sea kayak. My favorite feature is the big flat open ****pit with room to lay all my poles and extras in front of me, and the dry pocket right behind the seat for the camera, cell phone, wallet, keys, etc.

[Jump n Fish]

Here's some of the rigging that went into it. Drag chain anchor system with retractable dog leash and trolly to anchor from any angle.



Fishfinder installation sealed with marine goop around mount and then transducer attached to inside of hull with silicone and small motorcycle battery for power. Transducer shoots thru hull perfectly, the only thing lost is the water temp accuracy, but fishing rivers where I'm sliding over rocks, logs, and gravel bars in swift current at any angle, this was a must for me.

[thedarkarcher]

thats friggin sweet

[Chad]

That's a great boat, Jump!!!

Here's mine... thanks to a friend!
(sorry for the retail pic... it's all I have right now)


If there is a more "entry-level" kayak, I'm not sure what it would be. But that doesn't matter to me. I'm just happy to have the mobility to fish where I need to be.

I need to make several enhancements. Here's what I'm hoping to add:

1) Adjustable foot rests
2) Rudder kit (the short boat doesn't track the best)
3) Front decking kit
4) Anchor system (by the way Jump, what do you mean by "trolly to anchor from any angle"?)
5) Rear hatch kit
6) Paddle holders
7) 2 Rod holders

[Jump n Fish]

Originally Posted by Chad

4) Anchor system (by the way Jump, what do you mean by "trolly to anchor from any angle"?)

Well, you can buy an anchor trolly system, but it will require drilling and permanant fixing. Thats all fine and dandy, but some people don't like the trolley and would prefer to just anchor from either the stern or bow, and if you find you don't like the trolley, you might want to remove it. I made a makeshift trolley that didn't require any drilling to see if I liked it, well turns out the one I made works great and I have no need for a permanantly installed one.

Heres how it works, Notice in the one of my picture's I have a pulley tied to the front handle. I have the same thing tied to the rear handle. I have a cord that loops thru both pulleys that runs the whole length of the boat that I just lay on the left side of the kayak. You can see it in the picture with the dogleash. Now on the string for the pulley system I have tied a caribiner.(you can use a regular steel ring, I just like the option of removing my anchor line from the caribner). I run my anchor line from the dogleash thru that caribiner and I can slide that caribiner anywhere along the length of my boat thus anchoring usually off of either the bow or stern if you actually want to hold in swift current, but it also gives me the option of anchoring with my side to the current. It would work the same on a pond with the wind pushing you. So the dog leash stays in the same place, the pulley system just pulls the anchor line where you want it. I think the trolley is really helpful on the river when you want to change the way your kayak is positioned to make it easier when casting at different angles on structure.

Nice yak btw. I know someone that has been fishing with that kayak for a few years and he feels no need to try anything else. They all get to the same spots regardless of how fancy or simple they are that is unless you're on some really big water.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by Jump n Fish

I think the trolley is really helpful on the river when you want to change the way your kayak is positioned to make it easier when casting at different angles on structure.

Brilliant! Thanks.

[skeeter85]

Here's my rig

I use it for shark fishing...First I hook the shark and then I paddle like hell to tow him to shore (as seen in the pic). Sometimes I have to punch him in the gills...Anyway, once on the dock we cut his fins off and role him back in the water.

[Jump n Fish]

Haha, thats classic.

I had to snopes that photo when I saw it and found out its REAL!! That guys got nalgas.

[rigger]

Here's some pictures of my Redfish 12.













Btw jump n fish I used to jump down at Weeping Water on occasion. Nice to see another skydiver in here. I made all those lanyards for my rods by finger trapping old control lines from my tandem.


Here's a picture of a driftsock I made for it out of some parts I had laying around.

[Rangerman]

wow guys those are awesome. I have one that looks a lot like Chad's and never would have thought about making a complete fishing machine out of it. Now I have the wheels turning on what I can do with mine....thanks for the pictures.

[scoots60]

Heres a picture of me with my kayak geting ready to fish at Kayakjak's Rock Creek Tournament in 2007.

[Scott Eveland]

Sorry to steal from your post Chad, but...



I bought a pair of these this spring for the boys and I. I need two more.

We just paddle around for now. I'm thinking I need to get a sit-on-top rigged for fishing now too...

[Jump n Fish]

Sweet boat Rigger!! Is that line you have on the left side going from the front to back a type of anchor trolley? I like the lanyards for your fishing poles too. I haven't lost any yet, but I went diving in about a 8 foot hole trying to find a friend of mines reels. He had them in his bucket which wasn't strapped in, and the bucket tipped over from the weight of the rods.

[wcbad]

Originally Posted by Jump n Fish

Here's some of the rigging that went into it. Drag chain anchor system with retractable dog leash and trolly to anchor from any angle.



Fishfinder installation sealed with marine goop around mount and then transducer attached to inside of hull with silicone and small motorcycle battery for power. Transducer shoots thru hull perfectly, the only thing lost is the water temp accuracy, but fishing rivers where I'm sliding over rocks, logs, and gravel bars in swift current at any angle, this was a must for me.

Ignore my previous post! You have a sweet rig here. Redfish is a good ride from what I have read. How comfortable is the seat? Doesn't look like there is much to the back.

[Jump n Fish]

The seat is actually another one of my favorite features of this boat. The back of it is stiff enough you can lean back with no probelm, but its plenty padded as well. I've sat in this thing for as long as 12 hours at a time without any discomfort other than having to stand to stretch my knees. The back support is great.

What kayak is that in your avatar? I thought it kinda looked like a manta ray. If so, then it should have the same seat as mine unless its more than a few years old. If its a tarpon then the seats a little different. I've demoed the tarpon as well and though the seat is good, I thought the manta rays and redfish was a little more comfortable for myself anyway.

BTW, I never saw your previous post so no worries there.

[wcbad]

Here is my Tarpon 120. Love this thing. Have caught more fish than ever because I am out on the water now. I have a fish locator, but have not installed it yet. Notice the NEFGA sticker prominently displayed

[/IMG]

[Jump n Fish]

I'm pretty seriously considering the Tarpon 120 for my second kayak. It is an awesome ride. I was really torn between it and my redfish when I was shopping, but I got a deal on the redfish I couldn't pass up and so far I couldn't be more pleased with it, I just need another one for my wife and anyone else I can drag along so I can arrange a shuttle when doing river floats.

[rigger]

Yes that's an anchor trolley. I've never hooked an anchor to it. I use it for my driftsock. I can control which way I'm facing as I drift along the shore by running it back and forth.

[LiquidSteel]

With just a few more lessons, I can take off my training wheels!



J/K

Ive actually paddled in one before, it also had pedals in it. It was alot of fun, but I have yet to fish from one.

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/8...hekayakil0.jpg

(photo was way too big to place on the thread)

[TROUTMAN]

All I need now is a Radar Wing. I may not catch the most fish from my yak but I bet I carry the most gazanga. Man I love to Kayak fish!!