Kayaks and fishing

RE: Backing

Behind both of the RAM balls you see here (on the inside of the kayak), I used some cutting board backing. The top ball is for a rod holder, and the bottom one is for the depth/fish finder. The backing really helped stiffen up these attachments.

Fitting.jpg


You can see in the next pic how I extended the backing forward as a T-shaped shelf to hold my AA rechargeable battery packs (which I fashioned out of 1/2" PVC pipe and some washers and bolts).

The vertical piece of pipe serves a couple of functions. It supports the shelf, and it serves as a conduit for my finder cables (power and transducer). This vertical pipe screws into the green PVC cap (top pic), which is filled with a rubber stopper to make the cable outlet water-tight.

DryFit3.JPG
 
You guys forgot to mention the most important part of kayaking............. how do you get back on the kayak after you flip over lol. This i went to a lake for my birthday for some BBQ and lots of fun. Anyway my sis and me dicided to rent a kayak it was ocean kayak two sitter. We noticed that the kayak was very stable even in the wake from power boats. Well on the way back we were laughing...before i knew what happend we both were in the water. It happend so fast i didnt have the time to say OH in the OH S**T. Now getting back in the kayak was an adventure in it self.
What is the proper way to get back in. I live closer to the ocean so if anything i got lots of surf to fight with.

Sasha
 
From the new issue of Kayak Angler: "if you fall out of a SOT, you simply swim up to the bow, put it beneath you and roll into the boat. The water goes out the scupper holes and you are on your way!"

That's tough to do though if you have a bunch of gear in the front (rod holder, fish finder, etc.)

The other way is to sort of swim across the boat, and wiggle in. See this illustration: http://www.oceankayak.com/basics/reenter.html
 
All this Kayak Talk is getting me fired up to go out!

This is my Dad on the north east end if Isle Royal.
Just thought I'd share.
 
All these kayak talk has got me interested.

Anyone has a suggestion for a large open lake (Lake Ontario). I've used my canoe to troll the rivermouths in the winter for trout, but since I'm always by myself for this, a kayak might be a better choice.

I'm pretty good with canoes, but have only used a kayak for a few occations. What are some main features i should look for in a fishing in open water kayak?
 
sherlockbonez said:
All these kayak talk has got me interested.

Anyone has a suggestion for a large open lake (Lake Ontario). I've used my canoe to troll the rivermouths in the winter for trout, but since I'm always by myself for this, a kayak might be a better choice.

I'm pretty good with canoes, but have only used a kayak for a few occations. What are some main features i should look for in a fishing in open water kayak?
Click to expand...

Well, for speed, you might look into sea kayaks. Those things will flat go.

But for fishing, I'd still go with a sit-on-top. They're nearly unsinkable, and they can be rigged for fishing with all kinds of add-ons. People regularly take their fishing SOTs miles out in the ocean and fish for big saltwater beasts. I'd go with a longer kayak (at least 14 feet, 16 would be better) as they track better. You might even want a rudder system.

That magazine I posted the other day has a great list of fishing kayaks (8 pages worth, 75 yaks) with specs, pictures, and MSRPs. You can order a copy online:

https://www.rapidmedia.com/web_site_pages/kayak_angler.php

kayakangler07cover.jpg


Or you could pick up a copy at one of these Toronto retailers (according to the website, at least).

Fogh Marine
Toronto
416.251.0384
www.foghmarine.com

The Complete Paddler
Toronto
416-255-6905
www.completepaddler.ca
 
I listed these sites earlier in this thread and they have some fantastic info about kayaks as well as other info. I didn't mention it earlier but can't beleive I over looked it www.paddling.net has a great review section on every boat you can think of, a great forum with a fishing section and tons and tons of info. My big thing is I like to get information from ordinary Joes that are actually using these boats to fish out of and a lot of the sites I have visited seem to be sponsored by the brands they promote. Chris

http://www.riversmallies.com/

http://www.georgiariverfishing.com/

EDIT: A lot of kayak fishermen really like the sit on top kayaks, I am more of the sit in kinda guy. I have only paddled one SOT but it was a pretty wet ride, I prefer to stay dry, I also use my kayak when it is colder so the SIK suits me better. I also like the smaller more technical backwater creeks and swamps and a smaller boat is better for that, for open big water you will probably want to look at a much longer and bigger kayak than what I use. Guyons boat is fantastic for where he fishes and what he fishes for, and is set up beatifully for that, in my little streams and sloughs it would not be nearly as good. I guess what I am saying is it's a lot like buying a knife, do a lot of research and buy the boat that fits what you want to use it for. Chris
 
what about all those Hopi kayaks. The idea sound nice. Do they realy work???

Sasha
 
I just read about how to reenter the kayak. I did try it this way but the kayak would just turn over my head. I guess i would need to practice it in a pool.

sasha
 
runningboar, I tried to check out my boat (just to see what they say) on that site, but no Ocean Kayak yaks listed.


sasha said:
I just read about how to reenter the kayak. I did try it this way but the kayak would just turn over my head. I guess i would need to practice it in a pool.
Click to expand...

Or just shallow water. Before you load up the yak with any accessories/supplies, take it out in about 6 to 7 feet of water (just so you can't use the bottom), and do some practice re-entries.

Also, I would urge anyone that fishes in the winter time or in cold water to practice re-entry in the most trying circumstances. That is, waders and dry jacket (or wet suit) and life vest on. A lot of SOT fisherman will wear thermals under a set of waders and combine a watertight dry top for winter fishing. Problem is, when you dump in such a get-up, the tendency is for the apparel to balloon up from any air trapped inside. Makes it even more awkward to try and re-enter a boat.

Or if the top and/or waders do somehow fill up with water (these should always be tested before you head out in a kayak), then it gets really difficult to pull yourself and a couple extra dozen pounds of water into a kayak.

A couple of threads on dumping and/or re-entering (worth reading):

http://atlantakayakfishing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1796

http://atlantakayakfishing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1290

A thread that shows the value of leashing gear:

http://kfs.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7741008551/m/9661070773
 
Speaking of leashing gear, I found a good site the other day that recommended making leashes out of old phone chargers. I scrambled around at home and came up with three that were no longer used.

Going to make some leashes out of them this weekend.

http://www.allkayakfishing.com/articles/brodleash.html

Instead of clasps on both ends, however, I think I'm going to try to use a velcro rip away on the rod end and a clasp for the boat cleat.
 
sherlockbonez said:
Anyone tried an open top in sub-freezing temp? I'm worried that the whole deck would be frozen.
Click to expand...

When it gets that cold, I'm in a deer stand freezing my a$$ off--not in a kayak freezing my a$$ off. :D
 
runningboar said:
Guyon,
Is one of these models yours?
http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showKayaks.html?manf=115
Click to expand...

Duh, yeah. :D

Ocean Kayak Prowler 13, Angler Edition.

Must've had a brain fart moment when I was searching.

Thanks! :thumbup:

Edited to add: I see now. I was looking under Buyer's Guide, and OK is not listed in their pull-down menu of manufacturers. I should have been looking under Product Reviews.

Aside from two people who had scupper hole leaks, people seem to like the model. Re: leaks. That is one reason it pays to buy locally (instead of from a merchant who ships the kayak to you). One, you get to see (and maybe even try) the kayak first. And second, if there are any warranty problems (like scupper hole leaks), you don't have to ship a kayak back to the dealer. I actually got my yak on sale at a local Bass Pro shops. Signed up for their credit card and got another 10% off.
 
I just bought a Liquidlogic Manta Ray 10. I was looking at some of the bigger ones, but I ended up deciding on the 10 footer because I want something easy to throw in the back of the pickup truck and carry to the water. I mainly fish small lakes and ponds anyway. I didn't get the angler edition, so I'll need to add the rodholders and such myself.
 
Blue Sky said:
I checked it out, looks like it will make a fine fishing kayak.:thumbup: Found this page that has some nice views of one rigged out that I thought you may like to see:
http://www.liquidlogickayaks.com/products/pdfs/mantaray.pdf
Click to expand...

Sweet. I actually just ordered about $150 worth of accessories from Kayak Fishing Stuff. Two flush mount rod holders, a Scotty Power Lock rod holder, an anchor trolley system with anchor, a dry bag, rod and fishing pole leashes, paddle clips, and some deck loops.
 
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