seabeejason

I reach and control it from the side with my hand. The handle actually extends out, but it is not extended in the first picture. If you look at the second picture (just added in the original post) you can see the handle extended. I still have to turn my body slightly to the side and reach behind me if I do a 90 to 180 degree turn, but that is something I find negligible. Thank You! It floats just fine. It does make it a bit heavy in the rear and some water does enter through the scupper holes, but it is not a major problem. I lightened the load a bit by not carrying so much tackle with me. Another advantage is that I only weigh 160 lbs. So with the trolling motor, battery, and me it probably brings the weight up to around 210 lbs or so. Well under the weight capacity of the kayak. I could see this potentially becoming a bigger issue for someone in the 200+ range though. I should also note that Old Town does make a Minn Kota edition of this kayak. It has a 45lb Minn Kota Max built into the center of the kayak that is removable. So, you get the option to remove it on the days that you just feel like paddling. It is also a salt water trolling motor. The kicker is that the kayak with that option is $2,799.00. This particular kayak was engineered with a side mounted trolling motor being an option. It balances just fine. I tested it on the water already. Absolutely! Most states require that you register any vessel if you add any type of motor to it. Here in Missouri, you simply take your retail receipt/bill of sale, statement of origin for the kayak, and your latest personal property tax receipt to the drivers license bureau and register the boat. It cost me a total of $38.00 for all the paperwork. Make darn sure to bring that retail receipt though. In Missouri, if you can't prove that you paid the tax they will tax you again when you register it. For some kayaks (usually smaller lightweight ones) adding that kind of weight to the side can destabilize the kayak. Making it much more likely to flip in the event that you become unbalanced. For my kayak, the Old Town Predator 13, this is not an issue. I can stand in it without a problem. It is 33 inches wide and extremely stable. Controlling direction is done via the handle on the trolling motor. You simply rotate the trolling motor to control direction. The trolling motor itself also has five different speeds and also has reverse. A rudder is definitely an option, but I have not added one to my kayak.

They are a legitimate. I looked them up on the G Loomis site. I called and they were very helpful and said that it shipped directly from their shop in California. They said that is must have gotten overlooked during the manufacturing process. It happens I suppose.

I did and he said that it should have those numbers on it. I guess I just never noticed. It looked legit when I received it.

I purchased a G Loomis NRX 873C from www.*.com a while back. I just now realized that it has absolutely no model number markings or any of the other markings that you normally see on a G Loomis rod. It just says "NRX" on it and has the G Loomis logo. This is making me nervous as I am aware of fake NRX rods being sold by certain vendors. Do all of your NRX rods have the model number, such as 873C and the action, etc?

Figured I'd share this. I've been pondering adding a trolling motor to the kayak for quite some time. I've battled with it simply because I didn't want to add a trolling motor to something that is made to be human powered. The whole point of a kayak is to do some exercise, right? Well, after using it for several days recently on a medium sized lake I came to the conclusion to add a trolling motor. Why? One simple explanation....TIME. Having this option allows more time for fishing. I can get to spots faster & get back to the ramp faster just before dark. Several of the lakes around me are awesome bass fishing lakes, but have 9.9hp limits. Which keeps me off the lake with my larger 150hp bass boat. Simply put, adding a trolling motor to the kayak gives me the ability to access these lakes & efficiently fish them. Why not buy a small jon boat you may ask? Well, I already own the kayak for one. Two, is that I can still easily access lakes that are inaccessible by regular boats. Which is the case at one of my favorite fishing holes. Now that I got all that out of the way, on to my install. I have an Old Town Predator 13 kayak. I done an absolute ton of research into trolling motors, mounts, batteries, etc. The biggest questions were as follows: 1. What size trolling motor? 2. What size battery? 3. Most importantly, how do I mount it without spending a ton on a special mounting set up from a retailer ($150+)? Solution: 1. Minn Kota Endura C2 30lb Trolling Motor. I chose this motor from a couple aspects. It's short at 30" in length. It's light, compared to other trolling motors. It gives me plenty of power for a kayak. I looked into an Endura Max because of the digital maximizer. I decided against it due to the added weight & shaft length. Not to mention it costing $130 more. 2. I chose a Wal-Mart EverStart 27DC Marine Battery. Considerations were cost, good reviews, more power (109ah), & how well it fit into the Minn Kota Trolling Motor Power Center I purchased for the battery. The power center gives me containment, a battery meter, accessory power, & circuit breakers. It's a bargain for what it does. 3. Mounting. My biggest conundrum. For this, I went to a local steel place & purchased a 40"(ish) piece of 1/8" angle iron. I simply drilled two holes in each end to bolt it to the kayak, then two more holes into one end (on the vertical angle) to mount a piece of wood for clamping on the trolling motor. I drilled 5/16" holes & used 5/16" bolts & lock nuts with washers. I did spray paint the angle iron with truck bed liner to keep water off of it (stops rusting). I already had it, so that is what I used. All told, the mounting bracket cost me about $6.50. Not bad considering most retailers use the exact same thing & charge $70.00+. There you go. Hope it helps those of you pondering the addition of this set up to your kayak. I'd like to also note that this is very easy to remove if required. Another thing to remember is that adding a trolling motor does (in most instances) require that your kayak be registered with the state. I'll have to register mine. This is because the kayak is no longer considered a "human powered" vessel once you add any type of motor. It's not a big deal to me, especially considering my kayak came with a statement of origin. I simply bring that, pay for the documentation, get my stickers, & I'm good for three years.

I saw that many on here have already recommended the Bending Branches Angler Classic. That is what I have & I strongly recommend it. It's an awesome paddle. I use the 250cm length. My kayak is 33" wide & I'm 5'7" tall & typically paddle with my kayak seat in the high position. My kayak is an Old Town Predator 13. Hope this helps.

I do not ever fish Wappapello. I hear good things from time to time. I am leery of taking the boat there due to all the stumps off the narrow channel. I will probably hit it up eventually though. My main lake as of now is Kincaid Lake over in Southern Illinois. Mainly because it is only a 45 minute drive and holds good bass. I am planning to hit Kentucky Lake this fall though. It is about a 2 hour drive from my house, but I gotta get some time in over there eventually.

Hey folks, Long time lurker from Southeast Missouri, but just now joining. Been fishing my whole life, but just became a die hard bass fisherman last year. I don't care about catching anything else. I own three fishing kayaks and bought me a 1998 Triton TR-18 last summer. I already own more lures than I will ever need, the wife is already tired of me "fishing too much", and I'm on a bass fishing forum while I am "at work". There's no hope for me - Jason