Birthday Present...big Tuna

[brpowers]

Got the best birthday present so far,

 

Wife let me purchase first ever water vessel, guess all my "subtle hints" finally pushed her over the edge. She said we both had to be able to use it. After researching and finally making a decision, went with the Jackson Big Tuna in Forest camo. Will be getting this on the water next weekend hopefully, it is going to be burning a whole in that work bench. Not going to fish first time out, just get it one the water and paddle to see how it handles.

 

If anyone in the KC area fishes the local smaller lakes (Lenexa, Olathe, Gardner, Johnson County parks) let me know. It would be nice to go with some guys that have more experience to learn from. I wont feel comfortable with bigger lakes till I have made a few trips on smaller ones, but eventually hope to get out on Hillsdale, La Cyange, and other local lakes that are good for bass fishing.

 

Any tips you guys can give me on kayak fishing to get me started would be greatly appreciated...

 

Items I still have to purchase:

PFD

Paddles (yeah two there are no free rides, at least i hope)

 

Items to consider:

Anchor Trolley

Brush Clip

Anchor (unsure of type)

Paddle leash (i think)

Rod leashes

DIY push pole

Fish finder (not for a year or two)

    Dry box & Battery

    Mounting options

[Hanover_Yakker]

Congrats on joinging the plastic navy!  I have several friends on the JK Pro Staff and can offer one recommendation - if at all possible, keep the seats in the low position when paddling in choppy waters or heavy wind.  First, it may be a tad difficult to paddle at times like that; and two, it decreases the chances of you getting tossed overboard.  I had a friend who was launching at a boat ramp in some choppy water and he flipped/turtled at the ramp with his seat in the high position even after I warned him.  He doesn't do that anymore

 

Other than that, your approach on just heading out and enjoying the experience first is a great way to start.  As far as rigging, I would take a single older rod with you so you can fish some, but also take with you vaseline.  What you do is place a dallop of the vaseline on the butt of the rod and while sitting in the various seating positions, move the rod around you to see what feels natural and what does not.  Then, mimic stowing the rod in a rod holder by seeing how far you can reach beside and behind you.  When you feel you have reached your maximum comfort zone, touch the butt of the rod to the hull.  This will now mark the spot and make it easier for you when you get back home.  Then you just have to decide on what rod holder to use.

 

I'll make a couple suggestions on this front for you that will pay off in the long run.  First, draw out your plan first on paper - be precise on your measurements and know the various options out there before you go a buy something.  Second, use the YakAttack GearTrac rail mounting system or Mighty Mount with Backing Plate wherever possible.  Both of these moutning systems allow you to interchange rod holders, FF mounts, accessory mounts, etc by using the YakAttack Might Bolt based products like Screwballs (RAM products), VisiCarbon II Safety Flags, Scotty and RAM rod holders, etc.  The beauty of the the GearTracs and Mighty Mounts is that they give you greater flexibility in positioning your rod holders for different situations.

 

I use my GearTracs to position my RAM Rod Tubes slightly forward and angled outwards - it serves two purposes.  First, it allows me to troll with my rod tips still visible yet the rods are stowed aft of my seating postion out of the way.  Second, it  works as a rod storage location while I land a fish.  The rod is out of the way.  Third, it also makes tying leader knots, lures and baiting hooks much easier without having to deal with a rod laying in my lap.

 

Regarding your list of remaining items to purchase - do not purchase cheap accessories like a $50 paddle or PFD if at all possible.  If you have to cut costs, do so on the PFD initially, because using a cheap heavy paddle will discourage you and increase the chances of you not enjoying your time on the water in your new Big Tuna.  I recommend that people start our with a paddle similar to the price point of the Bending Branches Angler, Aqua Bound Manta Ray ($79-129 price point).  As far as a PFD, USCG requirements state you must wear a Class III level PFD in most states, so make a trip to your local kayak shop and test fit your PFD while sitting in one of their Big Tunas on the floor.  If the shop doesn't have any, then sit in the JK Coosa, Cuda 12 or even the Native Slayer or Ultimates.  They have a similar style seat.  The key with choosing a PFD is fiding one that is both comfortable and suitable for your paddling position while seated.  If it's not comfortable when you paddlle, there is an increased chance that you won't wear it!  Safety first!!!

 

Other than that, once you have your PFD, make it a point to go to the water with only your kayak, paddle, and PFD first and launch into a shallow 3-4' section where you can test out your stability comfort zone.  Learn the limits of both your kayak's primary and secondary stability and your overall equilibrium and level of comfort in each seated position.  Once you have that nailed down, then you can spend more time on the water focusing on the fishing and not worried about whether you are going to flip or not.

 

Everyone has been knocked out of a kayak or flipped it out at some point, and if they haven't they will at some point - it's not a question of whether you will ever turtle in a kayak.  It's only a question of when will it happen.  Most of the time, it happens when you do something beyond your normal limits and put yourself in a position where the slightest change ends up with you in the water.  Like trying to unsnag a lure and leaning too far one way or the other or reaching for a fish in the thigh seat position (don't laugh - I've seen it ).  It happens - just expect it and move on.

 

Now go out and have some fun!!

[brpowers]

Thank you very much Hanover_Yakker! Really appreciate the info. I was think about using velcro dots on the end of the rod (Vaseline will be cheaper) and to just mark other spots for items. I was thinking about the YakAttack rails or the mighty mounts, just need to keep the gear add-ons to a usable level.

 

Do you use anything to dampen the noise in the kayak. Padding or rubber gripping (like on hook one website)?

 

Again thanks for the info. and my whole goal is to minimize the number of times my kayak "humbles" my balance!!

[Fishing Rhino]

Congrats, and enjoy.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Glad to help. I use the Stewart Products STS like you see on HOOK1, but another option that is fairly new is Conseal also to be sold on HOOK1.