Won A Fishing Kayak! Finally Joining The Addiction.

[Jay Ell Gee]

My girlfriend and I won a Perception Pescador 12 last Friday in a drawing from Academy. The kayak was rigged by the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club (thank you so much guys!). Along with the kayak, it included a nice paddle, Humminbird 150 fish finder (transducer epoxied into the inside of the hull),12v deer feeder battery, PFD, a nice reinforced insulated soft cooler, two extra rod holders, an anchor trolley and a 1.5lb grapnel anchor.

 

To my understanding, the kayak is basically a 2008 Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120. I haven't got to really test it yet (leg injury) but my girlfriend paddled it around for a little bit and had a blast. I am a little fluffier than most kayak guys but the yak floats just fine with me on it. Just ordered some scupper plugs and a small conversion kit to make the center hatch into a dry storage. As of now, it only accesses the open bottom storage. I would really like to have the spot to put my phone, camera, license, etc.

 

I also picked up an Attwood collapsible net as well as a stick on ruler.

 

I am also looking into the RAM Mount Track Rails to put left and right for adjustable rod holders for my baitcasters, spinning setup, and also my fly rod. It seems to be a nifty little system.

 

Just thought that I would show off my new (free!!!) toy and ask for some input from experienced kayak fisherman. Any particular mods that are a "must have?" If I get a rail system, is there any special type of epoxy or sealant that I need to use when I put screws into the yak?

 

I am also open to suggestions for some DIY projects, particularly a shallow water anchor as well as some type of cart to haul it to the water when I am on my own... maybe even some kind of stringer setup. Pictures would be greatly appreciated!

 

I plan on finding some backwaters soon and try my hand at nailing a few fish. May keep it simple and bring the fly rod for some bluegills, just for the first few trips out. I won a new red tackle box from work in a contest as well as it will have it's own home in the new red yak. I will really have to pace myself when filling this tackle box... if I brought my normal box I would probably end up on the bottom of the lake!

 

[Darren.]

Wow! Congrats on the win! The adventure begins!!

[Mr_Scrogg]

I have a Pescador too. Its a SOLID platform. You will love it. Fish it first, before you start going crazy with riggings. I have rigged 2 fully before I realized that I didnt necessarily NEED some of it.

A new world will be open soon. Remember to always wear your PFD. Safety should always be kept in mind.

[Mr_Scrogg]

Rail systems like the YakAttack Gear Track actually seals itself fairly well. The pilot holes are drilled smaller than the hardware. So it pretty much has a tight seal. I've never had a issue with leaking.

[Darren.]

 

I am also open to suggestions for some DIY projects, particularly a shallow water anchor as well as some type of cart to haul it to the water when I am on my own... maybe even some kind of stringer setup. Pictures would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

I am very much a DIY guy, but on the shallow-water anchor, I opted to drop $75 on a 7' Stick-It Anchor Pin. Excellent investment, IMHO. HOWEVER!!! I just found out that some guys are using golf ball retriever sticks for anchor pins. For one thing, they are light weight, retractable, and when you cut off the ball retrieving end, you have an aluminum point to jam into muck and stuff. A great idea.

 

As for a cart, I spent a lot of time on this project and ended up with, what I consider, the absolute best cart ever

 

12" wheels from Northern Tool. 1/2" Zinc-coated steel rod. 3/4" reinforced washer hose (black) from Home Depot, some grey PVC, and a boat V for trailers. This setup traverses any terrain, adjusts to roots and such and keeps you in a straight line. Pics below:

 

 

[Mr_Scrogg]

I opted for the 6' ParkNPole from YakAttack. Both are great products. I made a pvc stake out pole, but found it wasnt as effective as the ParkNPole.

[Jay Ell Gee]

I appreciate the insight. I was looking into building one but I really do like some of the aftermarket poles.

 

The golf ball retriever was pretty high up on my list, as was building one from PVC.

 

I have never been one to use anchors in my bass boat... guess I'll have to learn with my new grapnel. I can see them being useful in different situations.

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm hoping to make it out as soon as the leg heals up! You know how it is... new shiny toy, sitting up and can't quite be used yet. The only thing I can do to scratch the itch is think of ways to mod it to my liking... haha.

[spitbuger]

fish it... before you hang crap on it you will end up taking off..

I have a Pescador too. Its a SOLID platform. You will love it. Fish it first, before you start going crazy with riggings. I have rigged 2 fully before I realized that I didnt necessarily NEED some of it.

A new world will be open soon. Remember to always wear your PFD. Safety should always be kept in mind.

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

 

I am very much a DIY guy, but on the shallow-water anchor, I opted to drop $75 on a 7' Stick-It Anchor Pin. Excellent investment, IMHO. HOWEVER!!! I just found out that some guys are using golf ball retriever sticks for anchor pins. For one thing, they are light weight, retractable, and when you cut off the ball retrieving end, you have an aluminum point to jam into muck and stuff. A great idea.

 

As for a cart, I spent a lot of time on this project and ended up with, what I consider, the absolute best cart ever

 

12" wheels from Northern Tool. 1/2" Zinc-coated steel rod. 3/4" reinforced washer hose (black) from Home Depot, some grey PVC, and a boat V for trailers. This setup traverses any terrain, adjusts to roots and such and keeps you in a straight line. Pics below:

 

 

That is a great kayak cart design! I'm so gonna try this out. Thanks a ton!

 

 

 

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

I am also open to suggestions for some DIY projects, particularly a shallow water anchor as well as some type of cart to haul it to the water when I am on my own... maybe even some kind of stringer setup. Pictures would be greatly appreciated!

 

Congratulations! Kayak fishing is so much fun. In addition to the ideas previously posted, the one thing I CANNOT leave without is a drift sock. It has made the most difference in my fishing trips. Without the sock it gets so frustrating trying to make multiple casts to a spot before the wind just pushes you along. 

 

Another easy project is a milk crate with rod holders made from pvc pipe. Click on my profile and I have some pictures of my kayak with the crate. Enjoy your new kayak!

[flyfisher]

I opted for the 6' ParkNPole from YakAttack. Both are great products. I made a pvc stake out pole, but found it wasnt as effective as the ParkNPole.

The other great part about the yakattack pole is that it floats.

[Jay Ell Gee]

The other great part about the yakattack pole is that it floats.

I actually stopped by a local kayak store (first time) and they were running a 20% off store wide sale. I went ahead and picked up a YakAttack ParkN'Pole, 6 footer. Very cool little gadget. I figure, the yak was free... I can splurge on a pole.

I also appreciate the milk crate idea, have seen a few of those lately. However, the tempress soft sided bag actually has two more rod holders in it. Time will tell if they are sturdy, but I sure am going to try them.

Anyone use the Scotty type holders? I use baitcasting, spinning, and fly setups. Can you buy just one base and then get multiple heads to accommodate different types of reels? I would like to keep the yak as clean as possible.

[flyfisher]

I had the Scotty holders but I went with ram mounts. The fly holder works better with the fly rod and spinning set ups and I also like versatility of the angle of the mounting.

[Jay Ell Gee]

I had the Scotty holders but I went with ram mounts. The fly holder works better with the fly rod and spinning set ups and I also like versatility of the angle of the mounting.

 

I sell ram mounts at work and was actually looking at those earlier. Seems like a decent setup. I am really just looking for one to put forward of me. The ability to swap out heads seems nice, and you are right... can't beat the adjustment range! I really like their rail system as well. No idea what I would really use them for, though.

[Scorcher214]

You lucky son of a gun!