Advice On Outfitting My Native Ultimate 12

[Christian M]

Last week I scored a Native Watercraft Ultimate 12. I also own a Tracker PT17, which I absolutely love, and plan on keeping for years to come. However, it takes a lot of time and effort to take my Tracker out, especially alone, in a V6 SUV loaded to the hilt...hence the Ultimate 12. I used to own a Scanoe, which I regret selling, but it was too cumbersome to take out to remote locations alone. Anyway, now that I have my Native, I'm working on setting her up. So far I have a good starter paddle with a float and leash connected to my vest, a 5 lb anchor, milk crate with a 3 rod holders zip tied to it, 2 Scottie mounts that need rod holders, paddle clips, 2 nylon cleats, 2 packs of those little hook loops, & 3 rod floats. I plan on using the Kayak in small, shallow lakes, ponds, and rivers/tributaries that I cant get my boat into. Does anyone have any advice on rigging my Native that I haven't covered yet? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks guys.

[Mike2841]

The crate is good enough for me, I isually only take out 2-3 rods on my kayak (ride 115) so the 3 rod holder on the crate does just fine. I would start with that, and the more you have it on the water the more you will know where you want to put stuff.

[B@ssCrzy]

An anchor trolley is a must!!  Especially if you are planning on fishing rivers or anywhere with current.  Also, I love having my Jackson Cuda rigged with my GPS sonar unit. 

[MichiganFishing1997]

How do you like that yak? Im looking for an angling kayak and I cam across that model.

Christian.

[Christian M]

Thanks for the advice guys! I really appreciate it. I took it out and the milkcrate was perfect with 2-13 rods. Im still debating whether I wanna put my humminbird 581hdci on my yak, then buy a newer unit for my Tracker, or just buy a cheaper, smaller unit for the kayak. Im leaning toward the latter, since im gonna be in such shallow water, all I really wanna know is water temp, depth and a hint of where the fish are. I got everything I need for an anchor trolley, along with the cleats etc. Im just getting a feel for the kayak before I start drilling holes.

[Christian M]

How do you like that yak? Im looking for an angling kayak and I cam across that model.

Christian.

I really like the Ultimate 12. At first I was a little nervous because its a hybrid style yak, but I got it in great shape & its pretty light. The first time in it I was wobbly for 5 minutes, within 30mins I was standing up and casting. I was really impressed with how well it tracked with little effort. If you can get it for a good price, go for it.

[B@ssCrzy]

Thanks for the advice guys! I really appreciate it. I took it out and the milkcrate was perfect with 2-13 rods. Im still debating whether I wanna put my humminbird 581hdci on my yak, then buy a newer unit for my Tracker, or just buy a cheaper, smaller unit for the kayak. Im leaning toward the latter, since im gonna be in such shallow water, all I really wanna know is water temp, depth and a hint of where the fish are. I got everything I need for an anchor trolley, along with the cleats etc. Im just getting a feel for the kayak before I start drilling holes.

 

Another option instead of buying a new sonar unit.  Just buy another transducer, power cord and base and then use the same unit for both and just go back and forth.  Love having the extra features on my yak and helps me to get used to the unit more.  Just a thought. 

[FrogFreak]

I own a Wavewalk. At first I rigged it with  a bunch of stuff I thought I'd need but lately I've really went minimal on my rigging. Just the rod holders and that's about it. I do have a collapsible oar I got at Cabelas that I keep in the yak just in case.  

[Darren.]

As the owner of a U12, I love the yak for customizing. It has a myriad of options you can add to it.

 

I approached my rigging a few years back with a milk crate, zip-tied rod holders (PVC), etc. But I have evolved my setup over time, and continuously ponder what works, what doesn't and what can be done better.

 

The U12 has legendary secondary stability. I stand in mine all the time, even in high winds.

 

Suggestions:

 

1) Seat riser. Standing is far easier with set raised. I've gone from PVC risers to (currently) sitting atop the gunnels via a couple 1x4 pressure treated boards.

 

2) Under seat Drawer/box: Under the boards (and under me), is a drawer system screwed in. I use that to store a spare prop for my Minn Kota, some scent, digiscale, and 4 3600 size boxes of soft plastics, etc.

 

Have also used a box (like a storage box) under the seat for doing the same thing.

 

3) Anchor trolleys on both sides

 

4) Anchor pin of some sort - whether DIY (look for golf ball retriever anchor pin for kayak online) or buy (like i did) a Stik-It Anchor pin, or other brand. Pins are much better (IMO) than dropping an anchor in the shallows.

 

5) For regular anchor - cheap retractible dog leash (26 foot model) via Harbor Freight or a dollar store. Keeps your anchor line under control, out from under foot (potentially)

 

6) Traction pads for the deck. Can buy online or at a kayak store. SeaDek makes a great product, too. Makes standing and moving around a much quieter affair.

 

7) Trolley to transport, if you need to. I made one on my own. Use it when I go places I have to transport the U12 over a distance.

 

 

8) Trolling Motor - if you ever get to the point you want to electrify your U12. BassYaks makes a kit, or you can do it yourself as I have done.

 

I no longer use a milk crate. I place my rods in front of me, handles between my legs on the seat, with rod tips going over the front of the yak. I placed some traction pads down to keep rods from slipping.

 

Not a perfect solution, and I use shorter rods, so not necessarily the right idea for 7-8 foot rods. But it keeps the rods out of your way when casting.

 

Look online for a myriad of DIY options for the U12. I am also a member here:

 

http://www.nativeownersgroup.com/forumdisplay.php?206-Native-Watercraft-Ultimate%99

 

There's a ton of stuff you can learn from the U12 owners. You can see some of my mods there as well.

 

Oh, tip for mounting your fish finder - B@ssCrzy is spot on. Just buy parts to use your current unit on both boats. - but the tip for mounting would be this - if you want to DIY, go to Walmart and buy a black cutting board. Cut it out to dimensions that will fit your electronics. Go buy some slugs for the Native track system, or buy some toilet bolts (the kind that secure the toilet to the floor flange with a flat bottom). Cut them to proper length, go buy some screw handles at a local hardware store that thread onto the bolts. Then build a transducer arm out of ¾" square aluminum tubing. Bolt that down to the board. Rig your electronics up with zip ties, etc.