Kayak Bass Fishing!

[2833-34497]

I have a Wilderness Commander 120 and a 12' Hobie Pro Angler with no extra mods done other than a rod holder and fish finder. Love fishing out of both even though I use the Pro Angler the most. My wife enjoys coming along just to kayak and relax on the bank nearby while I fish, so I got her a Wilderness Tarpon 100 and a 12' Hobie Pro Angler. She also loves calling out I see a big bass right here come over and try and catch it, lol!! Time out on the water fishing and my wife happy is priceless!! Here' a few picture of the kayak and my storage set up!

[GrifGod]

I have a Wilderness Commander 120 and a 12' Hobie Pro Angler with no extra mods done other than a rod holder and fish finder. Love fishing out of both even though I use the Pro Angler the most. My wife enjoys coming along just to kayak and relax on the bank nearby while I fish, so I got her a Wilderness Tarpon 100 and a 12' Hobie Pro Angler. She also loves calling out I see a big bass right here come over and try and catch it, lol!! Time out on the water fishing and my wife happy is priceless!! Here' a few picture of the kayak and my storage set up!

6.25-pound.jpg6.7-pounder.jpg20130902_172850.jpg

Awesome man! Sounds like you have a sweet setup going on. Thanks for sharing!

[flipin4bass]

The crate...so far...and I still feel I'm carrying too much. Going from bass boat to yak, 15-20 3700 boxes to 3 has been an interesting journey in down sizing. I'll never go back though, fishing out of kayak has landed me more fish, more peace, and more gratification.

[Master Bait'r]

 

 

 

My crate with a lid

 

 

 

 

Where do they sell this?  I tried to zoom in on the tag and couldn't see a darn thing.  I like that a lot.   

[Franner11]

I always take too much with me on a kayak fishing trip.

I got the Ascend Bass Pro FS10 sit-in. LOVE IT!

 

[DogBone_384]

Here are a some photos of my 'fleet': I've got Lowrance Elite-4Xs for the 128T & Lure 11.5. Easy to install if you know how to hold a screwdriver.

     

 

Edit: Flipin4bass PM'd me liking the way I mounted the transducer in my 128T.  I don't Facebook, so here's how I did it (easy as pie):

• Bring your transducer to Home-D or local plumbing supply store and find a plumbing flange it fits into.  Don't forget the rubber cover.
• Find the flattest spot on the kayak's bottom that's below the water line.  I used a hole saw to make a nice clean hole.
• Put the flange through the hole, secure it with a couple strips of duct tape, then drill four holes for stainless fasteners (screws or nuts/bolts, your choice).
• Take the flange out and drill the kayak's holes 1 size larger to accommodate your fasteners.
• Mount your transducer in the flange so it's just inside the hole.  I painted the flange black.
• Mount the flange from inside the kayak using the screws and marine epoxy, ensuring a waterproof seal.  
• Cut a small X in the rubber cover for the transducer wire.  I used a stainless hose clamp.  I don't get any water through it, so don't worry about sealing the X.

Not much to it.  I used adhesive tie wrap mounts to keep the wires neat in the hull.

[pcakes55]

I have a Native Slayer 12 which I would highly recommend taking a look at. 90% of the time I am casting and paddling standing up (even when boats make wakes as they go by). Not only that, but the seat is also extremely comfortable. I usually have it in the "high" position and never feel tippy. An added bonus is the small wheel that comes already mounted on the kayak...makes transporting the kayak MUCH easier. 

 

I love kayak fishing. There have been times where I am fishing in the same vicinity as bass boats and I will pull up 10 fish while they just watch and catch nothing. Being able to sneak up on fish without a motor is really underrated. 

 

One tip I can give you is to bring as little as possible. I can pack a ton of **** into my kayak on a trip, but it can become a real pain in the ass having more than a few rods with you...one of the most annoying things is being blown by the wind into a tree/dock and having your rod tip(s) get hung up (or break!) 

[Turtle135]

Where do they sell this?  I tried to zoom in on the tag and couldn't see a darn thing.  I like that a lot.   

 

"CratePak Camouflage". I was about to write that they stopped selling those in the United States but then I saw this:

 

http://www.precision-pak.net/detail.asp?catid=80500&subcatid=0&pdtid=653135&maincatid=80460

[DogBone_384]

I have a Native Slayer 12 which I would highly recommend taking a look at. 90% of the time I am casting and paddling standing up (even when boats make wakes as they go by). Not only that, but the seat is also extremely comfortable. I usually have it in the "high" position and never feel tippy. An added bonus is the small wheel that comes already mounted on the kayak...makes transporting the kayak MUCH easier. 

 

I love kayak fishing. There have been times where I am fishing in the same vicinity as bass boats and I will pull up 10 fish while they just watch and catch nothing. Being able to sneak up on fish without a motor is really underrated. 

 

One tip I can give you is to bring as little as possible. I can pack a ton of **** into my kayak on a trip, but it can become a real pain in the ass having more than a few rods with you...one of the most annoying things is being blown by the wind into a tree/dock and having your rod tip(s) get hung up (or break!) 

 

My Lure 11.5 has an integrated wheel for transport - I agree that it's much easier to move around once it's off my truck.  I've got a scupper plug dolly for my 128T, a must if you have to lug a kayak alone.

 

I installed anchor trolleys on my Lure and bought a 3 pound anchor from BPS - works great.  

 

I also learned quickly to pack light.  It's easier and forces me to focus on just one or two techniques for the day.

[everythingthatswims]

The crate...so far...and I still feel I'm carrying too much. Going from bass boat to yak, 15-20 3700 boxes to 3 has been an interesting journey in down sizing. I'll never go back though, fishing out of kayak has landed me more fish, more peace, and more gratification.

I always feel like the absence of a trolling motor keeps the bass more at ease. There's no way they don't discover a relationship between a trolling motor and being caught/fished for

[GrifGod]

I always feel like the absence of a trolling motor keeps the bass more at ease. There's no way they don't discover a relationship between a trolling motor and being caught/fished for

I would have to agree!

[GrifGod]

"CratePak Camouflage". I was about to write that they stopped selling those in the United States but then I saw this:

 

http://www.precision-pak.net/detail.asp?catid=80500&subcatid=0&pdtid=653135&maincatid=80460

Is that website legit?

[Turtle135]

Is that website legit?

 

I think the website is legit but it looks like they ship from outside the United States (which jacks the shipping charge up to an unacceptable amount). They made some popular kayak items and I had heard years ago that distribution in the U.S. became problematic (looks like they never resolved that distribution issue).

 

Here is a similar product available in the United States: http://www.austinkayak.com/products/9101/Milk-Crate-Buddy-No-Crate.html

[GrifGod]

I think the website is legit but it looks like they ship from outside the United States (which jacks the shipping charge up to an unacceptable amount). They made some popular kayak items and I had heard years ago that distribution in the U.S. became problematic (looks like they never resolved that distribution issue).

 

Here is a similar product available in the United States: http://www.austinkayak.com/products/9101/Milk-Crate-Buddy-No-Crate.html

Yeah haha. I went to look at shipping and it was over $70. Just ridiculous! Thanks.

[GrifGod]

Cmon guys keep sharing! This is a hot topic!

[LVFishing]

I bought a Feel Free 11.5 Lure last year after trying eight or so kayaks! Super stable if you like to stand up! the other model that I almost purchased was a Diablo Chupacabra! Both great sit on top kayaks that are super stable! Absolutely love my Lure!

[LVFishing]

Recommend visiting austin canoe and kayak website....they have a great online kayak screening tool that will allow you to focus on what criteria are really important to you!

[DogBone_384]

I bought a Feel Free 11.5 Lure last year after trying eight or so kayaks! Super stable if you like to stand up! the other model that I almost purchased was a Diablo Chupacabra! Both great sit on top kayaks that are super stable! Absolutely love my Lure!

 

I really like mine, though my 128T is a pretty close 2nd.  My Lure is easier to hoist onto my ladder rack too. Now that FeelFree has a 13.5 I might have to talk myself into selling my 128T and getting the big Lure....  

[flyfisher]

Here are a some photos of my 'fleet': I've got Lowrance Elite-4Xs for the 128T & Lure 11.5. Easy to install if you know how to hold a screwdriver.

photo.jpg IMG_3327.jpg    IMG_3169.jpg

IMG_3171.jpg IMG_3172.jpg IMG_3175.jpg

IMG_3176.jpg IMG_3177.jpg IMG_3180.jpg

 

Edit: Flipin4bass PM'd me liking the way I mounted the transducer in my 128T.  I don't Facebook, so here's how I did it (easy as pie):

• Bring your transducer to Home-D or local plumbing supply store and find a plumbing flange it fits into.  Don't forget the rubber cover.
• Find the flattest spot on the kayak's bottom that's below the water line.  I used a hole saw to make a nice clean hole.
• Put the flange through the hole, secure it with a couple strips of duct tape, then drill four holes for stainless fasteners (screws or nuts/bolts, your choice).
• Take the flange out and drill the kayak's holes 1 size larger to accommodate your fasteners.
• Mount your transducer in the flange so it's just inside the hole.  I painted the flange black.
• Mount the flange from inside the kayak using the screws and marine epoxy, ensuring a waterproof seal.  
• Cut a small X in the rubber cover for the transducer wire.  I used a stainless hose clamp.  I don't get any water through it, so don't worry about sealing the X.

Not much to it.  I used adhesive tie wrap mounts to keep the wires neat in the hull.

wow, you are a brave person to drill that size hole in the hull of your kayak.  How long have you had your set up like this?  I just can't imagine it being watertight for too long through a lot of freeze thaw cycles.  Couldn't water also come through the top if you water line is above the top of that PVC?

 

Not to mention, i am sure you nullified your warranty by drilling through the hull ad potential weakened it as well.

 

With so many options for mounting a transducer i just don't see the need for drilling through my kayak but to each their own....

[DogBone_384]

wow, you are a brave person to drill that size hole in the hull of your kayak.  How long have you had your set up like this?  I just can't imagine it being watertight for too long through a lot of freeze thaw cycles.  Couldn't water also come through the top if you water line is above the top of that PVC?

 

Not to mention, i am sure you nullified your warranty by drilling through the hull ad potential weakened it as well.

 

With so many options for mounting a transducer i just don't see the need for drilling through my kayak but to each their own....

 

Why would you have a problem cutting a hole in your kayak?  It's only a piece of plastic.  

 

Seriously though, I installed it in May, so it's been through a full season (a New England season, anyway.) without a leak.  As far as the rubber cover goes, I used a gasket hole kit to punch a hole just big enough for the cable to slip through and made a little X so the transducer's connector could get through.  No real need to do more than that.  I used marine epoxy in addition to the stainless screws to fasten the flange to the kayak.  

 

Before I became a Firefighter I worked for Alpine Electronics where my job involved building custom audio systems for show cars and before that for a higher-end retailer.   Modifying stuff is just my thing I guess.

[DRH2O]

I have an Ascend A10 that has been fully customized and I LOVE it!

 

I tell people all the time, I don't care how long you've been fishing. Catching a 5+ lb fish out of a kayak will change your life.

 

Among the many customizations I've undertaken and made for it is a completely portable system for my Lowrance Fish Finder. I've posted it up elsewhere but I'll share it below.

 

--------------------------

 

 

When I was trying to decide how to rig my fish finder the two things that were priorities were 1.)quick set up and 2.)ease of transport. 

 

I considered permanently mounting the transducer in the hull, but then that meant all of that cord was going to have to be maintained somehow during transport. I wasn't really crazy about that idea. I also considered an external arm for the transducer but then I was looking at rigging and running cable everytime I got on the water. Plus I fish a couple of lakes with a ton of milfoil and salad and having that arm down in the water didn't seem like the best solution for me.

 

I finally ended up with a solution that simply sits up front between my feet under the dash and shoots through the hull. It's completely self-contained and portable and sets up in seconds.

 

First I took a plastic CD storage container and nested it inside a shoe-box sized plastic container. The battery and sonar display both fit in the small container. The cable and the display base fit in the room that's left in the shoe-box. Basically I just experimented with containers until I found I found something that gave me just enough space to hold everything nice and tidy inside. 

 

Closed up for transport

 

 

Lid open - everything stowed

 

 

What's inside

 

 

I drilled a hole in the end of the shoe-box container and ran the transducer/power cord through it, leaving the transducer on the outside and nestling the rest of the cord in the gap. I mounted the transducer right to the end of the plastic box. I have the mount tightened up just enough to hold it in position but so that I can slide it up so it's above the bottom for transporting or down so it sits where it needs to below the box when in use.

 

 

Up for transport

 

 

In-use position

 

 

Then I marked off where the holes on the base are and put some little machine screws in the top of the battery box lid that stick up just a bit. These act as pegs and I can just set the display base right on them and it all sits solid. I decided that I wanted another option so I also put a couple of machine screws coming out of the front of the shoe-box. I can slide the top of the base under the upper lip on the box and fit the bottom on these pegs and it all sits snug once again. This lets the display ride lower. I like this configuration better if I'm doing much trolling.

 

High position on top

 

 

Low position in front

 

Finally I just took some duct seal and made a little well in the hull for the transducer to sit in.

 

Well

 

Transducer in the well

 

 

All set up

 

The whole thing stores in my travel tote with the rest of my gear. When I'm putting in I just open the shoe-box, mount and plug in the display, set it in place in my yak then pour enough water in the well so that the transducer it touching it. It shoots right through the hull no problem.

 

I'm really really happy with how simple this was to make and how convenient it is to use. I was able to scrounge up everything I needed to make this from my garage except for the duct seal. Seal, screws and containers might come to $10 total cost in parts.

 

I hope sharing this might give you some ideas that you can use on your own rig!

 

 

 

~Denny 

[HoosierHawgs]

I have an Ascend A10 that has been fully customized and I LOVE it!

 

I tell people all the time, I don't care how long you've been fishing. Catching a 5+ lb fish out of a kayak will change your life.

 

Among the many customizations I've undertaken and made for it is a completely portable system for my Lowrance Fish Finder. I've posted it up elsewhere but I'll share it below.

 

--------------------------

 

 

When I was trying to decide how to rig my fish finder the two things that were priorities were 1.)quick set up and 2.)ease of transport. 

 

I considered permanently mounting the transducer in the hull, but then that meant all of that cord was going to have to be maintained somehow during transport. I wasn't really crazy about that idea. I also considered an external arm for the transducer but then I was looking at rigging and running cable everytime I got on the water. Plus I fish a couple of lakes with a ton of milfoil and salad and having that arm down in the water didn't seem like the best solution for me.

 

I finally ended up with a solution that simply sits up front between my feet under the dash and shoots through the hull. It's completely self-contained and portable and sets up in seconds.

 

First I took a plastic CD storage container and nested it inside a shoe-box sized plastic container. The battery and sonar display both fit in the small container. The cable and the display base fit in the room that's left in the shoe-box. Basically I just experimented with containers until I found I found something that gave me just enough space to hold everything nice and tidy inside. 

 

Closed up for transport

 

 

Lid open - everything stowed

 

 

What's inside

 

 

I drilled a hole in the end of the shoe-box container and ran the transducer/power cord through it, leaving the transducer on the outside and nestling the rest of the cord in the gap. I mounted the transducer right to the end of the plastic box. I have the mount tightened up just enough to hold it in position but so that I can slide it up so it's above the bottom for transporting or down so it sits where it needs to below the box when in use.

 

 

Up for transport

 

 

In-use position

 

 

Then I marked off where the holes on the base are and put some little machine screws in the top of the battery box lid that stick up just a bit. These act as pegs and I can just set the display base right on them and it all sits solid. I decided that I wanted another option so I also put a couple of machine screws coming out of the front of the shoe-box. I can slide the top of the base under the upper lip on the box and fit the bottom on these pegs and it all sits snug once again. This lets the display ride lower. I like this configuration better if I'm doing much trolling.

 

High position on top

 

 

Low position in front

 

Finally I just took some duct seal and made a little well in the hull for the transducer to sit in.

 

Well

 

Transducer in the well

 

 

All set up

 

The whole thing stores in my travel tote with the rest of my gear. When I'm putting in I just open the shoe-box, mount and plug in the display, set it in place in my yak then pour enough water in the well so that the transducer it touching it. It shoots right through the hull no problem.

 

I'm really really happy with how simple this was to make and how convenient it is to use. I was able to scrounge up everything I needed to make this from my garage except for the duct seal. Seal, screws and containers might come to $10 total cost in parts.

 

I hope sharing this might give you some ideas that you can use on your own rig!

 

 

 

~Denny 

 

Cool set up! That's a nice rod bend you've got going there in that last photo!

[Rhino68W]

The crate...so far...and I still feel I'm carrying too much. Going from bass boat to yak, 15-20 3700 boxes to 3 has been an interesting journey in down sizing. I'll never go back though, fishing out of kayak has landed me more fish, more peace, and more gratification.

Hey battle, where did you get that crate?

[GrifGod]

Hey battle, where did you get that crate?

You can get them at Home Depot. Only place I found a regular size milk crate

[Brent Christian]

Thanks guys appreciate it im for sure going to have one ready for spring!