Got a yak

[pondbassin101]

So I got a 10' Lifetime Tamarack Angler kayak over the christmas season and I need a few pointers. I know next to nothing about kayaking at this point and I have a few questions.  First being a PDF. What should I look for, inflatable, regular? The second just overall fishing from a yak. What things I should do/ not do, how should I outfit it, what to look out for, how to land fish, just pointers in general. And one more thing, is a fish finder something I should seriously consider getting, that is it going to change the way I fish?

[68camaro]

Congrats on new yak, I started fishing out of one last summer and loved it. As far as PDF, I would go to store and try several on to see what you like and trust, but definitely get one and use it. Its like a seatbelt, the more you use it the more automatic it becomes putting it on.

 

As far as outfitting, I also think this is best to get out there, start fishing and through experience outfit your yak to what works for you. I fish mostly shallow water but a fish finder is still very helpful, although I use something different the Hook 4 is supposed to be a very good inexpensive one.  However you do not need one but it does come in handy and help you read bottom.

 

Alot of people use milk crates with fish holders attached to help carry multiple rods, tons of ideas on youtube.  

[fishnkamp]

Do yourself a favor when you go try one on make sure you sit down with it on. It might fit great standing up but sitting down it might not be as comfortable.  I know with canoeing that was true.  You not only need it to fit but you need room to paddle and fish.  Try looking at some videos on youtube. It is a great resource.  

https://youtu.be/L5RoxxIkCEw

https://youtu.be/hooZcMYwrK0

and these are just a few ideas.

[pondbassin101]

4 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

Do yourself a favor when you go try one on make sure you sit down with it on. It might fit great standing up but sitting down it might not be as comfortable.  I know with canoeing that was true.  You not only need it to fit but you need room to paddle and fish.  Try looking at some videos on youtube. It is a great resource.  

https://youtu.be/L5RoxxIkCEw

https://youtu.be/hooZcMYwrK0

and these are just a few ideas.

Thanks for the pointer and videos, I'll check things out.

[Choporoz]

I got my first kayak a few years ago and after lots of reading, I settled on Stohlquist Fisherman High Back.   I have used it every single time out and except for being a bit dirty, its as good as new -- straps, pockets, zippers, etc are all perfect.  I see it is 'still' on sale from Austin Kayak. 

 

I've since done a lot of reading and thinking about getting an inflatable, but always end up deciding against it.  I would certainly love to get rid of the bulk of a conventional PFD.  However, I am sticking with mine.  My hesitation with inflatables have to do with laziness - not interested in 'maintenance', and concerns about when I'll actually 'need' it.  Auto-inflates require some maintenance and the fact that I fish in the rain a lot, I'd never be comfortable that it wouldn't inflate due to my lack of diligence and/or too much exposure to rain and humidity.  I consider myself a good swimmer and have thought that a manual might be fine, except that I imagine that the time I'm going to need it might involve head trauma in rocky rivers or from jet ski or powered boat, making it unlikely that I would be able to pull the cord. 

 

As to customization.....well, books could be written....

Mine came with track rails forward and back, making a lot of customizing quite easy.  I have a crate behind me with a 3-rod holder ziptied to the front.  In the crate I have 4, 3700 plano boxes, an anchor, a head lamp, three water bottles (one empty for use as a urinal), hand paddle, Hawg Trough.  In the hatch between my legs, I use a Bassmaster bag because it fits perfectly - filled with plastics, tools, cigars, plug knocker, first aid, etc.

On the rails and other external attach points, I have a flag/light in back, one rod holder, anchor trolley, fish grip, Lowrance, push pole.

Mounted inside, is transducer and fishfinder battery goes in front hatch, secured with some foam blocks that I gooped to inside of hull.

In/on PFD, I have wallet, keys, lighter, readers, Boomerang.

That's all pretty standard.  I do adjust a little depending on the trip -- low water river floats, I may lighten load a little, or lash stuff down better.

[NYWayfarer]

I use a auto inflate PFD as I like the open back and arm freedom it gives me.

 

Most fisherman vest style PFD's have the floatation material around the waist and mesh on top for freedom of movement while rowing and casting. That's fine but the floatation being around the waist messes up the way I sit in my ergonomic kayak seat.

 

I follow the less is more rule when kayaking. Less stuff with me means less stuff to lose if I have an accident. 2 Rods, usually a baitcaster for cranks and a spinning reel for dropshot and ned rigs. All my baits and tools fit in a shower caddy I place in the cockpit with me.

[J Francho]

I like an inflatable in warmer months.  I use a hydrostatic model By Mustang.  It has never gone off in the rain.  All auto inflatable jackets have a manual rip cord.  I've submerged mine three times, and it never failed.  My passive PFD is a Stolquist Angler model.  It has a high back to accommodate fishing seated.  Front storage pockets flip out, and act like utility trays.  If you're going to take multiple rods, I recommend at least one more holder location than the number of rods you're carrying.  It's convenient to have an extra spot to stash the rod while unhooking the fish.  A good setup is a crate with 3 vertical holders, opposite your predominant casting side, mounted on a milk crate for tackle storage.  Then two up front on either side, fore enough to reachable, but out of the way.  The fish finder is not a must, but nice to have, if you are going to venture off shore.  If you're just fishing creeks and shallow ponds, it may not be as useful.

 

Congrats on the new vessel, and stay safe.

[Fishingmickey]

I know your itching to try out your new yak Pond Bass. I'm not sure what the weight capacity is and what your weight is. But a 10' yak is kind of short and most likely designed for smaller sized individuals. If your of the larger size like my self (175lbs and up). You might have to upsize your kayak. It is winter time and even in Florida the water might get a little chilly. We're hitting mid-fifties here in Texas. Be careful out there and until you know your abilities and limitations always go out with a friend. It doesn't take much for a kayak to flip especially if your larger sized in a small sized yak and you get your center of gravity/balance outside the yak. It will go out from under you like a soap dish or bananna peel and you'll be swimming.  Good luck and please be safe!

Fishingmickey

[Turtle135]

A couple of people have mentioned but wanted to stress that you get a "high backed" pfd (if you are not going the inflatable route). The high back prevents the back of your pfd from constantly bumping your seat (which gets annoying and uncomfortable real quick).

 

I would recommend you go fishing for a couple of trips without adding anything. Travel light with one rod you can lay down in front of you and few lures. Get used to how the kayak paddles, turns and overall stability. Carefully reach behind you to see if you could put an item in the rear tank well without destabilizing the kayak

 

Congrats and good luck!

 

[J Francho]

35 minutes ago, Fishingmickey said:

I know your itching to try out your new yak Pond Bass. I'm not sure what the weight capacity is and what your weight is.

275 lbs. capacity. 

[Choporoz]

I don't know, @Fishingmickey....I won't argue with your experience, but I am quite a bit north of 175# and I have never considered a kayak longer than my 10' due to stability reasons.  I have flipped once, but that was only because I anchored...in current....with trolley mid-ships. All dumb, but nothing to do with length of my yak. 

Which reminds me of something I forgot in my novel above -- Due to less than awesome seat, I use a boat cushion to sit on.  I recognize that raises my center of gravity even more, but never to where I was concerned.

-Looking at pics of OP's purchase, I suggest some augmentation to seat padding, also.  Alternatively to my throw cushion, my wife has used a memory foam-type pad that she loves. 

[J Francho]

^^^ Butt cushion truth!

[Fishingmickey]

Hi guy's,

      Not meaning to be a purveyor of doom and gloom. I've just read too many news articles about people drowning in the winter time in kayaks they got for Christmas and some of them were even wearing life jackets and Hypothermia got'em. I know a couple of them were on the larger reservoirs here in south and central Texas. Went out on a beautiful day and a cold front blew in. Kayaking can be dangerous in the winter, just saying.

FM

[pondbassin101]

To answer all the suggestions, I think I'll look into a regular PFD for the time being. I don't really have the money for a nice inflatable and I'm not looking to spend over $50-60 in general. I also don't think I'll have too many issues with stability, I'm around 5'10" and under 150 lbs. 

 

Should I look into getting a better seat or just some padding? I have some old memory foam lying around, but I don't know that would look just sitting on the seat. I also don't plan to take it out too much until around March, as the water is pretty cold. A dip would also mean losing at least a few things, so I'd probably end up going on quite a few dry runs just to get the hang of kayaking in itself.

[fishwizzard]

I might be the one weird guy who does not like high backed PDFs.  I have an NRS with a pack like the one Turtle135 posted and I feel like it keeps me pushed away from the seat and kills my lower back.  I am going to replace it this year with an Astral Ronny Fisher, which has a thin, even back, like this;

 

 

[Choporoz]

34 minutes ago, pondbassin101 said:

 

Should I look into getting a better seat or just some padding? I have some old memory foam lying around, but I don't know that would look just sitting on the seat.

You may not need anything....you're a quarter my age and apparently in a lot better shape

As to how it looks with padding?  Well...may be another factor of my age, but I don't care AT ALL what it looks like on mine - if it makes me more comfortable.  I've always time-limited out around 6-6 1/2 hours -- but now, instead of limping with excruciating pain at the end of the day, it just some hunched over shorter term mild pain.... lol

 

Something to keep in mind that we tell first time yakkers is to keep your shoulders inside the 'gunnels' -- you can usually really only get in trouble if you get your head/shoulder out over the side - stay 'centered' and your yak's natural buoyancy will take care of you

[Turtle135]

2 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

I might be the one weird guy who does not like high backed PDFs.  I have an NRS with a pack like the one Turtle135 posted and I feel like it keeps me pushed away from the seat and kills my lower back.  I am going to replace it this year with an Astral Ronny Fisher, which has a thin, even back, like this

 

just curious, what kayak do you have and (no offense) are you height challenged?

 

 

 

 

[pondbassin101]

.

[J Francho]

He was referring to fishwizzard's post about his preference.  He was asking if he was shorter.  I'm only 5-7, and I think I know what he means, though it doesn't bother me.  I have a Commander 140 as my main kayak, and sit on the captains perch or stand most of the time.

[pondbassin101]

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

He was referring to fishwizzard's post about his preference.  He was asking if he was shorter.  I'm only 5-7, and I think I know what he means, though it doesn't bother me.  I have a Commander 140 as my main kayak, and sit on the captains perch or stand most of the time.

Just realized that sorry. 

[fishwizzard]

3 minutes ago, Turtle135 said:

 

just curious, what kayak do you have and (no offense) are you height challenged?

 

I have a Slayer 10 and am about 5' 10-11".  I try to keep the seat pretty upright and try to sit straight up in it.  The bottom of the foam on my current PDF (and NRS Chinook) hits the top of the seat by maybe an 3/4-1".  

 

I am also interested in the Ronny due to the flip down pockets/trays.  I want to do more wading on the Potomac this season and I feel like I should start wearing a PFD more in general when wading.  The pocket/trays are amazing for retying lures or general fussing when standing up. 

[J Francho]

That PFD looks well thought out.

[fishwizzard]

2 minutes ago, J Francho said:

That PFD looks well thought out.

I know, right?  I got to try one on and it is very very comfortable, the pockets are easy to reach and open, and they stay out of the way pretty well, even with my wallet, phone, wife's phone, her wallet, my keys, and my pocket knife in one of them.  

 

Astral Ronny Fisher Fishing PFD: $160

Embarrassing your wife at an hiking store: Priceless. 

[Turtle135]

20 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

I have a Slayer 10 and am about 5' 10-11".  I try to keep the seat pretty upright and try to sit straight up in it.  The bottom of the foam on my current PDF (and NRS Chinook) hits the top of the seat by maybe an 3/4-1". 

 

The seat in the Slayer must be tall. Years ago I had an Ascend High Back PFD that bumped the seat like that. I know what you are talking about, that would absolutely kill my middle back after several hours on the water.

 

[fishwizzard]

I actually pulled my seat and PFD out, it does not hit as badly as I though it did, but I have to consciously adjust myself to get my back flat.  

 

In any case, back to offering the OP some advice.  Other then agreeing with the "start out empty, add to as needed", I will also caution that in my experience fishing from a yak makes it extremely easy to high stick a rod.  I feel like it's because you can bring the fish over to your hand, which can get the rod pointed straight up.  When fishing on my feel I will kneel/squat to get my hand on the fish and choke up on the rod to do so, in the yak my instinct is to just keep lifting that tip up until the fish is right at boatside.