Fishing yak - Important features/recommendations

[cheezledzul]

Sorry in advance for the long post but I believe it all necessary info. Images and specs below. 

 

I am buying my first fishing kayak, the Sun Dolphin Journey 10 SS from my cousin for $150. I am 5'5" 165lbs. 

https://www.sundolphin.com/fishing-kayaks/journey-10-ss/

 

It comes with everything as it would new except the middle rod holder and paddle ($30). The rod holder I can buy and will use my old paddle until I find another cheap paddle for $30-50. 

Hes also including J hooks for car crossbars. 

I'll probably find a nice pad to sit on and will buy scupper plugs to keep the water out. I have a headlamp and 2 water resistant tail lights for my road bike I'll use for night fishing. 

The 2 small compartments by knees are partly rubber so I'll prob use that for 2 small plano boxes for my main tackle and bait. 

Aside for that I'll get an anchor because I hated drifting a lot when I was using my tandem rec kayak. Do people use 2 anchors to keep from rotating? Or do you just mount 1 in the rear, front, or middle?

Also is 10' too short? I'll be fishing small - large lakes with some current occasionally. 

What's your opinions on sit on top kayaks for fishing? Negatives/positives? 

 

Is there anything else I would need or any important features that are not included?

SPECS:

Two flush mount rod holder, One swivel rod holder, Large comfortable seating area with adjustable padded seat, Self-bailing, Storage compartments, P.A.C. (Portable Accessory Carrier) can be used as extra storage or towed behind in water. Shock cord deck rigging, Protective thigh pads, bungee cords on both sides for paddle storage. 

L 10' x W 30" x H 11"

Weight 44lbs

[flyfisher]

Welcome to the kayak fishing world.  

As far as rod holders go i wouldn't even mount that one in the middle yet.  Wait to see if you want one there before wasting your money.  I personally hate rod holders in the middle in front of me.  

Is that hatch in the back open to the inside of the boat or is it just a cover for a molded in storage tank well?  If it is the latter i would get a crate to store your gear in rather than in the side pieces in front of you.

Anchoring...get an anchor trolley and you will then be able to adjust the anchor to the wind or current so you can face the right direction.  
 

10' kayak is kind of short but it will get you off the bank.  I wouldn't take it anywhere where you might encounter rougher weather and to paddle it longer distance might be ashore but i don't know specifically as i haven't paddled that specific boat.

 

Any more questions feel free to ask as there are quite a few kayak anglers on here that can help out

[cheezledzul]

2 hours ago, flyfisher said:

Is that hatch in the back open to the inside of the boat or is it just a cover for a molded in storage tank well?  If it is the latter i would get a crate to store your gear in rather than in the side pieces in front of you.

Anchoring...get an anchor trolley and you will then be able to adjust the anchor to the wind or current so you can face the right direction.  

Thanks for the welcome! Tried fishing from a tandem rec which was fun but impossible to load on the car and then carry to launch alone. So I've been thinking about getting an inexpensive solo kayak once the season is over and sales start and fish from it because fishing kayaks are expensive. Cheap ones aren't much different from rec kayaks. But for $150 i figured it looks like it has mostly everything that I need to fish with. 

 

I've never heard of an anchor trolly so thanks a lot! Just saved me a lot of hassle. 1.5lb anchor is good right?

 

The hatch is a removeable waterproof storage tank. See image (screen shot from youtube)  it was the best I image could find quickly. 

You mean take it out and tow it. Then add a plastic milk crate for tackle/gear?

 

Any other accessories youd call essential? 

Are scupper plugs important? and will a $50 paddle be sufficient for now?

 

Also it has a 250lb weight capacity. I'm 165lbs. With the paddle, anchor, tacklebox, small net and 1 rod, maybe 1 more lightweight 5'5" rod. Plus a cooler with a few bottles of water. I should be ok weight wise right? Even when I get a lot more tackle I shouldnt ever exceed 10lbs for all my tackle and lures right? Right now I just have the basics. worm hooks, yum dingers, a few spinners, some 3/8 bullet weights and soon a jerk bait and some kind of topwater popper or creature. 

[flyfisher]

I wouldn't tow it, no need really and it will just be a pain and probably smack into the kayak when you slow down or turn.  I was saying find a crate that fits in that recessed area where it was removed. I'll see if i can take a pic of my set up tomorrow to show you what i mean.  Here is a pic that you can kind of see what i mean if you look in the back of the orange boat where the crate is located.

 

Scupper plugs are useful in your bait (probably) because the seat is on the bottom deck and not raised up so it should help you from getting a wet butt but you won't know till you sit in it and see if water is coming up through the scuppers.  In my boat i leave all of them out except the front hatch area.  Not sure if you know but they are designed for water to drain out when water gets in the boat.  Very useful on river trips or if you take on a wave over the bow of the boat.

 

Anchor weight varies on the situation.  I have used 5lb dumbbells and it worked fine just don't anchor in current yet until you are used to the boat and have the proper anchor set up for current.  I don't use anchors often but i do use a stake out pole pretty much every trip out.

 

As far as weight goes you won't know until you take it out.  Also keep in mind that the weight limit is for maximum performance so it won't sink but it may sit lower in the water than you would like.  

 

Here is my current boat, not the best picture but it gives you an idea.

[IgotWood]

The best thing you can do if take it out on the water as is a few times. Get used to the boat and your gear. You will very quickly start to think of things you wish your boat had, or different gear you wish you had for you kayak. Experience will tell you exactly what you need, and don't need. And welcome to kayak fishing. It's fun and addictive! 

[cheezledzul]

@flyfisher what is a stake out pole? I'll look into getting a crate, I'm in the process of buying plano boxes to use in the kayak. I have a nice tackle box but probably not as convenient on the kayak. 

Awesome kayak man! I'm assuming that seat came with the kayak? Do you know of any companies that makes universal seats like that? Not now but in the future I may look for an upgrade. Already noticed in my tandem sit in, it would be nice to have a little more room to rotate my hips and knees. Which is why I'm leaning towards this sit on top anyways. 

 

@IgotWood I went fishing an I rec tandem this weekend on a large lake. Already started to get an idea of what I need. Was just hoping to see if anyone had any unique solutions and if there is a common accessory/method everyone uses to get some ideas so I can see if it would help me next time out in my yak. 

 

Thanks!

[Choporoz]

11 minutes ago, cheezledzul said:

@flyfisher what is a stake out pole?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Kayak+stakeout+pole

 

[Hawkeye21]

I wouldn't invest too much money into this kayak.  If you find that you really enjoy kayak fishing, which I'm sure you will, you're going to want to upgrade within a year.  That kayak will get you on the water now but it's far from great fishing kayak, it's a good way to start though.

 

An anchor trolley will help with holding you in the position you want but you'll still move around.  I rarely ever use my anchor.  A stake out pole is key for fishing shallow water.  I bought an 8 foot fiberglass garden stake on Amazon for like $15 and it works perfect.  I shove the stake into the mud or sand and then just use my fish grips to clip onto it.  Very easy and keeps me in one place in some pretty strong winds.

[NYWayfarer]

7 minutes ago, Hawkeye21 said:

I wouldn't invest too much money into this kayak.  If you find that you really enjoy kayak fishing, which I'm sure you will, you're going to want to upgrade within a year.  That kayak will get you on the water now but it's far from great fishing kayak, it's a good way to start though.

 

An anchor trolley will help with holding you in the position you want but you'll still move around.  I rarely ever use my anchor.  A stake out pole is key for fishing shallow water.  I bought an 8 foot fiberglass garden stake on Amazon for like $15 and it works perfect.  I shove the stake into the mud or sand and then just use my fish grips to clip onto it.  Very easy and keeps me in one place in some pretty strong winds.

My father in law has the same kayak and I agree don't invest too much money in it as you will want an upgrade sooner rather than later. His biggest complaints are the seat is very uncomfortable, the backrest stinks and the stability and tracking are poor. He likes my cheap Pelican kayak much better even though it's a sit-in which he didn't want.

 

@Hawkeye21 I always pictured in my mind that stake out poles were shoved through one of the scupper holes down into the mud or sand to anchor the kayak. I quickly realized what a disaster that could be if you had to move quickly or a wake hits your boat. Your way allows a quick release if needed and you can always go back and retrieve the pole.

[Choporoz]

4 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

 

 

@Hawkeye21 I always pictured in my mind that stake out poles were shoved through one of the scupper holes down into the mud or sand to anchor the kayak. I quickly realized what a disaster that could be if you had to move quickly or a wake hits your boat. Your way allows a quick release if needed and you can always go back and retrieve the pole.

I use mine through a scupper hole.  Like every new anchoring method, the first big wave or current is a bit unsettling, but even in big boat waters, it is actually quite stable. 

[Darren.]

Great kayak to get you off the banks and into the water.

 

It may be all you need, or not. I have a 10' yak, as well, and it

served me well until I wanted more space and ability to stand

and fish. So I upgraded to a 12' Native Ultimate.

 

And I'm always with the crowd that says fish out of the yak for 

a while and consider during that time what you wish it had and

where you wish things were located, etc... That way it is set up

for how you fish, your habits.

 

I'm a tinkerer so am *always* thinking and changing things.

 

I went the regular anchor route, but haven't used one except in

saltwater in past year. I'm all about the Stick-It Anchor Pin. It's

not the cheapest, nor lightest, but it's awesome. You can DIY

anchor sticks, plenty of tutorials on YouTube.

[cheezledzul]

Yeah I'm not really looking to "trick out" this kayak. More buying things that I need and would be able to use for a future kayak. Like the anchor/stick. I didnt know about the stick or trolly before this post and I've been doing some research. So that's what I'm trying to get out of this. Info that I can learn more about and help with the basics. 

 

Also if I like this kayak enough I may stay with it. Theres a pretty good chance I'll be off to basic training by next spawn so I wouldnt buy a new kayak for a while. 

 

I'm for sure one that likes to tinker, research, and upgrade to better things. Tend to learn everything I can very quickly. Good and bad to my madness. 

@NYWayfarer where abouts in NY are you? 

 

Also I've been reading and almost have the impression anchor sticks are more for shallower inshore saltwater fishing then fresh

[flyfisher]

Don't use a stake out pole in a scupper hole.  They are notoriously weak spots in a boat, especially low end ones, and they will crack.  same goes for scupper carts with the exception being hobies which are designed to handle the added stress of a scupper cart.  Not to mention who wants a pole sticking up in the middle of their boat while trying to fish.

[NYWayfarer]

11 hours ago, cheezledzul said:

 

@NYWayfarer where abouts in NY are you? 

 

 

Upstate NY past the capital region. Near Lake George.

[cheezledzul]

40 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

Upstate NY past the capital region. Near Lake George.

Ahh alright, I was just up there at Stewart this past weekend. My first big trip. Got skunked 3 days lol. Even my cousin whos on that lake every other weekend. Girlfriend was the only one to catch a rock bass at Stewart and another cousin got some real small sm at Lake George by the ferries.

 

Im right outside the city so trying to figure out where people down here are gravitating towards. ?

[ApacheGuns515]

Anchor trolley would be the first investment I'd make before doing anything else. After your first outing or two you'll see exactly why. In a kayak is somebody swam by and blew on you you're going to start spinning in circles and spend more time trying to keep yourself pointed in the direction you want instead of fishing. Anchoring without a trolley is slightly better but not really. No matter where you anchor you're going to rotate about that axis point. 

 

If you know how to operate a drill and a screwdriver then you can install an anchor trolley in about 20 mins and it will save you from hours of irritation on the water. 

 

Get a paddle leash and attach it to yourself or your kayak. Don't want to set your paddle down and get distracted and watch as is floats away and you have to jump in and go get it lol. 

 

I'd also spend at least a few minutes with no gear in the yak and go out and see the limits of your kayak. Rock it back and forth to get a rough feel of the tipping point. Practice turning your body around to retrieve things and having to reach into the water over the side. Yaks are stable enough when you are sitting in it properly, but you may find out pretty quickly that reaching just a bit too far to lip that bass you caught will lead you into the drink lol. 

 

You may not like this one but I also recommend you actually flip yourself over once or twice and practice getting back into it. You don't want the first time you have to figure out how to get back into a kayak to be during the first time you actually fall out of one. 

 

Understand what you have and what you don't. You have a kayak, not a boat. You are akin to motorcycles on roads, you have to assume that the boaters don't see you and many of them actually won't. Be very vigilant when operating in vicinity of other boats because plenty of yaker has been completely run over by boats who just didn't even see them sitting there. 

 

Wear your PFD always. As a yaker you'll be able to go where boats can't. Shallow water. In shallow water there is usually a lot of stuff under there than has the potential to hurt you. Being the best swimmer in the world does you no good if you roll over and hit your head on a rock or a stump or something. 

 

Other than that like others have said just go out a few times and fish and you'll think of things you wish you had. Kayak fishing is a blast, welcome to the club!

 

 

[flyfisher]

Good advice but i'll say no to the paddle leash or tying anything down for that matter to be honest.  All leashes do is make something else to get tangled on should you flip which can create a safety hazard.  If you do decide to tie off your items then you need to have a fixed blade, sharp knife on your PFD so you can cut away anything should the need arise.

[NYWayfarer]

46 minutes ago, cheezledzul said:

Ahh alright, I was just up there at Stewart this past weekend. My first big trip. Got skunked 3 days lol. Even my cousin whos on that lake every other weekend. Girlfriend was the only one to catch a rock bass at Stewart and another cousin got some real small sm at Lake George by the ferries.

 

Im right outside the city so trying to figure out where people down here are gravitating towards. ?

The heat made it tough for everyone this weekend up here. 

 

I had my best luck on the Hudson and some of the small canals up here with all the moving water from the rains we had.

 

When I was living in Brooklyn I would take trips to Harriman state park. It wasn't a bad trip from the city and the fishing was great. We are talking decades ago. Don't know how it is now. 

[ApacheGuns515]

1 minute ago, flyfisher said:

Good advice but i'll say no to the paddle leash or tying anything down for that matter to be honest.  All leashes do is make something else to get tangled on should you flip which can create a safety hazard.  If you do decide to tie off your items then you need to have a fixed blade, sharp knife on your PFD so you can cut away anything should the need arise.

I think leashes are a bit of a double edged sword for the reasons you mentioned. However I have seen plenty of buddies of mine set their paddle down and bump it off and watch it float down the river. As the old saying goes...

 

Not really too big of a deal on a calm pond or lake. But in a river you really don't want to knock your paddle off and watch it float down river without you. You also don't want to flip over and loose all your gear either. 

 

No matter the experience level we all make mistakes and/or fall victim to inattention. I don't tie my stuff down not for safety reasons but because I have a larger kayak that is much more stable than OP's and I would fall out of my kayak long before I ever flipped it over. But in a small less stable craft I would certainly tie things off. That's just my opinion. 

[J Francho]

I used a leash for a bit, but more as a tether for using the paddle as a mud anchor.  I agree, they are pain when paddling.  I've been using a bent shaft paddle for a few years now, so no more rolling off the deck if I set it down.

[cheezledzul]

28 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

The heat made it tough for everyone this weekend up here. 

 

I had my best luck on the Hudson and some of the small canals up here with all the moving water from the rains we had.

 

When I was living in Brooklyn I would take trips to Harriman state park. It wasn't a bad trip from the city and the fishing was great. We are talking decades ago. Don't know how it is now. 

I grew up like 15-20 min south of harriman. Thats where my kayak will be. Exit 7/8 I think harriman is like 16. Eventually I'll go there but my buddy that grew up here tells me harriman, congers, Rockland lake all get fished out pretty early. 

Hopefully that's not the case. I haven't been to most of the harriman lakes so I'll have to spend time figuring out the layout of each lake when I can go

[Choporoz]

Count me as another that thought leashes were a good idea.  Used one time.  I did get a hand paddle to stick in my crate as a 'back up'.  Never needed it once.   Thousands of hours kayak fishing and I have NEVER had my paddle go into the water.  It lays across my lap just fine. 

   

[cheezledzul]

46 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

Good advice but i'll say no to the paddle leash or tying anything down for that matter to be honest.  All leashes do is make something else to get tangled on should you flip which can create a safety hazard.  If you do decide to tie off your items then you need to have a fixed blade, sharp knife on your PFD so you can cut away anything should the need arise.

I have no problem to retrieve my paddle, I'll have to see on this kayak but I think tieing it will get in the way. I'm just on lakes so not too worried about very strong currents or it going too far. 

My rod and reel is another story. that I have some 550 cord and a caribiner to get it off quick. Dont want that sinking to the bottom. 

I have a lot of fixed blades but they're all some kind of carbon. Looking into something stainless but may just get a used griptillian folder for like $80. Never like folders though. I love my fixed blades lol

4 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Count me as another that thought leashes were a good idea.  Used one time.  I did get a hand paddle to stick in my crate as a 'back up'.  Never needed it once.   Thousands of hours kayak fishing and I have NEVER had my paddle go into the water.  It lays across my lap just fine. 

   

The kayak has bungees on both sides of the kayak so as long as I get some kind of anchor/trolly I shouldnt need much quick access to the paddle 

[Choporoz]

I haven't used rod floats, but my wife likes the styrofoam wraps that go above the foregrips.    If I was worried about losing rods, I'd much prefer floats to leashes.

[NYWayfarer]

I have a set of rod and paddle leashes. Don't use the paddle one but I do use the rod leashes. All it took to convince me they were needed was watching a combo sink to the bottom of the river.  I did retrieve it but I might not be so luck the next time.