Kayak Modifications

[Adleyfishes]

I’m purchasing a tamarack angler and with it being a lower end kayak I want to make as many beneficial modifications as possible! So what have you guys modified on your kayaks!

[IgotWood]

I’d strongly recommend fishing out of it a few times as is. Once you start getting comfortable in it, you will begin realizing what mods you’d like to have and exactly where to put them. You don’t want to make Swiss cheese out of your boat with mods you don’t use or are improperly placed. 

 

One mod I have immediately put on my yaks is an anchor trolley for my stakeout pole. A sonar is also a must for me but Id pick very wisely where to put it. 

[DogBone_384]

X2.... get acclimated to it first.

 

In no particular order, I rigged my kayaks with:

• Anchor trolleys on both sides and a 5 lb anchor. I choose which side based on wind direction and where I want to fish.
• Rod holders. If your kayak has rails, at least two.
• Fish finder. 
• Cigarette lighter plug and/or USB outlet to charge your phone.

Have fun with your new kayak and grab a new PB in it!

[Hawkeye21]

Gear tracks.  Use gear tracks so you have flexibility to put accessories in multiple locations without worrying about them being permanent.  You don't want to be putting holes in your kayak because you mounted something in a place you don't like.

[Alex from GA]

Mine came with rod holders and a place for my ice chest.  I don't use the rod holders.  I usually only carry one rod and my tackle is in my PFD.  But then I only fish rivers.  The more you carry the more you'll have to lug back to the truck when you're done and sometimes back to the truck is up a really big hill.  

[Harold Scoggins]

On ‎11‎/‎22‎/‎2018 at 4:38 PM, IgotWood said:

I’d strongly recommend fishing out of it a few times as is. Once you start getting comfortable in it, you will begin realizing what mods you’d like to have and exactly where to put them. You don’t want to make Swiss cheese out of your boat with mods you don’t use or are improperly placed. 

This is good advice, @Adleyfishes. Once you've decided what you want to mount on your kayak, check out YakAttack, Railblaza, and Scotty accessories and see what they offer. Always consider the surface area where you want to place mounts before ordering your mounts, make sure there is room for the mount. If you know of someone nearby who has experience in kayak rigging, ask for their help and knowledge. There are a few folks on BR, including moderators, who fish from kayaks, pick their brains for information. There is always a YouTube video showing how to mount accessories also. Know the weight capacity of your kayak and don't exceed it. (Your body weight must be factored in.) One last thing, the most important accessory you will need is a PFD...make sure you always wear one.

[the reel ess]

On my lower end kayak (Pescador 12) I put:

 

One flush mount rod holder (it came with only one)

A zig-zag cleat. It's great for a stringer or anchor line. You don't need to tie, just run the rope through the cleat.

I zip-tied some PVC rod holders into a free milk crate. It only cost the rod holders, but you could use some PVC pipe even cheaper.

I used a stadium cushion for the old behind. You might notice your butt going to sleep or getting soggy. That cushion helped out a lot with that.

 

That's it. But I bought a Lure Feelfree 13.5 that already had a fish finder/GPS unit, solar charger and battery. I could take that off and keep if I ever sell that kayak or I could sell that stuff separately.

[kjfishman]

Google Kayak rigging and search Kayak on Facebook and you will find tons of helpful information and ideas.

[Caliyak]

On 11/22/2018 at 11:38 AM, Adleyfishes said:

I’m purchasing a tamarack angler and with it being a lower end kayak I want to make as many beneficial modifications as possible! So what have you guys modified on your kayaks!

I agree with everyone. And I will repeat, get on it a few times and look at what you need and not what you want or see others having. This is your kayak, make it yours. Price and brand is not important. You feeling comfortable and resourceful is most the important. I can't live without my trax system on my Tarpon. I use it for everything. No need to drill holes in the kayak. Outside of that, I can live without. Also, be an expert in PVC. You can make great mods with it.

[hisjr]

On 11/22/2018 at 6:27 PM, DogBone_384 said:

X2.... get acclimated to it first.

 

In no particular order, I rigged my kayaks with:

• Anchor trolleys on both sides and a 5 lb anchor. I choose which side based on wind direction and where I want to fish.

If you're installing a swing arm over the side to hold the transducer in the water; I learned that anchor trolleys on both sides won't work.  The line will pull on the swing arm and possibly move the position of the transducer or damage it.  

I purchased a kayak earlier this year and took to YouTube prior to purchase (and after) to see kayak fishing in action and some commendation.  

 

This isn't my video, but it was very helpful.
 

 

[Darren.]

Kayak customization is a personal thing, i.e., making it how you 

like it. So everyone suggesting you spend time fishing out of it

first is spot on. Then you will have a better idea of where you like

things.

 

Things such as - "hey, I would rather put my rod in a holder here,

as opposed to there, where company X installed it".... YouTube is

a great place, as are just googling and looking at kayak mod images.

 

And welcome aboard, @hisjr!

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Darren. said:

Kayak customization is a personal thing, i.e., making it how you 

like it.

I agree totally with this. Even though I'm a canoe-fisher, I'm doing the same thing. Modifying my canoe based on my few outings this past year without mods.

 

Test it, then decide what you want to do.

[Deleted account]

Best modifications I made to my Kayak was hauling it up against the garage ceiling and leaving it there.

[NiX]

My buddy, Mobbin Outdoors did a whole video on setting up a tamarack angler. Search for him on youtube and you will find the video.

 

Good luck and congrats on getting into the kayak fishing game!

[hisjr]

On 12/22/2018 at 11:26 PM, Darren. said:

And welcome aboard, @hisjr!

Thank you very much.