New to Forum/Yak Fishing - Seeking Gear Advice

[heavypic]

Hi All,

Greetings!  I am new to this forum and yak fishing.  I purchased and will soon pick-up an Old Town Predator MX, 12’L x 34”W, 2-position hi/low stadium-style seat that pivots rearward to provide a roomy standing platform.

I will paddle-only for now.  I will be fishing lakes/reservoirs and streams/rivers (e.g. Delaware and Schuylkill), primarily for LM/SM bass and possibly other species in eastern Pennsylvania.   I have fished from canoes and boats, but mostly bank fishing off/on most of my life.  My current tackle includes 6.5-7.0ft bait-caster and spinning rigs, Plano tackle bag and 3700 boxes.

I am considering the following purchases:

• NRS Chinook PFD in Lg/ExLg size (looks good online but have not yet seen/tried for fit)

• Bending Branch ‘Angler Classic’ (fiberglass shaft / 34 oz) or ‘Angler Ace’ (carbon shaft / 30 oz)paddle; 260 cm length

• Water Shoes or old cross-trainers?

On-board equipment will be simple initially (1 or 2 bait-casters and 1 spinning rod, enough tackle/baits for fishing, anchor/rope, net, whistle, bright-colored flag, safety light and rain-gear.)  I will likely DIY a crate with rod/net holders.  I plan to DIY a PVC (2” diameter) rack that I will ratchet-strap onto the 8ft bed of my Ram pick-up so I can stack/haul 2 kayaks (both MX's - mine and son).

I am looking forward to being ‘on’ the water instead on the bank dealing with rip-rap, branches and the frustration of seeing a great spot I can’t cast to/reach.

I sincerely appreciate recommendations for paddles, PDF and any other ‘essential’ equipment I need to get started.  FYI – I am 6ft tall, 190-200lbs.  I look forward to your replies.

Tight lines and regards…

 

 

[Smalls]

1 hour ago, heavypic said:

  I plan to DIY a PVC (2” diameter) rack that I will ratchet-strap onto the 8ft bed of my Ram pick-up

Only suggestion I have is to use cam straps and not ratchet straps. It's easy to over tighten them without realizing it and damage your kayak. 

[Allen Der]

48 minutes ago, Smalls said:

Only suggestion I have is to use cam straps and not ratchet straps. It's easy to over tighten them without realizing it and damage your kayak. 

agreed on not using the ratchet straps.  and that's a heavy kayak.  I wouldn't trust PVC.  invest in a real rack or put them on their sides so you fit both on the truck bed

 

for gear, start with the bare minimum and figure out what you want and where you want it.

 

NRS chinook is the consensus choice for a fishing PFD.  They are 20% off now at Austin Kayak.  they also have the BB paddles on sale as well.  Consider a telescoping paddle so you can dial in the best length for you.  Paddle leash and yak grips are nice to have too

[CountryboyinDC]

Welcome @heavypic.  I'd echo a lot of what @Allen Der wrote.  260 cm might be just what you need for that boat, but for most of the BB angler paddles, I would say 240-245 cm is right for me.  I would recommend an adjustable ferrule one.  One of my paddles is the BB wooden-bladed job with the adjustable ferrule and I like it pretty well.  I'm about the same height as you and I paddle a Coosa HD with that paddle which is about the same width at the seat.

[Hook2Jaw]

6', 210 pounds here.  I fish from a Predator PDL, so a fairly similar platform.  I wear an auto inflating PFD with it switched to manual only.  I've worn the foam filled angler style PFDs, though none as nice as the NRS Chinook, and don't like my movement impeded.

 

As far as paddling my Predator, I prefer a 240cm paddle.

[Dens228]

I have the NRS PFD and really like it.  The only time I don't wear it is when it's very hot and I use an auto inflate. 

I a quite a bit beyond a basic setup on my kayak, Bixby motor, electronics, etc, but will tell you I've tried several crates and always go back to my basic milk crate with a bunch of rod holders attached.  It's simplicity can't be overlooked.  

[kayl.]

I would highly recommend that you go with the Angler Ace. The 4oz doesn't seem like much, but it actually makes a big difference in a paddle. Everyone already told you that the NRS Chinook is the gold standard and they were right!

[heavypic]

Hey all - OP here.  Thanks for your advice/recommendations.  You have me thinking that perhaps a 250 cm length paddle may better than a 260 cm.  A guidance chart I saw online recommended a 260 cm length for a 6 ft or taller person in a 34" wide SOT fishing kayak.  Perhaps an adjustable length would be wise.  BTW...Do the Bending Branch paddles float, or is a tether needed?

 

Thanks for confirming the NRS Chinook PDF as well.  Lastly, I will likely forego the PVC rack as I subsequently read that it's best to transport kayaks on their side or resting on the gunnels.  I may instead attach padded J Style Kayak racks to 2x4's and lay the assembly in the bed of my truck...much less work.  This should work well for transporting two Predator MX kayaks with my truck tail-gait down and likely be easier to load/unload at truck bed height.

 

Any additional advice is welcome and appreciated.  I'll be back with an update.

 

Thanks again...!!!  

[GTN-NY]

Go to youtube and look up anchor trolleys. You don’t want to anchor off the side of your kayak. 
I’m 6’ 205lbs with a Big Rig and use a 260 paddle bending branches angler pro. Austin has them for $240 now

https://www.austinkayak.com/Bending-Branches-Angler-Pro-Kayak-Paddle/ACK24595P.html

sometimes I wish I had a 270 size

[Bankc]

I have the Angler Classic.  No complaints.  It might be worth going for the Ace, depending on how much time you spend in the water.  I only spend about 4 hours at a time, so the extra few ounces don't matter to me.  But if I were there 8+ hours, it might.  I use a 260 cm paddle, and I'm 6'2" and 185 lbs. (I have narrow shoulders).  My kayak is 30" wide.  I was afraid the 260 cm would be too long, but it's actually about just right for me.  I would rather go 270 cm (if they make such a thing) than go 250 cm, so I'm glad I got the bigger one.

 

I use old sneakers for water shoes.  I have like 30 pair, so I figured I'd ruin all of them fist.  What I do is drill holes in the bottom to allow water to drain out.  That way my shoes may be wet, but they won't be filled with water.  It works well enough for me.  And the price is right!  It's not the best solution, but a solution that keeps me from worrying about the problem any further. 

 

I use ratchet straps.  You do have to be careful with them, but it's not rocket science.  Just when they get tight enough to hold the strap straight, go slowly and constantly check the tension.  When you get close, slow it down to one click at a time.  I pluck them and listen to the sound they make.  A pitch somewhere around middle C on my setup is strong enough to hold without doing any damage.  Then I wiggle the kayak to make sure everything's right.  

 

There are some good deals on cheap PFDs on Amazon.  That's where I got mine (Onyx brand, I believe).  I don't think you need anything fancy.  It's all just Styrofoam that's strapped to your chest.  It's not a highly technical item that requires precision engineering.  A good fit is all you need.  That way it's comfortable to wear, so you'll actually wear it.  And like anything clothes related, everyone's body has a different shape, so what works well for one, may not work well for another.  So either try before you buy, or buy from a place that will allow for returns if it doesn't fit.  Though I would recommend finding a kayak specific PFD.  That way it has open areas on the shoulders, so it doesn't hinder your paddling, and an open lower back, as you don't want the back of your PFD to rest against your kayak's seat.  

[CountryboyinDC]

14 hours ago, heavypic said:

Do the Bending Branch paddles float, or is a tether needed?

They float, I've never come across one that didn't.  The tether is for if it somehow gets away from you.

 

14 hours ago, heavypic said:

I subsequently read that it's best to transport kayaks on their side or resting on the gunnels. 

For sit in kayaks (SINKs), I think that's probably true, although you can definitely transport them gunwales up.  The only boat I always transport gunwales down is a canoe.  I put my my Coosa HD in a J-cradle on top of a car.  Never again, it seemed as though I was bound to rip the rack off the ground.  I now have a Yakima Big Fish rack for the times I use a roof rack rather than a truck bed.  I think the rack is a fine idea.  Easier still, just use a piece of 4"x4" cut a little wider than the kayaks placed across the gunwales, one in front, the other behind the seat.  That's how I transport 2 SOTs at the same time.

Your plan looks good otherwise.

[heavypic]

Hi All - Thanks for your replies and advice/recommendations for PDF, paddles, kayak transport and water shoes, etc.  I ordered the NRS Chinook PDF and Bending Branches Angler 'Ace' (260 cm) paddles from Austin Kayak today for me and son...good sale prices ongoing.   I little yuk for the yakkers...I sat on a low perch with an 8ft, 2x4, paddling the carpet in the family room to help decide on paddle length (LOL!!...no pics, thankfully!).

 

When I was researching how best to carry two Predator MXs on the surface of my 8 ft. pick-up truck bed, I came across these J-Bar Racks that I plan to bolt to a 2x4 frame - https://www.walmart.com/ip/Smarten-Universal-2-pairs-J-Bar-Kayak-Roof-Rack-Carrier-Canoe-Boat-Surf-Ski-Roof-Top-Mount-Car-SUV-Crossbar/484478941   $50.xx for 2 pair (4 total), rated for 75-90 lbs, good reviews and returnable if they're not suitable.  Interesting to note that a recent review article on the 'best' J-Bar Racks linked to another vendor selling these same racks under a different brand name...all product pics/dimensions were the same as the Walmart product/link.  I discovered these from a y-tube reviewer with no complaints.

 

I'll post again to let you know how it goes with the yaks.  I'm anxious to get on the water with rod and paddle in hand.

 

Thanks again!  Regards...