Help Me Outfit My Bass Fishing Kayak

[TnRiver46]

Y’all have made my head spin! I like next to nothing in my kayaks. Usually one tackle box, a paddle, and two rods 

[Smalls]

Make your own retractable mount. Half the fun of owning a kayak is the DIY projects and solutions. 

 

Some accessories make more sense to just buy, but I'd say 80% of the time, you can DIY it cheaper and better. 

 

 

 

 

[JbroBass]

On 10/23/2021 at 12:19 AM, Smalls said:

Make your own retractable mount. Half the fun of owning a kayak is the DIY projects and solutions. 

 

Some accessories make more sense to just buy, but I'd say 80% of the time, you can DIY it cheaper and better. 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm pretty terrible at DIY anything, and will most likely purchase all my solutions except for the deployment and retraction of the trolling motor, which doesn't seem to have a commercial solution available that I can find. (And even that I wanted the outfitter to do, but they don't want to do it and insist I don't need it lol.)

 

 

[JbroBass]

NuCanoe just released the scupper hole retractable transducer mount for the Unlimited, so I think I'm going to give that a shot with the fish finder mounted on a CellBlock (with battery inside) on the front deck center track. That should keep the fish finder components organized, in a good spot, and close together while keeping the gunwales clear.

 

I think I'm going to get a Hummingbird Helix 7 Mega SI/DI but still working through that decision, mostly to understand the map options which I have no experience with. I've found this unit with the Navionics card (US inland lakes) included, but cannot seem to find it with a LakeMaster card. 

[JbroBass]

I picked up the kayak at the outfitter today and it seems awesome. It's also tough, as my wife managed to drop it when helping my take it off the CRV, but luckily it was undamaged and I managed to bite my tongue. Dropped on the first day, arghhh!

 

So now I have the boat, the Motorguide bow mount kayak motor with remote control and spot lock, a 100 amp hour lithium battery with box and plugs and wiring installed on the boat so the motor and battery plug right in but can be easily removed and all the wiring is out of the way inside the boat.

 

Then I also grabbed the Gear Pod, (which was an on the spot splurge purchase at the outfitter that I should have waited on), and a handful of track mount fittings that I wanted, such as one with a retractable cord and then some for easy tie downs.

 

I also have a nice paddle and the scupper hole retractable transducer mount on the way.

 

Hopefully the fish finder I want will be on sale on black Friday, and then I need to grab the YakAttack CellBlock and a 10 amp hour lithium battery to run with that and my electronics set up will be complete.

 

Next up is a nice PFD. And then I think this is what I will start with in the springtime and fish a while before deciding what if anything else I'll do with it. 

[schplurg]

If a fish finder draws 1 amp (I think my Echomap 6 inch does) then a 7 hour battery is good for about 3.5 hours if it is lead acid. You can only use half the amp hours of a lead battery without damaging it.

 

This is why I got two 11 ah batteries. Can use for a few days without recharging, and I can charge cameras, phones and use lights as well. the batteries go in a DIY power box, and that goes in the milk crate.

[JbroBass]

1 hour ago, schplurg said:

If a fish finder draws 1 amp (I think my Echomap 6 inch does) then a 7 hour battery is good for about 3.5 hours if it is lead acid. You can only use half the amp hours of a lead battery without damaging it.

 

This is why I got two 11 ah batteries. Can use for a few days without recharging, and I can charge cameras, phones and use lights as well. the batteries go in a DIY power box, and that goes in the milk crate.

 

I'm leaning toward a 10 ah lithium. I think I should get roughly 7 or 8 hours use for my fish finder if that's all I'm drawing against it? 

[the reel ess]

The only thing I've done that you don't have is a crate. I got a free milk crate and zip tied in 6 PVC rod holders that I bought at Walmart. It's held in place by bungees in the rear well. That gives me storage for 8 rods, including the 2 flush-mount ones. I actually had to put those in too, but you have them.

 

I like the KISS principle. I have no extra rigging or electronics. I had all that and a motor on my last one and it was just too much.

[JbroBass]

3 hours ago, the reel ess said:

I like the KISS principle. I have no extra rigging or electronics. I had all that and a motor on my last one and it was just too much.

 

I completely get that sentiment. I'm trying to rig mine so that even with the rigging that I'm doing, I can easily still take the boat out bare bones if I want to. And when I do choose to go out with "the works" it's as clean and simple as possible. 

 

As an example, the way it's rigged right now if I want to use the bow mount motor, I simply drop the motor onto the quick release plate, slide in the keeper pin, and plug it in. Then I need to drop the battery box into the back of the boat, thread one strap through the keepers on top of the box and over to the other strap keeper, pull it snug, and then plug in the battery. These steps take less than one minute and everything is mounted and powered up. 

 

But I get that it still adds complexity, costs, and new ways for things to go wrong. 

 

I will be adding a tackle crate of some sort with rod holders -- just haven't figured out which one yet. 

 

 

[guidoStow]

Awesome! My Unlimited is due by the end of the month. I can't wait!

[guidoStow]

I get 2-3 days fishing with my 10 ah Noqua driving a Garmin Striker 5CV

[guidoStow]

I have 6 Sea Dog standard launcher style rod holders I'm not going to use that came with my yakgadget crate. If you have any use for them we can arrange a hand off...

[schplurg]

On 11/3/2021 at 4:56 PM, JbroBass said:

 

I'm leaning toward a 10 ah lithium. I think I should get roughly 7 or 8 hours use for my fish finder if that's all I'm drawing against it? 

I think you can drain lithiums 90%, and they are getting very affordable compared to lead acid.

 

I remember driving around looking for milk crates behind stores and all over town. I finally bought one for $10, then saw two on the side of the road the next day. But looking back I don't want some homeless dudes crate, which is what they looked like. Nasty.

 

I put a lid on mine, made a latch to hold it shut, and another gizmo to hold the lid open. All made from Starboard. I love Starboard. You can run small bolts into milk crates and attach whatever you want.

[JbroBass]

56 minutes ago, guidoStow said:

I have 6 Sea Dog standard launcher style rod holders I'm not going to use that came with my yakgadget crate. If you have any use for them we can arrange a hand off...

 

That's really nice of you! But I think I'm likely going to go with the NuCanoe version of the BlackPac, which already comes with 3 rod holders. I don't think I'll add any more to the crate, so I should be all set.

 

Do you have any use for lead swim jigs? I have the following 3 colors of D&L swimjigs with 2 of each in 1/4 oz and 3/8 oz size, so 12 jigs total, all brand new except I cut the skirt back a little on one of them. Bought them all this fall when I started restocking my tackle box before I realized that NH has a ban on lead. I will be replacing them with tungsten versions and looking for a good home for these.

 

I'll send them to you if you want them. Otherwise, I will go with my original plan and put them up for free to the first taker in the swap forum. 

 

 

 

 

[guidoStow]

No worries I thought I'd keep them in the NuCanoe family if you needed them. I'm sure I'll find a home for them.

 

And that is a very kind offer from you, but I'm a fly fisherman. I doubt even with my 12wt. I could cast those jigs! MA fish and game would frown on the lead too...

 

Best of luck finding them a home!

 

So when does your Unlimited  go on it's maiden voyage?

 

 

[JbroBass]

1 hour ago, guidoStow said:

 

So when does your Unlimited  go on it's maiden voyage?

 

Probably next spring, since I don't have an easy way to transport yet (plan on getting a trailer) and I'm still shopping for a PDF. I maybe would have asked my wife to help me get it somewhere local for a test spin, but I'm not going to give her another chance to drop it off the roof of the CVR again! 

[guidoStow]

I'm going to do the rigging on mine which could add a day or so, but if there is open water when it is ready, it is going in to catch some fish...

[guidoStow]

On 10/17/2021 at 4:54 PM, flyfisher said:

It is totally a preference thing as far as transducer location.  I hated having an arm and got rid of it and my last kayak I purchased I made sure had a central electronics pod for mounting everything.  

 

That transducer scupper seems really close to the seat but where the scupper is doesn't mean that is where the electronics needs to be.  I prefer electronics centrally mounted.  It keeps them out of the way and I primarily fly fish and it still works just fine.  

 

Ultimately you have enough tracks and locations to figure out what you like and want based on your fishing style.

 

Do you have a picture of your layout for fly fishing? I'm also planning my Unlimited and any insights you have would be much appreciated!

 

 

[flyfisher]

On 11/8/2021 at 8:09 PM, guidoStow said:

Do you have a picture of your layout for fly fishing? I'm also planning my Unlimited and any insights you have would be much appreciated!

 

 

I'll take a pic but I haven't done anything special to be honest.  Only thing I haven't done is add anything in front of my seat that I don't have to aka rod holders and the like.  On rivers I leave the fish finder at home as well.  Fly line will catch on everything it can lol

[guidoStow]

8 hours ago, flyfisher said:

I'll take a pic but I haven't done anything special to be honest.  Only thing I haven't done is add anything in front of my seat that I don't have to aka rod holders and the like.  On rivers I leave the fish finder at home as well.  Fly line will catch on everything it can lol

I'm curious what you have done for fly rod holders. How many fly rods do you take with you? Do you stand to fish or fish seated? Do you use power, pedal or paddle? What have you done for fly box and gear storage?

 

Thanks!

[flyfisher]

10 hours ago, guidoStow said:

I'm curious what you have done for fly rod holders. How many fly rods do you take with you? Do you stand to fish or fish seated? Do you use power, pedal or paddle? What have you done for fly box and gear storage?

 

Thanks!

I use the yak attack omega holders on tracks, best fly rod holder I have found hands down.  I take 3 with me usually.  as far as standing or sitting, yes :). I do both depending on the situation.  My kayak is motorized with foot control for steering.  I will paddle around once in an area though too and when floating downstream, I will keep the motor down and use it for corrections and stand probably 90% of the time.  I still use a crate and use a couple of two sided boxes I got probably 5-6 years ago, I think they are wetfly and I also use your standard Plano waterproof boxes, I want to say 3730, for larger flies like game changers, t bone styles etc...

pretty much I didn't change to much from my conventional style of fishing except the rod holders.   Storage is about the same except I have a battery box in the back of my rear tank well.  The ATAK 140 has a big rear tankwell so it fits everything pretty nicely.  

I am not gonna get out for a few weeks but I will take a pic as soon as I get out again with everything set up.

 

[guidoStow]

3 hours ago, flyfisher said:

I use the yak attack omega holders on tracks, best fly rod holder I have found hands down.  I take 3 with me usually.  as far as standing or sitting, yes :). I do both depending on the situation.  My kayak is motorized with foot control for steering.  I will paddle around once in an area though too and when floating downstream, I will keep the motor down and use it for corrections and stand probably 90% of the time.  I still use a crate and use a couple of two sided boxes I got probably 5-6 years ago, I think they are wetfly and I also use your standard Plano waterproof boxes, I want to say 3730, for larger flies like game changers, t bone styles etc...

pretty much I didn't change to much from my conventional style of fishing except the rod holders.   Storage is about the same except I have a battery box in the back of my rear tank well.  The ATAK 140 has a big rear tankwell so it fits everything pretty nicely.  

I am not gonna get out for a few weeks but I will take a pic as soon as I get out again with everything set up.

 

Cool thanks!

 

That ATAK 140 looks a lot like the Native Watercraft Slayer 14.5 I just traded in on the new Ultimate. This time I'm taking a different direction for rod storage. I'll post pictures when I have it set up. I'm going to use the Yak Gadget LowPro Crate XD for my main storage and a LowPro Tray under the seat for spools/lines leader materials and other smaller stuff... I have been using Fishpond Sushi rolls for fly storage but have a large size Cliffs Bugger Barn on the way to try that...  Battery box will be over the access hatch in the extreme rear..

[guidoStow]

My center scupper transducer mount came in yesterday -- before the boat...8-(.

 

I got the garmin version for my Striker 5cv. It looks well designed and built. Just need a kayak to install it in...

[JbroBass]

2 hours ago, guidoStow said:

My center scupper transducer mount came in yesterday -- before the boat...8-(.

 

I got the garmin version for my Striker 5cv. It looks well designed and built. Just need a kayak to install it in...

 

I received mine as well, the Hummingbird version. Now I just need to purchase the electronics. (I already know what I'm getting, just waiting to see if I can snag a Black Friday discount.)

 

From looking at it, I cannot understand how the transducer is mounted to it. But I assume it will become more obvious once I have the transducer in hand. 

[guidoStow]

 

My boat arrived today. Yay! Tomorrow I start rigging...