H-Rail Addition to the Outback
 

So, I got my new sweet Limited Edition from Andy, would never get a yak from anyone else:cheers1: Decided that I would like to add some rails because I was sure they would be useful for many purposes (even if not for what I originally intended). So I ordered 2 small rails 9" I think. At first I thought for sure to hold my FF Head unit and then a couple rod holders would be nice (I always add scottys and they work) got a couple railblazas I can add to the mix from my adventure. Installed on the left, fits perfect over the cup holder. On the right it just does't match up with the Outback design so machined an inch or so off and fit like a charm. Once I drilled the 4 holes, gooped it up, added the washers and clamped down. Here are some pros and cons that I found after a month of use, overall I love the addition to the yak!

Pros:
hold to control yak when launching/landing in surf
use to help lift yak over stairs at LJ Launch:)
holds my FF solid with a ram ball/hrail attachment and lets me adjust at many levels
can attach you pliers or any gear to it that you do not want floating/sinking away
squid lights tie off to it
hold my beer can in more solid then before
many h-rail attachments, want to attach go pro in the future...
can hold for stability
can use to help tie knots and get good tension
fits on my jrack the same as before
place to wrap a lock around
watertight

Cons
wanted rod holders and H-Rail attachment would move under pull of trolling baits and did not feel comfortable if hit with a bit strike (therefore, no rod holders for me, ended up adding scotties in the front like I always have)
Beer bottles don't fit too well anymore on the L side

Nice Chuck! I just set up an Outback with the rails and an H Bar that attaches to the rails.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...0/IMG_5645.JPG

Chuck, thank you. I am still on the fence on these. Did you get a sail for your outback?

No problem CTF. No, I don't think I will get a sail for the outback since I am lucky enough to have an island adventure. I am not sure that I would be too impressed with a sail on the outback, it would be too much clutter for me in that vessel. I am sure it would work to get you out longer range tho...

I figured as much as you do have the island. Outback sail probably way to slow for you ;)

After seeing you on your island looking for tuna, you really got me thinking. I have "Island Fever" now. Most likely wanting a tandem. My buddy swears he is buying one so I get to go along for the ride. I need to figure out how to talk the wife into getting one for this summer.

And I second you about buying from Andy, he is the go to guy.

Damn Chuck, you store the new outback in the living room? Talk about tlc.

Compact size floating sabiki hook removers from wine corks and coat hanger wire.

There's a small "L" bend at the butt end and a dab of epoxy on the wire at both ends of the cork. Small enough to conveniently stow in my Outback tackle bucket. Long enough to be comfortable in the hand.

http://www.pbase.com/image/162733077.jpg

Great idea but you should have made the tag end of the loop longer. Because the tag end of the loop is small the sabiki line will slide off of the loop when you try to shake the bait off.

Other than that it looks pretty cool.

So, how would these actually work? If you don't mind a somewhat painstaking description...I can't imagine it, try as as I might.

Good point. I have not tried these yet. I will re-bend one and report back. Thanks.

Is the cork hook supposed to engage the sabiki line, or the sabiki hook?

My purpose is for making bait with mackerel, etc., ... not catch & release, and not bigger fish.

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I think you might be suggesting this?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...SR314,320_.jpg

... not this:

http://thumbs.ebaystatic.com/images/...zJU/s-l225.jpg


But seriously, I get as much pleasure from drinking the wine as I do making something out of the corks :)

Since I am a relative noob, I am extrapolating information and fiddling at my work bench. It's better for jorluivil or one of the other pros to answer.

There are a few different kinds of de-hooking tools. My purpose is when I bring up a cluster of mackerels, getting them into the bait tank easily with as little damage or trauma as possible, while avoiding re-snagging other prickly sabiki hooks flapping around in the melee.

The purpose of this kind of de-hooking tool is when you pull the cork hook the opposite direction of the sabiki hook, it turns the point of the sabiki hook downward as you lift, and the fish falls off by it's own weight. It's allegedly much faster, easier and less damaging than fiddling with fingers or a needle-nose pliers when you have multiple slimy fish bouncing around in your lap.

My thought was to keep it small and simple so it's not in the way. The Hobie Outback tackle bucket under the hatch is not very big. I don't like loose clutter rolling around when I'm fishing.

The longer/wider tag end is for speed of use and keeping the line in place. The wide end makes it quicker to wrap around your sabiki line. The longer tag end helps keep the sabiki line inside while your bait wiggles.

You wrap the tag end around your sabiki just above the bait. Then you slide it down the sabiki while pulling back and up on the dehooker and pushing forward and down on the sabiki line above (you can substitute left and right for back and forward). The hook will wrap the end of the tool, and continuing to straight up and down will point the hook down. Then a simple jerk motion, with both hands in the same downward direction, should dislodge the barb and free the bait. It should take less than a couple seconds per bait, which can be crucial on the days where you only have it under you a couple times for a short time.

chopstick sabiki bait remover and dehooker
 

I use wooden chopsticks you get from panda express etc. I don't crack them apart so they are stronger.

Once the stick slides down into the inner bend of the hook I hold the mac over the livewell and turn the hook upside down with the chopstick and the fish slides off.

I also debarb the sabiki hooks so the bait slides off quicker and I can hook anything in my yak w/ no worry(no problem getting them to the yak as the bait stays on the hook really well even debarbed)

I can also use the chopstick to push down on a hook that was swallowed near the gut to dehook w/ ease.

For the sabiki itself besides debarbing I use only half...so only 3 sabiki.

For the weight I use a cheap blue and silver jig (something at walmart)...it's heavy and gets the sabiki down fast and it also in my mind triggers the bait to bite the sabiki because it looks like a bigger fish is chasing it's prey.

I also have a hook on the end of the jig and usually get bigger bait on that one.

No problem w/ tangles most of the time as the jig is heavy enough to keep everyone in line.

Free and they float...and if you brought your bento box you don't have to eat w/ your hands!

With the hooks debarbed sometimes I just use my hands...just grab the snell of the hook and turn the hook upside down and they slide right off.

Hand Gaff with customer Kydex Holster
 

So I bought a really cool Black Watch FHG Hand Gaff. It's aluminum with a stainless steel ridiculously sharp and easily replaceable tip. After that I had my buddy that makes custom pistol holsters from Kydex make me a holster for it that I can leash on to my kayak or strap to my belt or PFD with a D-ring or a plastic buckle. These are pictures of the unfinished product. The holster is in the prototype development stages right now. I'll post finished pictures when it's done. The hand gaff is going to get some para-cord on the handle too for better grip when wet.

New crate for Baja
 

I realized I didn't have a crate/rod holder for Baja. Well took care of that. It's big for plenty of storage.
Depth 12″ Width 22″ Height 10″

And you can buy a lid for it. Clips on with side clips. I have the toolbox set and had seen this box, never thought of converting it into what you did. Great idea.

Hand Gaff
 

Finally got my hand gaff and custom sheeth/holster back.
This thing is light, strong and just crazy looking!

My buddy that made the kydex sheeth does customd holsters, and just about anything you can dream up out of kydex.

Where to put my kayak?
 

My Hobie PA14 garage lift . . . because its one heavy yak, and available storage space is always a premium.

https://youtu.be/pDucTjFJAMA

https://youtu.be/W_M0uwYlYOs

Very cool

Dude, that is a pro rig right there :cheers1: