Quote:
Originally Posted by 45user
I'm thinking about installing xwing on stealth 12 to mount ff and rod holders.I'd appreciate users' input and some pics.
Thank you,
45
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Old school....
I've never owned the X-wing but before they came out with the X-wing I made a bar setup for my FND that pretty much does the same things. Pole holders mounted on the sides, and my finder went on the pedestal in the middle.
The main advantage was access. The pole holders were great for trolling and drift fishing as I could reach the rods quickly, or even put a few cranks on the reel when bit to set a hook, and the finder was at arms length.
Shortly after putting it on I rolled in the surf and I realized that if I pitch poled, or dug the nose in coming in on a wave I could end up sliding forward and get a ankle or leg stuck under the bar. That freaked me out. You don't have to be a brain surgeon to figure you out that in that scenario you could easily break a ankle, or leg. When I first saw the X wing I thought that would be a problem for them. I'd think you could slide forward and get stuck under it in the surf, but I've never heard of anyone getting hurt with one.
I never surf launched the FND again. I made a hoop setup for it.
I now use it all the time for hooping but I just never take it through the surf.
For my fishing setups I realized I could get pretty much the same finder and pole layout with Scotty holders and extensions.
With that setup I get the same layout and space advantages but I can remove everything for launching through the surf. I love that setup it's all I use for kayak fishing now.
I'd say if your going to fish bays where you don't go through the surf the X-wing might work, but if you want to launch through the surf I'd stay away from it. Just more things to get in the way or go wrong.
Jim