Pro Angler...rigging questions? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

BrokeLoser · 12-01-2012, 08:36 PM

I've noticed most people locate their fish-finders and rod holders on the black side rails of their PA's...I've seen some with both rails fully loaded. I don't understand how you guys are able to bounce fish over the rails, lean out and net or gaff and keep from tangling your line around your rail trinkets without being overly cautious. How is this working for you? Is it as bad as it seems like it would be?
I mounted my FF off the sail mount; yes, it's hard to reach but it's 100% out of the way. I can't figure out how to keep rod holders out of the way though? Any suggestions?

ful-rac · 12-01-2012, 09:00 PM

I suggest you take that brand new PA...and go fishing and figure out where YOU like things to be. For me i have my fish finder and rod holders attached to the mounting boards, it works out fine...for me... I never bounce fish into my kayak, i usually lift them, so hanging on rod holders is not a problem. Being within reach my fishfinder is very important to me, i have to mark waypoints, switch between chart, sonar, tracks, trails....all the good stuff. Dont worry about what everyone else does...take it out and do what works for you.

yakrider · 12-02-2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

I suggest you take that brand new PA...and go fishing and figure out where YOU like things to be. Being within reach my fishfinder is very important to me, i have to mark waypoints, switch between chart, sonar, tracks, trails....all the good stuff. Dont worry about what everyone else does...take it out and do what works for you.

what a great answer!

BrokeLoser · 12-02-2012, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

I suggest you take that brand new PA...and go fishing and figure out where YOU like things to be. For me i have my fish finder and rod holders attached to the mounting boards, it works out fine...for me... I never bounce fish into my kayak, i usually lift them, so hanging on rod holders is not a problem. Being within reach my fishfinder is very important to me, i have to mark waypoints, switch between chart, sonar, tracks, trails....all the good stuff. Dont worry about what everyone else does...take it out and do what works for you.

I have fished it...and the side rails seem like a place I'd definitely want clear for practical reasons. I can't be the only one that feels this way..hopefully my concerns can't seem that far fetched? I'm 6 foot 3 and 240lbs I don't know how I'd even get in and out of the thing if both my rails were cluttered. I would have thought that most people fishing a PA or any kayak would have had the same concerns. I guess I figured most must be rigging the side rails due to there not really being another logical option so I thought I'd ask.

bellcon · 12-02-2012, 10:48 AM

Brokeloser
When I bought my PA it had a pair of those Ram Tubes on the mounting boards, just like in your photo
On the first trip one of them busted at the ball mount when I tried to adjust it. Never used them again.

Some guys like their kayaks to be as crowded as Neil Pearts drum kit
Personally I like as little as possible in the way.

I have my sonar mounted at the sail mast (easy for me to reach when needed) and one Scotty rail mount (#245) on each side rail.

I may experiment with some different rod holders, but I'm happy with the sonar up front out of the way, it's clean, easy to remove and not one hole drilled in the kayak.

Tony (Neil Peart) Full-rac's answer was still a good one!

It's all about what works best for you.

Baja_Traveler · 12-02-2012, 07:19 PM

Personally, I try to mount important stuff as close to the seat as possible for easy reach - especially the fish finder - and then I mount it on my weak side. For me my strong side is on my left, so I'll try to maneuver fish or lobster hoops to that side, so I try to keep it open as much as possible. But if there was no choice but to land from the right, the finder is far enough back to not get in the way. Rod holders can be far enough forward that if I have to lean forward to get to them it's really no big deal. That leaves a large gap on the right side between "stuff" in the way, and the whole left side back of the rod holder is wide open.

ful-rac · 12-02-2012, 07:19 PM

Check it out brokeloser, heres another option All my accesories are mounted on the rails using the yakattack gear track, my fishfinder/rod holders....if i want the deck clear all i have to do is just remove everything and i have a clear deck. Makes it nice when switching from one type of fishing to the next.

Heres a picture of the rails with the gear track attached...nevermind that yellowtail...

BrokeLoser · 12-02-2012, 08:17 PM

I think it's just going to come down to the ole'; which is the 'lesser of the evils' for me. I'd obviously prefer everything right in my face and easily accessible I just don't know if I want to have to worry about dodging obstacles while trying to land a 35# fish. I keep imagining gaffing a big fish and in the heat of battle trying to bring him over the rail between a fish finder and a rod holder without breaking him or other sh!t off and it just seems inevitable in my head. This is obviously all moot with smaller fish that you can 'steer' around.
I like that gear track idea a lot...not sure if I can bring myself to drilling 32 new holes in my new PA though....does it use some of the existing O.E. holes?

Thanks guys!

12-01-2012, 08:36 PM	#1
BrokeLoser Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 472	Pro Angler...rigging questions? I've noticed most people locate their fish-finders and rod holders on the black side rails of their PA's...I've seen some with both rails fully loaded. I don't understand how you guys are able to bounce fish over the rails, lean out and net or gaff and keep from tangling your line around your rail trinkets without being overly cautious. How is this working for you? Is it as bad as it seems like it would be? I mounted my FF off the sail mount; yes, it's hard to reach but it's 100% out of the way. I can't figure out how to keep rod holders out of the way though? Any suggestions?

12-02-2012, 10:48 AM	#5
bellcon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Pedro Posts: 999	Brokeloser When I bought my PA it had a pair of those Ram Tubes on the mounting boards, just like in your photo On the first trip one of them busted at the ball mount when I tried to adjust it. Never used them again. Some guys like their kayaks to be as crowded as Neil Pearts drum kit Personally I like as little as possible in the way. I have my sonar mounted at the sail mast (easy for me to reach when needed) and one Scotty rail mount (#245) on each side rail. I may experiment with some different rod holders, but I'm happy with the sonar up front out of the way, it's clean, easy to remove and not one hole drilled in the kayak. Tony (Neil Peart) Full-rac's answer was still a good one! It's all about what works best for you. __________________

12-02-2012, 07:19 PM	#7
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Check it out brokeloser, heres another option All my accesories are mounted on the rails using the yakattack gear track, my fishfinder/rod holders....if i want the deck clear all i have to do is just remove everything and i have a clear deck. Makes it nice when switching from one type of fishing to the next. Heres a picture of the rails with the gear track attached...nevermind that yellowtail... __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

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12-01-2012, 09:00 PM	#2
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	I suggest you take that brand new PA...and go fishing and figure out where YOU like things to be. For me i have my fish finder and rod holders attached to the mounting boards, it works out fine...for me... I never bounce fish into my kayak, i usually lift them, so hanging on rod holders is not a problem. Being within reach my fishfinder is very important to me, i have to mark waypoints, switch between chart, sonar, tracks, trails....all the good stuff. Dont worry about what everyone else does...take it out and do what works for you. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

12-02-2012, 07:19 PM	#6
Baja_Traveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Table 17, Bay Park Fish Co. Posts: 943	Personally, I try to mount important stuff as close to the seat as possible for easy reach - especially the fish finder - and then I mount it on my weak side. For me my strong side is on my left, so I'll try to maneuver fish or lobster hoops to that side, so I try to keep it open as much as possible. But if there was no choice but to land from the right, the finder is far enough back to not get in the way. Rod holders can be far enough forward that if I have to lean forward to get to them it's really no big deal. That leaves a large gap on the right side between "stuff" in the way, and the whole left side back of the rod holder is wide open.

12-02-2012, 08:17 PM	#8
BrokeLoser Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 472	I think it's just going to come down to the ole'; which is the 'lesser of the evils' for me. I'd obviously prefer everything right in my face and easily accessible I just don't know if I want to have to worry about dodging obstacles while trying to land a 35# fish. I keep imagining gaffing a big fish and in the heat of battle trying to bring him over the rail between a fish finder and a rod holder without breaking him or other sh!t off and it just seems inevitable in my head. This is obviously all moot with smaller fish that you can 'steer' around. I like that gear track idea a lot...not sure if I can bring myself to drilling 32 new holes in my new PA though....does it use some of the existing O.E. holes? Thanks guys!