Solo Session on the Solo Skiff targeting Rockfish

[AlwaysFishing]

Took last Thursday off to do some rockfish hunting. Had the whole place to myself at the Redondo Beach King Harbor.
https://youtu.be/g8FUPMTLtyg

[kayakfisherman]

Great video! Is that an additional bait tank
on top of the existing bait tank??

[blitzburgh]

Nice! Love the TLC on the fish before stowing them

[AlwaysFishing]

Originally Posted by kayakfisherman

Great video! Is that an additional bait tank
on top of the existing bait tank??

Thank you! Use the Vittle Vault for a bait tank. It sits in the cockpit. I just put small holes at the bottom and let it slowly drained. When it gets low, I use a small container to put fresh water in. The bait gets fresh water every 30 minutes or so. I am still on the look out for a better solution. I didn't have the heart to put a hole in the hull of the Solo.

[AlwaysFishing]

Originally Posted by blitzburgh

Nice! Love the TLC on the fish before stowing them

Thank you!

[tak100]

Hey we need to get out when the weather gets a bit warmer.

What are you using the front cooler for? I see the kill bag above it.

Tight lines!

[AlwaysFishing]

Yes we need to have our own Solo Skiff armada up here. I use the front cooler as storage for extra clothes and a power bank to power my GoPro.

Originally Posted by tak100

Hey we need to get out when the weather gets a bit warmer.

What are you using the front cooler for? I see the kill bag above it.

Tight lines!

[JohnMckroidJr]

Nice Salmon Grouper and variety on rockfish -- Congrats.

[FISH11]

Way to load up the Solo Skiff with a limit of quality rock fish. Congrats, Quang!

[captainbarky]

You can try putting the bait tank behind your seat. It keeps the bait happy and I don't have any holes in my hull. Nice fish!

[NICKWORN]

Originally Posted by captainbarky

You can try putting the bait tank behind your seat. It keeps the bait happy and I don't have any holes in my hull. Nice fish!

Is hard to get on plain with all the weight in the rear?

5200 gobbed around the intake is super solid. I check mine after every trip and its solid as could be!

[NICKWORN]

Did you buy that from Tony?

[captainbarky]

I did buy it from Tony. No problems getting on plane and bait doesn't get pounded in chop. The only difficulties I've had are with the bait pump hanging off the back. Sometimes it snags on my T-Bone and breaks zip ties holding it down but they're easy/quick to replace.

[AlwaysFishing]

Thank you. That is one of the option I have in mind as well. How is the balance with the 3 gallon fuel tank on one side and the 6-7 gallon bait tank on the other side?

Originally Posted by captainbarky

You can try putting the bait tank behind your seat. It keeps the bait happy and I don't have any holes in my hull. Nice fish!

[AlwaysFishing]

Thanks Nick. I am getting to a point where that is my only option now.

Originally Posted by NICKWORN

Is hard to get on plain with all the weight in the rear?

5200 gobbed around the intake is super solid. I check mine after every trip and its solid as could be!

[NICKWORN]

Originally Posted by AlwaysFishing

Thanks Nick. I am getting to a point where that is my only option now.

I'm not sure if Andy does the bait tank modification, but Brent does down here in San Diego. The only thing i did was replace the black elbow to a heavier/thicker PVC. I also Dremel the top down a 1/4" or so to enable it to run more flush inside the gunny wells, if not you have to be aware when loading and off loading not to break it off (I cracked the stock black one x2). It doesn't impact the down tube from the pump (super sturdy), it just cracks the elbow causing it to fall off or increase air bubbles/decrease flow. I'm sure Mark or I can DM you some pics. I would also place the on/off switch on side, not in the front of the hatch, your heel will shut it off all the time. Mark added a 9" h-rail to cover it and for a "oh shit bar".

By far my favorite mod, makes plaining so much easier, the only complaint is dines dont survive to long if packed in and slapping swells. Maks will last all day through whatever you through at em. Im wondering if the dines at the Bait barge are rarely cured though.

[captainbarky]

Originally Posted by AlwaysFishing

Thank you. That is one of the option I have in mind as well. How is the balance with the 3 gallon fuel tank on one side and the 6-7 gallon bait tank on the other side?

The external bait tank dimensions are 11" wide and 11" long and the drain is set at about 8" of height. I think that works out to about 4.1 gallons of capacity and at 8.5lbs/gallon of sea water, that's ~35lbs. If you add the container and battery, it probably works out to ~40lbs full.

On the other side, gas is about 6.3lbs/gallon, so ~25lbs full with container. I have a ~5lb fire extinguisher mounted under the left side of the seat and slide my 10lb battery box slightly to the left. The net change is 0 tilt.

I'm 205lbs and sometimes bring 5 rods and plenty of tackle. I plane right away and cruise 12-14mph. It feels like a great setup. I think you'd like it if you don't want to make a hole in the hull. Let me know if you'd like more pictures.

[AlwaysFishing]

Nicely done! You got it all balanced out. If you don't mind please post some pictures of the set up. Thank you.

Originally Posted by captainbarky

The external bait tank dimensions are 11" wide and 11" long and the drain is set at about 8" of height. I think that works out to about 4.1 gallons of capacity and at 8.5lbs/gallon of sea water, that's ~35lbs. If you add the container and battery, it probably works out to ~40lbs full.

On the other side, gas is about 6.3lbs/gallon, so ~25lbs full with container. I have a ~5lb fire extinguisher mounted under the left side of the seat and slide my 10lb battery box slightly to the left. The net change is 0 tilt.

I'm 205lbs and sometimes bring 5 rods and plenty of tackle. I plane right away and cruise 12-14mph. It feels like a great setup. I think you'd like it if you don't want to make a hole in the hull. Let me know if you'd like more pictures.

[Top Gun]

Originally Posted by AlwaysFishing

Took last Thursday off to do some rockfish hunting. Had the whole place to myself at the Redondo Beach King Harbor.
https://youtu.be/g8FUPMTLtyg

I' m looking to by a solo skiff any ideals where i can start looking.

[AlwaysFishing]

I am sorry but I don't know of any that are for sale in SoCal at the moment. If you have a FB account, there's a Solo Skiff Buy, Sell, or Trade group. Probably the best place to look. I got mine earlier this year from CL and also saw one on OfferUp. GL in your hunt for one.

-Quang

Originally Posted by Top Gun

I' m looking to by a solo skiff any ideals where i can start looking.