X-wing, who's using it?

[Fiskadoro]

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

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

[Siebler]

We find most people go with the GearTrac's now days. Cleaner system, everything slides independently, no worries about access to front hatch or having the console over your legs in the surf.

[usmp06]

I have a x-wing on my stealth 12. Some pros are that you can mount rod holders,ff,lights, and many other things to it and its all self contained with the battery box area. Great for lakes and still water. But as you mentioned it makes getting to the front hatch a little difficult. Also if launching out of LJ shores not a good thing to have on your yak as it makes your yak more top heavy. So when I launch there I don't even bother bringing it. Which means I leave the ff at home seeings how its mounted to my x-wing. so it has its advantages if you are a still water fisher. I mean don't get me wrong if you launch out of the bay and paddle out its fine but if you have a shore launch forget about it. Hope this helps you out.

[Cbad Mike]

Funny that you asked when you did because just a few days ago I was considering the possibility of getting one. I think it's a cool idea that isn't very practical at least for the fishing I do the most.
I watched video of some of my catches and realized that the X-Wing would be in the way especially when a big fish has your rod bent and shaking it's head during the fight. You want to have the rod pointed towards the bow of your kayak for stability and leverage and I think the Wing will just get in the way. Also a lot of times I will lay my rods on deck for one reason or another and see how the Wing wouldn't let me do that. I read above that the Wing will inhibit access to the front hatch which is true but wasn't a big concern to me since I really don't use it anyway.
If I did more freshwater fishing I would probably get one but since I don't I will pass on the X-Wing.
Hope this helps. Keep us posted on what you decide on.
Mike