New Toy - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

crashcrow · 05-30-2018, 08:41 AM

After lots of thought about going to a pro angler I decided to pull the trigger on a new SoloSkiff. I will be keeping my Hobie Outbacks but I don't think they will be getting the use that they are used to after rigging this thing up. I'm picking up a fresh 6hp Yamaha outboard today, hope to be out on the water ASAP.

makobob · 05-30-2018, 09:11 AM

Congratulations amigo. I love mine.

Baja_Traveler · 05-30-2018, 09:26 AM

Awesome! My PA14 only gets used for the occasional kayak only fishing tournament anymore. Being able to launch where every other kayak launches, but getting to the fishing spots so much faster is a total game changer.
You are going to love it, and the Yamaha is a great choice in motor.

5-20 · 05-30-2018, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baja_Traveler

Awesome! My PA14 only gets used for the occasional kayak only fishing tournament anymore. Being able to launch where every other kayak launches, but getting to the fishing spots so much faster is a total game changer.
You are going to love it, and the Yamaha is a great choice in motor.

Do you load the solo skiff in the back of your truck? It seems like most of the guys that buy one have them on a trailer and that makes parking iffy in a lot of places. Unless you've got a small enough trailer that you can decouple it and stick it in the back of your truck after you unload your skiff.

Crashcow, That's a cool looking toy. I'm sure you'll have tons of fun on it!!! Can't go wrong with a Yamaha (most of the time!).

Mr. NiceGuy · 05-30-2018, 12:15 PM

It's a beauty!

Baja_Traveler · 05-30-2018, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5-20

Do you load the solo skiff in the back of your truck? It seems like most of the guys that buy one have them on a trailer and that makes parking iffy in a lot of places. Unless you've got a small enough trailer that you can decouple it and stick it in the back of your truck after you unload your skiff.

Crashcow, That's a cool looking toy. I'm sure you'll have tons of fun on it!!! Can't go wrong with a Yamaha (most of the time!).

Since the Sentri lane does not allow trailers crossing back, trailering has never been an option in my mind - so in/on the truck it goes. Usually just in the bed because it is easy to load/unload, but I have been known to put it up top. Not any harder than loading a PA14...

5-20 · 05-30-2018, 12:44 PM

Awesome pixs, Baja_Traveler. Thanks!

crashcrow · 05-30-2018, 04:01 PM

I hung it out the back of my long bed truck on the way home from OEX. Currently working on a trailer for local trips, she will be on the truck or in the van for Mexico, I need a rack. See you guys in la jolla soon for break ins as soon as the FF and a couple rod holders are mounted.

Mahigeer · 05-30-2018, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baja_Traveler

Hey that's my SUV in the distance.

goldenglory18 · 05-31-2018, 07:04 AM

I guess I've never really looked into the Solo but damn that s a cool boat.

Congrats!

flyfishinsteve64 · 05-31-2018, 08:18 AM

How does the Solo handle off shore. Down swell faces and what not?

crashcrow · 05-31-2018, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfishinsteve64

How does the Solo handle off shore. Down swell faces and what not?

I will give a full report in the next week or so once I've tried her out.

Baja_Traveler · 05-31-2018, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfishinsteve64

How does the Solo handle off shore. Down swell faces and what not?

Took mine out in really crappy conditions just for fun last year to find out exactly that. We had good 2-3 foot wind driven swell down at Gonzaga late last year. Going into the swell was at idle, and even then I was soaked head to toe, but the boat was stable and handled it easily - all waves crashing over the bow simply washed out the back.
Quartering swells were really no issue either, and was easier going and a little faster.
Going down swell is where it got hairy - mid speed to match the swell the boat surfed the 2 footers just fine, but when a 3 footer caught up with me the boat would want to snap turn right or left with the bow digging in. Couple of times I thought I was going to be thrown out of the boat. Dropped the speed back to idle so the boat would not surf and getting back to the beach was easy.
So the lesson is when going down swell, slow and easy is the key to keep your hair from turning white...

flyfishinsteve64 · 05-31-2018, 03:02 PM

Its going down the swell that got me in my 18' Bayrunner. I will never take an aluminum boat out in big swells again. All by myself coming back from the 425 going down swell boat cut hard to the left out the boat I went. Luckily I had a good grip on steering wheel and pulled myself back in.

Steve

05-30-2018, 09:11 AM	#2
makobob Baitless on Baja Join Date: May 2013 Location: Vista California, Gonzaga, San Quintin, Asuncion, Mag Bay Posts: 4,250	Congratulations amigo. I love mine. __________________ http://www.mako-ville.com Home 760-630-4470 Cell 760-520-2514 YES YOU CAN

05-30-2018, 12:15 PM	#5
Mr. NiceGuy Manic for Life Join Date: May 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 839	It's a beauty! __________________ Another ho-hum day in Paradise

05-30-2018, 09:26 AM	#3
Baja_Traveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Table 17, Bay Park Fish Co. Posts: 943	Awesome! My PA14 only gets used for the occasional kayak only fishing tournament anymore. Being able to launch where every other kayak launches, but getting to the fishing spots so much faster is a total game changer. You are going to love it, and the Yamaha is a great choice in motor.

05-30-2018, 12:44 PM	#7
5-20 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 241	Awesome pixs, Baja_Traveler. Thanks!

05-30-2018, 04:01 PM	#8
crashcrow Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 122	I hung it out the back of my long bed truck on the way home from OEX. Currently working on a trailer for local trips, she will be on the truck or in the van for Mexico, I need a rack. See you guys in la jolla soon for break ins as soon as the FF and a couple rod holders are mounted.

05-31-2018, 07:04 AM	#10
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	I guess I've never really looked into the Solo but damn that s a cool boat. Congrats!

05-31-2018, 08:18 AM	#11
flyfishinsteve64 Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: santee ca. Posts: 57	How does the Solo handle off shore. Down swell faces and what not?

05-31-2018, 03:02 PM	#14
flyfishinsteve64 Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: santee ca. Posts: 57	Its going down the swell that got me in my 18' Bayrunner. I will never take an aluminum boat out in big swells again. All by myself coming back from the 425 going down swell boat cut hard to the left out the boat I went. Luckily I had a good grip on steering wheel and pulled myself back in. Steve