How do you guys stow your gear? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

sbsyncro · 10-15-2008, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricM

Hey Guys,

I finally got both a seat and a paddle for my kayak and have taken it on 2 bay trips so far.

Congratulations - I find they work much better (and more safely) with both.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricM

Only problem is storing gear on a kayak. How do you guys do it? Pre-made ones that you buy online? Build your own? Or do you just lay your tackle on your lap and hope that you don't hook yourself or lose any tackle?

I have a couple of different kayaks and each is set up with whatever I was able to find. Some examples are:

12 x 12 milk crate with PVC tubes zip tied to the corners. I then use bungee cords (cut down to size) to attach to padeyes that I added to the rear tankwell area

"Fresh Step" kitty litter bucket from Costco - square pail with a handle that I bungee down with two shortened bungees. No rod holders, but it comes in handy for throwing my gear in there for surf launches and exits.

"CrateMate Jr." Probably too big for your tankwell, but one of my favorites, as I have found Flambeau boxes with the "ZeRust" dividers that fit perfectly inside of it. I clip a should strap to it and use it to lug all my tackle to and from the storage shed when I'm done fishing.

As to individual pieces of tackle, I keep everything organized in a "master" tackle box (that weighs about 40 lbs). Before any trip, I pull stuff from it that I am likely to use, knowing that I will have to rinse and dry anything I put back afterwards....

For quick trips, I found a small tackle bag at WalMart that fits the small sized Plano plastic boxes. The tackle bag is about 4" x 6" x 9" and has a shoulder strap. Before going fishing, I load up the Plano boxes inside with just what I think I will need in the way of spoons, irons, and swim baits, then I tuck a bottle of attractant into an outside pocket, zip my fishing license into the mesh top (inside its clear case), and throw it over my shoulder. Into my vest pockets go two spools of flouro leader (15# and 30#), some sabiki rigs, a pack of circle hooks and egg sinkers, and I'm ready to roll no matter what kayak I am on. Mind you this is for "single rod" fishing in a kelp bed for a couple hours, not an all day excursion where I am hunting for anything and everything with fins and an appetite for fishing bits....

-Brent

ronbo613 · 10-15-2008, 07:48 AM

Looks like the old Dagger Cayman that was my first fishing kayak. We usually went through the surf, we used a mesh backpack with our gear in lashed behind the seat and the rods and reels lashed to the rails on either side of the seating compartment.
We used a milk crate setup at La Jolla, an idea we transferred from our longboards, but for going through the surf, we needed a little more security.

EricM · 10-15-2008, 03:03 PM

Thanks again for the replies guys!

I've been playing around with different containers I found lately, some rubbermaids and other similair boxes and the problems with them was that when I mounted PVC tubes for rod holders and put rods in and then strapped it down, the box would warp alot...

Sounds like I need a heavier plastic!

Eric

Billy V · 10-15-2008, 07:32 PM

EricM

Heres a Thresher Tank (For Sale) with a 3 piece rod holder at a good price.
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...0104#post30104

mc08066 · 10-17-2008, 08:01 AM

Eric,
This is probably not a popular choice but I would probably sell her and buy a different yak that more condusive to a fishing layout before you start cutting her up. Your yak is a good option for hooping at night because it has alot of wide open spaces. Once you make a couple of trips to La Jolla you will start thinking about a better suited kayak for this area. You may want to consider taking a kayak surf class to avoid alot of lost gear. Sorry just my 2 cents.

Jimmy

EricM · 10-17-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mc08066

Eric,
This is probably not a popular choice but I would probably sell her and buy a different yak that more condusive to a fishing layout before you start cutting her up. Your yak is a good option for hooping at night because it has alot of wide open spaces. Once you make a couple of trips to La Jolla you will start thinking about a better suited kayak for this area. You may want to consider taking a kayak surf class to avoid alot of lost gear. Sorry just my 2 cents.

Jimmy

Hey Jimmy,

The thought has crossed my mind of selling this yak before, but I don't have any where near the money necessary to buy a new yak. I got this kayak for a steal; $100 which was perfect for my small wallet! I agree its layout is not well suited for fishing from, but it is very stable and wide so its comfortable and safe to fish from, besides just being cheap. If I got rid of it, I'd still be very far away from the full amount of what it takes to purchase a new yak...

I know there are better suited options out there, but none that are realistically available for me....

Also, I have launched kayaks out of La Jolla before. I got interested in kayak fishing after I myself was paddling rented yaks out and I saw the "fleet," out there catching fish. I am not worried about surf launches/ landings, just the changing conditions in La Jolla....

Thanks

Eric

sbsyncro · 10-17-2008, 04:49 PM

Hey,

On my $100 kayak I just use a kitty litter bucket (square) and two bungee cords that I cut short to fit and hold the bucket down. Cost me $2 and works great.

Then for a rod holder I mounted a scotty on the front that I got for $14. Done deal.

If you want cheap and basic, this is the way to go. If I think of it, I will take some pics and post them.

10-15-2008, 07:48 AM	#2
ronbo613 Waterman At Large Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: On the Water Posts: 199	Looks like the old Dagger Cayman that was my first fishing kayak. We usually went through the surf, we used a mesh backpack with our gear in lashed behind the seat and the rods and reels lashed to the rails on either side of the seating compartment. We used a milk crate setup at La Jolla, an idea we transferred from our longboards, but for going through the surf, we needed a little more security. __________________ Kayak Fishing Photos and Video

10-17-2008, 08:01 AM	#5
mc08066 Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 51	Yak Eric, This is probably not a popular choice but I would probably sell her and buy a different yak that more condusive to a fishing layout before you start cutting her up. Your yak is a good option for hooping at night because it has alot of wide open spaces. Once you make a couple of trips to La Jolla you will start thinking about a better suited kayak for this area. You may want to consider taking a kayak surf class to avoid alot of lost gear. Sorry just my 2 cents. Jimmy

10-15-2008, 03:03 PM	#3
EricM Junior Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 26	Thanks again for the replies guys! I've been playing around with different containers I found lately, some rubbermaids and other similair boxes and the problems with them was that when I mounted PVC tubes for rod holders and put rods in and then strapped it down, the box would warp alot... Sounds like I need a heavier plastic! Eric

10-15-2008, 07:32 PM	#4
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	EricM Heres a Thresher Tank (For Sale) with a 3 piece rod holder at a good price. http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...0104#post30104

10-17-2008, 04:49 PM	#7
sbsyncro Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 80	Hey, On my $100 kayak I just use a kitty litter bucket (square) and two bungee cords that I cut short to fit and hold the bucket down. Cost me $2 and works great. Then for a rod holder I mounted a scotty on the front that I got for $14. Done deal. If you want cheap and basic, this is the way to go. If I think of it, I will take some pics and post them.