Lighter Kayak - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

bus kid · 04-02-2011, 05:31 PM

There are a lot of us that fish Long Beach, Alamitos bay, Huntington Harbor and Dana Point on a regular basis, hook up and get some help loading and unloading, any time your going out pm me a few days before, I may not help you catch any fish but unloading and loading I can handle.

MuddyMike · 04-02-2011, 07:11 PM

i'm guessing it's not possible to use the bed with the shell & gate open? or even just the shell. i don't have a bad back, but i don't think i'd want to be lifting stuff that high either

Amish Ed · 04-02-2011, 10:12 PM

I feel you on the back problems, I've been off the water for 2 months now because of mine. Dave's suggestion could help a lot, depending on how you put your yak on the truck now. I just looked at what Malibu is claiming for the weight of the X-factor, 62lbs. I doubt that, but if it's true it'll be hard to find something significantly lighter. At least without going really short. If you mostly fish the bays, that could be ok, but if you like to paddle...

What about using a bed extender and tossing a red flag on the end of your yak?

Siebler · 04-03-2011, 08:28 AM

Come down and check out the full line of Wilderness boats at OEX Mission Bay or with Andy at Sunset Beach. You can test paddle them and also see how heavy each one is so you can make the decision yourself.

bubblehide · 04-03-2011, 09:38 AM

I went through a very similar situation after an injury, and my stubbornness of doing things myself didn't help at all. But when I came in for landings and my legs were totally numb, I was more than happy to accept help. Rob saved my butt from drowning at landing more than once, during those times by dragging my butt out of the surf. I'll never forget it, I'd hop out of the yak and my legs would collapse under me. after a couple of minutes of wiggling around on the sand, the old legs would work well enough for me to stand and sorta walk. I also remember it taking me a couple days to recoup from yaking, and back then I had a pedal yak. My point is, make sure you go with someone else, and don't be shy about letting them know of your condition and how it affects you; they'll help you out with what you need, without babying you. We've all either been through something like this, or had a loved one go through something like your going through, and we know that getting out there is a healthy thing. It'll take time, but you'll improve.

Either the above, or get a trailer for the yak.

Jimmyz123 · 04-03-2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuddyMike

i'm guessing it's not possible to use the bed with the shell & gate open? or even just the shell. i don't have a bad back, but i don't think i'd want to be lifting stuff that high either

I see a lot of guys hauling their Kayaks this way. Many will use bed extenders also. Be creative, but also safe. I speak from experience I couldn't fish all last year due to the injury I sustained loading my kayak.

huntin4fish · 04-03-2011, 09:47 AM

Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it. Yep, my back is completely shot and I also have a steel plate in my neck so im a medical disaster. LOL this thing is just WAY to big and bulky for me to move around myself. Bed extender is a option but I just dont feel safe driving with something hanging that far out the back of the truck. I think I will take the suggestion of going over to OEX and see what they have to offer. Gonna be a few weeks though. Gotta heal up from this latest surgery first. For Sale, 1 NEW malibu x-factor. Stone color. Ill put it in the classifieds as well. Fish on!

StinkyMatt · 04-03-2011, 11:24 AM

Huntin, How is a bed extender with appropriate tie downs, light kit and a flag any less secure then a KITE on the roof of your car?

I don't see it at all, done both.

Get the extender, save a LOT of effort.

jbaker · 04-03-2011, 12:13 PM

I have an factor and use a bed extended. I think it was $30 from harbor freight. I put a tie down from the front of the bed to the back of the tail gate when loading. I lift the front of the yak up on the extender then hook the tiedown to the bow handle to hold it in place. Then lift from the back of the yak and slide it in. Works really well. I also put a red flag on a carbines and hook it to the rear carry handle to be legal. Never had any problems loading or during transport.

roby · 04-03-2011, 07:38 PM

I have an Ocean Kayak Caper I was planning on selling soon. Send me a pm if you are interested...

http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/ang...er_angler.html

I know this is a kayak site and all, but if you are only fishing the bays you should look at float tubes...

bmercury · 04-04-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

Huntin, How is a bed extender with appropriate tie downs, light kit and a flag any less secure then a KITE on the roof of your car?

I don't see it at all, done both.

Get the extender, save a LOT of effort.

Yes remember to have lighting on your kayak if its sticking out of the bed of your truck at night... I got a very expensive ticket for transporting my board that way at night with just a red flag and no lights on the end of it.

huntin4fish · 04-04-2011, 10:48 AM

Thanks, I think I am going to try a bed extender. Will make it easy to slide into the back of my truck. I will put the kids mini x on top. Thanks for all the advice everyone.

04-02-2011, 05:31 PM	#1
bus kid Team Keine Zugehörigkeit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Way out there Posts: 2,854	a little help please... There are a lot of us that fish Long Beach, Alamitos bay, Huntington Harbor and Dana Point on a regular basis, hook up and get some help loading and unloading, any time your going out pm me a few days before, I may not help you catch any fish but unloading and loading I can handle. __________________ Não alimente os trolls------------Don't feed the trolls---------------インタネット荒らしを無視しろ

04-02-2011, 10:12 PM	#3
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,906	I feel you on the back problems, I've been off the water for 2 months now because of mine. Dave's suggestion could help a lot, depending on how you put your yak on the truck now. I just looked at what Malibu is claiming for the weight of the X-factor, 62lbs. I doubt that, but if it's true it'll be hard to find something significantly lighter. At least without going really short. If you mostly fish the bays, that could be ok, but if you like to paddle... What about using a bed extender and tossing a red flag on the end of your yak? __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

04-03-2011, 08:28 AM	#4
Siebler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richland Oregon Posts: 1,547	Come down and check out the full line of Wilderness boats at OEX Mission Bay or with Andy at Sunset Beach. You can test paddle them and also see how heavy each one is so you can make the decision yourself. __________________ CJ Siebler

04-03-2011, 09:47 AM	#7
huntin4fish Junior Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 27	Kayak Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it. Yep, my back is completely shot and I also have a steel plate in my neck so im a medical disaster. LOL this thing is just WAY to big and bulky for me to move around myself. Bed extender is a option but I just dont feel safe driving with something hanging that far out the back of the truck. I think I will take the suggestion of going over to OEX and see what they have to offer. Gonna be a few weeks though. Gotta heal up from this latest surgery first. For Sale, 1 NEW malibu x-factor. Stone color. Ill put it in the classifieds as well. Fish on!

04-04-2011, 10:48 AM	#12
huntin4fish Junior Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 27	Thanks Thanks, I think I am going to try a bed extender. Will make it easy to slide into the back of my truck. I will put the kids mini x on top. Thanks for all the advice everyone.

04-02-2011, 07:11 PM	#2
MuddyMike Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 111	i'm guessing it's not possible to use the bed with the shell & gate open? or even just the shell. i don't have a bad back, but i don't think i'd want to be lifting stuff that high either

04-03-2011, 09:38 AM	#5
bubblehide Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 552	I went through a very similar situation after an injury, and my stubbornness of doing things myself didn't help at all. But when I came in for landings and my legs were totally numb, I was more than happy to accept help. Rob saved my butt from drowning at landing more than once, during those times by dragging my butt out of the surf. I'll never forget it, I'd hop out of the yak and my legs would collapse under me. after a couple of minutes of wiggling around on the sand, the old legs would work well enough for me to stand and sorta walk. I also remember it taking me a couple days to recoup from yaking, and back then I had a pedal yak. My point is, make sure you go with someone else, and don't be shy about letting them know of your condition and how it affects you; they'll help you out with what you need, without babying you. We've all either been through something like this, or had a loved one go through something like your going through, and we know that getting out there is a healthy thing. It'll take time, but you'll improve. Either the above, or get a trailer for the yak.

04-03-2011, 11:24 AM	#8
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	Huntin, How is a bed extender with appropriate tie downs, light kit and a flag any less secure then a KITE on the roof of your car? I don't see it at all, done both. Get the extender, save a LOT of effort.

04-03-2011, 12:13 PM	#9
jbaker Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Redding Ca Posts: 85	I have an factor and use a bed extended. I think it was $30 from harbor freight. I put a tie down from the front of the bed to the back of the tail gate when loading. I lift the front of the yak up on the extender then hook the tiedown to the bow handle to hold it in place. Then lift from the back of the yak and slide it in. Works really well. I also put a red flag on a carbines and hook it to the rear carry handle to be legal. Never had any problems loading or during transport.

04-03-2011, 07:38 PM	#10
roby CEO of Team Roby Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 905	I have an Ocean Kayak Caper I was planning on selling soon. Send me a pm if you are interested... http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/ang...er_angler.html I know this is a kayak site and all, but if you are only fishing the bays you should look at float tubes...