Finally a Kayak Owner - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Garibaldi_Hunter · 03-05-2007, 10:59 AM

Well after lurking around this site and renting/borrowing kayaks for the past year I finally made the purchase and picked up a Malibu Extreme. Now comes the fun part of getting this thing rigged up.

Have a couple of questions though:

1. What fishfinders have you guys had success with? I'm looking to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of 300.00. I would definitely prefer a color display and GPS capability is nice but not necessary as I plan on purchasing a handheld. Any thoughts? Anyone see any deals lately? I know Cabelas has allot of the Lowrance units on sale right now but not really familiar with their units.

2. Does anyone use an ONNO paddle? I've been considering a Werner Cory Vecken but was looking at the ONNO paddles and they are lighter and less expensive. Looking on their site the craftsmanship looks to be extremely high quality as well. I paddle with an aggressive high angle and I'm looking at something in a 230-240cm length. I like the fact the ONNO's are adjustable however have not been able to find any reviews.

3. Any suggestions as far as VHF radios go?

4. Anyone know where to get the metal hoops (where you click the seat to). I can only find nylon ones but would like to replace them all with stainless.

Still not sure what I'l be doing as far as bait tanks go. I like the concept behind the Kayaktank however not sure I want to spend the money right now. Will probably be using a bait tube for a while until I get the more necessary items added on. Picked this kayak up extremely cheap and its basically in new condition.

Thanks for any help/advice you guys can give. Will be coming to a beach launch near you very soon.

buttchaser · 03-05-2007, 11:51 AM

I use a Raymarine ds400x digital color fishfinder , easy to use, But There are lots of different types of FF to choose from ...

I bought mine at Westmarine and bought the insurance for it ,total came out to $350, This was about 2 years ago and glad I bought the Ins. because I broke the Pin on the Monitor where the Power cord hooks in to the monitor, Just got back from Westmarine with a New FF , Easy exchange with no Hassels

Whatever you choose , Buy the insurance

madscientist · 03-05-2007, 12:02 PM

1. Almost any FF will work well and you pretty much get what you pay for. Additional warranty is a very good idea. If you fish a lot, you will kill sonars. I've had excellent customer service with Lowrance. very fast cross shipped replacements.

2. I like my werner and I know people with ONNOs that like them, but I understand the guy that makes them can be hard to get in touch with.

3. I had a west marine brand one that kept killing batteries because of a bad o ring. Standard horizons are good, but I'm not super happy with mine. A dry bag is a good idea regardless, just don't leave it in there.

4. West marine has stainless deck loops. No real reason to replace them except perhaps the seat attachment ones if you put a lot of pressure on your seat. I've never broken a nylon one, though I have had the aluminium rivets corrode and fail.

Kayatank is awesome, worth every penny if you are going to fish bait.

Garibaldi_Hunter · 03-05-2007, 01:05 PM

Thanks for the info.

Anyone ever use this fish finder? Found it for 319.00 without transducer. Comes with a free weathersense module (not sure if I would ever use it) but at an 80.00 value might be a nice little add on.
Humminbird 747C LCD Fishfinder

I will definitely be going with the kayaktank. I really like the idea of freeing up deck space. the extreme has so much storage space anyways giving up one hatch does not seem to be a real loss.

I'm still not sure what I want to do with the paddles. I've considered saving some money and picking up a cheaper carbon paddle however I've used one of the Werner Camano paddles and really liked the feel however not sure I want to spend 350.00 on a paddle. If I go with the werner CoryVecken I may just pickup the glass model to save a little. For now I have an inexpensive paddle that does the job but definitely want to pickup a nicer one soon.

Spending money on toys is almost as fun is using them.

lamb · 03-05-2007, 01:06 PM

Congrats on your new kayak!!

First of, a friendly reminder for all that the search button (or link) is your best friend. The chances are - any question newcomer to the sport will have has been asked before on this or other yak fishing boards (kayak4fish.com, yakfishing.com, etc.).

I just verified the search is working here on BWE after the upgrade

:

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=457&highlight=finder
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=1101&highlight=finder
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=200&highlight=finder

I currently use Lawrence M68c (color & GPS). I got it used last year and it’s still gpoing strong. Love the sonar, I hate GPS so I don’t use it (I’m a Garmin eTrex fan). It was easy upgrade from Eagle FishEasy sonar (the same transducer will work).

Take care of your ff/electronics to extend their life. You will go though them regardless.

I've been happy with West Marine brand VHF. Get that extended warranty, it's worth it... Don't recharge VHF unless it's totally empty as you'll shorten battery life (been there done that). Once fully charged, it ought to last multiple trips - 5 or 6. Disclaimer - this "drain fully then recharge" deal applies only to certain types of batteries, not all of them.

DBITE · 03-05-2007, 03:55 PM

+1 on the Raymarine ds400 (and the insurance

). You should also check out Aqua-Bound paddles. I have one of their carbon fiber paddles and it's great.

Handymansd · 03-05-2007, 05:29 PM

Ditto on the raymarine ds400x! I Love mine!

03-05-2007, 10:59 AM	#1
Garibaldi_Hunter Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 16	Finally a Kayak Owner Well after lurking around this site and renting/borrowing kayaks for the past year I finally made the purchase and picked up a Malibu Extreme. Now comes the fun part of getting this thing rigged up. Have a couple of questions though: 1. What fishfinders have you guys had success with? I'm looking to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of 300.00. I would definitely prefer a color display and GPS capability is nice but not necessary as I plan on purchasing a handheld. Any thoughts? Anyone see any deals lately? I know Cabelas has allot of the Lowrance units on sale right now but not really familiar with their units. 2. Does anyone use an ONNO paddle? I've been considering a Werner Cory Vecken but was looking at the ONNO paddles and they are lighter and less expensive. Looking on their site the craftsmanship looks to be extremely high quality as well. I paddle with an aggressive high angle and I'm looking at something in a 230-240cm length. I like the fact the ONNO's are adjustable however have not been able to find any reviews. 3. Any suggestions as far as VHF radios go? 4. Anyone know where to get the metal hoops (where you click the seat to). I can only find nylon ones but would like to replace them all with stainless. Still not sure what I'l be doing as far as bait tanks go. I like the concept behind the Kayaktank however not sure I want to spend the money right now. Will probably be using a bait tube for a while until I get the more necessary items added on. Picked this kayak up extremely cheap and its basically in new condition. Thanks for any help/advice you guys can give. Will be coming to a beach launch near you very soon.

03-05-2007, 12:02 PM	#3
madscientist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,906	1. Almost any FF will work well and you pretty much get what you pay for. Additional warranty is a very good idea. If you fish a lot, you will kill sonars. I've had excellent customer service with Lowrance. very fast cross shipped replacements. 2. I like my werner and I know people with ONNOs that like them, but I understand the guy that makes them can be hard to get in touch with. 3. I had a west marine brand one that kept killing batteries because of a bad o ring. Standard horizons are good, but I'm not super happy with mine. A dry bag is a good idea regardless, just don't leave it in there. 4. West marine has stainless deck loops. No real reason to replace them except perhaps the seat attachment ones if you put a lot of pressure on your seat. I've never broken a nylon one, though I have had the aluminium rivets corrode and fail. Kayatank is awesome, worth every penny if you are going to fish bait. __________________

03-05-2007, 01:06 PM	#5
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	Congrats on your new kayak!! First of, a friendly reminder for all that the search button (or link) is your best friend. The chances are - any question newcomer to the sport will have has been asked before on this or other yak fishing boards (kayak4fish.com, yakfishing.com, etc.). I just verified the search is working here on BWE after the upgrade : http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=457&highlight=finder http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=1101&highlight=finder http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=200&highlight=finder I currently use Lawrence M68c (color & GPS). I got it used last year and it’s still gpoing strong. Love the sonar, I hate GPS so I don’t use it (I’m a Garmin eTrex fan). It was easy upgrade from Eagle FishEasy sonar (the same transducer will work). Take care of your ff/electronics to extend their life. You will go though them regardless. I've been happy with West Marine brand VHF. Get that extended warranty, it's worth it... Don't recharge VHF unless it's totally empty as you'll shorten battery life (been there done that). Once fully charged, it ought to last multiple trips - 5 or 6. Disclaimer - this "drain fully then recharge" deal applies only to certain types of batteries, not all of them. __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

03-05-2007, 05:29 PM	#7
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	Ditto on the raymarine ds400x! I Love mine! __________________ All men are equal before fish. -Herbert Hoover Last edited by Handymansd; 03-05-2007 at 05:33 PM. Reason: typo

03-05-2007, 11:51 AM	#2
buttchaser Float Tuber Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 243	I use a Raymarine ds400x digital color fishfinder , easy to use, But There are lots of different types of FF to choose from ... I bought mine at Westmarine and bought the insurance for it ,total came out to $350, This was about 2 years ago and glad I bought the Ins. because I broke the Pin on the Monitor where the Power cord hooks in to the monitor, Just got back from Westmarine with a New FF , Easy exchange with no Hassels Whatever you choose , Buy the insurance

03-05-2007, 01:05 PM	#4
Garibaldi_Hunter Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 16	Thanks for the info. Anyone ever use this fish finder? Found it for 319.00 without transducer. Comes with a free weathersense module (not sure if I would ever use it) but at an 80.00 value might be a nice little add on. Humminbird 747C LCD Fishfinder I will definitely be going with the kayaktank. I really like the idea of freeing up deck space. the extreme has so much storage space anyways giving up one hatch does not seem to be a real loss. I'm still not sure what I want to do with the paddles. I've considered saving some money and picking up a cheaper carbon paddle however I've used one of the Werner Camano paddles and really liked the feel however not sure I want to spend 350.00 on a paddle. If I go with the werner CoryVecken I may just pickup the glass model to save a little. For now I have an inexpensive paddle that does the job but definitely want to pickup a nicer one soon. Spending money on toys is almost as fun is using them.

03-05-2007, 03:55 PM	#6
DBITE Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 36	+1 on the Raymarine ds400 (and the insurance ). You should also check out Aqua-Bound paddles. I have one of their carbon fiber paddles and it's great.