Fishing out of a kayak?

That's a big mailbox

 

Freaking delivery person delivered during evacuation!

 

I didn’t even think about that. Haha.

 

Nothing huge but Crappie and Bass were crushing the Jerkbaits last night.

 

Didn't even realize this thread existed! Anyone from the NH area in this thread?

Here's my setup I happened to order and receive right before COVID became big this spring...got a FeelFree Moken 12.5. I think my next purchase will be an Old Town Sportsman PDL. Keep the Moken as an easy paddler and have the pedal drive for the lazy days or when I'm on bigger lakes.

 

I've fished from a canoe for decades. I'm in the market for a kayak for in shore ocean fishing. Recommendations?

 

Budget?

 

So I noticed that some of you have a great deal of gear/accessories attached, do you have to strip that down for transport? Also, when loading unloading, is this typically a two person job or can it be done solo? While the weight doesn't appear to be an issue, I was curious if the size/bulk made the task of loading/unloading more difficult.

 

I normally load and unload by my self. I am handicapped, so its a bit of a chore to get it in and out but have figured out a good way to do it all.

My loaded kayak is around 100lbs. I have a crate in the back that I keep my loose things in, my tackle bag is in the front.
When loading and unloading, I remove the crate and the tackle bag, they sit in the back seat until my kayak is on the ground. What I normally do is to pull my kayak just enough out the back of my truck that I can put the wheels on and lock them in position. Once the wheels are on, I pull it out till the wheels are on the ground, but the nose is still sitting on the tailgate. Then I just pick up the nose and roll the kayak over to my "staging" area next to the truck. I then load my crate, my rods into the crate, put the tackle bag in the front, and add my fish finder and rod holders to the track mounts.

I can then wheel the whole thing down to the lake and get in and out (I lock my wheels to the railing at the launch)

When Im all done, I pull the kayak out of the water, put the wheels on and drag it back to the truck. Then I remove my rods and put them in the truck, take out my bag and crate and put them in the truck. Then loading the kayak into the truck is done the same way as unloading it. I put the nose on the tailgate, lift the back end up and just push it in. Then I remove my wheels, stow them, and push the kayak the rest of the way in.

The kayak unloaded is around 70 lbs, but I am only ever lifting half of it at a time. My crate, bag, wheels, and rods add another 30ish lbs. I do have a permanent mounted battery in the kayak that accounts for about 10lb of kayak weight.

I have roof mounted racks, but I simply can not control the size of a kayak lifting over my head at this point, so I just put them in the bed with the tailgate down right now.

 

Also...big fan of this crate bag. Easy to transport my gear if I go with my dad on his boat. Solid upgrade from the old tool bag I was using...currently more space than I need which is nice.

 

That's cool. I'm in the middle of building my crate right now for the new Hobie, might have to consider adding that bag.

 

I found it at bass pro for maybe 40 bucks!

 

I was going to buy that same crate bag, but in the end I had put 2 rod holders in my crate and it wouldnt fit.
So I use my ugly stik bag, it fits perfect with the rod holders due to the design of the side pockets and front pocket. Though I usually take the bag out and put it in front of me while fishing and just use the crate to hold my anchor, and misc junk.

 

here is mine. finished it last week.

 

Next step is to put at least 2 rod holders on my crate. My crate is a longer one so even with the bag I can store 1-2 more cases in the crate itself. I only bring 3 maaaaaaybe 4 rods with me right now and I don’t like laying the rods horizontally on mine because it interferes with my anchor wizard.

 

Anyone happen to own an Old Town Topwater or sportsman PDL? I’ve heard good things about their drive system compared to feel free. Haven’t had the chance to test one out yet.

 

Just throw out recommendations. I'm at the beginning of the hunt.

 

Well start at the top with Hobie then work your way down. Hobie is the most expensive and, IMO the best. The Old Town Predator looks nice as well. If you're going ocean, start with those two.

 

I mean, I think the Hobie Outback is the best on the market right now. But I’m a little biased.

 

Skunk city today

and at Clearlake! But the place is huge and intimidating.