Fishing out of a kayak?

I've got the Jackson Big Tuna as well. For those who are not familiar with it; this kayak is a big tandem with a unique bait tank/live we'll in the center. It is a very stable platform with a 500 lb capacity. It's not the fastest kayak around but it is as stable as they come. The seats can be reconfigured for either high or low positions. The front seat can rotate 180* for face-to-face paddling. My 5yo daughter faces me so I can bait and release the fish. I like it just fine for solo fishing. The rear seat moves to the center of the craft in minutes. Wish I could afford both the Coosa and the Big Tuna but this tandem is acceptable in solo mode. The 100lb weight makes it difficult to launch in remote places.

I weigh in at 215 and I've limb-lined a slow river for catfish with a 210lb buddy. It was as stable as can be. We had one tackle bag, tons of lead weights and 4 rods to cast between cats. I'm pretty sure we exceeded the max capacity but the boat handled it fine. I will admit that our water is slow and calm here in OK so I can't speak for its prowess in the ocean or on large lakes.

I also considered the Native Watercraft products. They make great boats too. The Hobies are awesome but they're just too far beyond my budget.

 

I bought the Big Tuna for the ability to take my daughters fishing with me as well. I haven't had the chance to get it on the water yet, but it's getting closer to spring.

 

I was telling the wife I was gonna get the Coosa and she said "Well what kayak am I getting" ? We had an argument about kayaks in sept. while canoeing. "You don't wanna be in a canoe with me" (The change). She's done some research and wants the BPS 10' sit in. Whew !!! I get to save some money. Just gotta figure out how I wanna haul um on my regular cab.

 

I'm sure you've seen this before but here's how I haul mine. This is the el-cheap-o Harbor Freight bed extender and it works like a champ. One suggestion if you go this route: don't make the extender support the kayaks but have it adjusted (height-wise) to sort of catch the kayaks if they teeter off the tailgate. I visually sight up the extender a hair lower than the tailgate. Why? I bent the heck out of the extender while it was supporting 2 kayaks and i had straps pulling the kayaks downward towards the bed. This added to the effective weight of the kayaks and tweaked the heck out of the extender.

Here's a Jackson Cuda 14 and a Big Tuna (also 14'L) on the extender. I have probably driven 500 highway miles in this configuration without issue.






My favorite fishing spot in Oklahoma:




My little girl in the front seat of the Jackson Big Tuna: (parents find any excuse to show off their kids as though they split the atom. She's simply sitting yet I felt compelled to snap a pic and share it with strangers)

 

I use a Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 down in the Florida Flats. As far as fishing Kayaks I think it does very well. It gets wet pretty easy though, so probably not practical in cold environments. Lots of storage and a milk crate fits perfect behind the seat to store extras like the anchor or bolt extra rod holders to it.

 

I'll second the value of a good paddle. It has a huge effect on your endurance.

 

Thanks for the photos Okie. I was thinking the bed extender was the cage thing that sits on the tailgate. I'll get the bed extender. For camping trips I guess I'll have to put in a bunch of hours at the part-time job and get a topper. The Best Top soft top can't carry any kind of load.

 

That is what I do. I camp under it too!


Did a ton of fishing that weekend. And I recommend the windoors too.

 

I have to get a rack for my kayaks, i love fishing out of them.

 

TugBoat, that is an awesome setup. What do you suppose your 2 kayaks weigh? Has the camper shell seen any damage from those kayaks traveling at highway speeds? Did you have to add reinforcement to the shell or did it come prepared to haul rooftop gear like that? I am guessing that your kayaks are 10'L is this correct?

So many questions...

 

OkieLad, looks like you got the yellow jacket color combo. That's the best one imo, I settled for the forrest camo, but I got it at a deal I couldn't refuse. How does it handle? Great pics by the way.

 

I think they weigh about 35lbs and are 13 foot each. The shell supposedly has a reinforced roof. It looks like it is about 3/8" to 1/2" inch thicker than the rest of the cap, which is like 3 times thicker than the rest. The rack itself is beefy as hell. I have walked on the cap no problem and I am 6'-2" 280lbs. And I stood normally. I haul the kayaks at speeds up to 80 mph without concern. I got the cap used, but the last owner said he put (8) 8"x8"x16' pressure treated posts up there on his V6. He said the cap seemed fine but the engine strained under the load some. I have complete faith in the caps abilities. Also note the windoors are worth their weight in Gold. Makes it much easier to access stuff without climbing in. And the screens on the windoors are great for camping. I had my dog in ther with me for the weekend and we stayed warm and dry.
I have some pics somewhere of 4 or 5 kayaks up there, strapped in layers. Best $1,000 I've put into the truck. I am getting a new DCLB and will be moving the cap to it.

 

Thanks. In tandem with my daughter, it has the turning radius of a Nimitz-class carrier because all thrust is coming from the back. I got my gal a paddle but she doesn't help much. When my buddy was in the front it was a rocket. We paddled 2 miles upstream in no time. Don't get me wrong, it's great with my girl in the front. We frequent a 200 acre lake and we can make it to all points with ease.
Solo it is just a wider version of the Cuda. It tracks fine without a rudder although I'm considering one to minimize wind interference. I try to paddle along a bank and cast 3-5 times before paddling again but reeling in a large spinner will draw me towards the bank. I think a rudder may help with that too.

Have you set up your bait tank yet? I really don't want to punch holes in it yet because it's great dry storage. At the same time, I'm tired of towing a minnow bucket behind me. I'm toying with the idea of trying to glue in a few removable caps to allow fresh water in if needed. Of course, you could just buy a replacement tank and cut one and keep one untouched.

 

Nimitz-class carrier, that cracked me up! I can see what you're saying, its a huge yak. We go on rivers for the most part, so maybe I'll be in good shape with just a little paddle steering. I'm going to keep my bait tank like it is for now, as I mainly use plastics and spinning tackle, and release what I do happen to catch. My buddy and I are planning to go tomorrow, so I might get to try it out.

 

TugBoat.... great idea with the windows. Had not thought about that.

 

Is this how you strap your yak? how stable is it? Thanks.

 

Saw this Thule rack setup on a full size Chevy today... Anybody have this setup ? http://www.thule.com/en-US/US/Produ...porter-Pro-Multi_-_Height-Aluminum-Truck-Rack Found a butt load of accessories for it too. Is it worth $ 600 ?

 

It is nice, but my buddy just picked up a TracRac at Home Depot for $299. We put it on last weekend and it's solid and can hold 800 lbs. I believe. I think that there is some additional hardware you have to get for the Tacoma, but it would be a cheaper option.

 

Ive got a Yakima Outdoorsman. Its made for 1st gens but all it takes if 4 holes in the factory tracks and you can mount it. Very sturdy, I can shake the whole truck with it. It holds my 2 kayaks great. Ill try to get them on it and get a picture sometime this week.

 

It is pricey but I love mine........

9'6" longboards on the 08 reg cab.........



12' kayaks on the 05 access cab..................




longboard/bike in 05 access cab.........