Kayak mods - your opinions please

[bparker]

I'll be making a few mods to my Minnow this weekend to fit it out for fishing in my local water.

I've attached a diagram of what I intend to do, I'm interested to hear what you think...here's a run down

1. Two Snap-loc rod holders mounted at the front (chose the Snap-locs as they can handle short butt rods)

2. Deck rigging fore and aft.

3. Lowrance x-47 sounder mounted on the fore-deck (transducer mounted internally to shoot-thru-floor)

4. Paddle clips.

Couple of other things I'd like to know.

1. How should I rig a drift anchor and/or folding anchor to the boat

2. Are the rod holders in the best spot. They're just within arms reach and should be out of the way when paddling.



Brian

[shoey]

Looks pretty good Brian. I use a folding anchor tied to the rigging on either side depending on which side your fishing out of at the time.

The only other suggestion would be flush mounted rod holders behind the seat. these come in handy for storing rods out of your way or trolling if you wish.

I'm currently working on adding submersible lights to my minnow so I can chase prawns this summer down at Gippsland Lakes. I dont know how it will work yet, but I can power them from the sounder battery so it shouldnt be too hard?

Regards
Shoey.

[the_hide]

I attach my anchor to one of my clip lock webbing straps out the back, I use the same length of rope regardless of where Im fishing, I dont tie off or anything of that nature.

[Sandworm]

I had a problem with the paddle clip at the front in i would sometimes hit it with my hand skining it at the same time!!!

I have moved it up and further fowrard to keep it clear.

Also the rods can get in the paddles way. Tape it all in spot and then try a paddle before you drill.

I do this in the back yard to give me a idea it it feels ok and things are in reach etc before drilling holes!!!

Cant wait to use it again (in warmer weather with less wind) (i fish port phillip so the chop can make life hard)

[HST]

Hi bparker,

I'm new to this website & have just registered, but have been using my Bass kayak since 1996. I've done a lot of fishing out of it since and while I've not gone to the sophistication of sounders, anchors, etc, I've always used a rod holder in the front. I have a concern about your excellent rig --> the twin rod holders, both slightly offset. I think you'll find that they might get in the way while paddling. Suggest you jerry-rig a rod or 2 in your intended position and hop into the cockpit andsee if your normal paddling stroke is going to hit the rod(s) in whatever mode you intend to use them for (eg. trolling).
I'm considering adding a 2nd rod holder behind the cockpit.

Cheers,

[bparker]

Hi all...thanks for your replies and advice.

I'm still not entirely convinced with the rod holder positions although the good thing about them is that pivot so that the rods can be pointed directly forward and hopefully out of the way of the paddle stroke. As some of you have suggested, I'll certainly be taping them down first and trying them out before securing them permanently.

The cockpit on the Minnow is quite large (larger than the Australis, Sandworm...and I think larger slightly than the Bass) so the rods will be placed a good arms length away,,again, this should be far enough from the paddle.

Shoey..I did look at the flush mounted rod holders.....will they hold a short butt rod securely ? (also straight or angled ???)

Sandworm, like you I fish around Melbourne (Patterson River)...this weather is drving me nuts!!! I hanging out to get the boat out and go fishin'!!

[Clithy]

Mate your rig looks pretty good to me. just a word about anchors.
Once anchored, the tide will affect the direction your kayak will point, (it points to where you don't want to be) if it's windy it is even worse. I saw a US kayak website and some guy has put pulleys front and rear with a thin rope running between them tied to a three way swivel type of thing. That way he can anchor and position the kayak in the direction he wants to fish.
All the best.
Clithy

[Sandworm]

th weather on thuesday was perfect! even monday was good should have been out on the water (i was in a boat 17' and am not so burt i blistered NOTE use sunscreen as well as hats etc. the reflection is a killer as i am finding out now)

[big mumma]

looks like a nice setup

the only thing to be careful of is when you paddle you'll tend to flick a bit of water about and you dont want it to be going all over your gear.

have a think about this when you do your mock setup of the mods.