New Yak

Sportsmens Warehouse in Federal Way has some great deals on OK's right now. I bought a new Drifter Angler this afternoon for $475. They also had a couple of Prowler 13's for under $600, a Prowler Big Game, and a couple more.

I decided that a stable boat was my #1 priority. I'm a big guy (6'3" and 240+/- lbs.) who fly fishes all the time. I fish by myself most of the time, and rarely venture very far. I'm really looking forward to getting out in the Drifter.

I'll be posting my used Scrambler XL on Craig's List. If anyone is interested, let me know. I'll even hose off the fish scales from last Sunday's trip to Lake Meridian. The game department fish were really whacking a #12 olive seal bugger!

Tom

Hey Tom,

Congrats on the new yak.  Let us know how you like it once you get some fish scales on it!!!

-Allen

< peeking into the bank account online in envy>  nice buy tom... hope to see you out on it someplace, some day .

btw, what color is it?

Richard, the Drifter is yellow.

I have a question for the group. My new kayak came with a plastic lure box, and straps to secure it right in front of the cup holder. My first reaction is that I'd never use the box, and that this would be a great place to install a rod holder. I'm sure there are others who bought "Angler" kayaks with these "tackle boxes." What do you think?

Tom

Tom,

At first I didn't think I'd ever use that little tacklebox as I was mostly fly-fishing, but once salmon season came on I have found it useful for weights, swivels, bait string etc.  But it lives in my Marine box in the bed and not in the molded tray (OK Big Game). 

I did mount a Scotty pole holder in that center area, and it's great for my fly rod (or maybe a lighter spinning rod etc.), but not ideal for bigger fish.  The tray "lid" is pretty flimsy for that use and if you need to get into the tray below it's a PITA. 

I'm still figuring the best place to mount rod holders.  Just last night I added two more mounting areas to bring a total of 6 on my yak.  No wonder I get a little water inside it.  My latest addtions were because the I'm getting tired of having to slide forward 3 feet and spread eagle just to reach my rod holder.  I sat in my yak last night and marked how far forward I actually need to paddle while trolling and put mounting points just beyond that point.  It's still a reach, but at least I don't have to scoot as much.

Picture below is before the latest additions, but shows you how I dealt with "The tray".

Upload a picture when you get it all rigged up.

I use the tackle box a lot!
But I keep it elsewhere.
I cut a piece of 1x6 and made it fit that well space and use it as a cutting board for bait, salami, cheese......
I also loop my GPS in a dry pack over the strap.
Also have used it a lot as a rod holder as well, my short butt rod will lay on the front deck and stay secure with the butt under the strap.
I'd tell ya what I use for a rod holder....but some would laugh at my ghetto riggin'

I finally got the new Drifter out on the water yesterday. I spent the last weekend of April in Canada at the Corbett Lake Bamboo Rodmaker's Gathering, where I caught the flu and ended up spending the next two weekends recovering. Yesterday I fished Lake Wilderness for a few hours, and caught a few WDFW planters.

The Drifter is a lot more stable than my old Scrambler. It isn't a speed demon, and is a bit heavier, but the trade-off for stability makes sense for a big guy like me who fly fishes most of the time. The only rigging I have done so far is a screw-lock center hatch to keep my wallet and keys dry, a couple of 1" PVC tubes to hold fly rods in the flush mounted rod holders in back of the seat, and a very simple quick release anchor system. I tried out the anchor yesterday after the wind kicked up a bit, and it worked great.

I decided that the place for a rod holder is right in front of the tackle box tray. This will be within easy reach for me, and out of the way when I'm paddling or casting. I'm thinking about installing the Scotty flush deck mount rather than the standard combination mount. Does anyone have experience with the flush mounted base? Any disadvantages compared to the standard mount?

Thanks.

Tom

I almost never use a rod holder while trolling with flies. I gave it up because fish would spit the fly out too darn fast. If it's calm I'll cast and retrieve, or if there's a breeze I'll drift (sometime with a drift chute.) Having the rod in my hand seems to double or triple my hookups.

Tom

I really like the Drifter, I got to fish one in La Jolla and really liked the boat (and it was not tooo pokey)  That was a good buy and you should really enjoy it.

I  like the flush mounts for rod holders, as they are a little easier on your hide when they are dragged over your back as the boat passes you in the surf. (Am I the only one that happens to?) and really, I just like a clean deck. The only disadvantage is they leave a bigger hole if you want to move it (not likely).

 I think the center hatch, in combination with a interior tackle trolley is God's gift to yakfisher folk. String together a bunch of small (waterproof!) tackle trays and you too can pack like Mark Sosin.  But, I find that a dogged hatch (as opposed to a screw down inspection plate) is well worth its usual considerable extra expense, as the tiniest bit of sand or grit makes the screw on hatches all but impossible to take off.