Ocean Kayak Caper Experience

Hi all,

I am new to this forum so please excuse me if this post doesn't meet the protocol, I am definetely open to suggestions for my next post if you recognize anything I can do better.

I just bought a Caper (non-angler addition) about a month ago and am looking to outfit it for fishing.  I have already added a Scotty rod holder for trolling.  I am just wondering if there are any other Caper owners that have experience outfitting their rigs and what has and hasn't worked.  I would like to minimize the amount of holes I drill in my boat.

I fish oceans, rivers, and lakes, Fly fish and gear fish.  I have been fishing from kayaks since I was 8 (over 22 years) but am now looking to fully outfit my boat so I can call myself a kayak fishermen. 

A few things that have come up so far:

Anyone flip one of these boats?  What did/does it take?

Should I look at getting scupper plugs?  Why? Why not?

Will adding a 6" port just in front of the seat in the recessed area compromise structural integrity much?

I would like to add flush mounted rod holders in the areas behind the seat that are flat but my seat straps are in the way.  Any ideas?  Flush mount Rod holder brand?

Anyone use a scotty triple rod holder?  Did you use an extension to lift it above your feet?

Anyone stand on a Caper and fly fish?

How much abuse (for lack of a better word atm) in a river can these boats take?  is there something to spray on the bottom of the boat to increase its durability?

What size anchor is suitable or is it more dependant on current speed?

Any opinions on boat color and fishing effectivness? My boat is yellow.  Anyone paint theirs?

Thx

Welcome BB!

I'm guess that bsteves will weigh in on your questions shortly.  He's the only one locally that I know of who paddles a Caper.

Here's what I know:

Skip the scupper plugs.  They're there for a reason.  You don't want to paddle around 10 gallons of water.

Some of the old Capers had an issue with structural integrity around the seat.  Brian should have some good info. on this.

Don't be afraid to drill holes!  They're easy to seal.

Capers are rock solid in shallow rivers.

I don't think most people could stand on one for any length of time.

I don't like triples.  They put a lot of stress on your deck.  I'd rather run multiple flush mount scotty's

Anchors?  8 to 10lbs is usually enough.

-Spot-

 

BB, welcome to the NWKA!

My first, and only, kayak is a Caper. The only time I dumped it was during my first surf re-entry in about 4 foot surf. I use it on the lakes and rivers, but my favorite place to fish is the ocean. It's not the fastest yak, but very stable and maneuverable. It handles the swells and wind waves very well. The only downside is that it is a small yak, and doesn't have a lot of room for stuff. I wouldn't put a hatch in front of the seat as this spot is almost always wet. I did add some flush mount rod holders behind the seat for my flag and extra rod. Also for the salmon net when salmon fishing. I put my rod holder, a Scotty, between my legs with the fish finder mounted in front of it. It works out pretty well. I wouldn't recommend standing up and fishing, unless you add some sort of outriggers. For lakes, I use a 3 pound dive weight, with added claws. I made a sort of bow sprit with a pulley on the end, and a large penn reel loaded with 100lb nylon. The whole thing mounts up front under my hatch straps. It's easy to drop and pull up the lead! For the rivers when sturgeon fishing, I have a set up like B Steves using a 5lb folding claw anchor with about 3ft of heavy chain attached to the anchor. It holds pretty well in deep river water and heavy current. Here's a photo that will give you an idea of how my yak is set up. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me!

Thanks for the great feedback.  I honestly didn't do much research pre-puchase so I am extremely happy with the versatility of the Caper from the feedback I've received. 

Goldendog, just wondering what you could account to you dumping your boat? First timer experience or was it the surf?

Should I be putting a backing plate of some sort on the underside of the plastic under my scotty rod holders?
I see from Goldendog's photo that you have it mounted on something?
I'd like my rod holder as sturdy as possible (without overkill) for when those Tyees strike.

I am also excited from the photos i've seen regarding river anchor systems.  I'll be able to compete with the drift boat anglers that I frequently see from my shore locations.  All the info on this forum really has the wheels turning as to how I will build my own.  Watching drift boats in the Cowichan and Stamp Rivers, their anchors have pullies with the rope looped from a solid mount at the rear of the boat through the anchor and back to a cleat.  Opinions?

I think i'll stay away from the Scotty triple as I was thinkin the same about deck stress as Spot.  I can't picture trying to troll more than one rod and hooking into fish without having one line sink to bottom during the fight anyways.  BB

Bsteve's anchor system: http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/page,26.html
Anchor trolley example:  http://www.demonick.com/kayak/Anchor.Trolley/Anchor.Trolley.html

There is a huge amount of information archived on this site in threads and articles (off the main page).  The search function works very well. 

I use backing whenever I can - use stainless hardware and nylock nuts.  Ace Hardware generally has a good selection.  WalMart plastic cutting boards.  Sometimes you can score the proper plastic shards at Tap Plastic. 

My Scotty mount is actually two pieces mahogany. The bottom piece is attached to the yak with four stainless bolts and washers. The one on top is attached to the bottom one with stainless screws. The bracket is screwed through both pieces of wood. It's very strong, and I can actually lift the yak with it.

So a couple months after being bit by the kayak fishing bug, help from you guys, hours of thinking and analyzing ideas, here is a couple photos of my boat before a drift down Nanaimo River.  The main component of the anchor is unistrut (which I was able to get free), the link is welded.  I only had to buy a couple things to build it.  Ready-rod ($2.99), pulley ($19 West Marine), jam cleat ($4.99), and the 1/4" rope was $17.  The anchor I used that day was 5lb and was too small.  Have since upped it to an 8lb and its perfect.  My previous concept had the anchor system arm angled higher to keep the anchor higher out of the water when not in use.  What I found was that when anchored, the stern would be pulled down much harder causing a lot of swing in the current.  I lowered it to the position in the photo for the next trip and it was much better.

I'll be trimming the 'wings' off the anchor system, I just didn't want to cut them too short before I was finished my trials.

Nice setup, two questions:

Any fear of getting blindsided by river debris with the anchor behind you?

Any thoughts of using the brace as an Aka to mount some Pontoons (Amas) to give you more stability similar to a Hobie or FreedomHawk?

Thanks IHOP,

In the river that I have been doing my trials in, I haven't really had that fear.  I have lived on the river for 17 years and have only seen debris come down the river a couple times and always during the times when the river has flooded higher than the typical high water mark.  I have only drifted the river when it is low and although I haven't had any 'fear' I am extremely cautious and conscious of what is around me.  Keeping my knife close when anchored etc.  I intend to drift other rivers but I will be getting in more trials first and probably leaving the anchor system at home for first times in new river water.

I have thought about using the 'wings' on my brace for a few things including a rudder system or for a pontoon mount.  However, I don't want the 'wing's' to stick out of my boat and possibly catch on things so i've been torn...As a fly fisher, i'd like to be able to stand up when desired and although I have seen a photo or two of people standing on a Caper, I don't know if i'd try without some pontoon support.  I have some unistrut left over so I will probably create something using that.