Pocket Fishing Yak

Hey from waay down Southeast!
I somehow ended up in Florida without my boat(s) and shipping was going to cost me as much as another yak.
Whats a yakfisherman to do? Get another yak! (well daah!)
 Its a Victory Blast and it was on sale for $175 (half the cost of shipping  ) So the fleet just grew by one. This really is the pocket fisherman of yakfishing. It feels more like a big belly boat (float tube) than a kayak. The bow is so,,,,close! Still got some organizational bugs to work out, but I think I really like this little boat.



The boat actually fits inside my minivan! (please don’t tell my wife)



 The other thing is there is not much moving around on this boat. I’m accustomed to straddling my boat, hanging my legs overboard, and/or sitting side saddle, but not on the Blast! I’m in it like a glove and although I’m not concerned about wet exits, re-entry is a whole other ball game compared to an SOT. (I’m going to have to try that one in the pool when the homeowner’s association is not looking  ) It does have a short hull speed, but I was able to keep up with a Tarpon 120 surprisingly well as long as I didn’t overdrive it. Now all I need is an Emmrod.

Here’s a few picks of the dash and the FF mount. For me, the dash is the thing that lets this work and with no holes in the hull as an added bonus.
  Thanks to Joco for the inspiration! 

 I had to cut off half of the dash as the full dash made the cockpit keyhole a bit too tight. I also added my anchor trolley and foam tile inside the hull to quite it down and add a bit of floatation. I plan to add a few partially inflated beach balls for additional floatation. (still don’t plan to leave home without the pump though)



The FF mount is the base of a Scotty rod holder that I drilled out with a ½” bit.



That’s just big enough to pass a Lowrance/Eagle cable through.
 


I punched out four disks of foam tile with a copper pipe union and used a bolt and fender washers to hold it all together. (foam tile makes GREAT gasket material)




 It fits into any Scotty flush mount base, you need only one hole in the boat for both the FF and the cable, and it just looks really sano. 



I used a gripper cleat in front of the rod holder, but I think I may replace it with 4 small jam cleats. The Scotty extension moves the rod butt out of my paddle stroke and above the FF. The new Scotty  “through hull” mount works great for the rear FF base and I added one on the rear deck of the boat not so much to fish with but for second rod storage. The first time out I had a real problem with two rods (I’ve been spoiled with huge hatches for inside storage).




 Yesterday’s shakedown cruise showed me that a rod tube on the seat back would probably be better than the flush mount on the rear deck. Guess I’ll just have to use that one for the downrigger. Can’t wait to get back out again, just gotta find some more time.

Nicely done FFTW.  I want to see a picture of you sitting in that thing!   

-Allen

Just got the First lil Red to get the stink off.



The water line is a tad close.  Think I'll leave that 40lb Danforth at home next time.

Careful fishing that sucka FFTW. That waterline is up there. Redfish... awesome!! Live the life bruddah!

Z

What's the deal, Wali? You always buy stuff a size or 2 too small! You must be exhausted fish-dancing into your dry suit, then doing the same getting into your yak. Must be a sight to see.

What's the deal, Wali? You always buy stuff a size or 2 too small! You must be exhausted fish-dancing into your dry suit, then doing the same getting into your yak. Must be a sight to see.

We want video!!!   

-Allen

....Does this Kayak make my butt look big ?...

The dashboard is cool. I like how you drilled the pole holder mount and used it for the the FF. I might be able to use that idea, since im still trying to figure  mine out.