Rigging an OK yak esp. Tridents

Over at NCKA, resident super yak pimper extrodinaire, scwafish, of GWKC shares some thoughts on rigging and has some great ways of making a non-fish Trident into a fish killing machine. OK should take some notes.. He's put in some good planning and it shows in the super simple and effective layout.
Take a look here: http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,12918.msg121459.html#msg121459

Z

Thanks for sharing Z.  I hadn't seen that yet.  Sean certainly knows how to set up a kayak.

I think Malibu Kayaks needs to start investing in NorCal and the Northwest.  Lack of team up here has Z selling his X-factor for a Hobie sponsorship and Sean in a Trident for Ocean Kayak.

Brian

I think Malibu Kayaks needs to start investing in NorCal and the Northwest.  Lack of team up here has Z selling his X-factor for a Hobie sponsorship and Sean in a Trident for Ocean Kayak.

Brian

 

I like his layout overall, but I am not sure about a couple things. 

His extra rod holders behind the seat for trolling, at least for my style of fishing, seem like a bad idea.  I carry a full size salmon net back there (with the handle cut down a little bit) and it seems like trying to carry multiple rods in that same area would lead to snagging issues.  Need to be able to see the rod for salmon fishing (to know if I am too deep/not deep enough), and always need at least one rod holder mount in front of me (particularly when I use the boat for fly fishing).

I also don't like that battery location.  I've never needed to get to my battery on the water, and I prefer to have mine sealed nice and dry in a box stowed snugly below decks.  The space he uses for battery and sponge seems better suited to scent bottles, extra weights, fly boxes, etc...

However, I really like the fish finder set up with the nice gps though, especially for a long-distance boat like a Trident.  My Big Game has some similar mounting possibilities, but I skipped em in favor of recycling my cheap Eagle Cuda 250.  Might be a future upgrade, though.  I also really like the nice neat way he has assembled things.  The through-the-hull system he uses for the fish finder and GPS is awesome.

I'd like to see OK offer a model with more small storage options in the cockpit area for things like scents, pliers, weights, etc...  I'd also like to see the rod-pod design become a standard feature on all their fishing kayaks.  I kinda view their Big Game and Trident as the two most fishing-friendly models (one big stable platform for fly fishing/comfort, one speedy long platform for more distance and open water stuff).  Rod holder mounting options for the Big Game kinda suck unless you are 6'6" or taller, and while the foot scupper transducer mount is a great idea, it needs some refinement (a second small scupper in that area to make sure the foot well doesn't become a duck pond with transducer mounted, and a good way to run the cable through the hull with a neat, tight seal).

I really like the fishfinder mounting location on the Tridents... wish my Big Game had something similar.

looks nice! I've got one of these I need to fix up & get in the water soon. if only I could get the weather & housework to line up...

I like his layout overall, but I am not sure about a couple things. 

His extra rod holders behind the seat for trolling, at least for my style of fishing, seem like a bad idea.  I carry a full size salmon net back there (with the handle cut down a little bit) and it seems like trying to carry multiple rods in that same area would lead to snagging issues.  Need to be able to see the rod for salmon fishing (to know if I am too deep/not deep enough), and always need at least one rod holder mount in front of me (particularly when I use the boat for fly fishing).

How many rods do you usually bring w/ salmon fishing? I usually bring two so if you did that you could put both rods on one side and then the net and "bitch be cool" stick in the other. Then a Scotty/Ram rod holder up front for trolling.

I also don't like that battery location.  I've never needed to get to my battery on the water, and I prefer to have mine sealed nice and dry in a box stowed snugly below decks.  The space he uses for battery and sponge seems better suited to scent bottles, extra weights, fly boxes, etc...

I think the reason why SCWA put the battery there is so that there's tons of uncluttered room for storage below deck. If you ever store gear in your yak for a launch this is an easy way to pack it up. Plus he's got a tackle box behind the seat for all that stuff. I have the same one and all you do is sit side saddle and it's plenty accessible.

Z

Salmon fishing I bring 1 or 2 rods.  2 is manageable, but I prefer not to have to worry about a 2nd one (though if I'm fishing for bass or something I always bring 2).  I can't imagine trying to deal with three plus a net back there.

My Big Game has a built in battery shelf below the front deck.  The Trident may not have the same set up, but is a pretty convenient place to store the battery neatly out of the way.

I wish a company would invest in a better tackle storage system.  I use the small waterproof Plano's now in a mesh bag, stowed in a milk crate behind my seat.  These would actually fit in the center hatch of the Hobie I had, which was super convenient. One big downside to the Big Game's design is that the center hatch cannot be opened on the water.  All these boats ought to have a 6" wide or so center hatch far enough forward that we can stow a couple tackle boxes in them.

Salmon fishing I bring 1 or 2 rods.  2 is manageable, but I prefer not to have to worry about a 2nd one (though if I'm fishing for bass or something I always bring 2).  I can't imagine trying to deal with three plus a net back there.

It's not as bad as you may think. It's all pretty much out of the way and you forget it's even there.

I wish a company would invest in a better tackle storage system.  I use the small waterproof Plano's now in a mesh bag, stowed in a milk crate behind my seat.  These would actually fit in the center hatch of the Hobie I had, which was super convenient. One big downside to the Big Game's design is that the center hatch cannot be opened on the water.  All these boats ought to have a 6" wide or so center hatch far enough forward that we can stow a couple tackle boxes in them.

That's the beauty of the Plano box behind the seat. It's waterproof and fits 2 large flat plano waterproof tackle trays plus other junk too. I think as time goes on you'll see that a hatch in between your legs can be more of a hassle than you expect. At least that's what I've found. It's kinda cool to sit side saddle, relax, and take your time doing your rigging. Just my 2 cents.

Z

thank you , Bruddah Z..glad i haven't started cutting and screwing into mine yet.. this'll give me a lot more idees..

 I usually bring two so if you did that you could put both rods on one side and then the net and "bitch be cool" stick in the other.
Z

That is a seriously funny description! 

thank you , Bruddah Z..glad i haven't started cutting and screwing into mine yet.. this'll give me a lot more idees..

No worries. We all have our perfect setup and it's great to pick and modify other's setup to work for how we like to fish. One hint, always take a close look at the OG's setup. There's lot's of "research" behind those decisions.

I usually bring two so if you did that you could put both rods on one side and then the net and "bitch be cool" stick in the other.
Z

That is a seriously funny description!

Yeah man. From the mouth of the original OG..

[youtube=425,350]jR9Tn0AUyFc[/youtube]

Jules Winnfield fishing from a kayak, now THAT would be great product promotion

I checked my Trident, and it does have the same battery bag as the Big Game.

My Big Game has a built in battery shelf below the front deck.  The Trident may not have the same set up, but is a pretty convenient place to store the battery neatly out of the way.

where is this supposed to be located?? i dont recall seeing anything like that inside mine

where is this supposed to be located?? i dont recall seeing anything like that inside mine

Assuming you have the Big Game, open the big black front hatch, and look back towards the seat area.  Hanging underneath the "deck" (the big flat area that OK gave us to mount stuff, as long as we are 6'6" tall and can reach it) and there should be a black plastic shelf.  In the center of the shelf on mine there is a square depression with a nylon clip lock strap for securing the battery.  On either side is a larger flat area where you can coil your fish finder cable.