Keep or put back on the shelf...

Folks -     

Being that I am a Noob - I said I would post some items that I have purchased for your review on whether I keep them or return.  Most of the stuff I have purchased from  AC in Portland - FMS - KFS.  The Kayak is still at AC waiting for items to come in and be assembled.

A few things you do not see is:

Orange Whistle
Small Horn
NRS Endurance Rain Gear
Werner Paddles - Carbon & Fiberglass
Pin Flare Gun
Battery Box & Battery
Crab trap
First aid box

Fish Finder - Have to purchase - Elite 5 HDI Gold.
Maybe the crab traps.

Items are bought and paid for just waiting for them to come in.

Please take a look and let me know what you think.

This is the fourth (4) time I have tried to send this  - if it goes great... if not, I will show you on the water.  Look for the guy who does not know what he is doing.

Thank you in advance.

Roger

Welcome to the site. You might want to consider a PFD with more pockets. What boat did you get?

I have a pair of the tall boots but haven't worn them much.  They're good if you portage your boat around obstacles but for fishing trips I prefer ankle high neoprene booties or water shoes, depending on temps.

Welcome to the site. You might want to consider a PFD with more pockets. What boat did you get?

I agree on the pockets. I got a Stohlquist with the big pockets and you can zip up all your essentials like license, car keys, camera, etc. I have that exact cart and like it well enough only I broke the little rubber straps and need to replace them otherwise it is difficult to load up.

Welcome to the site. You might want to consider a PFD with more pockets. What boat did you get?

I purchased the Jackson Kraken - which PFD were you thinking??  I am 6'1" 250 - 255 - 260 - no more....LOL

I have a pair of the tall boots but haven't worn them much.  They're good if you portage your boat around obstacles but for fishing trips I prefer ankle high neoprene booties or water shoes, depending on temps.

AC did not have my size in stock so I had to buy them to bring them in - when they come in I will try them on and see if I like them - AC also, said that I can return them for something else "no problem".

So this is good to know...

Thank you,

Roger

Welcome to the site. You might want to consider a PFD with more pockets. What boat did you get?

I agree on the pockets. I got a Stohlquist with the big pockets and you can zip up all your essentials like license, car keys, camera, etc. I have that exact cart and like it well enough only I broke the little rubber straps and need to replace them otherwise it is difficult to load up.

The nice thing about all of this is - I get good info on other sites to go buy gear from...

Is there another cart you thing would be better for the Kraken?

I'm on the stohlquist website looking at there jackets - Where did you buys yours from so I can try them on??

Thanks

Roger

Welcome to the site. You might want to consider a PFD with more pockets. What boat did you get?

I agree on the pockets. I got a Stohlquist with the big pockets and you can zip up all your essentials like license, car keys, camera, etc. I have that exact cart and like it well enough only I broke the little rubber straps and need to replace them otherwise it is difficult to load up.

I'm trading the life jacket in for a Stohlquist - which model is yours?  is there a local place around?

Roger

Hello Roger.  I am very much the same boat as you.  No pun intended.  I'm as new and green to the kayak world as can be.  Been involved with boats and fishing most of my days, but I've never so much as sat on/in any kind of kayak. 

With that said, I have researched the sport for the past year extensively.  Almost to the point of paralysis by analysis.   I picked up the NRS Chinook PFD due to the great number of recommendations, and the extensive favorable reviews this PFD has received on every vendor website that sells them.  The Chinook has lots of pockets and numerous attachment points for gear, as well as a couple of integrated lanyards. 

Those Pelican boxes are more water resistant than waterproof.  You could get six Plano boxes of the same size for what those Pelican's cost you, and the Plano boxes are waterproof.

I moved up to a Stohlquist Fisherman's PFD like C_Run recommends to get the larger pockets.  I got mine when they were on sale at Outdoorplay.

You're talking about rainwear again, and I'm going to go back and repeat my suggestion that you're ignoring truly waterproof outerwear.

In the warm weather of summer I was on a small river wearing high quality rainwear designed much like the Endurance anorak, worn over a shirt and a farmer john wetsuit, and in an awkward moment, tried to roll out of the kayak.  It was shallow water and I managed to put my arm down - up to my shoulder - to keep from capsizing completely, but I spent the rest of the day with a cold left arm and ribcage area.  It would have been much worse if we'd been in deeper water.

You need more than rainwear.

You're talking about rainwear again, and I'm going to go back and repeat my suggestion that you're ignoring truly waterproof outerwear.

In the warm weather of summer I was on a small river wearing high quality rainwear designed much like the Endurance anorak, worn over a shirt and a farmer john wetsuit, and in an awkward moment, tried to roll out of the kayak.  It was shallow water and I managed to put my arm down - up to my shoulder - to keep from capsizing completely, but I spent the rest of the day with a cold left arm and ribcage area.  It would have been much worse if we'd been in deeper water.

You need more than rainwear.

+1 on a drysuit or immersion gear of some type should be at the top of the list. FF and all the little exrtas can come later.
You can get a nice drysuit for just a bit more than that FF. Alot of us use the suit below. I went with a used FF and passed up some other things until later so that I could have the drysuit first........Safety first

http://www.kayakshed.com/kokatat/kokatat-T3-SuperNova-Paddling-Suit

I agree with the previous two guys.  Since you bought a Jackson Kracken (cool boat by the way) I have to assume you're planning to fish the ocean.  You'll need immersion wear.  Even just going in the Bays/Rivers this Fall/Winter, you be safer.

You don't have to buy a $1000 dry suit to be safe.  Some guys start with waders and a dry top, or a farmer john wetsuit & a dry top.  However, I echo the recommendation above for the Kokatat SuperNova suit as a reasonably priced option that works great around here. You can pick them up locally, using NWKA discounts for $515-$550 or so.  I saw them online yesterday for under $500.   I have yet to meet anyone who bought this suit and regrets it. 

I've only kayak fished for a couple years and only really got serious about it this year,  but I'll throw out a general recommendation to not buy too much extra stuff (beyond the safety essentials) until you've been out in your boat a few times.  You'll gain some very useful perspective when you actually sit on the water with a fishing rod in hand.  After going out, you'll quickly figure out what you need and where it will be most practical to keep it.  Plus I've found that the more I fish, the less stuff I really need to take.   Kayak fishing is definitely a sport that will make you more organized. 

Have a great time, can't wait to see some fishing reports from you!

+1 on a drysuit or immersion gear of some type should be at the top of the list. FF and all the little exrtas can come later.
You can get a nice drysuit for just a bit more than that FF. Alot of us use the suit below. I went with a used FF and passed up some other things until later so that I could have the drysuit first........Safety first

http://www.kayakshed.com/kokatat/kokatat-T3-SuperNova-Paddling-Suit

I'm waiting delivery of my SuperNova.  I had to ask Kokatat to sew on larger socks to fit over my clown feets.  They do it for free, but it takes three weeks.

I'll chime in with my $0.02.

Drysuit/Wetsuit is only necessary if you're going to be fishing in cold water.  A good rule of thumb is "expect to fall in".  If you can't swim to shore or effectively remount your kayak in the conditions of the day, you're likely gonna die (even with a PFD).

PFD - You've chosen a rescue PFD.  While this is an awesome PFD for leading tours or running class 4 witewater, it forgoes a lot of the "nice to have" features that we as kayak fishermen tend to rely on.  I use a Kokatat Bahia Tour.  It's half the price but has a decent layout for what we do.  VHF pocket, 2 zipper pockets that'll fit camera etc. and a tie down for your safety knife.

Don't forget a safety knife!  This is a must have for kayak fishermen.  We have a lot of lines to get tangled in.

If you're going to be fishing the ocean, pick up a waterproof, handheld VHF.  It'll make a nice compliment to the ACR Firefly.  I don't know that I'd trust a flare to always ignite but I do trust my Firefly.

Everything else on your list (except the whistle) is just nice to have.

-Mark-

Put the FF back on the shelf and buy Jammer's.