Personal gear Choices, what do you use?

I'm 5'9" and 195# and this is my basic configuration.  This is my second year, of a lifetime to come, kayak fishing. I am primarily a bass guy, but I hit the water yearound.  I have accumulated this stuff over time, some of it from my dinghy days.

Kayak: OK Prowler 13 Angler
Seat: Surf-to-Summit Tall Back Classic w/ Pack
Paddle: AquaBound Manta 240
PFD: Bass Pro mesh top (my 1st pfd), Mustang Survival float coat, now using MTI Reflex II high back (I keep a basic kapok in my bow hatch for emergency use)
Drysuit: Poor man's version: Hodgeman Brighton 3.5mm chest waders w/ Kokatat Action Jacket drytop
Footwear: Croc's (summer) and Speedo watershoes (w/ waders)
Eyewear: Polarized prescription Serengeti's
Fishfinder: Eagle Cuda 168
Transducer: Gooped foam puck
VHF: Uniden Atlantis 250
GPS: Garmin GPSMap 60CSx
Knife: NRS Pilot, SOG Seal Pup, & SOG Powerlock
Rod Holder: Scotty and Fish-On!/Action
Downrigger: Not yet
Anchor: 3.5 pound grapple
Cart: Wheeleez w/ Tuff-tire wheels
Bait tank:  None
Net: Bass Pro rubber teardrop
Lip Gripper: Bass Pro Grip Master w/ measuring tape
Gear Storage: Milk crate rigged w/safety flag & Seattle Sports Hydrostar SOS Deluxe light; Plano Marine Box 1612
Camera: Olympus 850SW

OK, I'll go first.  Here's what I use.  I'm 5'8" and 185#. 

Disclaimer:  I'm sponsored by Higher Ground fo the Lowcountry as a member of the Local Hobia Kayak Fishing Team.  I may be biased on some of these selections, but they are what works best for me and I've tried a fair amount of gear over time.


Kayak:             Hobie Revolution

Paddle:            Bending Branches Breeze Day Angler 220

PFD:                Sospenders Manual Inflatable  (I usually fish in HOT & HUMID weather [<85' F and <90% Humidity] and very
                      shallow water [>5 foot deep])
                      When fishing deep water and cooler water, whatever I can get my hands on...   

Drysuit:           Kokatat Goretex Front Entry Dry Suit - When in Alaska and when local temperatures drop below 45 and
                      water temps are in 40's...
                      Goretex Chest Waders with Neoprene Boots and Goretex Jackets when temperature < 45' > 70' and Water
                      Temps in 50's and 60's...
                      Long quick dry pants and long sleeved quick dry shirt when temps above 70' and water temps in 70's and
                      above.

Footwear:         Chota - Posi-Lo Low-Top Bootie

Gloves:            Don't wear

Hat:                One of several Base ball style hats with a BUFF Headgear over the ears, nose, neck and face to protect
                      from the sun and bugs.

Fishfinder:        None yet..  Not needed mich when fishing shallow water...  Installing a Lowrance system I bought for
                      $15.00 used...   I am a Cheap Bast...errr Frugal.

Transducer:      Not installed yet...  Will be gooped directly to inside bottom of yak

GPS:                None..  Yet, though it will be the Lowrance

VHF:                Midland handheld....  Going to upgrade soon.

Knife:               Whatever I have at hand....   

Rod Holder:       Ram System RAM-119 Tubes

Downrigger:      For water less than 5 feet deep, are you kidding?

Anchor:            Homemade Cajun Anchor...  Sticks in the sand/mud silently, holds better than anything else, and easy to
                       retrieve without getting tangled...

Seat:               Hobie Revo original issue with two inflatable pads, on on the bottom and one on the back.

Cart:               I don't need to stinking wheels!  But had the Hobie issued one just in case...  If I can find them in the
                      garage!

Gear Storage:   Milk crate, Two worm bags for softbaits and leader material, in hold Hobie tackle box for hooks , weights
                      and jig heads, two Plano boxes with other lures and terminal tackle.

Bilge Pump:       None

Rods:               Temple Forks Outfitter Travel Rod, Mitchell Avocet II Reel with 30 Lb Braid (Recently lost, getting
                       replacements ATT..)

                      Penn International Travel Rod and Penn 320 GTi Reel with 50 lb Braid

                      Shimano Convergence 7'0" Rod with Mitchell Avocet II Reel and 30 Lb Braid

                      Shimano Clarus 6" Spinning Rod and Shimano Sedona 2500 Reel with 8 lb Braid

YotF

5' 10", 230somethingish pounds..Been Yak fihing for about a year and a half. Don't have alot of dough so everything is pretty much as cheap as i can get. Except the Yak, some things just gotta be the best.

Kayak: '09 Hobie Outback
Seat: Hobie stock seat
Paddle: Hobie cheapo
PFD: NRS Chinook
Drysuit: nothing dry about it. NRS splash top and bottom
Footwear: short wet shoes and neosport napoleon boots
Eyewear: cheap sunglasses dantantnatnatnatnatnann
Fishfinder: Eagle Cuda 250 s/map
Transducer: CBY special
VHF: nope
GPS: in cuda 250
Knife: a few
Rod Holder: Scotty
Downrigger: CBY special
Anchor: 3 pound folding grapple
Cart: Wheeleez w/ Tuff-tire wheels
Bait tank:  Nope
Net: small and large Bi-Mart
Lip Gripper: nope
Gear Storage: Milk crate rigged with 4 pole holders
Gaff: CBY special
Bonker: CBY Fish Stroker of course

Older than dirt, 6ft 1in, 175lbs. Been yak fishing two years, 7 months in the salt.

Kayak: Ocean Kayak Caper
Seat: SeaAirSports Angler Enduro
Paddle: Lightning Touring
PFD: Lotus Designs
Wetsuit: Bare 7mm Farmer John
Underware: NRS hydroskin long sleeved shirt
Gloves: NRS hydroskin
Paddle Jacket: NRS
Footwear: Bare 7mm booties w/ NRS hydroskin socks
Eyewear: Those 3D slipover sunglasses(as seen on TV)
Fishfinder: Eagle Cuda 242
VHF: Cobra HH300
Knife: Gerber EZ Out
Rod Holder: Scotty
Anchors: 3 pound lead on Penn 68 for lakes and 3lb grapple w/chain for sturgeon(haven't caught one yet!)
Cart: Homemade with Hobie wheels
Bait tank:  Nope
Net: small for lake fishing, big for salmon
Lip Gripper: Lime green plastic
Gear Storage: No room on the Caper, just Pelican case for tackle
Bonker: CBY Fish Stroker of course
Bilge Pump: NRS
Sponge: NRS
Leashes: All home made out of telephone cords.(work great!)
Battery: Cabelas
Camera: Pentax W60
Rods: Diawa Sealine for salt, Berkley and Silstar for fresh
Reels: Penn for salt, Shimano for fresh

Damn, this seems like a lot of stuff to catch a frick'n fish. It's all so worth it!

Ok, I stand 6' and go about 185.  I should be sponsored by Budwieser considering how much I have invested in their product, but am currently freelancing.

I live on a small lake in King county and tend to stick pretty close to home with the Hobie, if they open Sockeye on Lake Wa. this year, I'll be working that pretty hard.  I have a 21' Trophy I have used as a mother ship out in the Sound to work the yak around the kelp beds & such - don't have a drysuit yet so my saltwater expeditions have been limited.

Kayak:  2001ish Hobie Classic
Seat:  Stock Hobie
Paddle: Stock Hobie
PFD: Extrasport Osprey
Drysuit: Not yet
Footwear: Aqua Sox
Eyewear: Cheapo
Fishfinder: Eagle Cuda
Transducer: Stock Cuda in the foam puck deal
VHF: nope
GPS: Handheld Magellan
Knife: Benchmade
Rod Holder: Ram rocket launchers
Downrigger: Old halibut rod with Penn Senator (works but is clumsy)
Anchor: Clorox bottle full of rocks (kidding - no anchor for the yak)
Cart: Homemade PVC model with HF wheels
Bait tank:  Nope
Net: Wallyworld cheapo
Lip Gripper: nope
Gear Storage: The classic well sucks, put a center hatch in for tackle storage.
Gaff: Are gaffs legal in Wa. State?
Bonker: Mariners souvenier bat

Tight lines..

I am 6’4” 195lbs and have been Kayak fishing 4 years. Like to fish mostly small lakes and some river fishing.
Kayak: '07 OceanKayak Drifter
Seat: cheap seat – looking to upgrade
Paddle: Aquabound 240cm
PFD: Kotata
Drysuit: Helly Hanson pants and Gill Jacket
Footwear: Keen river shoes
Eyewear: Maui Jims 
Fishfinder: Lowrance X67c
VHF: nope
GPS: Magellan Marine 
Knife: a few
Rod Holder: 2 flush mounted holders and build in holder on the Drifter
Downrigger: none
Anchor: two - 3 pound folding grapple front and rear
Cart: nope
Bait tank:  nope
Net: Large net, but I rarely use it
Lip Gripper: nope
Gear Storage: Shimano soft tackle box, with Plano boxes
Rods: Mostly G Loomis Rods and Bass Pro Bionic Blade
Reels: Diawa Baitcaster reels and Shimano spinning reels 

I am 5'8", round about 180ish.  I sponsor myself right now, and have just started out, so some of this is gear i already had, and some of it has yet to be purchased.

Kayak:            Hobie Outback
Paddle:           Hobie that came with the kayak
PFD:               Astral V8
Drysuit:          NRS Mission eVent drysuit
Footwear:       Kokatat Seeker booties
Gloves:           Ironclad work gloves over Nitrile exam gloves when I want to protect my hands
Hat:                Yar!  Hat goes with the conditions, but thus far has been my ballcap.
Fishfinder:       Eagle Cuda 350 on a RAM mount
Transducer:     Gooped foam puck
GPS:               In the FF
VHF:               Uniden Voyager
Knife:              The one on my PFD is a HAK claw, Boye Dendritic Cobalt folder
Rod Holder:     Molded in ones and the three on the back of the live well,and a Scotty that I have yet to mount.
Gaff:               Kunz custom floating gaff
Anchor:           Not yet.
Seat:               Came with the boat.
Cart:               Hobie basic plug in
Gear Storage:  Hobie Livewell
Bilge Pump:     Wildwasser

I'm 6'1" and 215#, been kayaking SOT's off and on for years, in my second year dedicated 'yak for fishing.

Kayak: Hobie Adventure Island
Seat: stock
Paddle: cheapo Carlisle 240cm (still need a good one)
PFD: NRS Chinook (Orange)
Drysuit: Kokatat Tropos Supernova
Footwear: Neoprene booties (brand escapes my mind)
Eyewear: any one of several cheap polarized shades I have sittin' around
Fishfinder: Eagle Cuda 250
Transducer: Gooped to interior of hull directly
Battery: 10ah sealed gel cell in modified Pelican case
VHF: Cobra MR HH 425 VHF/GMRS combo
GPS: Eagle Cuda 250
Knife: Gerber Rivermate
Rod Holder: Scotty w/ extension
Downrigger: considering options
Anchor: 3.5 pound grapple w/ chain
Cart: Hobie cart (not the best wheels)
Bait tank:  Not needed yet
Net: several hand-me-downs from my dad, they still work!
Lip Gripper: Shimano???
Gear Storage: Milk crate w/ 3 rod holders and soft side 4x Plano box holder
Camera: Olympus Stylus 1050 SW

now that i finally got all my gear and got it sorted out....

Kayak: Wilderness Systems Ride 135 Angler w/ rudder
Seat: stock
Paddle: Bending Branches Slice Glass 240 with 'yak grips & measuring tape sticker
PFD: Stohlquist Fisherman
Drysuit: nada
Footwear: Merrill Maipo during the hot weather
Eyewear: Maui Jim's got stolen.  sporting cheapie polarized now.
Fishfinder: Eagle Cuda 350
Transducer: stock
Power Supply: 12v 8amp Cabela's kit
VHF: none yet
GPS: Eagle Cuda 350
Knife: Benchmade 550HG "Griptilian" since i dropped the BM AFCK in the Puyallup River last year
Rod Holder: Scotty's with 8" extension
Downrigger: Not yet
Anchor: 1.5 lb folding
Drift Chute: Austin Kayak 18"
Cart: none yet. working on it
Bait tank:  nah
Net: Frabill folding/telescoping
Lip Gripper: not yet
Gear Storage:  good ol' milk crate in the tankwell
Camera: nyet
Rods: Shimano TDR 8 footers
Reels: Cabela's line counters with 30lb Spiderwire Stealth
car carrier: Thule 881's and ratchet straps
Bonker/Dehooker: small wooden bat with coat hook attached

Bobby

Hello everyone,
Just joined today and this is my first post.  I am a lifelong fisherman and have flyfished from a float tube for the last 5-6 years.  I'm in the process of researching a boat to buy.  I am 6'1" 220lbs. 30 yo.  I have pretty much decided on the Ocean Kayak Prowler 15'.  I noticed from reading your posts that most of you use shorter boats.  Will I regret getting a 15'?  I have a full size pick-up and will get a ladder/lumber rack for the boat so that should be adequate.  The Prowler 15' is 65 lbs.  I think that even with some gear I should be able to deadlift and clear the ladder rack. (PU is 2wd not too tall, might use a step ladder.)  My fishing interest is primarily sm bass on the Willamette and Columbia.  I know I could get away with a smaller boat for this, but I am also excited to catch Salmon in the bays and lings and rockfish out past the surf.  This made the bigger boat seem like the best fit.  Also, If at all possible I would like to take my small dog with me on the local rivers so the extra room might be nice.  My high lakes trout will still be on the float tube.  Thanks for the read.  I'm open to suggestions.

I'm 5'10", 230 lbs. Disclaimer, I work for Outdoorplay, a kayak shop based out of Hood River, although that's never stopped me from using what I want.

Kayak: OK Trident 13 Angler
Seat: Surf-to-Summit GTS Pro
Paddle: AT Xception Carbon Bent Shaft
PFD: Stohlquist Fisherman
Drysuit: Kokatat T3 Angler
Footwear: Teva Sunkosi 2 (summer), NRS Boundary Boot (winter)
Eyewear: prescription glasses w/ clip-on sunglasses
Fishfinder: none
Transducer: none
VHF: West Marine VHF55
GPS: none
Knife: Gerber EZ-Out Rescue
Rod Holder: flush mounts
Downrigger: none
Anchor: none
Cart: Paddleboy Scupper Pup
Bait tank:  None
Net: none
Lip Gripper: none
Gear Storage: 3rd Grip milk crate
Camera: Canon EOS 20D

Howdy, welcome to the cure!

I've used both the 13 & 15 a good bit, and personally prefer the 13. It gives up a (very) slight bit of speed, but more than makes up for it in maneuverability. I use mine primarily on the Columbia, but have paddled the ocean several times in it very comfortably. The maneuverability also makes it easier to control on the surf landings. The 13' is also an easier boat to deal with on land. If you get a chance, try them both out for yourself. I have both lengths available out here in the Gorge, and there's plenty of places to check them out in Portland as well.

Brian

Hello everyone,
Just joined today and this is my first post.  I am a lifelong fisherman and have flyfished from a float tube for the last 5-6 years.  I'm in the process of researching a boat to buy.  I am 6'1" 220lbs. 30 yo.  I have pretty much decided on the Ocean Kayak Prowler 15'.  I noticed from reading your posts that most of you use shorter boats.  Will I regret getting a 15'?  I have a full size pick-up and will get a ladder/lumber rack for the boat so that should be adequate.  The Prowler 15' is 65 lbs.  I think that even with some gear I should be able to deadlift and clear the ladder rack. (PU is 2wd not too tall, might use a step ladder.)  My fishing interest is primarily sm bass on the Willamette and Columbia.  I know I could get away with a smaller boat for this, but I am also excited to catch Salmon in the bays and lings and rockfish out past the surf.  This made the bigger boat seem like the best fit.  Also, If at all possible I would like to take my small dog with me on the local rivers so the extra room might be nice.  My high lakes trout will still be on the float tube.  Thanks for the read.  I'm open to suggestions.

... The Prowler 15' is 65 lbs.  I think that even with some gear I should be able to deadlift and clear the ladder rack. (PU is 2wd not too tall, might use a step ladder.)  ...

Even after 6 hours of paddling against wind and current, and in the 12 knot wind that finally drove you off the water?  

I have a T13 and it is listed at only 60 pounds plus the rudder system (6 lbs?) plus the 12v 8ah battery and FF mount systems (4 lbs) plus the transducer (1 lb) plus the 8 pool noodles (1lb).  Solo, I can dead lift it off the ground dry and stripped, but the thing is ungainly, slippery, and hard to get a handhold despite the handholds.  I'd be worried about serious damage if I dropped it from 6 feet onto one end, particularly the rudder.

With a piece of carpet to protect the stern skeg I find it MUCH easier to just lay the boat at a 45 degree angle behind and along side the back of the truck, then lift the bow over the side of the truck, pivoting on the stern, and onto the carrier.  Then lift the stern and slide it forward.  I have a Thule Slide & Glide carrier.  It looks like Thule has replaced the S&G with the 884.  Yakima has similar systems.  

On the other hand, I am almost twice your age, 60 pounds lighter, and considerably shorter.  Just think about it.  Much like shore fishing miles from one's parking spot, much of kayak fishing is about preparation, forethought, and process.

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks for the valuable advice.  I rode my bike down to Next Adventure today and saw a Prowler 13'.  They didn't have a 15' but I can't imagine needing anything bigger than the 13'.  In fact the 13' made me think OMG this is going in my garage?  And lifting it wasn't anything like 60lbs. on a bar.  I guess you all already knew that.  Some technique and a reliable system will be required for transport.  Seemed like plenty of room for the puppy on the 13'.  The Emotion angling kayak looked good and was about the same price.  Are those as good as the Ocean Kayak?  Thanks again for the feedback. 

Hey guys, let's take this to another thread as this is just for listing what gear you like.
Thanks.

Z