Hello to all!

[jpfalgout27]

Just wanted to say hello to everyone! I've been reading through the forums for quite some time now so it feels like I know some of you. Haha. I've enjoyed all the information everyone has shared. It answered a bunch of questions I had and I know it'll keep on helping me in the future. Its nice to see so many people passionate about kayak fishing and so helping to the new chaps such as mysef.

I was hell bent on buying a pirogue for about 3 months when I stumbled upon this site. Kayaking seemed interesting but I blew it off because it didn't seem natural for a kayak to be cruising the bayous instead of a good ol' fashion pirogue! But the more I looked into kayaks the more my interest kept building up. And it was a direct influence from this club that I decided to give up on my pirogue love affair and jump into a kayak. So thanks to everyone who played even a small part in that.

I just got my Ocean Kayak Trident 13 in a couple days ago and I'm madly in love! Went fishing in it today for the first time and caught a couple bass and a freshwater drum or Gaspergou (which ever you prefer to call it). The addiction is ON!

[Hobie1Kenobie]

Welcome to the club jp!

[Sandman]

Welcome aboard! Now it's time to hook a nice red for that cajun sleigh ride!!!!!

[Dr.K]

Awesome!! Welcome to the addiction!

[Musicdoc]

Welcome. Try to make it to the next meeting, or at least, the next Outcast Tournament in Leeville.

[yak-aholic]

Welcome to the club... We have a meeting tomorrow evening... You oughtta try to make it so you can put some faces to the screen names.

[MDR]

Congrats and welcome aboard.

[lcf8088]

Raceland ftw

[snake doctor]

Welcome! Looks like you are well on your way with that rig. And it looks nice for duck hunting too.

[tugowar]

Welcome, JP.
You're amongst a good and diverse group of folk.


Its nice to see so many people passionate about kayak fishing and so helping to the new chaps such as mysef.
Along the lines of helping out, one can't help but notice your paddle is backward in your pics.
Perhaps it was just for the pics, but if not...
1. Long edge of blade up
2. Scoop of blade to the rear

As always, hope that helps.
-Tug

[Nobody]

:welcome: to the fun/addiction.

I see from the pics you already carry too much. two things will happen with that: either you will use your imagination to minimalize, or, you wil use your imagination to figure out how to get more.

Or you will flip over and, YOU WILL LOSE EVERYTHING!

[yak-aholic]

Don't carry more than you can leash or put a float on. If you don't, be prepared to lose it when (not if) you turtle. It's a fact of kayaking life, you WILL bail out of your kayak at some point or another.

[Musicdoc]

Don't carry more than you can leash or put a float on. If you don't, be prepared to lose it when (not if) you turtle. It's a fact of kayaking life, you WILL bail out of your kayak at some point or another.
+1 Leash or float. I was one of those who never thought it could happen to me. Just because you don't fish the surf, doesn't mean you won't get complacent (as I did) and make a mistake. I only lost two scotty mounts and a phone when I turtled and I should have had the phone in a water-tight container, but I had just used it to take a picture of a fish and put it in my shirt pocket.

[Where Y'ak?]

WHERE Y’AK?
Stow It, Float It, Leash It or Lose It!
By: Chris Holmes
(Reprint from June 2011 N.O. Coastal Angler Magazine)

Everyone knows kayak fishing is a minimalist sport. Yea, right! With the boom in kayak fishing popularity comes an ever-increasing amount of gear that ‘yakers are bringing along on their trips. There are several simple, inexpensive tips and products that will help save your valuable gear from being ruined or lost.

The first thing all kayakers must accept is that whatever you bring along on your yak is likely to get wet. Be it rain, wave splash or just the normal consequences of being in close contact to the water, your stuff won’t stay dry. That’s not a problem for your rods or other items designed to get wet, but it can ruin your day if it’s your wallet, cell phone or camera that gets waterlogged.

The first rule to protect items that can’t get wet is to stow them. If you’re using a sit-in style of kayak, you know that some water is going to get inside the cockpit. However, even the best sealed sit-on-top yaks will likely get some water inside the hull after a day’s fishing. Any gear that needs to stay dry should be packed in either a quality dry bag or inside a waterproof dry box.

Since you will likely be using these for important items such as your wallet, key remote, cell phone or even a small camera, don’t scrimp and buy inferior quality products. Several manufacturers offer high quality boxes in different sizes that provide dry, crush- proof storage for your valuables. A box with a clear lid makes it easier to find your items if you need to access the box while on the water.

Dry bags are also a good alternative to store bulkier items like a rain suit, jacket, extra clothes or even your lunch. These are generally made of a waterproof vinyl-like material and seal using either a press and close zipper or a roll down closure with a buckle. No matter which type suits you best, the goal is to end the day without a heap of soggy items.

Keeping gear dry is one challenge, keeping it onboard is something else! No matter how careful you are, you’re going to drop something overboard. If it doesn’t float or have a leash attached to it, you’ll likely be saying “adios!” There’s no sicker feeling than seeing your expensive rod and reel or BogaGrip plunging to the depths.

Some manufactures are making specially designed kayak rods that will float if dropped overboard. However, adding a simple foam rod float will help keep you from losing it. These small foam floats have a center slit and are held on the rod with thin Velcro straps. Rod leashes are also a good way to retrieve your gear if it’s accidentally sent overboard. Leashes are generally made of coiled plastic covered shock cord or Bungee cord and have a clip at each end. These are great to secure the rods to your yak while paddling from one spot to another, but are somewhat annoying to keep attached while fishing. A combination of a leash and rod float is the best way to ensure that your rods will not end up in a watery grave. Leashes are also used to secure items like your paddle, hook out or anything else that you’re fond of.

Small plastic or Styrofoam floats should be attached to anything you carry such as a fish grip, pliers, measuring stick, etc. Just because it can get wet doesn’t mean it will float. Use brightly colored floats and attach them with a small clip so they can be transferred to other gear as the need arises. Test various size floats and use the smallest one possible that still provides enough flotation to keep your gear from sinking.

Like the kayak rods mentioned above, several manufactures are incorporating flotation into their products. Pliers, gaffs, knives, landing nets and a host of other floating gear are available to kayak anglers. However, just because it floats doesn’t mean you can’t lose it. As mentioned above, the best security is a combination of flotation and a leash or lanyard attaching the item to your yak.

Waterproof and flotation are not only for the hardware type items listed above. Many electronics manufacturers are also adding these features to their products. No one wants to be afraid to use an expensive camera or radio in the kayak because they fear it will get wet or dropped overboard. VHF radios and digital cameras are available that are completely waterproof and also float. You can now bring these items along in the yak with no hesitation.

Lures are made to get wet. However, a tackle box full of water, especially salt water, will lead to a rusty pile of worthless tackle. Waterproof tackle boxes offer inexpensive protection for your favorite lures. With O-ring seals and see-through lids, your tackle will remain dry and organized until it’s time to tie it on your line. The boxes are light weight and come in a variety of sizes to meet all of your tackle storage needs.

Sunglasses are often lost while ‘yak fishing. It’s almost inevitable that they will fall in the water and flutter to the bottom while you helplessly watch. Quality polarized sunglasses are available in floating models or you can add a floating retainer that will keep you from losing them.

One of the cheapest items you can use to add do-it-yourself flotation to some of your gear is the utilitarian “pool-noodle.” These inexpensive, brightly colored foam floats are available anywhere beach or pool supplies are sold. They can be cut to any length and most have a hole in the middle that’s perfect for tying on a string or lanyard. They are very buoyant and can be used to float just about anything. For example, a small piece slipped over the handle of your landing net will keep it from sinking.

If you are a kayak fisherman, your gear will get wet or fall overboard. Yak fishing is a fun experience; don’t ruin it by failing to properly protect your valuable gear. Stow it, float it, leash it or lose it!

Plano Waterproof "StowAway" boxes are great for your valuables and tackle.

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss101/cvholmes/stowaway.jpg

A simple chunk of "pool noodle" will keep you from losing your lip-grip.

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss101/cvholmes/Lipgripfloat.jpg

Small rod floats help save your expensive combo from sinking.

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss101/cvholmes/Rodfloat.jpg

Although this camera is waterproof, it doesn't float. Add a float to keep it off the bottom.

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss101/cvholmes/Camerafloat.jpg

[jpfalgout27]

Thanks for all the tips everyone! That's a great article you posted Where Y'ak. Plenty of great info for everyone new to kayak fishing. I definitely want to get some rod floats. And I'll need to get some leashes for all the crap I pack too. I've basically just been running bungee chords through everything right now which would be fine unless the bungees unhooked if I flipped out of it. The rods are the only main thing that are in jeopardy right now (and my cane knife) and I'd hate to lose them.

WACT - I might be stretching it a bit so far on the gear but if I could figure out how to build a house on top of my yak I'd probably be under construction right now! I went out again today and so far I'm fine with it. The ice chest behind my seat is for any fish I catch but it doubles as a great back support and i can lay back and rest the back of my head on it too. So I might weld that on permanently. :) my little cooler up front holds my drinks and snacks (until I figure out how to put a mini fridge there) and my crates in the back just holds a bucket with a cast net inside, my cane knife, an emergency paddle (which I use to keep me straight while I fish and I break down my big paddle and store it inside the mod pod), landing net, more bungees, and a rain suit. My tackle is in the mod pod and my keys, wallet and phone stay in a dry storage container. But it works for me for now. It's a breeze paddling it but I'm used to paddling a 12' aluminum pirogue which was a beast. It was about the same as trying to paddle a drunk wrecking ball.

I'd love to make the meeting tonight and the tournament Saturday but I have to work for both of them. Shift work is either your childhood friend or your mortal enemy. But good luck to everyone who goes to the tournament! I hope y'all have a great time and catch some nice fish!

[Musicdoc]

Great Post Where Y'ak and yes, I so stay thirsty!! I can't really add to anything you said, but I had a friend tell me when I first got into this sport that pool noodle is a kayaker's best friend. I'd have to agree. It's the least expensive way to put floats on almost everything. I'm going to have to upgrade to the Plano waterproof tackleboxes. I didn't think it was really necessary, but all my lures did get wet with salt water and even after cleaning and spraying WD40 on my new hooks, I fear they will rust prematurely.

[Where Y'ak?]

Thanks Kevin. They improved the StowAways this year and they have stronger latches. I still prefer using the harder plastic Plano Guide series or Pelican boxes for my phone, wallet, etc, but the StowAways are great for tackle. They come in various sizes and have moveable dividers. I use them for all my tackle.

[revredfish]

Welcome and nice Goo

[marshdaddy]

:welcome:JP, The Trident looks like a great boat. Had my eye on them for a while now. Will probably be my next boat.

[Redwolf]

WACT - I might be stretching it a bit so far on the gear but if I could figure out how to build a house on top of my yak I'd probably be under construction right now!

You can, buy a PA :fing20: