Pimpin' my yak

[Speck Tackler]

Planning an upcoming trip to Perdido Key, Florida and have elected to bring the yak along. Problem is my yaks are hardly equipped for fishing (trolling) for Spanich Macks off the beach. Well that was at least what I told my wife. I installed two new flush rod holders behind the seat for holding out my rods. I also tend to use a stringer in the marsh but figured I might want to go with an ice chest for this trip. Found this one at academy and made a few modifications to hold my rods. Added a Scotty rod holder in the front as well. The kicker has not arrived yet. I placed a Stinger Anchor from Golden Drake on my Ulimate 12 two years ago and am love with it. Not figuring I will get much use out of it off shore but some of the locals had recommended the back side of Johnson Beach for reds and specks. It should be delivered in a week so I will post the pics when I get it.
My goal for this trip is to catch a variety of fish. Ultimately I would love to catch a tarpon. I know they hang out in the pass between Florida and Alabama.

[Coomz]

Those wheels won't work on the soft sand. You are better off just dragging it over the sand. Get some cigar minnows and drift the beach for some kings. Good luck and post some pics when you get back.

[papawd]

wish I was going with ya, good luck

[Hobie1Kenobie]

Good luck on your trip. I think you will like having the cooler. What size cooler did you go with?

[Reel Rebel]

Tacky,

Be sure to go visit Mrs. Gray at Gray's Tackle...she's always willing to share hot spots and has plenty of live bait. Her husband, Bobby, passed away about 3 years ago. He was a local guide and always had good stories and shared tons of info. Gray's Tackle is in the shopping center on the right, just past the first light on the East side of the Perdido Key bridge.

I've caught some really nice trout wade fishing on the bay side of Johnsons Beach. Pompano should be out on the point, with Spanish in the surf. Be sure to have a steel leader if trolling...There's a convenient public launch on the intracoastal or you could launch from the state park.

[Speck Tackler]

Reel you are the second person to recommend Gray's Tackle. I will definitely stop by. The icechest is a 25 qt marine made by igloo. Academy sells them but here is a link for a description. I cut 4 pieces of 1 1/2" PVC at 45 degree angles and have it attached with #10 Stainless bolts. The rivets did not hold well enough.

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/IGL-6776/

Does not look like it will hold a box full of reds but seems to be the perfect size for summer time specks.

[Reel Rebel]

Yea, Gray's Tackle is a great place to go for fishing info and/or tackle...or just a good place to hang out if you get tired of the condo, beach, pool, kids, etc... :hide:

[Speck Tackler]

Throw in-laws in there as well. Another reason I am looking forward to some "away" time on this trip.

[Reel Rebel]

Oh yea...shoulda mentioned the "out-laws" first on my list...

[Where Y'ak?]

Speck--I think we talked on another site. I have a place near Perdido Key and fish there often. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

I totally agree with Coomz--those wheels will do you no good on the beach and will actually make things worse.

Reel Rebel--Gray's is still a great tackle store, but she doesn't own it any more.

[Reel Rebel]

Dang, I hate to hear that...she was a nice lady. Missed getting by there last summer...thanks for the info W'Yak...

[Speck Tackler]

Yep that was me. Doing some "fishing" for ideas. No I did not figure the wheels would work in the sand. I was mainly thinking about parking lots/board walks from my vehicle to the beach. Asphalt and the hull of my yak are never a good combination.

[Cajun_Caster]

Does not look like it will hold a box full of reds but seems to be the perfect size for summer time specks.

It's big enough for a Florida limit of reds and specks!!

[MDR]

Speck, if you can get by Harbor Freight they have some inexpensive wheels. The ones I have on my cart are smaller than a wheelbarrow wheel, but same principle of an inflatable tire. I have them on the wagon I use when surf fishing as well and they work great on the sand.
I imagine other places will have them as well, but I know Harbor Freight has them for pretty cheap.

[Speck Tackler]

Will have to check out harbor freight next time I am in town. Should not be hard to modify my original design.