[red_mucilin]

Should of bought my Ride and saved a pile of cash and had simply the best fishing yak ever made.

 

[achotrod]

Should of bought my Ride and saved a pile of cash and had simply the best fishing yak ever made.

What do you have? Im not interested obviously but someone else reading might be.

 

[TheWoz]

Soon the hobie guys will chime in with their recommendations.

I think you should cancel your order and get the hobie islander with retractable solar panels! Thats a kayak. You can sail from one end of lake michigan to the other clipping 15knots! YEA BOIII!

lol...just kidding. Get it on the water and enjoy and let us know when youre ready to hit the big lake! 1 recommendation....don't start drilling holes for mounts until youre positive where things work best. Once you've taken it out once or twice then drill away!

 

[achotrod]

Now that would be exciting and scary as hell.

As long as I didnt buy some junk and I dont think I did Im sure it will be great.

 

[BrookfieldAngler]

Yeah definitely not junk. My only real hesitation with the one you got would be the length but if you plan in fishing ponds and small lakes, you will be just fine. Rivers will be good if you plan on doing one way floats or are only trying to paddle upstream in slower currents. The good news is that thing will turn on a dime!!

One of the better Lake Michigan yak anglers I know fishes out of a tarpon 120 and catch the living crap out of fish.

 

[achotrod]

So what add ons have you guys done? Im thinking a anchor system and a fish locator/sonar. Curious as to what battery you run for your sonar?

 

[bassman29]

So what add ons have you guys done? Im thinking a anchor system and a fish locator/sonar. Curious as to what battery you run for your sonar?

1. Deeper cup holder for my ummmm lemonade.
2. Multi holder mount which came with a built in lure holder which has made switching lures much easier.
3. 1 custom made (given) aux storage bin (milk crate)

Next is a anchor system, pads for inside of cockpit walls where my legs rub, and a flux capacitor so I can go back in time and tell myself to get a yak sooner.

Nice vessel...enjoy and see u in there

 

[FloridaRigger]

keep it simple to start. you really dont need the sonar, especially just starting out. start with an anchor trolley system and a crate. your Tarpon is coming rigged with rod holders and paddle keepers.

 

[achotrod]

Thats why I got the fishing package vs the normal one. A Wallyword unit is good enough for the yak. I just want to know what kind of battery to use thats not 40lbs. A motorcycle bat or something?

This trolley system Ive been reading about.... Tell me about it? Cant I just tie a line and 5lb anchor I have sitting around? Like I do on any other boat?

 

[JustinCarf]

Since you're just starting, I suggest K.I.S.S.....Keeping it simple stu :mrgreen:

Take it more than a few times to see what you think you need. You might find that you need nothing at all, and love the yak as is...or you will find that you want something more and get a whole new kayak...just like me :mrgreen: (Soon...haha)

While I have no been kayaking long, I would say that since your kayak already comes with rod holders, all you need is an anchor of sorts. Youtube search the anchor trolley. You'll see how it works, and it's pretty cool. Can you just toss over a weight that is tied to a rope...yes...but once you watch some videos on the anchor trolley, you'll see what it's for, and if it's something you will want/need.

 

[RonG]

Thats why I got the fishing package vs the normal one. A Wallyword unit is good enough for the yak. I just want to know what kind of battery to use thats not 40lbs. A motorcycle bat or something?

Just a Vexilar type battery

They weigh between 4.5 to 6 lbs

I'm using a cheap $99 Humminbird locator and it gets the job done...BUT I'm also running my handheld GPS. Give some consideration to a unit with built-in GPS functions. I can't say how much I put mine to use. In Green Bay last month, after hours of no fish, I was able to hook up with 3 walleyes in 3 quick passes because of marking the spot on my GPS where walleye #1 hit. This week, I was saving the locations of the schools of alewives and making repeated passes over them, trolling for the cohos that were scarfing them down. (couldn't have done it without a gps) And I use it when I find a school of perch on LM. By the time I land and unhook a fish, I'm usually completely blown off the school and could not find them again without the gps. It depends on what kind of fishing you are doing, but for what I do....

Trolley: many install one where it takes your anchor to the front of the boat. The front is usually the direction of where you are casting...so if you don't want the hassle and mess of many fish tangling into your anchor rope, give consideration to the trolley taking your anchor to the rear. If anchoring in a river, if your anchor is in the front, you will always be facing upstream. Maybe you want that, but generally not.

 

[TheWoz]

Yup def keep it simple :lol:

 

[TheWoz]

The abhor trolley is money! Get the trolly kit so you can adjust depending on wind etc... I like my anchor off the center of the yak so I can sit side straddle and cast each direction!

 

[rigmewacky]

I've always used just a 5lb plate weight and rope for years for my anchor. The trolley system has always intrigued me. I fish the shallow DPR a lot and some deeper lakes also. Would I need multiple anchor rope lengths or do you guys tie the anchor line down somehow so not to have a lot of rope out to snag a lure on or tangle up with a fish? I would like to be able to anchor in different depths and not have a lot of extra rope out.

 

[Skifish1]

The 10' tarpon is a great 1st boat for any waters that you will fish...you will like how that boat maneuvers in local lakes and rivers...you may have to paddle it a little harder in some faster current but the long boats these guys are mentioning suck in rivers when you need to turn quickly and without a number of extra hard paddle strokes...long boats with great tracking means pain in the ass turning - especially in moving water.

It all depends on the kind of water you will fish. If you aren't paddling upstream in fast current (think of Fox where current may be fast - not all of Fox but some of fox) short tarpon wise 1st boat choice. When I think of longer boats all I want is the extra storage. Long heavy wide boat is not fast. Long narrow boats are fast.

Take that thing out on DPR, Fox, Nippersink, and local lakes that dont allow gas motors and that's a good boat. Want to paddle upriver in spring conditions...well you will have a workout based on the hull shape but you will also in the heavier big boats to.

 

[RonG]

I like my anchor off the center of the yak so I can sit side straddle and cast each direction!

If you do that on Lake Michigan or in river current, you will before long, get flipped. Any rods or gear that doesn't float, not tethered will be lost. Anything that's not supposed to be wet will be wet.

I've always used just a 5lb plate weight and rope for years for my anchor. The trolley system has always intrigued me. I fish the shallow DPR a lot and some deeper lakes also. Would I need multiple anchor rope lengths or do you guys tie the anchor line down somehow so not to have a lot of rope out to snag a lure on or tangle up with a fish? I would like to be able to anchor in different depths and not have a lot of extra rope out.

Not really any extra rope except the distance from the middle of kayak to whichever end your trolley is set up on.

I used one of these on my last kayak.

I rarely anchor or even attach my trolley. On still ponds, I just drop it off the middle and tuck my rope winder thingy (similar to this one)

under my thigh and sit on it.

 

[TheWoz]

I like my anchor off the center of the yak so I can sit side straddle and cast each direction!

If you do that on Lake Michigan or in river current, you will before long, get flipped. Any rods or gear that doesn't float, not tethered will be lost. Anything that's not supposed to be wet will be wet.

Flipping b/c of sitting side straddle? Or anchor position.
I have yet to anchor on LM.
I've only anchored on lakes when the wind is ripping.

As far as how much anchor line. I have 150 ft. I let out what I need and keep the rest on a spool.

 

[TheWoz]

Skifish- I thought you'd like this.

 

[achotrod]

I have GPS on my boat and love it. Not sure Ill need GPS for the places Ill take the yak, but depth and structure would help a lot. The plan is buy something cheap for now and when I upgrade the unit on my boat I will switch the cheapo to the loaner yak and put the Elite 5 on my yak. Ill check out trolley sets ups today.

Ski thanks for the encouragement on my purchase. You seem to fish exactly the type of places I want to use this, and have a good idea why I went with a 10ft yak instead of 12-14. I want a easily maneuverable boat that can go anywhere on small water where I cant get my boat on.

Woz you need some upgrades lol.

 

[RonG]

Flipping b/c of sitting side straddle? Or anchor position.
I have yet to anchor on LM.
I've only anchored on lakes when the wind is ripping.

Sitting sideways is fine on most SOTs. I meant flipping from the anchor attached to the middle of the boat. If a big swell hits you and your rope is tight, you can get flipped right over. River current can do the same. I don't like anchoring in general on LM and will use a drift sock if I need to slow down.