Don't fear, buy a Kayak.

[Coefficient13]

I looked around and fretted on what to get for my boating situation. After ages I was going to rock a sit-in fishing kayak from bass pro shop called the fs10.

The FS10 is the same body as the D10, but with two rod holders in back and one cruddy one up front, a tie for your paddle, two cleats and the rigging.

The D10 is the same at the A10 but with foot pegs and a nicer seat.

FS10 500$
D10 400$
A10 300$

Anywho, not trying to advertise for bass pros, the same goes for most any brand give or take. I like the idea of my fishing tackle being tools, and I like to treat my tools like tools and not like prized possessions... except my actual tools... those are prized possessions... I think you know what I mean... What I mean is my kayak didn't have to be gorgeous just functional, so that I can treat it like a fishing tool rather than something supposed to be pretty. I wouldn't drag a 1,500 dollar yak to a spot as nonchalantly as I would a 300 dollar one.

So I bought the 300 dollar yak. I spent what I saved on making it even closer to what I wanted than the 500$ guy and with a fish finder, the pads, the waterproof bags, etc. for less than 500$.

Now I'm getting exercise and catching fish. The 5+ pounder I caught in the yak was the most fun I've ever had trying to reel in a fish.

You should not fear or fret over the idea of getting a yak. Do it. Any moron can modify one. Parts are cheap. And if I destroy it I can yank off the parts and put them on a new one when I grab it.

I'm no pro at this at all, but here's how stupid easy some of this was:

http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/attachment.php?attachmentid=30489&d=1305231178
That's one of those cheap-o 10 dollar 3 rod holders strapped onto a 5 gallon paint bucket with 2 old belts. I may hook it on better later when I find a blue bucket (vanity) but it works quite well like this and I can take it out of the yak for fishing elsewhere. Those are short bungy ropes to carabeaners to strap in the rods in case I flip, which I haven't.


http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/attachment.php?attachmentid=30488&d=1305231160
These short bungy bits to hooks hold the bucket in the yak. I liked the idea better than the standard rigging.


http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/attachment.php?attachmentid=30487&d=1305228500
I used hooks instead of eyelets for all the front rigging. As is it holds my tackle boxes well. But if I unhook the front-most 2 then the elastic is loose enough to go all the way around my backpack. Once again I like this more than the standard way.


http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/attachment.php?attachmentid=30486&d=1305228488
Drill hole, push through, tie knot on other end after measuring. done.


http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/attachment.php?attachmentid=30485&d=1305228473
Fish finder mount inside cup holder area (left) and an adjustable rod holder in the item tray (right) both mounted and sturdy as heck, ready to go. I like this rod holder for landing/rigging. It was 15$ I believe. The fish finder I have is the lowrance x-4 pro.



http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/attachment.php?attachmentid=30484&d=1305228457
I did the permanent wet mount for the fish finder transducer and like the way it works. Back here I use an 8 AA battery holder with a 9-volt battery style connection for the fish finder, 3.49 at radio shack, works all day.



http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/attachment.php?attachmentid=30483&d=1305228438
I put a rod holder on each side behind the seat, they're angled outwards and towards the back for I can troll with them but still drift sideways with a pole in my hand and one drag-ing for free.


http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/attachment.php?attachmentid=30166&d=1304444738
This pic is from before the front rigging, but I plopped a loop of bungy on this side to hold the paddle just like the pro ones.


http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/attachment.php?attachmentid=30165&d=1304444606
Another pic from less work done on it, first time out, but you get the idea.






The point is any of you could do that, while drunk, even if you refuse to put down the beer and do it all one handed. You can make it up as you go and still succeed.

I know a lot of people visit forums about kayaks and such wondering if it's worth it so just thought I'd poke in and bug you with my opinion of yes. Give it a shot I say.

[fishinone]

There are some good ideas here. I like the idea of using hooks on the bungees to make the more versatile.

Thanks for posting

[qbi2001]

Nice, welcome to the addiction. I've been yak fishing for about six years and have never looked back. And by the way i still beat up my 1500 yak the same i did as my $300 one. It just gives me an excuse to buy my fourth yak. Personalization is the wonderful thing of the sport, that and being towed around the ocean hooked into a thresher shark or yellow tail.

[tacklejunkie]

Nice yak. Almost chose that model had I not been lazy and also found a sale.
You have me wondering if a bucket fits in the rear of mine, too.
Indeed catching a fish on the yak is more challenging and more fun!
Sometimes can be a bit frustrating even.. when a fish takes you straight into the bushes and the bushes are all up in your face and you're going through spider webs and the fish has you wrapped in weeds while you try to free him and paddle yourself out of the spiderwebbed trees at the same time!

Highly effective, hectic and even a bit insane, but perfectly suitable to the hardcore angler.