Bass Fishing Forum

Thought I'd finally officially start a thread. This is my first kayak. Picked it up at Walmart on Black Friday for under $200. How it comes fresh from the store: (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180310/c28cee81a806ab574883fc166196d01f.jpg)
First upgrades were a crate, anchor trolly and seat.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180310/432187c816110f7860c215ba4941226e.jpg)
Maiden voyage :(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180310/d07276f88a473a4d1815d79e39f171d4.jpg)
After the first trip, I decided to build a PVC rod rack:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180310/8a2302a8f5e1b5c14e545db324f0bfc6.jpg)
Took this today. I started using a retractable dog leash for the anchor line, and also picked up a cart from Amazon:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180310/b1ca98634edcdd82f9f565fcfd5ecd13.jpg)

So far I am loving this kayak.

Nice looking setup!  ~c~

You may want to check this out?

http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=140169.0;topicseen (http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=140169.0;topicseen)

Nice setup there ItsJason   ~c~

Very creative! ~c~ Using the retractable leash for an anchor line is a super idea! You should post that in the Tips and Ideas (http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?board=249.0) forum and nominate it for the current tips contest (http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=140496.0).

That's very creative ideas you came up with and hope you catck lots of fish for your yak.

I have two kayaks and when someone asks which kayak I would recommend my reply is, "Whatever kayak that will get YOU on the water."

Nice job.

Quote from: Antrigen on March 30, 2018, 09:22:54 AM
I have two kayaks and when someone asks which kayak I would recommend my reply is, "Whatever kayak that will get YOU on the water."

Nice job.

For the price I'm loving my setup. For absolutely everything, kayak and all accessories, I'm still at under $300, and everything was brand new. It covers a heck of a lot more water than my float tube.
Not getting rid of the tube either by any means though too. I just see them as different tools for different situations. Kayak is nice when it's cold and access is easy. Tube can be nice when it's hot, and when access is difficult.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

Cool setup!! Enjoy!!

It's Jason, I would like to hear what stadium seat you used, and did you attach it to the kayak some way. Really like it and want to do something  similar

Quote from: Tripledogdarr on June 12, 2018, 07:31:52 AM
It's Jason, I would like to hear what stadium seat you used, and did you attach it to the kayak some way. Really like it and want to do something  similar

It's a Cascade Stadium Seat. Ive heard you can sometimes find them fairly cheap at Costco, I never did though and just got it off Amazon. Its not currently attached in any way, but I am thinking of building some sort of raised frame for it. My legs get sore being straight out for a few hours from sitting so flat, and it would make it easier to stand/sit ( I've stood and fished the last few times out).

Sent from my SM-T237P using Tapatalk

Thanks

heck yeah!

That thing is looking good.

The pic of the maiden voyage doesn't even look real with the mountains and water like glass.

Quote from: ItsJason on April 02, 2018, 04:07:12 PM
I just see them as different tools for different situations.

Tell me about it ... I tend to add to my collection vs replace.

Quote from: basss on June 19, 2018, 11:35:52 AM
heck yeah!

That thing is looking good.

The pic of the maiden voyage doesn't even look real with the mountains and water like glass.

If you look close, you can see the entire back half of that marsh is frozen over.
That was my very first trip out and was definitely a learning experience. Like learning you get fairly wet in a kayak, and jeans aren't the best choice when the water temp is 32-33 degrees

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Quote from: ItsJason on June 19, 2018, 01:59:57 PM
If you look close, you can see the entire back half of that marsh is frozen over.
That was my very first trip out and was definitely a learning experience. Like learning you get fairly wet in a kayak, and jeans aren't the best choice when the water temp is 32-33 degrees

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

OH ... that's ice ... brrrr ... next time, start new hobbies in the summer.

Hey Jason. I recently bought a similar kayak and have been doing similar mods. I have my retractable anchor rope set up on my crate and I was wondering how you like it hanging over the side. One thing I don't like about how I have it positioned is the anchor line sometimes wraps around my pole when it's in the holder.

Quote from: FISHMD on August 18, 2018, 06:22:22 AM
Hey Jason. I recently bought a similar kayak and have been doing similar mods. I have my retractable anchor rope set up on my crate and I was wondering how you like it hanging over the side. One thing I don't like about how I have it positioned is the anchor line sometimes wraps around my pole when it's in the holder.

I like it, havent felt like I need to move it or anything.
I just tied a small loop on the handle part, and use a small carbiner to attach it to a pad eye.

Sent from my SM-T237P using Tapatalk

Big news now, I think I just tripled the value of this thing!
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181227/e33efc70d44d21aa1c953be6ef4abe01.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181227/80993bc3d03fd7411072ee77c989377f.jpg)
I might have gotten a little excited and got everything assembled on the mount right in the dining room...
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181227/2ba34fa7438519f7ac04b7226800bc65.jpg)
While I'm wiring in the sonar, I'm also going to install this USB power panel, will be nice to keep phone and cameras topped off.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181227/d71351ce98e0f96245862d8973e6a441.jpg)

Was hoping to have everything fully installed this weekend, but I can't find a suitable battery anywhere locally, so I'll have to order one. I still might do what I can before that comes in though.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Got a battery, and everything fired right up once connected. Now I just need to pick a day to get out in the cold and actually install it.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181231/db236a51c07fce52f2d19bf657a1eabe.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181231/e2565256f7daf5e0748428542cb92cbe.jpg)

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

That is pretty  ;D

Quote from: Bassinkorea on December 31, 2018, 02:14:51 AM
That is pretty  ;D

Thank you.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Sweet!  Can't wait to see how you install everything

Sick of the Antarctic like weather here. Been very cold, and snowed all night. I got frustrated today and decided to just drag the thing in to my apartment and do the install.
Video logged it to, will put that together tomorrow. But everything went well.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190108/b0628c42cdd28a4e076efa145f769eac.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190108/6043358472fc0a5e48a3db7ac2af5b85.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190108/b89c6cc9f0a1170da21f2b55ffad603b.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190108/fc043a53d81d3ad10177f5d258911af7.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190108/61c2098fc0290795b7aafe5fbfe2e017.jpg)

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

That's a sweet looking set up. Bet you can't wait to get it wet and tested out.

Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

Quote from: Bassinkorea on January 08, 2019, 02:12:33 AM
That's a sweet looking set up. Bet you can't wait to get it wet and tested out.

Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

March can't come soon enough!

Sent from my SM-T237P using Tapatalk

I like that set up!  Nicely done

I've been considering a sonar this tax return season, but I need to learn how to read the durn things.

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

Quote from: SteelHorseCowboy on January 09, 2019, 06:29:58 AM
I've been considering a sonar this tax return season, but I need to learn how to read the durn things.

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

Seems like a pretty nice sonar.
I actually went in expecting to buy a dragonfly, but was also wondering a lowrance. After playing with them all I left with the Garmin haha.
The dragonfly was nice and had navionics+, but 99% of the water I fish is uncharted/not on existing maps. You can create maps with that unit, but it seemed like a much more complicated procedure than the Garmin. The Garmin creates maps very easily, but doesn't come preloaded with any maps. But since I mostly fish uncharted water anyways, I couldn't really justify spending extra money for preloaded maps that will probably never be used.
The lowrance to me was an absolute mess. Wasn't intuitive at all and just switching between modes and screens was difficult and a disaster, specially compared to the other two.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Like you, nearly every place I fish is uncharted. My opinion, that's one of the real beauties of kayak fishing!

Can you download maps for the Garmin? Some places I occasionally fish actually are charted.
Also, I really know nothing about these things, do the self generated maps show things like grass and stumps?

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

Quote from: SteelHorseCowboy on January 11, 2019, 08:03:46 AM
Like you, nearly every place I fish is uncharted. My opinion, that's one of the real beauties of kayak fishing!

Can you download maps for the Garmin? Some places I occasionally fish actually are charted.
Also, I really know nothing about these things, do the self generated maps show things like grass and stumps?

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

No downloading anything with the Garmin. I do believe they make one with navionics+, but that's a $100 option if you want to use preexisting maps.
With mine, you can save up to 5,000 waypoints. It's got a bunch of symbols for them, and you can certainly save/create waypoints for stumps. I'm pretty sure they even have stump symbols (it had a bunch of symbols). Plus you can title a waypoint however you like. I know it had specific symbols for trees, laydowns, weeds, pads, etc. Even had symbols for boat launches, parks, beaches, parking lots, bathrooms, etc.
It says it will store 2 million acres of created maps with 5,000 waypoints which seems a ton to me.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Holy cow that's a lot of info to build!
That could work out well for me, I'm just as happy to explore as I am to fish. I could paddle around all day poking buttons.

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

Nice looking setup. Curious as to how you did the seat upgrade? Can you set any seat you want on there or did you have to remove the old one, etc.? Im still looking for my first kayak, and I've heard of this one you have as being a great first one to start with.

Be sure to check into the Pescador Pro while you're shopping around. It's one of the ones I wanted, ended up getting a Magellan Origin 12 instead because of money. I love it, but the Pescador is wider and more stable, and has a seat you can sit in all day comfortably.

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

Quote from: ItsJason on January 11, 2019, 04:07:03 PM
No downloading anything with the Garmin. I do believe they make one with navionics+, but that's a $100 option if you want to use preexisting maps.
With mine, you can save up to 5,000 waypoints. It's got a bunch of symbols for them, and you can certainly save/create waypoints for stumps. I'm pretty sure they even have stump symbols (it had a bunch of symbols). Plus you can title a waypoint however you like. I know it had specific symbols for trees, laydowns, weeds, pads, etc. Even had symbols for boat launches, parks, beaches, parking lots, bathrooms, etc.
It says it will store 2 million acres of created maps with 5,000 waypoints which seems a ton to me.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Sorry, I know this thread is a bit dated.

I've been doing some research for kayaks and electronics recently.

The sonar probe mount that you have over the side, do you think it dramatically changes the tracking of your yak? Do you need to pull it up for longer distance paddles to keep it from constantly steering left? I would think slow putting around looking for bottom features wouldn't be so difficult. Would be interested to hear your general feedback after you had most the season with it.