Inflatable Fishing Kayak - Part 2
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 10:12 am
Since I've not had any luck fishing lately (attempted Bayou Vista area on Saturday, 3.5 hours with 2 bites to show for it and no fish), thought I'd follow up with my older post - http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/foru ... 1&t=246805
I've alluded to it in other posts, but I ended up getting a Sea Eagle 385FTA. It's pretty sweet. I've had it out in the marsh about 4 times now and another few here at my local pond. It's super sturdy and I can easily stand and fish and not feel too wobbly.
I've been playing with customizing it and set it up a little differently each go, both with and without a trolling motor.
Here is my setup for with a trolling motor, but note I'm still working on it and don't like how the battery backs up to the seat (I can't pivot much being so close). This is a 100 AH battery on a 24 lb thrust motor. I did get it registered and everything, I just need to find out a way to mount my registration number and sticker (I think I'll use plastic sheet board and hang it from the front).
I setup a bigfoot (or some knockoff brand) trolling motor switch, so I can control on/ off by foot - FINALLY HANDS FREE LOCOMOTION - at half the price of a hobie My setup for rowing only, I ditch the tall seat and go with a standard regular kayak seat with back. I mounted the seat a little forward last time and it gave me some storage space behind. That's probably my biggest grip on the kayak - the only storage space is what you see - you can't store things inside like a hard plastic one.
This thing tracks really well, better than my heritage kayak, I do miss my foot controlled rudder though. But I paddled it in 15+ winds and didn't get windcocked!
I've ran this over oysters once (accident), and bumped into them a few other times, all I have to show for it is a minor 2" scratch on the bottom where a 1st layer of rubber pealed off (there are 2 layers of rubber with heavy cloth fabric sandwiched between). And the scratch is on the non critical floor portion (not an air retaining bladder). I'm careful with the oysters but not too worried about them - just don't do something stupid like intentionally run into them and try to force your way over - back up as soon as you bump something and I've been fine so far. I carry the patch kit just in case.
I've alluded to it in other posts, but I ended up getting a Sea Eagle 385FTA. It's pretty sweet. I've had it out in the marsh about 4 times now and another few here at my local pond. It's super sturdy and I can easily stand and fish and not feel too wobbly.
I've been playing with customizing it and set it up a little differently each go, both with and without a trolling motor.
Here is my setup for with a trolling motor, but note I'm still working on it and don't like how the battery backs up to the seat (I can't pivot much being so close). This is a 100 AH battery on a 24 lb thrust motor. I did get it registered and everything, I just need to find out a way to mount my registration number and sticker (I think I'll use plastic sheet board and hang it from the front).
I setup a bigfoot (or some knockoff brand) trolling motor switch, so I can control on/ off by foot - FINALLY HANDS FREE LOCOMOTION - at half the price of a hobie My setup for rowing only, I ditch the tall seat and go with a standard regular kayak seat with back. I mounted the seat a little forward last time and it gave me some storage space behind. That's probably my biggest grip on the kayak - the only storage space is what you see - you can't store things inside like a hard plastic one.
This thing tracks really well, better than my heritage kayak, I do miss my foot controlled rudder though. But I paddled it in 15+ winds and didn't get windcocked!
I've ran this over oysters once (accident), and bumped into them a few other times, all I have to show for it is a minor 2" scratch on the bottom where a 1st layer of rubber pealed off (there are 2 layers of rubber with heavy cloth fabric sandwiched between). And the scratch is on the non critical floor portion (not an air retaining bladder). I'm careful with the oysters but not too worried about them - just don't do something stupid like intentionally run into them and try to force your way over - back up as soon as you bump something and I've been fine so far. I carry the patch kit just in case.