Kayak fishing set-up help

Hi Everyone,

This will be my first year fishing out of a kayak. I would like to get some opinions, options or ideas for fishing out of a small kayak. Please see the picture of the kayak that I will be fishing out of this year. I'll add a rod holder for sure or find a way to clamp one to the kayak.

Thanks for the help!

ChrisAttachment 153508

Chris, first and foremost........get your rear end up/elevated so you can enjoy optimum comfort while catching crappies. Start with a block of foam and whittle on it until
you find the most comfortable fit. A comfortable fisherman is a happy fisherman and your comfort is imperative to spending time catching crappie. The first kayak I purchased
that was like yours forced me to experiment with different ways of getting my rear end off the bottom of the kayak. I found it hard to concentrate on more important issues
when my back was in a bind. It takes time to figure out all the options available when your deciding on rod holder locations, tackle box locations, anchor set ups and cooler
locations. Give yourself a couple of trips to the water and if nothing else, take something adjustable to sit on and try a number of different heights before working on something permanent. I took two cans of expanding foam and shot them into each end of the kayak for floatation, just in case. Make sure you wet the surfaces prior to
squirting the foam into the ends. I stood the kayak on end to make sure the foam stayed in place while it cured. Lots of picturese available in this thread and the internet.
Specific questions welcome with a good many willing to give input.

Thank I will have to try a few different height levels in the boat. I have some mini cell foam that I can shape to the contour of the seat. Sounds like that its an experiment to see what works best.

Use some caution raising the seat; as raising too far will drastically change your center of gravity (ie tippy).

I also suggest you fish with a single pole a few times, just to get a feel for where your paddle strokes end up going. With your cockpit you have very limited areas to add anything that won't be in the way of getting in and out of the boat or getting in the way of paddle strokes. I would remove the front deck bungee, I know I would have hooks snagging in it all the time and I don't think my arms would be long enough to reach anything stored up there anyway.

Besides comfort, I would suggest an anchor and anchor trolley.

On windy days and current it's a huge advantage when you are trying to fish cover or simply want to stay in one spot.

First let me thank you for your service.

I started out fishing in a yak close to the one you have and caught a lot of fish from it. Like said a single pole will be a good starting point and once you spend some time on the water you will find the areas you need to improve on the yak. Good luck and be sure to post some reports on your trips.

I've fished out of my kayak, but never had a sophisticated rig! Kayaks are great and worth finding a way to rig a fishing set-up in the center or you can purchase Kayaks for fishing that are already have racks in the middle, rod/cup holders, etc! Malibu is a good choice, good luck!

I will be interested in seeing what you add to the yak.

Be sure to check out "Show us your rig contest" thread. The contest is over, but folks still like to show off the rides there.

There are a ton of great ideas for kayaks and canoes rigged for fishing.

Thanks for the input everyone!!!! As far as now I'll take the bare minimum and up-grade at a later time. I will take some pictures of my set-up once I start fishing out of it. As for the "Show us your rig contest" does it have to be a rig set up for fishing? I love different types of canoes and would love to Attachment 154049show everyone my collection.

Well, I ain't never........but if one like that passed me on the water I'd be looking for the mother ship. lol

That looks more like it is for racing rather than fishing.

That's a nice lookin' kayak. Great for long distance and speed.

Last year on the Seneca River a fella in a 14 footer past me. That thing must have cost him a couple thousand easy.

I was fishing a log jam for crappie. He gave me the strangest look, I can still picture it today. :Rofl

I fish a 10.5 ft Fishing kayak fully rigged. My friends call it the Science Vessel.

The "Yellow Bus" is made for racing just thought I would post a picture as not too many people have seen such a strange boat. My fishing kayak is called "Stubs" shorts and wide.:biggrin