A kayak’s just a kayak until it has a rod holder. That one little addition makes it a fish-catching machine.
Setting up a new ride? You can end your rigging right there and pronounce yourself satisfied. In fact, it’s an excellent stopping place for the most rugged fisheries, places such as overgrown, twisting streams or the angriest surf zones. There’s little to get in the way and even less to break.
Maybe you’ve got bass on the brain, or yellowtail fever. Who could blame you? Not to worry. You don’t have to settle for the bare bones; you can add every catchy accoutrement.
The fundamental here? Build the right tool for the job at hand. Let’s take a closer look at a few standard set-ups:
The Bass Man’s Plastic Fantastic: This ride sports everything but the kitchen sink. The fishfinder up front is an absolute must. The more bling the better. If a full-sized color chart plotter with photo-realistic side scanning sonar is pushing it, a Lowrance Hook 5 GPS / sonar combo or similar should hit the sweet spot.
Tournament angler or not, for a bass man there’s no such thing as too much rod storage. On a kayak it’s always easier to grab a pre-rigged stick than stopping to retie again and again. The nicely outfitted bass ‘yak has a pair of gunwale mount rod holders just aft of the cockpit (they come standard on Hobie’s rotomolded models), and another three or four on a tackle storage box or Hobie H-Crate in the storage well, and maybe one more up front for the stick you’re working.
What about a place to put that paddle while fishing? Free of charge, just lay it on your lap. Fussing with side-mounted paddle holders just steals fishing time.
The Redfish Hunter: Some purists like their flats rides as simple as can be. They use their kayaks more as transportation over the skinny water than as fishing platforms. While there’s something to this ‘keep it simple’ philosophy, these days it’s just as common to come across lavishly rigged rides. Ones with fish finders (yes, on the flats) and a Power-Pole Micro Anchor for seamlessly holding position. Extensive tackle storage is a must (see the H-Crate).
RELATED: The Kayak Bass Boogie
The Offshore Cruiser: At first glance this open ocean explorer looks a lot like the bass man’s weapon of choice. There’s a fishfinder with GPS up front for marking structure spots and locating bait schools, and a live well weighing down the stern. This aquarium is a temporary home for mackerel, sardines, and even those little squirters, live squid.
After that the similarities are skin deep. This thing is made to survive the odd surf smackdown on landing. Don’t try that in a center console powerboat!
A bunch of rod holders is still a plus, at least enough for two live bait set-ups and a pair for tossing jigs. A gaff rests ready in another. If catch security is a concern – and it is when there’s no place to land a fish but your lap, which is always on a ‘yak – a diver’s game clip is strapped to eyebolt. Think giant safety pin. For starters, the other big water essentials are a submersible VHF radio, emergency whistle, and a compass for fail-safe navigation back to dry land.
High Altitude Trout Taxi: Less is more on skinny alpine streams and small, crystalline lakes. Purpose-built high country fishing kayaks boast a streamlined look, with few vegetation-snagging projections above the deck. Rod holders are set straight back instead of angled to the side for river running. Two or three are plenty.
There’s a second reason for this uncluttered set-up. Fly guys need a clean deck that won’t snag stripped line.
What else? Although it may seem an unlikely necessity, I wouldn’t think to go without an anchor. Two even. For those times when the kayak is more river transport than fishing platform, toss that thing onto the bank to securely park your ride. Deploy two when precision boat positioning is called for on the often-windy lakes.
Rough n’ Ready Rockfish Wrangler: The remote and rocky ‘pirate’ launches of the upper Pacific coast demand a ride that’s just as tough as the environment. Basically, a beater 4×4 for getting through the surf, nothing more is needed than a couple of rod holders, space to stash a handful of jigs, and a secure spot to tie a rope for those short and steep shoreline traverses. Toss in an improvised kelp anchor or hunk of iron to make it an excellent Northern California abalone diving platform.
How do you rig your ride to fit your fishing style? Let us know on the Hobie Fishing Facebook page.
