Installing a Fish Finder on a Kayak

It's summer time and where have the bass gone? Well I can tell you this, without a fish finder you'll be guessing! So let's get one installed and go find them! Don't know how? Not a problem...

Mount the Transducer

There are a few places you can mount the transducer, inside the hull, over the side, or thru the scupper. Now there may be some other locations but these are the three most popular locations. Deciding where to mount your transducer depends on a few different factors. What kind of fishing do you like to do, deep lakes, shallow or small water, blue water, river, etc. Basically will your transducer be exposed to damage. Next you want to consider the type of fish finder you have. Most standard fish finders will work well in any location you choose. DSI or down scan imaging fish finders, like the one I'm installing today, may not work well when inside the hull. While some people may have luck with this type of installation, Lowrance specifically states in their mounting instructions that thru hull installations are not recommended because it significantly degrades the DSI performance.
Because my fish finder is a DSI I'm going to mount thru a scupper hole for direct access to the water and hopefully best results. One note before I continue, there are plenty of discussions about turbulent water around the scuppers causing less than desired performance out of your transducer. I made the decision to ignore these discussions after I came across a scupper transducer mount made by Lowrance.


With all the above said, here's how I did mine. I started with a threaded plastic tube from the plumbing department of Lowes. Cost about $1.50. I added a cap to help retain the pipe from falling through. I used a 1" diameter pipe but the size might be different depending on what will fit through your scupper. Measure your scupper and head to Lowes or Home Depot.

Jackson Cuda 14 Review

Before I start this review I should share with you that my Cuda is my first kayak.While it's not the first kayak I've fished from, it is the first kayak I've owned. So I would not classify myself as an expert kayak fisherman. What I am, is a guy who does hours upon hours of research on things before I purchase them...and then I analyze the heck out of them after I own them.

Let's start with the first thing we all see, one awesome looking kayak! I've owned my Cuda for over 18 months and am still impressed with how cool it looks! Hey, let's face it...looking cool is important too right?!

Vanity out of the way, the next thing that caught my eye was the seat. What looks to be a beach style seat resting in the place where some foam style kayak seat would usually be resting. My first thought was, is that thing going to be comfortable for hours of fishing? The answer to that question is yes! I've fished in that seat for up to 7 hours of continuous fishing only taking a break to eat a sandwich on a shoreline. Although the Elite Seat isn't always the first thing that catches our eye, its the multiple positions you can put it in that really draws our interest. There's a low position, high position, and an out of the way position (yeah, out of the way). The low position is just slightly higher than the normal SOT kayak. This position is a very stable seating position in the Cuda and feels very comfortable for even a first time kayak fisherman. The high position is, in my opinion, awesome! Its slightly less stable than the low position, who wouldn't expect that? But its considerably more stable than you might think. It feels very much like riding a dirt bike, it doesn't want to tip over but you can make it lean if you want to...and of course there is a tipping point but it's really difficult to reach...check out the video below.

OTW (out of the way) position

This is a name I've given it obviously, but its very accurate for what it is. Before I get into that though, I think it's necessary for me to first discuss the stability of this kayak as its directly related to OTW seating position.

This boat is made to stand in, period. If you turn this boat upside down you'll see a flat bottom with what almost looks like pontoons. Whatever you call it, it does a great job of making you feel secure while standing or sitting. This is coming from a guy who's a little top heavy. While I'm not Chad Hoover, I am 6' 3” 215 lbs. While learning to stand and fish, I've leaned so hard I've actually felt what feels like secondary flotation kick it and the boat become even harder to tip over. While getting to that point is a bit scary, it was very reassuring when I didn't tip over!

So what's all that have to do with the OTW seat position? Well if you want a little more foot room you're able to securely put the seat into the cargo area. Now I know it sounds like I'm saying just tossing it back there is a position. But it's not really that. The feet of the seat actually fit into indentations in the boat which help keep it in place so you can use the large flat area where the seat normally is to stand and fish from. Then sit in the seat and paddle to the next location without needing to place the seat back in a forward position. Pretty cool huh?

Ribz Front Pack Review

I recently had a chance to take the Ribz front pack out kayak fishing. What the heck is a Ribz front pack? Well, according to the manufacturer's website, the front pack was designed by backpacking experts for packing equipment in a way that redistributes weight for comfort. The front pack sits up near your rib cage, thus aptly named Ribz, and has straps that go around your back and over your shoulders. The front pack looks nice and seems to be made of a durable (nylon) material that is water resistant. The regular size pack design has around 700 cubic inches of storage area. The small size has around 500 cubic inches. When putting it on it reminded me of a fly fishing vest, which is better than my first thought....a fanny pack (C’mon,I know you were thinking the same thing!).

 

360 degree view of the Ribz front pack

Of course, backpacking was not why the Ribz front pack interested me. My mind was filled with ways to use it while kayak fishing. As we kayak fishermen know, it’s important to have everything organized, within reach and quickly accessible. With that being said, just by putting on the front pack, you gain storage areas right at your fingertips. The front pack is divided into two matching sections (Left & Right side) connected by a zipper. You unzip the middle to put on and take off the front pack. Each of the two sections has two zippered pockets. One large pocket and one small pocket. Inside the two large pockets, attached to the back, are two small mesh pockets. Needless to say, there are lots of options when packing. Here are a few pics showing the design of the front pack.

GoPro Teaser

  So far the testing of the GoPro cameras is progressing nicely. We've used them in varying situations, of course fishing, but also family events at the beach. That's right, these camera's work great for any situation from fast action fishing, to catching those moments on the beach with the kiddos. This is a great selling point to your significant other by the way. Not only can these cameras be great while fishing, they can also be quite handy for family events. Just think, you and the wife decide to go zip lining or para sailing. Capture those moments forever with your go pro and a helmet or chest camera mount and your GoPro. How can your wife say no to that?

  We've been learning a lot as this product test continues. And so far we've been pretty pleased with what we've discovered. Of course there are some down sides, but we'll get into all of the pros and cons during the final review. For now, here's a little something Teg put together in a short amount of time while doing some early spring fishing. Check it out and let us know what you think...I personally think its awesome! Way to go Teg!
 



It's time to fish!

According to fisheries staff at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, now is the time to catchstriped bass in north Georgia. Water temperatures have risen and large stripers are hanging out near the surface at Lake Lanier. Fisheries staff collected a 33-pound striper while sampling Lanier on Monday, April 8, and a 39-pound striper the next day.

The water temperature on Lake Hartwell was 60 degrees on Monday, April 8, just right for stripers to move into shallow water on primary points in coves. Anglers should target colored water and fish the windy side where the bait will be concentrated. 

The biggest fish collected on Hartwell in the last week of electrofishing weighed 38 pounds.The hybrid bass run at Hartwell has also started. Fisheries staff have seen a number of large hybrids in the 6 to 9 pound range around the mouth of the Chauga River. Expect these fish to move upstream of the U.S. 123 bridge as water temperatures rise.

For anglers interested in gar fishing, you may find success in the shallows on points and flats in the backs of coves on Lake Hartwell. A lot of gar of have been spotted in those areas. Rope bait might be the ticket for some furious battles with a 3-4 foot longnose gar.

Take advantage of the great weather and introduce someone new to fishing! Be sure to share your best and smallest catches from this weekend. I'll be in Hilton Head Island and never have much luck there. If you want to meet up let me know! 

Top Kayak Fishing Apps

Kayak Fishing Apps

If you’re like me and use your smartphone for work and play, you are probably already finding ways to use it for all your hobbies. Why then should kayak fishing be any different? I thought I’d pass along the apps that I found which can really enhance or add some additional fun to the sport of kayak fishing or any fishing for that matter. I’d love to say that this blog was supported by these apps like Chad Hoover and his Scoutlook app, but we’re just not that cool....yet!

One other quick note, these are apps I’ve used and tested on Android phones not Apple. A couple of the Apps below are based off Google Maps which is by far the best online map source available in my opinion. (If you don’t believe me, talk to someone who has used Apple Maps!) Now, moving on, here are my top kayak fishing apps.

Are you ready to GoPro?

We all want to capture that catch of a lifetime or even those runner ups, on camera. Heck without proof its just another fishing tale right? Not to mention, as my wife pointed out to me, now you can relive the day you spent out on the water all over again (she said with a sigh)!  AWESOME! (I thought) 

But do we have to spend $400 or even more just to get these great pictures and video? I say no. But in today's world you can't just make a statement, you've got to back it up. Both Teg and I intend on doing just that. So hold onto your seats and be patient as we do our best to bring to you our thoughts and what it will realistically cost you to “GoPro”.

About the featured video (3-26-13)

Many of you know Drew Gregory the pro angler and goose whisperer, well the featured video was his little brain child. The equipment used is amazing to say the least. When I first saw the video I thought, wow, they must have used helicopters, planes and all sorts of big time equipment to pull that video off. Boy was I wrong. The equipment was big time cool, but certainly not big. 

Take some time and check out Drew's short article about it and stay tuned because it sounds like another installment might be coming soon. Read it here

 

Ascend FS12T

A Review of the Ascend FS12T 12ft Kayak

I've been on the verge of writing a review of the FS12T kayak from Bass Pro for awhile now. The main reason I haven't is of course is procrastination but for the sake of this blog we will just say it was to learn and use the kayak more increase the weight of the review!

When I first thought of getting into kayak fishing two years ago I had two goals. One was to buy a kayak that would not break my budget (huge Dave Ramsey fan) and secondly, I wanted a kayak that would help me get to more fish. That's was it, pretty simple. I spent hours and hours reading reviews, searching craigslist and visiting several of the top kayak manufacturers websites to learn more about the sport and kayaks.That's when I came across the Ascend kayaks from Bass Pro and more specifically the SOT FS12T. I liked the layout of the Ascend FS12T and the price at $499 was perfect. It also looked pretty sweet and we all know that's just as important!

With that being said let's get to the beef of the review.

Anticipation rising...

It’s been a long time since my last blog. A lot has happened in life, but it’s time to get back to fishing. Not just fishing but kayak fishing! Teg and I are already talking about where we want our first trip to be and how to soon can we get there.

The weather has been really cold and rainy here, but that hasn’t put a damper on our excitement to get out there and catch that first bass of the year. Today will include tearing apart my reels to clean and lube them up. Not to mention, it’s a great time to put some new line on them so there’s no risk of losing a great fight because of old line. I think it was 2 seasons ago when I decided to make a change to P-Line fluorocarbon for all my reels. I don’t have tons of equipment where I can have rods for mono, rods for fluoro, and rods for braid so when a sales person recommended P-Line because of its strength and its reduced diameter, I gave it a shot. I’m not paid or even given P-Line, but it’s practically too strong. I broke a favorite rod last year with 8lb P-Line and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cut my hands on it while trying to break the line after attempts to catch the allusive tree fish. For now, it’s my line of choice to ensure I have as much line as I can get on my reel and plenty of strength in case that big bass wraps me around a branch (again).

Hopefully, the day will also include getting some time to sort through my plastics, do a quick inventory, make a shopping list of the stuff I’m low on and the stuff I wished I’d had last year. Bright colors instead of natural colors will be the focus this year. It seems every time I used some plastic of natural color last year, Teg was busy reeling’em in with something crazy looking. So plan ‘Lady Gaga’ (ugly and loud colors) will be in full effect!

I hope you all enjoy the featured video. I’m trying to figure out a way to get there this year. Santee Cooper is about 4 hours from my house, so it sounds like a fishing/camping trip will on the menu. I love shallow water bass fishing and have never fished in lily pads. Maybe I’ll see Chad there?? Ya never know!

Are you making your plans yet? What destination is on your wish list this year?