Tips On The Best Way To Outfit A Kayak For Fishing
Tips On The Best Way To Outfit A Kayak For Fishing
The sport of kayak fishing continues to evolve yearly and we love to see what new products roll out each year. It was not too long ago when two recessed rod holders and a few bungee cords would turn last year‘s kayak models into the next year’s fishing kayak models. In honesty it was better then nothing and we were grateful the kayak manufacturers were starting to embrace the sport.
Luckily today the sport of kayak fishing is fully backed by many manufacturers and the options for outfitting a kayak are now just about endless. This is great because you will find that just like scupper plugs, no one size approach fits all and we need the options. To help you sort through the options we hope to provide a basic framework for how to best outfit your kayak for fishing.
Mounts - The Foundation of Your Setup
The best place to start is at the bottom and in the case of outfitting your kayak with the latest fishing gear, that would be how you wish to mount your accessory to your kayak.
There are few ways to get your accessories mounted and each has some specific considerations to run through. The keyword here is FLEXIBILITY and as the base of your setup, it will determine your options down the road.
Direct Mount Accessories
These accessories are sold as all-in-one solutions and are the easiest to shop for. In the case of the Attwood Heavy Duty Adjustable Rod Holder Combo there is nothing to guess about. You get a completed rod holder setup in one package so all that remains is to determine the best location for installation. You can simply sit in your normal kayak paddling position and then determine a place where you can comfortably reach for your fishing rod when needed. You will want to be sure this is the right location because in most cases the accessory is not interchangeable so that will become your default rod holder position.
Base Mount Accessories
Base mounts are the way to go if you want to begin to allow for some flexibility down the road. This mount type allows for accessories to be changed out down the road as your needs change. You can change out a fishing rod holder for a cup holder or even a fish-finder. Normally the change only requires losening the mount with a few twists or just releasing a lever and the accessory easily comes out for the next one to be placed there. You will not be able to move the location since the base is in a dedicated location but it does allow you to make changes.
Rail Mount Accessories
Rail mounts are the best option for when you want to allow for as much flexibility as possible later on. We recommend going this route whenever possible because as they say, “You don’t know, what you don’t know”. Kayak fishing involves making the most of a very limited space and things change as your style of fishing changes. This can be a change in seat position which makes your rod holder no longer comfortable to use. Or maybe you need to have that new fish-finder right where you have your rod holder currently. Trust us, it will happen and when it does, a rail mount base will adapt with you. These rails usually run down the side of your kayak and along the cockpit or seat area. We think the RAM Mount RAM® Hand-Tracks are a great option because they not only offer the mounting rail but also a grab rail which is great for sitting, standing or just entry into your kayak.
Accessory Mounts - Step 2 or Done?
Mounting Base or Rail Final Accessories
With your base mount in place, it is time to consider what accessories you want it to hold. Rod holders are the most likely choice but there are now other items like paddle holders, cup holders, tie-downs and even electronics mounts that can be used along the rails. Just be sure to select an accessory that works with the base mount you have selected. Most rail mounts will accept a T-nut base which slides into the rail grove and then twists to contact the rail sides and begin tightening as twisted or rotated. Some mount bases with accept a spline post which is common with Scotty Mounts and some RAM MOUNTS. They are easy to identify since they have through holes for deck (horizontal) or bulkhead (vertical) mounting and do not allow for positioning along a rail but instead one single base location.
Rail Attachment Mounts
The rail attachment mounts are where customers begin to get confused or just overwhelmed but we can simplify things for you. These mounts are just accessories that add more flexibility to your setup. The most typically rail attachment mount is the ball mount (shown on left) which serves as a base for yet another accessory. The ball mounts allow for some rotation of the accessory they are mounted on. This includes 360-degrees of rotation around as well up and down pivoting for getting things perfectly placed. This is ideal for accessories like rod holders or a fish finder where the screen needs to be positioned at a certain angle to optimize use or viewing. Ball mounts come in various sizes but 1” and 1-1/2” are the most common and you just need to be sure to use the correct ball size to work with accessory to be mounted on it. If the final goal was a rod holder, something like the RAM Tube Jr.™ Fishing Rod Holder with RAM-ROD® Revolution Ratchet/Socket System (shown on right) is a great place to end up.
But wait, there’s more. Of course there is. There are a few extensions and adapters to help raise your accessories to the correct height or even extend them out beyond the kayak. This is especially important if you decide to raise your seat height and now everything on your kayak is too low to comfortable reach or view correctly. With these extensions, once again you are able to change your setup as your needs change and evolve.
Still Confused?
We completely understand and that is why we are happy to announce the launch of our new bundle deals. Going forward we will begin creating custom bundles that pull together the right components so you get the benefits of easy shopping without the headaches of doing all the research. Be sure to check back as new bundles will be added.