Yak necessities

[cygnus-x1]

Ok ... I am considering yaking as well. I have seen pictures of people catching fish from their yak and the yak is decked out like a boat. So if I were to get a yak what else would I need to outfit her with at a bare minimum? Are the yaks "fisherman friendly" or do you have to do a lot of mods on them and spend countless $$'s getting them ready.

thanks

[erfisher]

MINIMUM:

Yak: $600
PFD: $60
Paddle: $60
Rod holder: $20

$700-$800 will get you started. Most boats cost more like $800 just for the hull though. If you want something that you won't have to replace figure on about $1000 to get set up for starters. I started off with a beat up $150 9' sit inside with a cheap paddle and old PFD and now I'm on my 3rd yak which is a Tarpon 160i (awesome).

Once you get started and you really start rigging it out and get cold weather gear, you can dump some serious $ into it!

Tom

[cygnus-x1]

I admit I have not done my homework yet (consider this part of my homework) I assume they make rod holders etc for yaks specifically? Are they yak maker dependant? Meaning if I have a yak from maker X do I need to buy a rod holder from maker X ?

PFD's I have ... I own a boat (but its never working it seems)

I see people with Fish Finders on board :eek:

Do you usually string your fish or is there enough room to put them?

[erfisher]

You need to check out

www.kayakfishingstuff.com

[SeaSalt]

most rod holders are compatible with most yaks. Two brands that are popular with yakkers are Scotty and Ram. Scotty is little cheaper but as utilitarian as Ram. You can also get Basspro and cabela brands also.

I would seriously consider getting a used yak for your first. Most people upgrade after first two years of their first yak. Some used yaks already come with all the rigging you want. I believe I posted a used yak for sale for 950 dollars that had everything...

check out what I posted:

"there is a listing for a sweet yak for 950 dollars. It has everything... great deal. If I wasn't planning to get a Hobie, I would jump on this like white on rice... don't forget this thing was professionaly rigged by guys at kayakfishingstuff, thats a huge plus because it wasn't someone's first project boat.

http://kfs.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/t...2/m/2061049342

details
"· Tarpon 140, Orange (great color for others to see you), 14 ft long.
· Used less than 10 times (I think about 6 times).
· The guys at KFS put this together back in March 2005 and includes
- Eagle Cuda 168 fisher finder and RAM Cuda and install kit
- Rudder system – feather light
- Upgraded RAM rod holder and 1" RAM mount
- 2 flush mounted fishing rod holders
- Endurance seat set
- Anchor and anchor pulley system
- Front hatch bungee cord, etc. "

[SeaSalt]

I would not go low end on the PFD. Your life may depend on it and on a hot summer day it gets hot, so you tend to want to take it off. Nice ones have mesh back that will allow air. If you take off your PFD and something unexpected happens, its no use if it is not on you.

[glen721]

You should definitely not skimp on the PFD. You say you have one from your boat, but you should definitely look at the kayak specific PFD's. They are a little different. Most PFD's are made with arm holes which are far too small for paddling. They also usually come with reflective tape on them so you can be seen at night. Plus they usually have less material in the back so you can sit back comfortably in your seat and as Seasalt said it makes for a cooler ride.

[kq6]

dont forget you need a light and a uscg whistle besides your pfd.