Rigging for Stealth?

[notime]

Any of you guys paint your bottom or put a carpet/rubber mat in the bottom of the yak to keep things quiet? When I move stuff around in the yak it seems to make a lot of noise. I also own a bright red kayak. I'm thinking if I'm fishing for trout or in a quiet area of the salt ponds it would be a good idea. If you have painted your bottom or put a carpet in, let me know what worked.

Thanks.

[Peter]

Good question....and can I add - what do you do with your paddle to keep it from drumming the yak when you are casting?

[bluewatr]

Believe it or not, I don't think the fish spook very much from the presence of a yak. In fact you may find they will situate themselves right under you. This was witnessed at Monomoy last June (ask Sam and Ray). As far as the paddle I either stow it across my lap or in the paddle clips.. Drumming the yak is not much of an issue.

[ruge13]

I have to agree...I have seen fish lazily swimming below me while fumbling around banking my paddle and everything else. Even while padding and splashing around...I don't think colors make a difference either but then again, trout are a whole different animal. Wind spooks trout...

[bluewatr]

Shaun,

Check you email... Did you get one from me? It got sent back! I'll send it to you in a private message just in case....

-mike

[bluewatr]

I should mention that I have also been in the middle of busting tunoids in the yak as well as many other yak fishermen here (Shaun remember that incredible day? the day your drag melted?)... For me, I have experienced that the tunoids do not seem to mind the yak.... But, a boat motor will push them down in a heart beat every time. It really sucks when you’re in the middle of a school of tunoids and a boat moves in and pushes them down and out... This has happened to me far too many times... :( This especially sucks when you have paddled a long ways to get to the destination... And you got up real early to strategically position yourself.... If you get into fish don't do anything that would attract boaters... Fight the fish quietly and try to keep the fight as invisible as possible (keep the tip low).

Keeping it simple is the best advise I can give... Don't need any paint or carpet....

Tight lines to all this SPRING! The season is upon us! :)

-mike

[RIBill]

Mike: your emails are getting rejected... infected with something ugly.

[ruge13]

Mike I got the email.....thanks. I replied and I didn't get any error messages...
Thats a good example, the one I lost, I wish I could blame it on my drag. But, for usually spooky fish, that one hit the fly right next to the boat and didn;t seem to care that I managed to drift right through the feeding school.
A textbook baloneyhead maneuver putting the fish down and blocking the casting lane for Mike...sorry about that. And then I had the nerve to lose the fish...you should have B***h slapped me with your paddle for that one....

[bunker]

I don't think color has an affect on Salt Water fish. Trout, I don't know, they seem to know when I'm around when I 10' feet from the bank. As far as painting or laying down carpet I bought a roll of drawer liner, green rubber mesh, mainly to keep my reel clean and to keep it from being scratched. It does quiet things down, doesn't move around and is easy to clean. It makes a good grip when you break down your rods if your hands or rods are wet.
All "Marts" have it.

Bunker