Outfitting a kayak for the flyfisherman

[bluewatr]

I am buying a Pungo. Should I outfit the yak myself or would it make more sense to buy the Pungo angler for an exra $200 WITCH COMES ALL OUTFITTED. Problem is the pungo angler comes set up with bait cast rod holders. Voyager is the company wilderness systems uses for all their accessories. Voyager does make a swiveling rod holder made specifically for fly rods. Maybe they can install one of those rather then the bait cast rod holder. The Pungo angler also comes with a trolling rod holder witch would not be much use for a fly rod. For you guys with pungos what is your setup for trolling?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

-MIKE

[ruge13]

Yaks are easy to work on. you can do well shopping around for custom parts. Get the basic yak and make it your own. You may not like the setup rod holder placements...the angler comes with a rod holder, anchor, and paddle clips. At shows and on ebay you can pick up cheap parts. As for a fly rod holder.....I have seen people actually custom make them with PVC pipe but cutting a grobe in the pipe for the reel in an L shape. The allows you to set the rod and reel in and "lock it" in place. Just make sure that whatever screws or holes you cut into the deck you seal the seams with some kind of sealent...Aquarium glue or sealent works great and dries clear...There are also many different parts on the market so I wouldn't limit yourself with what the angler package comes with...

[bluewatr]

Shaun,

Thanks! I was thinking the same! To buy the pungo angler would be a mistake. I'm going to outfit it myself.

-mike

[ruge13]

Mike, I think you will have more fun that way too...at least thats what I would do if I were buying a new boat...its just like buying a car, except you care about the boat more...

[RJ]

Michael,

Shaun hit it square on! Paddle it a while and think where and how you want a rod holder or two. Keep it clear of strokes, etc. There are a couple of good fly fishing (pVC with a turn lock and a rubber collar) that dop a nice job carring a rod form place to place. Mount 'em flat on the deck and use it for storage enroute from favorite fishing location to the next.

I'm sure you will get a ton of answers from a bunch of guys who have a lot mor "yak" time fishing than the two of us.

RJ

[rockfisherman]

Definitely do NOT waste your money on the Angler package. You'd be better off spending an extra $100 and get the SuperLight and save your back. That's what I did. It's 41 lbs. vs 49 lbs. and some may say (and I'm sure they will ;-) ) that 8 lbs. isn't a big difference, $100 is a lot of money, and the poly is flimsier. It was worth it to me considering how times I am going to lift it onto my roof racks. But I digress.

What you get for your Angler money is two rod holders (a Scotty type mounted on the left front of the cockpit and a flush deck hole behind you to the right), paddle clips, an anchor cleat, anchor line, a little folding star anchor, and a loop that mounts at the bow. $200??? Gimme a break. BTW, my dealer offered me the angler kit (my install) for $100. Still too much.

I don't like reaching behind me, so the flush deck hole behind me is out. Besides, I don't want to cut a big hole in the new yak.

I mounted a detachable carabiner with loop to the front handle for the anchor (may eventually mount a plastic loop - $5 and drill a hole), and a jam cleat at the left of the cockpit. I don't like the standard cleat they sell in the kit, because I want to be able to free the anchor in an instant. (For safety reasons) A jam cleat will let you do this. Use floating nylon anchor line and you can retrieve your anchor later if you need to un-anchor and follow a fish. The folding star anchor and line are inexpensive.

I mounted a Scotty by West Marine like they do in the kit. About $25. I'm not sure how well this is going to hold the fly rod...but I have a BlueWater Fly Rod Holder (no, really, LL Bean sells them) and I'm figuring out how to mount that. I never really liked the way I had it on my old yak. I will tell you this...nothing gets mounted behind me. Even the paddle clips get mounted where I can see them.

I just got a BottomLine fish finder with sidefinder capability. Mounting that and figuring out a way to mount the transducer on a swiveling head so I can cover 360 degrees is my next project.

And before it gets too hot this summer, I need to find a small T-Top to protect me from the sun, and so I can mount my radar arch up there. ;-)

[bluewatr]

Everyone,

Wow! Thanks for all the info! I have a lot of great ideas thanks to you guys! It really pays to talk with people who have similar interests and more experience. Thanks to this board it is possible! After June 8th we should all hook up for a day of yak fishing......

-mike

[bluewatr]

Paul,
By the way,

Voyager also makes a fly rod folder.
Here is the link.
http://www.voyageur-gear.com/2002_product.php?category=Outfitting&page=3&filter=B


I believe the top comes off and is interchangeble with the casting rod holder.

[rockfisherman]

Thanks Mike.

Scotty makes a fly rod holder that fits the socket...Cabelas has it in their fly fishing catalog with a float tube adaptor strap. I was thinking of that one so I could interchange between fly rod and spin.

But I'll look at these too, they look nice.

Course, I could just mount rocket launchers on my T-Top ;-)

--Paul

[rockfisherman]

Mike,

Here's what it ended up looking like. The Scotty fly rod holder is on the right. It kinda blends into the fish finder in the picture. The Scotty twist-lok spin rod holder on the left. I think I will get the smaller spin rod holder. I tried the fly rod holder with a spin rod, but it doesn't work. I want to be able to cover both contingencies.

--Paul

[WeeHooker]

i guess you've already figured the angler package is a rip off.
Install a scotty or simular yourself. THat way you can what you want , where you want and at allot less $. The aexact same ancher can be had @ west marine for $6. ( BTW, get your SS rod holder fastners there while your there )
FWIW, I still like to troll w the rod in the cockpit and under my leg.
I have added some paddle/rod holders, internal floatation , internal bungies and some mods to my mini skirt though.
I can get pics if interested.
Dave

[BluesCruiser]

do it yourself and put things where you want them..


if you get a pungo I have a great rod holder system I built for under $10,00 holds two rods and sits in front of you where you can see the action. I would be glad to share these plans with the board just ask:-%

[hanro]

hey mike i have 6 holders, 2 scottys for the fly rod one in back and one up front and 4 flush mounts on my perception. and it works out great for me.
it makes things easier, use a rod leash lost one of my favorite setups last season. good luck this coming season. :cool: undefinedI am buying a Pungo. Should I outfit the yak myself or would it make more sense to buy the Pungo angler for an exra $200 WITCH COMES ALL OUTFITTED. Problem is the pungo angler comes set up with bait cast rod holders. Voyager is the company wilderness systems uses for all their accessories. Voyager does make a swiveling rod holder made specifically for fly rods. Maybe they can install one of those rather then the bait cast rod holder. The Pungo angler also comes with a trolling rod holder witch would not be much use for a fly rod. For you guys with pungos what is your setup for trolling?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

-MIKE

[flyak]

Hi Mike,
If you haven't already purchased the Pungo, think about a sit on top kayak instead. Much better for fishing. If not, Try to find Scotty rod holders on the web. They make a nice fly rod holder. You can easily do the mods yourself with a pop rivet gun from home depot. Good luck. -Ed

[BluesCruiser]

You SOT's guys will never get it :brow

[Punchshot]

I got the SOT so I can dangle my toes over the sides in the summer :brow

[BluesCruiser]

So thats why there's no fish in Plymouth :brow

[Punchshot]

You kidding me, once I dip those ugly things in the water the stripers can't help themselves but to take a nibble - it's the blues I worry about :eek:

[flyak]

Get what??? I have a Pungo too but I always take the SOT. Never any regrets. What am I missing here? :confused:

[ed tedesco]

Definitely do NOT waste your money on the Angler package. You'd be better off spending an extra $100 and get the SuperLight and save your back. That's what I did. It's 41 lbs. vs 49 lbs. and some may say (and I'm sure they will ;-) ) that 8 lbs. isn't a big difference, $100 is a lot of money, and the poly is flimsier. It was worth it to me considering how times I am going to lift it onto my roof racks. But I digress.

What you get for your Angler money is two rod holders (a Scotty type mounted on the left front of the cockpit and a flush deck hole behind you to the right), paddle clips, an anchor cleat, anchor line, a little folding star anchor, and a loop that mounts at the bow. $200??? Gimme a break. BTW, my dealer offered me the angler kit (my install) for $100. Still too much.

I don't like reaching behind me, so the flush deck hole behind me is out. Besides, I don't want to cut a big hole in the new yak.

I mounted a detachable carabiner with loop to the front handle for the anchor (may eventually mount a plastic loop - $5 and drill a hole), and a jam cleat at the left of the cockpit. I don't like the standard cleat they sell in the kit, because I want to be able to free the anchor in an instant. (For safety reasons) A jam cleat will let you do this. Use floating nylon anchor line and you can retrieve your anchor later if you need to un-anchor and follow a fish. The folding star anchor and line are inexpensive.

I mounted a Scotty by West Marine like they do in the kit. About $25. I'm not sure how well this is going to hold the fly rod...but I have a BlueWater Fly Rod Holder (no, really, LL Bean sells them) and I'm figuring out how to mount that. I never really liked the way I had it on my old yak. I will tell you this...nothing gets mounted behind me. Even the paddle clips get mounted where I can see them.

I just got a BottomLine fish finder with sidefinder capability. Mounting that and figuring out a way to mount the transducer on a swiveling head so I can cover 360 degrees is my next project.

And before it gets too hot this summer, I need to find a small T-Top to protect me from the sun, and so I can mount my radar arch up there. ;-)
hey rockfisher---where will you mount the rocket launcher-- :eek: ---sounds like you need a lobster boat for all that gear----- :cool:

[BluesCruiser]

T-top just get an unbrella can also be used as a sail works great

[dlangan]

Guys-

Please permit a couple of simple questions. :rolleyes:

I have a Pungo 14 and my son a Dagger Element 11. I want to order some basic accessories so once we have fished a few times and know where we want our stuff I can install it. [Pike and sometimes musky show in the upper Hudson in the shallows in late March :brow ]

I see pics of rod holders (scotty?) mounted to the inside of the combing. I'd like to do the same. If I look at kayakstuff, the mount they picture appears (to me) to mount on the deck. If I go to the Scotty site and look at optional mounts http://www.scotty.com/rod_mounts.htm , its not clear which mount is for the inside of the combing. This has to be dead dumb obvious. What am I missing?

Also, I would like to have paddle holders in addition to a leash. Ray mentioned he had a setup he liked for his Pungo 14 but I didn't catch the details. Anything I should be thinking here? Seems on the side and offset to the back would be easy to reach and out of the way. But I'll know better once I play.

Thanks!
dave

[ruge13]

I would try Corey at the Saltwater Edge. www.saltwateredge.com (http://www.saltwateredge.com/) They sell Kayak gear now and have the scotty and Ram mounts. They could probably order it for you.

The side mounts you are refering to is an adapted base mount. The older style scotty's were 3 pieces (thats what I have). The holder, the base, and the piece in the middle that holds those 2 together at different angles. The model you are talking about (forget the name) has a diferent base piece that is more like a clamp. You could just get the rod holder and swap out clamp mounts until you get one that fits.

The clips you arwe refering to are standard paddle clips (correct me if I am wrong Ray). Saltwater edge should have those too. Before you mount them, definately see where you paddle stroke is so you won't be slamming your knuckles into the clip when you pull. There are 2 styles of clips. Hard plastic and softer thicker rubber sometimes with a bungy. Personally, I like the softer rubber type better. Much easier on the hands when you bang them, and don't break when you drag them over rocks.

Here is Ray's Setup...(thats a newer style scotty on the back I believe)

[dlangan]

Thanks for the tips! Just the info I was looking for. I owe you --127-3-