Outfitting your Dive Kayak

[Amphibious]

so, recently bought a Wilderness Systems Ride 135 and would like to hear how you Kayak bound spearos have rigged your boats of the sport?

looking at some simple stuff, like a rod holder for the non-diving days, and trying to hunt down a milkcrate for the back for the little stuff.

 

[irtrogdor]

Here's the stuff I always make sure I have on my yak.

anchor

bungie on deck

bilge pump/bailing bucket

sponge (for those last ounces of water)


The main thing is to make sure that everything attached to the yak by bungies is also clipped on in some way. that way if (when) you flip your stuff will still be around. if you use floatline you can just unravel it at the beach and tow it and your float behind you. makes getting into the water that much faster. I guess that would be a bad idea with boats around though.

 

[OceanObsessed]

Amphibious,
Instead of a regular milk crate you might want to consider the Crate Mate. It's like a milk crate on steriods. It has rod holders, pockets, covered storage, etc. I use one on my Malibu Two kayak and it works out really well for me. It has 3 rod holders so when I am freediving I use the rod holders to hold the tickle stick, break down pole spear, flag, etc. I keep my u/w camera, video camera, drinks and snacks inside it too. You just snap it down to your kayak and you are ready to go.
-Chris

 

[scottwilson]

Heres my rig.

Not the best pictures i know rofl.

The pic on the slipway is my current setup. the one with the float on the back was too cluttered and made diving off it a nightmare. I installed a round hatch ( £6 ebay) in the front where and oval hatch should go and use the space to store camera's gps, fish finder batterie and extra water.

I also have a bracket which holds my paddle in place on the side, I use this to store my gun when im on the move and then swop it with the paddle when I dive.

Ive got a rope that connects to the crate on the back with a clip at the end which I clip the gun to before getting in the water and drop it over the side. when I return to the yak I just clip it back on, climb onto the yak and then pull it back up, I find this easier and gives me more room on the yak to get back in


like irtrogdor said You got to keep everything secured down.

I used to tie my anchor to the side of my yak but learned the hard way of the danger of doing this, it will turn ur yak side on into the swell and tip you :naughty not nice.

for the areas I dive from a trolley is essencial. there are plenty on the market to choose from but its all down to cost. I paid £40 for mine and works fine and it light enough and small enough to clip on the back

 

[Amphibious]

time to kick this one back up.

I located a milkcrate. had to sweet talk a rather large lady at a local eatery's loading dock. attached a pair of 2.5" PVC tubes to the corners for rod/gaf/net holders. just working on the best way to non-permently attach it to the tankwell.

Picked up a scotty Flyrod holder with a flush mount. as soon as a glue a endcap in place over the socket I'll get that attached. Ritchie slope mount compass on the way. have a Kelpclip for now, but would like to rig up an anchor eventually.

SCOTTWILSON: what fishfinder are you using? recomendations? I like the idea of being able to do some limited recon on the bottom topography without getting wet

 

[scottwilson]

Eagle cuda 168 waterproof and Bomb proof (so far ) I like it, very simple to operate and well built. I use it mainly to find outer reefs to which is does a very good job. there are better units out there but if this one breaks theres a very good chance I will buy the same again

 

[settingsteel]

some tweeked out yaks here, keep'em coming!

 

[Coral Sniper]

Do you guys have fish coolers on your kayaks?

 

[scottwilson]

I only use a small blue cooler bag with freezer packs in . When im after pollack I tend to fillet them on the yak and pop the fillets into the cooler to keep them fresh.

 

[LunkerBuster]

I'll get some pics of my yaks in the next few days, but the essentials have been laid out nicely.
Anchor (with trolley or a way to secure it to the stern or bow)
Paddle keeper or tether
plenty of places to clip things (padeyes)

I feel the nicest thing about using a kayak as opposed to just a float is ovbiously not having to swim out, but also having a place to rest. As such I try to keep most of my gear hidden or at least not cluttering my space so I can relax for a moment

 

[Amphibious]

I'm looking forward to diving more off my yak. for us northern divers who have very limited in-water times due to the temps, a kayak really extends our diving day. the 15min swin out to the reef, is 15mins you're loosing body heat and before you even start your diving. it's nice to have a platform to slip out on and sip hot water from a thermos, get some carbs in, and atempt to reheat our core.

i've only dove off my kayak a few times now, but already a huge fan.

 

[MahiMan]

Here is a pick of my yak, we have the cooler in the center with bungees holding it down on clips. The seats are also very comfortable on long excursions. I need better pictures lol

 

[Pav]

Do you wear your spearo suit when you paddle?

 

[Coral Sniper]

I bet he wears the Pants but not the top.

 

[Amphibious]

I wear the full suit.

 

[MahiMan]

I bet he wears the Pants but not the top.

Yep exactly; the pants are way to hard to put on in the kayak... the top itself is a bit of a maneuver actually lol.

 

[LunkerBuster]

unless i am planning for a LOOONG paddle I wear the whole suit, if not, I just wear the pants and then zip the top up once I'm at the spot

 

[joco]

hi amphibious.

fellow canadian divers yakers.

i have a little question for you.if you dont mind...where can i get spearfishing stuff in canada..?? hard to get stuff frome the usa..the shiping and border fee etc is way to mutch $$$$$.

for the kayak part..i had a emeotion fisherman pro that was perfect for diving and sold it last year..i should not have done that....now i got a tarpon 140 for this season that i will rig for this.

i got 4 other kaysk for kayak fishing.

you are more then welcome to come say hi on are kayak fishing site...yakfisher.net.


good luck on your riging.

joco.

 

[mundial]

i rigged my kayak a long time ago
buy
better to lasd it now the never

my OCEAN KAYAK SCUPPER PRO on the water

with the important high A ( alfa ) flag

some rig pics
anchor setup

total look

please remember to tie every thing in place
take with you at list 4 litre of water!
anchor line need to be 3 time buttom depth!

 

[joco]

thanks to share.

its nicely rig.

one question..the flag white/blu...not supose to be red and white.

or mabe there something i dont no.:headhahah.


joco