Finally a Kayak Owner - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

madscientist · 03-05-2007, 11:02 AM

1. Almost any FF will work well and you pretty much get what you pay for. Additional warranty is a very good idea. If you fish a lot, you will kill sonars. I've had excellent customer service with Lowrance. very fast cross shipped replacements.

2. I like my werner and I know people with ONNOs that like them, but I understand the guy that makes them can be hard to get in touch with.

3. I had a west marine brand one that kept killing batteries because of a bad o ring. Standard horizons are good, but I'm not super happy with mine. A dry bag is a good idea regardless, just don't leave it in there.

4. West marine has stainless deck loops. No real reason to replace them except perhaps the seat attachment ones if you put a lot of pressure on your seat. I've never broken a nylon one, though I have had the aluminium rivets corrode and fail.

Kayatank is awesome, worth every penny if you are going to fish bait.

Garibaldi_Hunter · 03-05-2007, 12:05 PM

Thanks for the info.

Anyone ever use this fish finder? Found it for 319.00 without transducer. Comes with a free weathersense module (not sure if I would ever use it) but at an 80.00 value might be a nice little add on.
Humminbird 747C LCD Fishfinder

I will definitely be going with the kayaktank. I really like the idea of freeing up deck space. the extreme has so much storage space anyways giving up one hatch does not seem to be a real loss.

I'm still not sure what I want to do with the paddles. I've considered saving some money and picking up a cheaper carbon paddle however I've used one of the Werner Camano paddles and really liked the feel however not sure I want to spend 350.00 on a paddle. If I go with the werner CoryVecken I may just pickup the glass model to save a little. For now I have an inexpensive paddle that does the job but definitely want to pickup a nicer one soon.

Spending money on toys is almost as fun is using them.

lamb · 03-05-2007, 12:06 PM

Congrats on your new kayak!!

First of, a friendly reminder for all that the search button (or link) is your best friend. The chances are - any question newcomer to the sport will have has been asked before on this or other yak fishing boards (kayak4fish.com, yakfishing.com, etc.).

I just verified the search is working here on BWE after the upgrade

:

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=457&highlight=finder
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=1101&highlight=finder
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=200&highlight=finder

I currently use Lawrence M68c (color & GPS). I got it used last year and it’s still gpoing strong. Love the sonar, I hate GPS so I don’t use it (I’m a Garmin eTrex fan). It was easy upgrade from Eagle FishEasy sonar (the same transducer will work).

Take care of your ff/electronics to extend their life. You will go though them regardless.

I've been happy with West Marine brand VHF. Get that extended warranty, it's worth it... Don't recharge VHF unless it's totally empty as you'll shorten battery life (been there done that). Once fully charged, it ought to last multiple trips - 5 or 6. Disclaimer - this "drain fully then recharge" deal applies only to certain types of batteries, not all of them.

DBITE · 03-05-2007, 02:55 PM

+1 on the Raymarine ds400 (and the insurance

). You should also check out Aqua-Bound paddles. I have one of their carbon fiber paddles and it's great.

Handymansd · 03-05-2007, 04:29 PM

Ditto on the raymarine ds400x! I Love mine!

ronbo613 · 03-05-2007, 07:03 PM

Been using an Eagle fishfinder, about $100, if the fish are there, it sees them.
I like a hand held GPS, that way I can use it away from the kayak.
Salt water and electronics don't go that well together, so I buy the cheapest thing that does the job.
Any money left over, well, I buy beer. Fishing is great, so is having a few beers and telling fish stories.

Garibaldi_Hunter · 03-06-2007, 08:49 AM

Thanks for the info guys. I just went ahead and ordered the RayMarine DS500X. Still undecided on the kayak paddle however I sent ONNO an email asking what their turnaround time was. If he replies in less than 2 days and the turnaround is not too large I may just go with an ONNO but if no reply then I'm going with the CoryVecken. Since Fred Hall starts tomorrow I'll be making a trip there after work and see what else I can pickup. Was going to wait on the DS500X but found a store getting rid of old inventory selling their last one NIB for 350 w/ Transducer. Dont think I'll be able to beat that deal.

buttchaser · 03-06-2007, 09:21 AM

Quote:

I just went ahead and ordered the RayMarine DS500X

Great deal!!!You will like the Big screen on that Monitor....

Does your Extreme have the foam inside the yak?The reason I am asking is Because the transducer is Pretty big....

03-05-2007, 11:02 AM	#1
madscientist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,906	1. Almost any FF will work well and you pretty much get what you pay for. Additional warranty is a very good idea. If you fish a lot, you will kill sonars. I've had excellent customer service with Lowrance. very fast cross shipped replacements. 2. I like my werner and I know people with ONNOs that like them, but I understand the guy that makes them can be hard to get in touch with. 3. I had a west marine brand one that kept killing batteries because of a bad o ring. Standard horizons are good, but I'm not super happy with mine. A dry bag is a good idea regardless, just don't leave it in there. 4. West marine has stainless deck loops. No real reason to replace them except perhaps the seat attachment ones if you put a lot of pressure on your seat. I've never broken a nylon one, though I have had the aluminium rivets corrode and fail. Kayatank is awesome, worth every penny if you are going to fish bait. __________________

03-05-2007, 12:06 PM	#3
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	Congrats on your new kayak!! First of, a friendly reminder for all that the search button (or link) is your best friend. The chances are - any question newcomer to the sport will have has been asked before on this or other yak fishing boards (kayak4fish.com, yakfishing.com, etc.). I just verified the search is working here on BWE after the upgrade : http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=457&highlight=finder http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=1101&highlight=finder http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=200&highlight=finder I currently use Lawrence M68c (color & GPS). I got it used last year and it’s still gpoing strong. Love the sonar, I hate GPS so I don’t use it (I’m a Garmin eTrex fan). It was easy upgrade from Eagle FishEasy sonar (the same transducer will work). Take care of your ff/electronics to extend their life. You will go though them regardless. I've been happy with West Marine brand VHF. Get that extended warranty, it's worth it... Don't recharge VHF unless it's totally empty as you'll shorten battery life (been there done that). Once fully charged, it ought to last multiple trips - 5 or 6. Disclaimer - this "drain fully then recharge" deal applies only to certain types of batteries, not all of them. __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

03-05-2007, 04:29 PM	#5
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	Ditto on the raymarine ds400x! I Love mine! __________________ All men are equal before fish. -Herbert Hoover Last edited by Handymansd; 03-05-2007 at 04:33 PM. Reason: typo

03-05-2007, 07:03 PM	#6
ronbo613 Waterman At Large Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: On the Water Posts: 199	Been using an Eagle fishfinder, about $100, if the fish are there, it sees them. I like a hand held GPS, that way I can use it away from the kayak. Salt water and electronics don't go that well together, so I buy the cheapest thing that does the job. Any money left over, well, I buy beer. Fishing is great, so is having a few beers and telling fish stories. __________________ Kayak Fishing Photos and Video

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03-05-2007, 12:05 PM	#2
Garibaldi_Hunter Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 16	Thanks for the info. Anyone ever use this fish finder? Found it for 319.00 without transducer. Comes with a free weathersense module (not sure if I would ever use it) but at an 80.00 value might be a nice little add on. Humminbird 747C LCD Fishfinder I will definitely be going with the kayaktank. I really like the idea of freeing up deck space. the extreme has so much storage space anyways giving up one hatch does not seem to be a real loss. I'm still not sure what I want to do with the paddles. I've considered saving some money and picking up a cheaper carbon paddle however I've used one of the Werner Camano paddles and really liked the feel however not sure I want to spend 350.00 on a paddle. If I go with the werner CoryVecken I may just pickup the glass model to save a little. For now I have an inexpensive paddle that does the job but definitely want to pickup a nicer one soon. Spending money on toys is almost as fun is using them.

03-05-2007, 02:55 PM	#4
DBITE Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 36	+1 on the Raymarine ds400 (and the insurance ). You should also check out Aqua-Bound paddles. I have one of their carbon fiber paddles and it's great.

03-06-2007, 08:49 AM	#7
Garibaldi_Hunter Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 16	Thanks for the info guys. I just went ahead and ordered the RayMarine DS500X. Still undecided on the kayak paddle however I sent ONNO an email asking what their turnaround time was. If he replies in less than 2 days and the turnaround is not too large I may just go with an ONNO but if no reply then I'm going with the CoryVecken. Since Fred Hall starts tomorrow I'll be making a trip there after work and see what else I can pickup. Was going to wait on the DS500X but found a store getting rid of old inventory selling their last one NIB for 350 w/ Transducer. Dont think I'll be able to beat that deal.