Storing rods inside Kayak hull during launch

[deptrai]

Very interesting topic.

The problem isn't launching, its landing. I lived in SoCal and surf launched/landed from La Jolla to Dana Point to Malibu. Now I live in Oregon and face much more severe conditions at Pacific City. I've still only huli'd once up here. I lived here for three years before I even tried to launch.

I have the Hobie Horizontal Rod Holder. I actually only utilize the front part for my rod tips and secure the butt ends with a bungee cord. I can secure three rods this way. I use 7' rods and can't realistically store them in the hull. If landing conditions are nasty and I think there's a chance I'll eat sh*t, I will remove my reels, put them in a dry bag secure them to the yak before landing. I always launch with the rods upright in my PVC holder...no leashes and no pool noodles. Its just so much easier to launch than land. If the conditions aren't good enough for me to have confidence launching, then I don't. I've driven 1.5 hours to the coast twice and turned around and went home.

The coming in backwards is very intriguing. I've been meaning to try this, but just haven't yet. I have accidentally surfed waves in a couple of times and looked like a pro, but they were purely luck.

Dave

[Saba Slayer]

Before I joined the Hobie Team I paddled various versions of the Ocean Kayak boats for many years as a member of their fishing team...
Before they started adding rod pods I used these paddle/rod holders to hold my rods while surf launching...the reels went into a small waterproof dry bag and I assembled the gear once outside the breakers...
I mounted a strip of velcro under each side of the clips and used it to hold the rods on the yak in case of a spill...with these clips you can put the butt of one rod in each clip and the tip of the rod in the small clip on the side, and you can bundle a couple of other rods along side of the original two and hold em on with the velcro strips.

[SoCalEDC]

Originally Posted by Saba Slayer

Before I joined the Hobie Team I paddled various versions of the Ocean Kayak boats for many years as a member of their fishing team...
Before they started adding rod pods I used these paddle/rod holders to hold my rods while surf launching...the reels went into a small waterproof dry bag and I assembled the gear once outside the breakers...
I mounted a strip of velcro under each side of the clips and used it to hold the rods on the yak in case of a spill...with these clips you can put the butt of one rod in each clip and the tip of the rod in the small clip on the side, and you can bundle a couple of other rods along side of the original two and hold em on with the velcro strips.

Nice, I like this method alot. Thanks for sharing.

[daperrin]

When the landing is questionable I just remove the reel and drop into the front hatch. Then I zip tie the 2 or 3 rods next to me so the tip is not sticking out over the front. If I flip, no issues. Never flipped to date...but cant wait for the first time it happens. Its all part of the fun