Jim
Nice article. You mentioned that you just secure your fly rod to the front deck bungee cords. I can see that working for the short fly rods that you use, but don’t know if I’d use that method for a 9’rod. I thought you were making a rod holder out of pvc pipe?
Anyway. Enjoyed the aritcle and pics.
Dave
JH, RW here,
Very nice article and pics. I don’t think I could give up my canoes after 40-plus years though, but to each his own. Dang! Did you have to put those pics of redears at the end of the article to tempt me?
P.S. I’m one fly up on ya.
Later, RW
“We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours.” -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-
Thanks Dave,
Yes, I made a rod holder out of PVC
to hold my rod while paddling. It’s just
a simple thing as you can see. But it does
keep the rod handy and works for trolling as
well. Also easy to use while taking off a
big redear.G 
RW, your fly is tied and sitting on
my bench. It’s a beauty too!G 
Warm regards, Jim
[This message has been edited by Jim Hatch (edited 14 March 2005).]
Well Jim that’s about as simple as it gets. I’m still debating about mounting a Scotty fly rod holder over my left shoulder behind the cockpit.
Nice fly by the way.
Dave
Hey Dave,
Yep, I’m a firm believer in the K.I.S.S.
system.G Whole nother world here Dave. I
fish a lot back in the swamps. Thats where
a lot of the big red eared sunfish reside.
The reason I use the short rods is I can put
the rod entirely inside the kayak with the
reel next to my seat. This allows me to
paddle back through the tight cypress
swamps, under trees, ooching over logs,
and paddling through acres of lilly pads
and lotus without breaking a rod. I know
it sounds like a pain but it’s really kinda
fun. And ya couldn’t find a beer can or
worm cup back there if your life depended
on it. Now that’s what I call private
fishing holes.G Warm regards, Jim
From a fellow yak flyfishers…nice story and pictures.
Everyone has ideas on rod holders and what they like or don’t. Always a good idea to fish them raw a few times and think what would be handy.
For me and my freshwater lake & river fishing I put 3 Scotty rod holders on each of my 3 yaks. I don’t need them all the time…so I just leave them out of the base when not in use.
Funny this yak story came up because I was just asked my oppionion on yaks for flyfishing now that I have used them for that 4-5 years. “For personal watercraft they do allot of things right and few wrong. It’s not a 16’ fishing boat on a lake, a jet sled, or drift boat. They are simpler, less time consumeing, more fun and yes I still catch just as many fish…maybe more when I throw in paddle trolling”
Hey Bill,
Thanks! I’ve got an old Forest Woods bass
boat I recently restored. Just like new and
pleasant to fish. Very comfortable. But I
find more and more, I like to throw the yak
in the pickup with a rod and a small box of
flies and make an afternoon of it. It’s
kind of a no brainer. Lots of fun.G
Who’s up for a Santee Cooper Kayak Fish In?
I can show ya a nice island for camping within a quarter mile of great bass and gill waters. Might even share a red ear or two.G The wife can run the beer and ice
shuttle with the bass boat. Warm regards,
Jim
[This message has been edited by Jim Hatch (edited 14 March 2005).]
Jim,
I’d do my best to make it. No guarantees but I’d love to come. Could I rent a kayak when I got there? I don’t own one and don’t plan on buying one what with 3 motor powered boats, a canoe, a jon boat and 2 float tubes, I’m not sure I could justify another watercraft.
Robert
Hey Robert,
No problem buddy. I can scare up an
extra kayak. Or you could use my little
bass boat if ya prefer. But you’d get
stuck with the beer and ice runs. G
You don’t have to wait on a fish in though.
If your heading this way, just come on by.
We’ll find some fish related mischief to
get into. Warm regards, Jim
After years of abusing my knees and hips I find it extremely painful to sit with my knees at the same elevation as my hips. Is there a way to get ones butt above their knees in a more natural sitting position and still use a Kayak. Belly boat and Canoe are my watercraft of choice ,but there are drawbacks with each. Excellent article. I hate people who can articulate their thoughts.I feel that I am a member of the Norm Crosby school of Communication. RH For you people under 45 Norm Crosby is the master of the malaprop.
count me in on the s.c. fishin!
Hey Coach Robb,
While you wouldn't want to raise the
seat due to a loss of stability, you can
do as I often do and draw your knees up and
brace them against the cockpit coaming.
I am currently paddling a Walden Adirondack
and I find this posture quite comfortable
to me for hours on end. If I try to use
the foot braces and keep my legs
extended, I suffer problems similar to yours. The Adirondack has a reasonably
plush adjustable seat and I find this
posture quite comfortable. Hope this helps.
Warm regards, Jim
I’m with Jim on drawing your knees up agaist the coaming. That was how I was taught when I took some yak lessons. I never paddle with my legs in any other position than this. If I do straighten my legs, it is while I am at rest enjoying a cold adult beverage. Or water which ever the case may be. G
THANKS FOR THE GREAT ARTICLE. I ATTEMPTED TO E-MAIL YOU FOR MORE INFO BUT APPARENTLY FAILED. I AM 6FT 6 IN 300 POUNDS INTERESTED IN A YAK, CONCERNED ABOUT LEG ROOM. ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS SIMILIAR TO COACH ROBB. ANY RECOMMENDATIONS? SMALL PONDS, LARGE LAKE, SLOW MOVING RIVERS.
My recommendation would be to find a local dealer and try out as many different models as you can. I must have paddled at least a half dozen different boats until I found one that tracked well, was easy to get in and out of and was stable.
Recreational kayaks are normally more stable due to having a wider bottom. Also, I would not get a boat shorter than 12’. The shorter the boat, the less efficient they are at tracking when you are paddling. When you try out different boats, I would take your fly rod with you and make a few casts. Also, the material that the yak is made out of can be a consideration. On the low end is roto molded plastic, followed by therma formed and then kevlar. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Roto molded is the least expensive, may be a little heavier and subject to warping if not properly taken care of. Thermaformed is lighter will last a life time and is twice expensive. Kevlar is the top end. I paddled one kevlar boat, but the price was way out of my reach.
Good luck! Yaks are cool to fish out of.
DEMOS ARE NOT AN OPTION FOR ME, NEAREST DEALER IS HOURS AWAY AND THEIR SELECTION IS LIMITED. MOST BOATS I FIND ARE SIT ON TOP. WHICH IS BEST?
Hey Jalama,
Please don’t shout.G I agree with
Angler Dave on a kayak of about 12 foot.
I would personally recommend a sit on top
kayak for ease of entry, exit, and recovery
in the even of a malfunction.G As to
which particular one, there are quite a few
to pick from over a broad range of prices.
Personally, I like the Necky sit on tops.
If camping might be a consideration, make
sure you consider the volumn and weight of
your gear when you make a decision. Warm
regards, Jim
Hey Dave,
You made a good point I missed when
I first read your post. Lots of folks may
think of kayaks in a generic term as a
plastic paddle boat with two pointy ends.
Generally, those boats of the “Recreational
Class” are going to be better suited for
fishing. They are a more forgiving craft.
I’d hate to see someone find a “deal” on
a whitewater squirt boat and discover that
every time they made a hookset, they got
their hair wet.G Warm regards, Jim
[This message has been edited by Jim Hatch (edited 15 March 2005).]
Jim
I am no expert by any means. And I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to paddle different boats. Mostly recreational and touring. I found the touring boats tracked a little straighter, but they also had a narrower bottom. Which caused them to be a little tippier. Not all recreational kayaks are alike either as I’m sure you know. That’s why I recommend if at all possible to try different boats.
jalama. Since you don’t live close to a dealer than I would suggest visiting different manufacturers web sites. Look at their recreational kayaks. There are also some web sites that are dedicated to kayak fishing. I’m not familiar with SOT kayaks so I can’t help you there. But from what I understand they are designed more for recreational use and are very popular for the salt in warmer climates.
Hey, Jim. I’m in for the SC fish in!
Althought I’m typically a jon boat kind of guy, I really enjoyed your article. I do have a pirogue that I built and have fished from a bit, but its quite tippy. Maybe I can add fromt and rear decks and pretend its a 'yak. 
Swamp