Malibu 2 XL Info Needed.

Hey guys, I'm new to the kayak fishing.  I bought the Malibu 2xl for me and my wife but she has only been in it once.  I then installed fishing rod holders, two on each side.  I haven't set up an anchor system yet and was curious to see what other Malibu 2xl owners have done to their kayaks.  How is it with just one person using it?
I live in Hercules so I'm like few blocks from the bay. Has anybody taken this kayak in the bay?  I'm a bit hesitant to try this but if I do I will probably only be about 500 yards or so off shore.  Anything I need to add to my kayak and any pictures of your set up would be greatly appreciated.(sorry for all the dang questions)  I'm gonna try and do some bass fishing soon and also would like to go out into the bay but I'm a newb  when it comes to bay fishing but I'm game to try.  I appreciate all your guys help and glad I found this place,  theres a wealth of knowledge floating around in here and I would like to soak it all up!!!!!!!!! Thanks!

Contact Malibu_Two [Andrew], he paddled one of these solo for quite awhile. Seemed to work very well for him.

As for the bay, scour the site for safety tips.  How far out doesn't really matter, the current is a real issue. If you happen to be on the wrong side of the current *and* the wind working against you it could be scary.

It's best to hook up with someone. Always, always wear a PFD. Be dressed for immersion (wet/dry suit). One year, for whatever reason, two or three people had their paddles break otw (one with near tragic results), so I started carrying a spare. Make sure someone know's your float plan.

If you intend to anchor up and fish, check out quick-release systems on the site.

If you happen to fall out of your yak, can you get back in? (Self rescue)

I think those are the high points 

Ben

Great Bass 2 (scott) also has a lot of water time in his Malibu 2.
Do a search on the forum or on Youtube for QRAS (quick release anchor system)

Peace, y'all

Thanks guys, good info. Ben I will keep an extra paddle in the kayak thanks for the heads up.  I will look more into this site for info.  Those guys that had the malibu 2 what did they use to carry kayak?  Its pretty heavy and I tried carrying by myself but heard handle on kayak starting to rip a little.  Just wandering if there is a better way to carry.  I have put a strap in scoop holes to help lessen the weight on handles to carry it but its freakn heavy.  Maybe im a weak suck and need to hit the gym a little harder. LOL

Ya, most yaks are too heavy to carry more than a couple hundred feet ... at least for me.

You'll want a kayak cart. Actually, I've forgotten the name of the most popular brand -- look for fat, low pressure grey pvc (I think) tires. Costs something like $200. If you're always going to be on firm ground you can get by with lesser carts, but nearly everyone ends up with the above, so you might save some $$ by taking the hit up front.

Ive looked at those but man its freakn frackn expensive!  Has anybody made one from scratch or is it more cost effective to just buy one. 

I made one ... worked fine until I got into the sand. That's the issue.  Only those fat low pressure tires work, everything else digs in.

I haven't seen a good alternative. If you think you'll never end up in the sand, then anything with wheels will do pretty much.

Okay. I dont think I will be in the sand that much.  Just getting it off the truck and maybe travel a couple hundred feet hopefully but you never know.  How much did it cost to make yours?  Im  Mr. Mom right now so dont really have a lot of cash to spend on kayak so anything will help to save a little money.

I built mine from 1.5" PVC and fittings I already had on hand (and I had bought cheap in bulk) + 2 wheels from Harbor Supply.  I'd guess if I bought all the parts retail it would have cost $40-$60 ??  Got a little carried away, it is more stout than the PVC versions of these, for example:

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A4026&rt=nc&_nkw=kayak+cart&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1

I'd offer you mine, but I'm 80 miles away and it needs repairs (broke a fitting my last attempt in the sand).

Ben

Hey thanks for the thought, LOL No worries Ill try to make one. Appreciate all the information.  Thanks for the site address, Ill check that out.  Maybe make a trip to home depot.   Thanks again for all the tips, I will take all I can get.  I figure some of it will be trial and error also.

Have you found fishfinders to be worth the money? They seem really expensive but just curious if they are even worth it.  If they are worth it how do u put it on the dang Malibu 2xl? I guess I will search site to see if any info on that too.   

If u fish with others who have them, maybe not critical to have one. But if you're fishing alone and looking for structure, minimum depth, or sandy bottom, depending on what you're fishing for, may be difficult to target certain species without one.

Peace, y'all

Just buy one of these if you wait they have 20% off for members a few times a year I have this one and and a rollezz for sand but this gets a lotta use and is a lot easier to pull. http://www.rei.com/product/785141

Yes, on the Fishfinder, useful for just about any type of fishing and a good investment.  Do a search on this site and you'll get some feedback on several models.  Prices can range from ~$100 and up.  I use a PiranhaMax 170 (~$100) and it works good for depth and bottom structure.  Plus some additional cost for battery, wiring, etc.  Well worth it though.

3 seat tandems are the hardest yaks to rig for a FF because of the multiple seat positions. I use a super seat solution where everything is mounted on the seat. Snapper head uses a super crate solution where everything is mounted to a crate. The search Function on this site sucks but there are quite a few pics on ways to rig a 2XL. Personally I think the mobile FF is the way to go on a tandem. As far as anchors, I try to never use them but do have a quick release anchor using Moochs design. If you are not fishing for sturgeon or sharks, you dont need an anchor.  i paddled the 2xl on the ocean for 2 years and handles well but is slow. I use my Xl for freshwater fishing with my dog and it works great.