Quote from: PorkchopXpress on August 31, 2021, 07:25:28 PM

My 525 will fit my 7'8" Phenix Abyss 786HD. I had to modify the butt to make it fit in the holder. My 8'2" Lami does not fit in the hatch. I don't know if my 8' Abyss would fit. Haven't tried. I can fit three rods comfortably in the hatch. I haven't tried more but feel it would be tight. My Abyss is the only rod so far that doesn't fit in the holders

So far my sabiki rod fits in the hatch and just in the mount.  I have to cut and put an aluminum dowel in my net post asap. On another note, have you mastered countersink and pilot drilling gel coat?  I'm gathering the know how and the courage to measure 8 times and drill once...

Thank you!  Love the pic, it shows a lot.  I’ll post the back rest I see on the page...

Any of you stealth rockstars utilizing a back support system for paddling or is it better to learn strong posture and just own it on the design, 6-7 hours on the water?  Paddling I could imagine being upright and expected.  I’m trying to imagine drifting or mooching without a little back leaning option.  Why do I even care you ask, well now, stay tuned....

Looking to broaden my horizons and  target steelhead this winter. I tried a few times last season but mostly one-off's here and there with friends, none of us having much idea what we were doing.

I fished San Lorenzo a few times, which I've since heard argued against due to the limited numbers and the stress anglers can cause steelies.

I also fished Pescadero, trying out a fly rod for the first time. Fun, but not too productive.

Now I'm looking at waters that hold more robust steelhead populations and most of what I'm seeing is centered around Eureka area, which is a 5 1/2+ hr drive for me. A little much for a day trip. Has anyone found success fishing the Russian River? Or any other options closer to Santa Cruz/Monterey?

Also, recommendations on gear? I plan to take my 5wt fly rod just for fun, but have a lighter spinning setup. Was considering getting an ugly stick and a baitcaster but mainly because I've never used a baitcaster before and want an excuse to buy one. No real strategy behind it.

Quote from: wizz on December 31, 2020, 11:27:48 PM

Quote from: bluekayak on December 30, 2020, 10:09:49 PM

Quote from: Mark L on December 30, 2020, 05:44:35 PM

Blue kayak,

I wonder if you could abandon the cable housings, and run new ones. I needed to add steering cables to my eddyline and it was pretty easy considering the area inside the hull has inaccessible areas.

That’s the problem, the space the cables run through is inaccessible unless I do what Brett suggested and cut an access hole in the hull, which then has to be patched somehow

Be interested to know what you did w yours, if it was a similar situation

I thought maybe use the existing cables to string new housing and glass it with some kind of reinforcements at both ends

I believe on the newer ones they did a better design, reinforced where cables exit the hull

Mine took water in the outer hull from the start, and then the rudder cables sawed through the glass and the cable housing in a few short years

I dropped my dirtbike on my 525 while moving the bike in the storage, put a massive crack and hole in it. Sean Morley fixed it and it’s been spot on and you’d never know looking at it. He can fix your problem. I got his info from the Kayak shop in Oakland, I might have his number still if you need it.

I took a surf zone, and rolling class with Sean. He is located in Fairfax, and here is his website:

https://www.riverandocean.com/

hmmm... the kayak straps are looking like a definite add to my list as well.  Will have to remember to consider bringing helmet along with the gear tho. 

Although more control is allotted with the straps, it seems that it does add some danger factor with the fishing kayaks in surf... ejections from yak vs. being locked in? I have enjoyed the occasional(or more often) tossing, but stuff like turtling and pitch poling in the kayak seemed more disconcerting..