Here's a shot of the FF mount, with a view of the bait tank and rod holder. This is the view from the rear seat (a Pacific Angler with the two rod holders and a nice high back ... highly recommended.) For the rear paddler, this is a really comfortable set up with no interference on paddling stroke. Even with the bait tank in front of me, there's plenty of deck space in front for a work space. The foot galleys have plenty of room for me, but I could see a taller or bigger guy getting a little cramped. I'm 5'10".

As you can see, the bait tank harness I've rigged with the red rope is pretty crude. It works, but there's more potential for hooks to snag than I'm satisfied with. Anyone have any ideas?

Here's a shot of the live well. It's a water tight dog food container tied down from a rope harness to eye loops on the deck. Battery/timer are in a water tight box that goes in the back zipper compartment of the seat in front of the live well.

Here's the shot of the rear deck ... recessed rod holders were a clean install, which was nice. Not crazy about having tackle bag behind me, but couldn't think of a better way for now. The idea is to not put any hatches in this boat.

Got a tandem Cobra for a steal and have done the maiden voyage. Better weight handling than my old OK Malibu Two. Tracks less well, but that might have been because my cousin, who outweighs me by 70 pounds, was in the bow. Anyway, she's water tight and stable. Now the buildup begins. Here's the mods:

Rod holders
-Two recessed, in-deck rod holders on rear deck
-Scotty trolling mount, middle front (for whoever rides bitch)
-Scotty trolling mount, left and right, for rear paddler

Bait Tank
-On deck circulating live well with in/out hoses over the sides (4 gallon dog food container)

'Lectronics
-Eagle Cuda FF/GPS (transducer mount will be interesting. Don't want to put hatch holes in the yak, so experimenting with retractable, over the side deal. We'll see...)

Storage
-Tackle bag tie down on rear deck
-Rear seat is a Pacific Angler with the two rod holders
-Soft cooler tie downs on bow deck

Accessories
-Paddle holders (cool bungee design stolen from a some new yaks I saw)
-Anchor shuttle

Will post pix as I go ... welcome all suggestions.

So I'm two seasons into fishing the bay, and I've had spotty luck on the stripers and halibut. Sometimes WFO on stripers, still scratching for a flattie. I'm looking at the tides this weekend and they look really moderate. I've picked up from the board, etc. that the less radical tides can be better for flatties (less murk?), while the stripers can get turned on by big tides if they're hanging on structure. Anyone have any other pearls of wisdom that might help me direct my attentions this weekend? Looking for a nice long 6 hour session on the water. Haven't chosen between ARW, Brickyard and Paradise ...

I was looking at layouts versus weight capacity and it looks like the Cobra tandem might be the trick. Carries up to 600, and it weighs about the same as the competition. Also, there are bait tank inserts for that middle rectangle hatch. And the hatch looks forward enough to distribute trim weight OK when I'm solo. Only variable at this point is depthfinder rigging, which is pretty easy on any rig. And nothing could paddle more pigdoggy than my Malibu Two from Ocean kayaks. Could it?

I love a single kayak, don't get me wrong. But I get a huge charge outta putting my old lady on fish, rigging her up, and watching her pull 'em up. Good times. Also good for division of labor. I bait the hooks, she tends the bar.

Anyone out there have a Cobra tandem they can review for fishability/paddleability?

I've had the same Malibu II for about 8 years now and I'm ready to replace it. I love my yak: Tons of rod holders, internal bait tank in center hatch, thru hull sonar, anchor pulley system ... The works. Here's what I'd like in the new yak

--Tandem
--On deck bait tank, or bait tank that doesn't require holes in hull (intake and outflow via hoses over side)
--Sonar install that doesn't require opening the hull up for installation (thru scupper)
--Stock rod holders and room to install some extras

The idea is that i'd like not to open up the hull on the new yak. The old Malibu II has gotten a tad leaky with all its upgrades. Also warped, tracks funny, etc. I love the thing but I think I can sell my fishing partner (aka wife) on a new rig. Does the board have any thoughts/suggestions/experiences to help?

Took inspiration from a recent post and rented a skiff at the Capitola wharf. Two hours of mellow swimbait tossing around the kelp beds and inshore just south of the wharf yielded no bites. Saw some other guys similarly drifting for nada. Nice morning, but no fish. Oh-and too many sea lions and otters. God bless 'em, but you know what I mean.