I was going through my computer backing up videos and pictures.  I had a bunch of clips and photo's from GMS III so tossed together a little video.  I know it has been a while since then, but it is fun to reminisce.  I am still learning to use movie maker for anything more than a slide show, so sorry if it is a little rough 



Matt

Well I got my Scotty Rocket Launcher and Crab Davit from Hook 1.  I finally lowered the kayak from the roof storage and attached them.

I got two of the rocket launchers for trolling two rods while on the lake.  The rocket launchers launchers seem very sturdy.  I like the ratchets on the holder, it should prevent any slipping.  I really like how it cleans up the kayak rails and keeps the rods positioned out of the way of the pedals.  I have been finding I like my rods positioned slightly forward during trolling, so there shouldn't be any problems with the rods slipping out of the tubes.  I may slide some pool noodle over the tubes for a spot to hang extra lures and hook my baits while under way.  I did this on my rod extensions and really found they worked well.







The crab davit is great.  I think this will prevent rope and trap wear on the side of the kayak, and allow me to sit more centered while pulling in the traps, there by saving my back!  The head pivots side to side slightly, and the pulley should be easy to place the rope into.  I hope the davit isn't too far forward with the placement of my rod holders though.  I am pretty sure it will be fine, but I won't know until I actually try it.  It will also be put to use on my power boat for crawdad and crab traps.





I will give a review when i actually put them to use on the water.  I think the rod holders are a good alternative to the ram mounts.  I am really hoping the davit saves my back and arms from a long day of pulling traps!

Matt

With my new Hobie, I decided to sell my OK Prowler 13 angler.  It is in great shape.  It comes with:

Plano Tackle Box (straps to center "console")
High Back Seat
Aluminum Paddle
Eagle Cuda 242 Fish Finder and 12 volt dry cell Power Pack (has a in scupper fitting so the resolution is great)
2 Rear Rod Holders (rocket launchers)
Front Scotty Mount and Rod Holder
Anchor Trolley
Homemade Kayak Cart

Everything is mounted with stainless steel hardware and backing plates.  It has been well loved, and washed down after every trip.  It has much fishing mojo, and has been to the last two GMS tourneys!  Paddles great and is very manageable on and off the water.  Great for fishing and Ab diving.  It is very easy to get on and off from the water.  It is ready to fish!  I will be sad to see it go, but no use having more kayaks than I can use 

Here are a few action shots.  I can send more on request:













I live in Red Bluff, CA.  I hope she goes to a good home.

Matt

OK, well after being shamed by Tote for a lack of rigging pictures, here is the official thread, with Pics!

Most my gear is on order.  I am going with Scotty flushmounts and Scotty Rocket Launchers on this.  My goal was to have clean gunwales to ease diving and loading on my roof racks.  I will be using the ram mast mount for the fishfinder, and routing the cables thru a cable seal in the bulkhead.  The transducer will be a water bath mount for now.  I am trying to keep it all a minimal install, but am a self admitted gear junkie!

I started with the anchor trolley.  I picked up a couple of small pulleys at West Marine.  They are small, but rated for several hundred pounds.  I removed the side paddle bungee, and placed some of the Hobie screw in pad eyes.  This allowed for easy routing of the rope along the side of the kayak.  I made a small bungee to keep the assembly tight.  A stainless clip allows for me to keep the assembly from moving, and keeps it in easy reach when clipped to one of the plastic pad eyes.  The rope is just safety orange poly rope from Home Depot.

The nice thing about this location, is when deployed, I can lock the trolley in position by lifting the rope between the pad eyes up and over the stud where the paddle bungee locked in place.  This places tention on the line and prevents it from sliding.  I got the idea from the rigging instructions my Kayak Fish Nation on You Tube.

I did make some changes.  Hobie recommends placing the pulleys 12" from the bow and stern.  I did this, but due to the shape of the hull, the trolley rope went over the rear tankwell.  Not bad, but unacceptable for my perfect install  .  I moved the stern pull up a few feet by the rear hatch.  This will also hopefully prevent any chance of the anchor rope or drift sock getting tangled in the rudder assembly.  That would be difficult to fix on the water!  I plugged my original stern holes with some stainless bolts and goop.  You would never know there was an original mounting location as they look like they are part of the kayak.

Here are the Pics, just for Tote 









I also finally took EWB's advice and bit the bullet.  I ordered the Lowrance M68c fishfinder.  I got a great deal on Amazon.  $298 with free shipping.  I would still like to see your pictures though EWB!  After all you corrupted my decision with color displays.  I was also influenced by the emulator.  I downloaded the emulator software from Lowrance onto my laptop.  This allows you to test run the sounder before you purchase it.  I also downloaded the Eagle 250 combo.  I must say, color is the way to go.  I found it so much easier to see, and really liked the contrast between the land and water images for the GPS function.  It was more costly, but I believe I will be happier with this purchase.  I also believe I will eventually buy an extra transducer, for use on my power boat.  That way my waypoints will be with me all the time.



I will keep posting here as I progress with my rigging.  Thanks for the tips guys!

Matt

Well I have been hard at work planning the Rigging of my Hobie Adventure.  After much research and deliberation I don't think I will be using the ram mounts.  I have had trouble with them moving while trolling in the past, and have read the same from other folks.  I want a mount that I can troll for trout and salmon, with weights of several pounds if need be.

I have always been happy with my scotty mounts.  I also wanted to go with the flush mount to keep a clean deck for diving and loading onto my truck.

I finally stumbled across what I think will work perfect with the Hobie peddles.  Scotty is making a rocket launcher for their bases now:



I was not sure about the flush mount holders, but read some great posts on rigging by our Australian comrads.  A fellow did a great mount on his Revo with the flushmounts, and explained the tubes covering the rudder controls made the use of the flushmount possible.  I checked and also have the protective tubes in place on my kayak.  I will use the square mounts to fit onto the front rail, just in front of the gear pockets.  i will attach them with either rivets or lock nuts and bolts with a backing plate:



For the fish finder I will take advantage of the Ram mast tube wedge mount.  That and the fish finder holder will allow the fishfinder to be above the peddles for a clear view.  I also considered the scotty fishfinder mount with a flushmount, but like the placement in the center of the bow with the ram mount.  The 1" ball should be low enough to sit below the curve of the bow to allow sliding onto my roof racks:





If I decide to take advantage of the sailing option, I can always move the fishfinder off to the side at a later date.

On the rear deck I will add a small scotty flushmount.  due to the curve of the deck, i think the threaded flush mount will fit best.  This area will be used for my scotty safety light pole for foggy and dawn/dusk conditions.  I won't see much strain, so this mount should be strong enough.  I am not sure if the other bases would fit very well with the shape of the kayak.



The fishfinder research is still ongoing.  I like the model EWB posted up, and I have found it for around 299 on the internet.  The other option is the Eagle 350 fishfinder/gps.  I saw Humming Bird just came out with a bottom imaging sonar that looks nice!  it is around 300 dollars and looks like it gives a really nice image:



I have had such great success with the Lowrance/Eagle cheap fishfinders, I find it hard to warrant the extra cost of another unit.  It is hard to argue with a unit for 70 dollars that just works, especially fishing in the conditions we do!

I will likely order these items around January for the outfitting.  I will make sure I photograph and post my techniques and progress.  I can't wait to get started!

Matt

Well I finally finished up some fish knockers for Shelter Cove.  They are stained, lead filled and roped with 1/8" nylon rope.  I finished them off with several coats of Marine Spar-Varnish.  I think they turned out pretty good.  I did a few with names on them this year.  I used a yellow, with white highlights and a glitter over paint to make them stand out.  An acrylic sealer and the Spar Varnish seals the paint and should make it last a long time.

One of these is a prize at GMS 4!

One of the knocker and the gaff are for my Dad for father's day...shhhhhh






Matt

Well Tad and I hit Shasta Lake around 9:15 am.  The trip up there was an adventure in itself.  I was plagued by bad luck all day, but the fishing was good!

It started by an old lady running a stop sign in front of me.  My hard brake application may have loosened my straps, as a short time later while passing a big rig I found my kayak hanging alongside my truck instead of on the roof racks!  Luckily I strap the bow and stern during transport.  This kept it attached to my truck until I could pull over.  I still got a nice dent out of it.  I re-strap and hit the road, only to have a truck kick up a rock and chip my windshield!  Argggg, bad things only come in threes right?.........

So Tad and I meet at Phil’s Prop Shop for our minnows and supplies.  We then head to the lake.

The launch is debris strewn but not bad for the kayaks.  We hit the water to a bit of wind and waves.  A few large enough to break over my bow.   I almost felt I was in the Ocean!



Tad hooked up a nice salmon about 10 min into our paddle. 





We paddle on for nothing, until Tad hooks into a monster Salmon on the other side of the lake. 



Joy turned to concern as it was a big fish!



It was quite a fight, and Tad finally worked it into the kayak.  It all looked good and I got it on video when……well something went wrong and the fish lives to bite another day.  Tad was understandably heart broken.

Here is the video I threw together.  The light reflection messed with the camera some, but it was a good fight.  I was torn between laughter and tears when the fish got off:




We paddle into Dry Creek, and out of the wind.  I put on a minnow and start hammering the bass.  Caught a lot of little minnow stealers and a few decent fish around 14”.  I was preparing to put another eater sized fish on my game clip.  I reached back and…..no clip!  My poly line slipped (threaded into itself) and let the clip sink to the bottom.  It was a nice large on too with 4 bass on it, so no chance at floating.  Darn….the bad luck continued.  But the view was nice:










I catch several more fish and one of the small ones doesn’t look so good.  I toss it back and it flounders, attracting a bald eagle!  I am too close for the eagle to grab the fish, so the bass finally recovers to the dismay of the eagle, who proceeded in circling and yelling at me to let me know just how he felt at losing a free meal.

I tie on a green baby brush hog and get a few more bass, and loose a nice 3 lb bass right at the kayak.

Tad and I found the bite shut down not to long after that, so trolled our way back to the ramp.  The wind was picking up again, and it was getting cold.





Over all a great day fishing and I had a good time hanging around with Tad.  We talked game plans on GMS IIII and what we were going to do with the new kayak. 

Overall I caught around 14 bass.  Tad had the Salmon karma today and caught some nice bass and crappie!  Nice to get out and paddle.

Matt

I have been continuing my education in knots and nautical crafts.  I finally decided to learn to needle hitch.  I practiced a little on some awl and fid handles and then decided to try a small forged knife I had.  It actually made a fine little sailors knife!  I tarred the line using a traditional recipe using pine tar, linseed and turp.

This may be fun on pliers, gaffs, fishing rods, ect.







Matt