Questions: PFD, Compass, Paddle, Cart Building, VHF,Fishfinder/GPS

Hi All
 Looks like I will have my first boat this weekend.  A used Heritage Redfish 12. I need to put two flush mount rod holders behind seat. Anything I need to lookout for with that installation. What should I be looking for interms of a PFD for paddling and fishing. I will most likely be wearing my wetsuit most of the time. Maybe not on warm glassy summer days. I may not be able to afford a GPS and fishfinder for awhile. Are most compasses pretty good. Brands? Any specific type of paddle.  Reccomendations for a handheld VHF and GPS.
Thanks
Lee

Welcome aboard, Lee.  You can find lots of informative discussion by using the search feature on the site.  I'd say start simple and prioritize your purchases.  A compass should come before electronics, and it just needs to be reliable.  A PFD should allow mobility...  It also helps us that would advise you to know what area you're from and whether you'll be going on the ocean or not.  After safety gear, a camera is a high priority.   

Good luck and have fun!   

Don't forget to use a healthy amount of 100% silicon sealant when installing those rod holders, and when drilling any holes in your boat for that matter.  Keep it simple for now, and get your accessories as the need arises.  Enjoy!

-beenfishin

Thanks

I am downloading and reading some articles. I will be fishing in the Ocean waters around Santa Cruz and Capitola. For Halibut, Stripers, White Sea bass, Ling Cod etc..   Eventually some lake trips as well.
Lee

skip the fishfinder, you won't regret it

and gps is a nice toy but a cheap compass is more reliable

skip the fishfinder, you won't regret it

Watch out!  He's trying to use The Force on you, Lee.   

bk and I have caught some of the biggest salmon in the ocean from a kayak and neither one of us has ever had a fishfinder - I don't know if I can hold out much longer, and the desire for blind fishing (purist wet-dream type deal) is the only reason I haven't pulled that trigger yet...  I do recommend focusing on the basics and only get the gear as you see the need.  If you're in the ocean a VHF, flares, bilge pump and flotation are good things to have.

...and don't forget the camera!   

Thanks Guys


I meant depth recorder not fish finder. For seeing bottom structure.
Lee

Thanks Guys


I meant depth recorder not fish finder. For seeing bottom structure.
Lee

Same thing I think...

I don't know how you guys can run w/o a fish finder...that's the only way to roll!  Not so much for spotting fish, but picking up cover and water temp breaks...

As far as the purist desire for blind fishing...you've got waaaay too much time on your hands and way too many WAF points built up Ab!  

-first get a PFD
-then get a VHF radio
-then get a compass
-then start researching fishfinders and handheld GPS units

My first 8-10 kayak fishing trips were sans-fishfinder, and I caught limits of rockfish each time. Just paddled out to the kelp line and potholed (dropped my jig into random openings in the kelp). I am totally addicted to my fishfinder now though. But it's more to see depth and structure, than to actually search for fish. If I find structure, I know the fish will be there, regardless of how many fish icons are on my screen.

About the flushmounts, make sure to get the 45* angled ones, instead of straight 90* holders. Also, you want the rods to stick out slightly to the side and backwards...not straight back or straight out the side. And remember that the hole you cut will not be a perfect circle--it's more of an oval shape. I just use a drill to cut the hole, then use a knife (non-serrated) to carve it into an oval. Stick the holder in there and mark where the screws will go....then drill the holes for the screws.