Outfitting 2-hatch Scupper Pro for fishing

I have an Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro model that I use for kayak diving and spearfishing.  It has 2 large hatches (one in front and one in rear) that are great for storing gear inside the kayak.  It does not have a tank well.  However, I would like to start using it for kayak angling and I am looking for suggestions on how to modify it to make it more user-friendly for fishing.

Any suggestions?

Mike

Well, I tend to be a little ghetto about these things, but
just toss a small crate (e.g., a small cheap cooler with the dimensions of
an igloo playmate cooler) into the rear hatch with some pvc tubes ziptied
to the inside of it and the lid ripped off. drill a few holes in the cooler for the zipties.

I have a SPTW, and my playmate-cooler-crate stows in the front hatch.
I'm assuming the rear hatch is similar.

stowing a big fish is an issue. But that's a good issue to have.

Well, I tend to be a little ghetto about these things, but
just toss a small crate (e.g., a small cheap cooler with the dimensions of
an igloo playmate cooler) into the rear hatch with some pvc tubes ziptied
to the inside of it and the lid ripped off. drill a few holes in the cooler for the zipties.

I have a SPTW, and my playmate-cooler-crate stows in the front hatch.
I'm assuming the rear hatch is similar.

stowing a big fish is an issue. But that's a good issue to have.     

Bad idea, you'll have a big hole in back that will sink you if a wave comes over you.

I have the same kayak I use for fishing. I have a couple of Scotty pole holders up front and a couple of flush mount pole holders between my back the hatch. I think rocket launchers would be better in the rear. The reason is it's nice to be able to aim your pole tip more center to the yak at times. This makes trolling using divers or flashers a lot easier because when the hang out the side they constantly pull you into a turn.

I also like a padeye in the center in front of me to attach bungie pole holders to, in case I drop the pole or so I don't have to worry about losing it while I hold it with one hand and use my other two hands to get a fish in the net and landed. You will also want a bungie on your paddle so you can drop it and play the fish. Some people use a coiled phone cord type thing for a pole holder.

My front scotties are mounted to a single T- Mount with one on each side and room in the middle to put the fish finder you will eventually want. As for poles and tackle I put them in the hatches while launching ( Most of my launches are thru surf). It's nice to have some bungee and and pad eyes so you can secure stuff to the middle console in the kayak, like a small box that holds a few tackle fishing rigs to have ready for quick changes and to hold bait.

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I think rocket launchers would be better in the rear.

I'm not a big fan of the rocket launchers simply because they stick out. (I installed 2 permanent flushmounts on the rear of my SP) Just make sure you detach the rocket launchers when landing in big surf conditions - cause if you loose control of your yak and it tumbles along the shoreline = those rocket launchers will surely rip - off  - AND may even rip a hole on the hull itself. In any case, if you have ANYTHING that sticks out of your kayak (Fish Finders, rod holders,GPS units) make sure they are detachable and lay flat.

...just my 2 cents.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=1985.0

basilkes has a good point, I figured the thing I suggested would work for capitola, lakes, santa cruz when it's calm, etc.

you'd have the hatch cover for launch and landing, but a good wave over the stern would fill you up pretty quick.

some kind of skirt around the crate could largely solve the swamping issues. that sounds difficult tho. and you'd
still end up with a crate full of water, but that could be pumped out.

Alright... Blue.  Now that I own a 2-hatch Scupper, I'll be trying things your way!

 

I saw on a review for the 160 that a rear hatch cover that looks a bit like a small tankwell is available.

maybe the same thing exists for the scupper.

I saw on a review for the 160 that a rear hatch cover that looks a bit like a small tankwell is available.

maybe the same thing exists for the scupper.

Those have been available for the T160 for some time.  The problem with them is they're basically just a tub insert with no scupper holes to drain water out.

The other thing about the rear hatch in the Scupper Pro is it isn't all that useful for a regular day of fishing, especially if
it is choppy. In order to turn around and get into it requires the balance of a dancer and is a somewhat difficult move.
I mainly use my rear hatch when I do some free diving and fishing. Then  I put my dive gear in it. Since I am getting
ready to jump into the water anyway, it's no big deal to turn around, but I wouldn't want to have to do that to get a
lure or some  bait.

Turning around may not big as big of an issue if you are under 200 lbs, I don't know, but the Scupper is a tippy kayak
for that move.

As for milk crates, I use one in my Prowler and I have dumped it in the surf a few times. I still find the milk crate handier than
the rear hatch. I do always strap stuff into the crate and the crate to the yak.

There's no reason you couldn't bolt something to the rear hatch of the Scupper Pro to have a little space to put things.

yeah, but you want that stuff low if it has any weight.

if the stuff is light which it usually is then just a little tray attached to the top would work fine.

blue, in my tankwell, I do sometimes put a little bait bucket there.
this led to one of two halibut this year. it's maybe a single gallon bucket, no more,
might be a little less. holds 6 anchovies, maybe.  I toss it out on a tether when I am
drifting.

in the tankwell also go fish that I catch. I think one small to medium salmon will fit,  , likewise
a ling and a pile of rockfish. A halibut is gonna have to go in the front hatch. A big salmon
too assuming that ever happens to me.

I don't use the milk crate, it's a little too much. it weighs more than the stuff in it.

I have a little cooler just above six-pack size with pvc tubes ziptied into  it. big slots
are drilled through the side so that it can be strapped down with the tankwell straps.
Those pvc tubes are my only rod holders (besides my hands,  ).

I also put stuff the cooler like pliers, terminal tackle I have used, or am going to use, etc. 
80% of that stuff is strapped down or tethered to something that
is strapped down. The other 20% I can afford to lose if I roll. but it's nice to not have
that stuff cluttering up my footwell or seat.

Overall, if one is fishing for rockfish halibut etc as much as salmon a drainable low profile
tray-type container in the tankwell is pretty darn useful.

while I hold it with one hand and use my other two hands to get a fish in the net and landed

3 hands why use a rod holder at all? What's your paddle and wetsuit look like?

Once you do a bit of fishing, you'll find out that some of the stuff you start out with will "stick" and some of it will be left behind. 

I've got the same 2 hatch Scupper Pro.  Started with a milk crate on the back hatch customized with rod holder, net holder, gaff holder.  Scotty rod holder just aft of the forward hatch.  Then I started fishing and discovered that I mainly fish for lingcod and rockfish.  This meant I really only needed and really only took one fishing rod which I leashed using 4 foot of old cord.  Ain't pretty but it works.   The gaff I stow in the front hatch.  All my jigs and terminal tackle are in a small Tupperware in the front hatch.  I no longer use the milk crate; it sits in my garage all lonely...

The one thing you might consider doing is getting one of those kiddie pool noodles ($2.50 at KMart) and seal off inside the hull under the seat area so that if you capsize with one hatch open, you still have one water-tight compartment.  I used a tube of that 5200 marine adhesive stuff.

John

Having started fishing from a two hatch kayak. I have gone through a couple revisions for trolling rod holders behind the seat. The first was some u bolts and a section of 2.5" pvp pipe and two "t"s with made a cross bar and two rod holders. Making something like this :    |--------|     I then used the u bolts to fasten to the yak. Great rod holders. A few month later I went to the kayakfishing seat with built in rod holders. Finally I installed two flush mount holds once i got brave enough to put BIG holes in.   

As for storage in my yak, I still have found no solution other than buying a fish and dive for halibut trips.

-Brian

kayakmike
Count yourself lucky to have an older model of that kayak that has an aft hatch, I looked at the ocean kayak site and they've done away with it which seems to be the current trend. A dollar says sooner or later the aft hatch will be back, maybe improved.

Blue, I hope your right: I wanted a 2 hatch SP over the tankwell one so bad that one day when I saw a guy driving around town with one on the top of his car, I follwed him till he eventually parked and i made him an offer right there.  He thought I was nuts, but he sold it to me.  I talked to the rep at Ocean kayak, trying to buy a new one.  He agreed it was a great SOT but nobody was buying them, so it wasn't worth redoing the mold after it wore out.

I didn't like the way the tankwell ones performed coming in through the surf.  They always filled up with water and drained too slowly in the whitewater.  I felt like I had bricks in the back.  The 2 hatch is also more versatile especially for camping and diving trips, when you don't want all that crap on the topside of the boat.  I can fit 2 scuba bottles in the boat as well. Sure wish I could buy a new one.