Gearing up & Rigging suggestions

I just am not sure what to wear in the ocean and stay dry.

To stay dry in the ocean, in order of favored to least favored: (1) Drysuit, (2) Splash pants with the attached booties and splash jacket, (3) stocking waders w/ BELT CINCHED and splash jacket.  If you stay with the sport, you'll eventually end up in a drysuit... so it might be best to bite the bullet up front.  I think there was a kayak rental place in Tahoe that had decent sales of used Kokatat drysuits.  There was a post about it a year or so ago... maybe longer.  It's worth a phone call.

Here's a pic of me and my Outback on a recent salmon trolling mission. The white thing behind me is a "kill bag" (soft cooler) made by Sea Angler. I like my FF near my left foot/shin and my rod holder near my right foot/shin (facing left). I troll with the the rod extending over my legs to the left, like you can see in the YouTube video where I demonstrate my  downrigger setup.

As others have said, DO NOT drill any holes until you've had the boat for a while. My setup works perfectly for me, but it may not work for you. I happen to be a tall guy with long arms. If you're a shorter dude with shorter arms, my setup might not work for you.









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Welcome to this site.  Lots of information here.  Glad you got a Hobie. I'll caution you now if your not already aware of this issue.  The drive well (Where the drive rests) is notorious for cracking at the back side of the well.  I've replaced 2 hulls for this issue (Both warranty replacements fortunately) my 08 OB hull was redesigned to eliminate that problem.  The problem is the hull thickness where the drive actually sits.  The hull is very thin and having no support inside the hull beneath the point where the drive rests, the pressure caused during peddling causes the area to stress crack. 
  I ended up using a whole lot of hot glue and built up a support for the hull by filling in the area under the drive rest.  The picture shows the area (This is my 08' hull with area fixed) I built up.  The shot is in my 08' hull showing the area reinforced from factory.  On earlier hulls those  area's are open and not supported.
  Hobie had a "Reinforcement kit" available that included a fiberglass support and epoxy for those areas.  Not sure of its availability now. 
    Please watch those areas closely (The cracks can bees seen with a flashlight from inside the hull. 
  This was/is my only complaint about the OB.

Good info! thanks for sharing

Here's a pic of me and my Outback on a recent salmon trolling mission.

You need a bigger net.

Here's a pic of me and my Outback on a recent salmon trolling mission.

You need a bigger net.

Ha!


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Just a heads up about issues on 2006 Hobies, yes they can sink.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=5985.0

Greetings all, I'm sure there are many of you who may have suggestions to point me in the right direction. I've upgraded from an inflatable yak I used a couple times last year to a nice 2006 Outback.

I'd like to get some ideas on rod placement, Fish finder mounting and general gear stowage. I plan on mostly using it for ocean fishing in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. I'm upgrading to turbo fins and have purchased a Garmin Striker 4DV and Trax 2-30 beach wheels for easier launching in the sand.

I plan on fishing more and have a bit of ocean experience. Last year in my Coleman Colorado Inflatable yak I fished with some friends out of Ocean cove in a fishing tournament between friends and pulled out the only salmon in 2 days (wild 17.5 lbs and inspected by F&G) and the largest Ling but was bloody tired after paddling quite a long way. I never felt really safe in the inflatable and knew I needed a Hobie with a mirage drive if I want to go farther off shore or farther away from my launching area.

how do you all carry your gear and supplies and where do you put them? Do any of you carry tackle boxes and coolers or both? I plan on bringing at least to ocean setups and a net.

What about clothing to stay warm and dry? Do you have any suggestions on making your own gear or where to find what you need? One thing I think I'm seriously lacking is tethers to keep gear in the yak. I need them for paddle, rod's, the mirage drive fishing gear and all the tools I'll carry, what do you use? I'm not sure I want to buy every item Hobie makes and suspect there may be alternatives that could be as good or better for less.

If any of you are around Santa Rosa and wouldn't mind sharing examples or showing me what works I'd be happy to come by or show you what I have.

Thanks,

Gnarley

What Bill said ..lots of info here ..take your time ; read ; ask ..and welcome

Dare I say it?  "Time to go trolling for your answers!"     Yes, it's true, I'm bad and no, I couldn't resist....