More rigging tips for the newbies (with pics)

Please feel free to post your own ideas...
BOTTOM LINE: KEEP IT SIMPLE 


IMO: the area between your legs should be free of clutter. (Note: Electronics and rod holder is further up front but still within easy reach)

This specific area is used to subdue and secure your fish.

Make space for your catch....

If possible, have enough space on your tankwell to keep your catch. Use a game clip to secure you catch. (your clip should also be secured to your kayak)

Things to remember:

It helps to keep a burlap sack - to keep your fish from drying up. You can buy these for a buck at any of the places where you book a trip on the party boats. They are also reusable - just wash with warm water after use and leave out in the sun to dry.

You can also use your paddle to splash some water into your tankwell to keep fish moist.

Joel, is the buoy and orange rope attached to the clip? Nice stringer of fish is that a 24" blue or black on the bottom? During rough landings/launch what do you do with the clip and leash? Great posting!!!

Joel, is the bouy and orange rope attched to the clip

Yes sir.

Nice stringer of fish is that a 24" blue or black on the bottom?

It's a cabezon, halibut and a ling.

Doring rough landings/launch what do you do with the clip and leash? Great posting!!!

My clip stays secured to my yak - with the fish.

You can also store your catch inside the burlap sack = they make 'em big. Make sure the sack is also tied to your yak.

Other options: stuff all your fish below your hatch when landing on big surf.
 

This is my version of a quick release anchor system:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=4993.0

Hey Joel,
Mike Sapp here, I work for REI, I met you at the kayak show at the cal palace at Allan's clinic. I noticed in your picture you are wearing a pair of the fish handling gloves I've seen on Cabelas site. How do you like them and do you use them all of the time? I noticed them on cabelas it looks like they sell them separately, I usually grab my fish with my left hand even though I am right handed? I recently purchased the big game and am starting to rig it out, so I may have some more questions for you. Mike/solsrf1

 I have used my wet drift chute spread out over the fish in a pinch.

I have used my wet drift chute spread out over the fish in a pinch.

Great idea!

Hey Joel,
Mike Sapp here, I work for REI, I met you at the kayak show at the cal palace at Allan's clinic. I noticed in your picture you are wearing a pair of the fish handling gloves I've seen on Cabelas site. How do you like them and do you use them all of the time? I noticed them on cabelas it looks like they sell them separately, I usually grab my fish with my left hand even though I am right handed? I recently purchased the big game and am starting to rig it out, so I may have some more questions for you. Mike/solsrf1

Hey Mike,

The Lindy gloves work great - especially when your handling rockfish. They are sold separately and are expensive but worth every cent (IMO). I wear a left hand glove and I reel in with my left hand as well. I simply grab the fish with my left gloved hand and take the hook off the fish with my right hand = works out for me and I never have to worry about being spined by those rockfish.

Feel free to ask questions - always happy to help 

Do you work for REI in the San Carlos location?

When doing surf launches and landings, It's always good practice to keep your kayak's deck clear of anything that sticks out. The reason behind this, is that if you ever flip your yak (going out or coming in) it will wash up against the shorline - sometimes upside down. And any object that sticks out of your deck will rip off.....not a good thing.

I make sure I can pop out my FF and my rod holder when launching or landing on a big swell day. I store my FF and rod holder in my marine dry box (or in any case, a dry bag).

*This type of set-up will also help when you load your yak upside down on your racks during transport.