Passport 12 rigging

I can see why no kayak is safe from your mods

Haha, yeah, gotta make it mine!

Finally got the Passport out to my local reservoir for our maiden voyage together.  Goofed around for about 3 hours on the water, caught maybe 8 largemouths, biggest was 17.75" and maybe 4 lbs. Was a nice morning out there!

I'm very happy with this kayak - I think it's gonna work out really well for it's purpose. Super stable, easy enough to maintain around 2.2 mph trout trolling speed, steering and cockpit layout both checked out well. This is the first kayak that I can stand on and cast, which is pretty cool.

I had a little apprehension about the fish finder mount, but after a good day on the water I am pretty happy with it.  I was also a little meh about the paddle mount on the starboard side, but it was fine today, so I think I'm just gonna roll with it on the wrong side, haha. I normally like to keep that side clear, but if I'm not trying to net an angry halibut or ling cod, I don't think it's gonna matter much.

Next step is to figure out how to mount a downrigger. I haven't acquired one yet, so I have options and decisions to make.

Sucess!!
Wow the water looks great too.

Nice ride Kevin!

Looking good! Just needs anointing with the blood of a salty big one.

Thanks guys! Looking forward to lots of good fishing days with this one.

Just needs anointing with the blood of a salty big one.

Yes, I need a saltwater trip. I might try a hali/striper mission in the bay soon...  It's probably gonna be a while before I can make it out to proper saltwater - have a lot on my to do list right now.

Bringing back my old thread - looking at downriggers.

Anyone mount a downrigger on a Passport 12? I think I'm kinda set on a Laketroller post mount - seems to fit the bill nicely as a small unit. Any others I should look at? Size is probably my biggest concern - want something fairly compact. Anyone mount a rod holder to the arm of a Laketroller?

Also, the other big question is where to mount it? I like to keep my right side fairly clear, but the rudder is on the left... There isn't much info out there - seems like not many Passport owners have gone down this road.

Thanks for ideas!

Bringing back my old thread - looking at downriggers.

Anyone mount a downrigger on a Passport 12? I think I'm kinda set on a Laketroller post mount - seems to fit the bill nicely as a small unit. Any others I should look at? Size is probably my biggest concern - want something fairly compact. Anyone mount a rod holder to the arm of a Laketroller?

Also, the other big question is where to mount it? I like to keep my right side fairly clear, but the rudder is on the left... There isn't much info out there - seems like not many Passport owners have gone down this road.

Thanks for ideas!

I bought the Laketroller, rewound it with Spectra, got the ball, whole nine yards.  Never actually installed it.  However, I was going to put it just aft of the rudder on the port side.  I've never been impressed with the flex in the gunwales, so I was going to back it with a block of UHMW plastic.  I bought a recessed star socket for it so there wouldn't be anything intrusive when the downrigger was off the boat.

Bringing back my old thread - looking at downriggers.

Anyone mount a downrigger on a Passport 12? I think I'm kinda set on a Laketroller post mount - seems to fit the bill nicely as a small unit. Any others I should look at? Size is probably my biggest concern - want something fairly compact. Anyone mount a rod holder to the arm of a Laketroller?

Also, the other big question is where to mount it? I like to keep my right side fairly clear, but the rudder is on the left... There isn't much info out there - seems like not many Passport owners have gone down this road.

Thanks for ideas!

I bought the Laketroller, rewound it with Spectra, got the ball, whole nine yards.  Never actually installed it.  However, I was going to put it just aft of the rudder on the port side.  I've never been impressed with the flex in the gunwales, so I was going to back it with a block of UHMW plastic.  I bought a recessed star socket for it so there wouldn't be anything intrusive when the downrigger was off the boat.

Hey Ted, thanks for chiming in! 

I agree about the flexy gunwales, backing is definitely a good idea. 

I'm kinda thinking about getting a Laketroller and using one of the Scotty mounts I already installed just aft of the seat.  Not wild about reaching around to crank it up and down though, but probably wouldn't be too bad on the starboard side.  Also, not wild about losing a rod holder, but I think Scotty makes a clamp on rod holder that fits the boom on the Laketroller.

Any other spot seems like it would either be in the way or unreachable while pedaling. 

Also, the other big question is where to mount it? I like to keep my right side fairly clear, but the rudder is on the left... There isn't much info out there - seems like not many Passport owners have gone down this road.

If it must be a Passport, then I would maybe use a piece of wood as a crossbar in front of the pedal with backing on each gunrail. This would allow you to have a ridgid platform to mount the DR & additional rod holder mount.
You could make this permenant or detachable depending on your need.

Also, the other big question is where to mount it? I like to keep my right side fairly clear, but the rudder is on the left... There isn't much info out there - seems like not many Passport owners have gone down this road.

If it must be a Passport, then I would maybe use a piece of wood as a crossbar in front of the pedal with backing on each gunrail. This would allow you to have a ridgid platform to mount the DR & additional rod holder mount.
You could make this permenant or detachable depending on your need.

Yeah, it's gotta be the Passport. It's my only pedal drive kayak right now, and I won't have space/budget for another kayak for a while.

I like the idea of running a cross bar, but that would put it really far forward and difficult to reach. Maybe if I got a powered downrigger...

Doh I forgot about the use of a DR being that far awy

Doh I forgot about the use of a DR being that far awy

Haha, I just thought maybe you have longer arms than I do!

I see two potential locations for an additional Scotty mount for your DR...1. Could you fit another Scotty mount right side between the gear track and the paddle hook? Ergonomically it seems that may be a good location, just not sure if you've got the requisite space on that part of the deck.

2. What about right in front of the one you installed for the rocket rod holder? there may be space to get another mount in there and for the Laketroller to sit right in front of the Rod holder. If you choose this location, one of the Scotty flush mounts may be a better choice as it may provide clearance needed to fit the DR under the rod holder with enough space to make sure everything works and is ergonomically acceptable.

Neither may work, but from my computer screen those locations at least seem possible?

I see two potential locations for an additional Scotty mount for your DR...1. Could you fit another Scotty mount right side between the gear track and the paddle hook? Ergonomically it seems that may be a good location, just not sure if you've got the requisite space on that part of the deck.

2. What about right in front of the one you installed for the rocket rod holder? there may be space to get another mount in there and for the Laketroller to sit right in front of the Rod holder. If you choose this location, one of the Scotty flush mounts may be a better choice as it may provide clearance needed to fit the DR under the rod holder with enough space to make sure everything works and is ergonomically acceptable.

Neither may work, but from my computer screen those locations at least seem possible?

Thanks for the ideas! I've thought about both of those spots - I think right in front of the rod holder mount is probably best.

After some more research, I think I'm gonna go with a Cannon Easi-Troll, since that model allows one hand use, which seems like it would be really beneficial on a kayak. Of course, this adds a whole new layer of complication to the mount situation, since that mounts on a plate ... I might have found a solution:
https://v-lock.com/products/v-lock-set-sb
Gonna get the downrigger in hand before ordering the mount system though, but this mount seems like it would add a great deal of flexibility to this equation.

...I might have found a solution:
https://v-lock.com/products/v-lock-set-sb

That price of $48 seems excessive. I don't think it would be too difficult to fabricate something similar to the starboard version. Even simpler, just make a starboard base that's not (easily) removable--I always leave my DR base attached, and when not DR-ing, it makes a nice micro-table...