Putting a Trident 15 through it's paces.

A friend of mine up here in Portland, Jason Self, is a kayaking guide and an avid kayak angler.  He recently started a blog about kayak angling up here in the Portland area and posted some incredible footage of what can be done with a large SOT kayak.  He actually prefers to fish out of his more traditional kayak most of the time, but after a little goading on NWKA we got him to show us a few tricks.

Here's his blog.
http://kayakangler.blogspot.com/2008/11/rolling-prowler-trident-15-bow-rudders.html

And here are a few embedded youtube videos from the post.

A 180 bow rudder (in case you ever need to turn around in one stroke)


Rolling the T15 with thigh straps.  It's a bit unorthodox but it get's the job done.



-Brian

Not sure I see the point of either move for a fishing SOT, but impressive none the less!

The only real point of either move was that he said he could do it and we made him prove it.  I'm just giving him props for backing up the talk.

Like I said...impressive.

Evidently he pinched a nerve in his back and pulled a thigh muscle on the T15 roll.  I think I'm now less impressed.

Not sure I see the point of either move for a fishing SOT, but impressive none the less!

Sean,

Well, for instance, in your PT11, eddying out with a bow rudder/duffek would be pretty darn cool and easy. Something to think about for your Steelhead drifts. As for being able to do a roll at will, there are three major areas where it comes in to play: 1) You've effed up, and are now upside down in the surf zone. You can roll up in 3 seconds, ready to go with paddle in hand. Well before the next wave comes crashing down on you. 2) You effed up, and are in the surf zone with a big effing wave about to lay waste. Turn turtle, then roll up ready to go after it's passed. 3) You want to spend an hour working on techniques/skills that put you in risk of capsize or falling off the boat. Being able to roll saves time and energy, compared to constantly climbing back on the boat after each dismount. Of course, you'll need everything stowed below decks in order for (1) and (2) above to be of any use, so there's no wonder why I prefer boats with no tankwell...

Brian,

Tell your buddy he's cheating by not having a seat And that looks like a perfectly orthodox Pawlata roll from a layed back position.

Regards,
Scot

Scott:

I tried a duffek in my T-11 and it really didn't snap aroundin time to make it effective.  I don't think it has enough rocker, or too strong of a keel, or maybe I just need to work on it more, its not something I have dialed.  I have had great luck just looking ahead, setting a ferry angle, and backpaddling when needed. 

The only time my SOTs have been a real handful is when you get into the kind of swirling holes that Chinook love.  Water under the bow is going one way, water under the stern is going the other way, and the boat is trying to catch an edge under your butt.  It has gotten real sketchy a few times.  On the Smith it gets even more nerve wracking when you can see giant old growth strainers that wouldn't even feel you dying.