Jeffrm20's Dual Hatch Tarpon 160 *Updated 3/10/2010*

Here is my kayak at it's current setup as 3/10/2010. I will change the pics as I change things. Because it will never be finished!

Here is a front shot of the yak. You can see the digital camera mount that fits into a Scotty rodholder.


Another shot of the setup





My Humminbird Fishfinder 565 dual beam with my Gopro mounted to the back of it.



Back shot



Rudder



My Led on/off switch (will change this out to waterproof style later)



The Led lights



The view through the digital camera mounted on the PVX



And the view from the GoPro camera mounted on the fish finder



Jeff

cool i cant wait to see how you mount it, did you go wed night and how was it, delta that is. Also you could try and make it so it fits flush mounts. james

You don't want to mess around do ya? Careful with that sucker, it's a bull. I have the same model (Depthmaster) and it's a big unit. Do yourself a favor and take your time in deciding where to mount it and use a light ball at the start. 1.5-2#'s is good.

Z

I got two of them on my 16' Klamath. Make sure its secure before you drop that ball!

Thanks for the input guys.

I will probably only be using 1.5 pounds because I don't do any fast trolling. Under 2mph. Haven't found a place to mount it. I probably wont do the flush mount idea. Too much stress on a small mount, I want something a little more secure and permanent. I want it where I can add a identical one on the opposite side sometime in the future. Walked around the kayak for a few hours today, I'd like to mount them in front of me but it'd have to be way in front of my paddle stroke. I just don't like the idea of the awkward weight behind me and me turning around to reel the downrigger up and tip over.
Jeff

I do some kayak downrigger. I would recommend that you switch out to heavy mono or braid. That way you can cut free in a pinch with a knife.

Also if you mount behind, get crimp on line markers and put them on one every 10 ft or so. They will make bump sounds going over the roller and you will khow deep with out looking when letting out.

-Brian G

I'd like to mount them in front of me but it'd have to be way in front of my paddle stroke. I just don't like the idea of the awkward weight behind me and me turning around to reel the downrigger up and tip over.
Jeff

I know what you mean. In front would be more convenient but the physics of side pull and drag will work against that. It is a little difficult to work when it's behind you but with some practice you will get used to it. DR fishing from the kayak is a complicated game so if you have some questions feel free to PM me.

Z

I like the crimp idea. I have the lake troller so it doesn't have a depth counter. The crimps don't get hung up?

Forget the down rigger,  How long have you been sleeping in that race car bed? 

Forget the down rigger,  How long have you been sleeping in that race car bed? 

Lol, that's my 2 year old sons bed

Forget the down rigger,  How long have you been sleeping in that race car bed? 

Damnit. You beat me to it, S.H.!

Old pics removed

Being devil's advocate here but the Tarpon being a tippy yak and the DR hanging off the edge like that? It looks pretty crazy. Make sure you tie everything down.

Z

Running one DR can be a problem with stability but two will actually increase the stability...at least in my theory. 

#1 is the weight pulling down. # 2 offsets # 1.  # 3 is the rotational torque( flipping force ) which is created by # 1 and # 2. # 3 should have a resultant of 0 torque.

Running one DR can be a problem with stability but two will actually increase the stability...at least in my theory. 

#1 is the weight pulling down. # 2 offsets # 1.  # 3 is the rotational torque( flipping force ) which is created by # 1 and # 2. # 3 should have a resultant of 0 torque.

Interesting theory B. I think it would work but what you would be creating is double the drag (and double the $$). When paddling w/ downrigger that's a PITA. The solution I've come up with is to mount the downrigger directly behind you so that the DR arm is just hanging over the side. That way it's on the centerline w/ the least torque. I use a 6# ball now and troll 120' pretty easily. Although it came w/ a lot of practice...

Z