Yet Another Trident 13 to Gear Up

Hi All,

So last night I went to the Aquan boat house in San Mateo to demo a Trident Angler 13 which is the same version that I purchased this past weekend.  I spent a half hour paddling it around the aquatic park and I was quite happy with the handling and performance.  It was a very comfortable boat to handle both on and off the water.  Based on the demo, I have decided to keep the kayak.

That means that I now need to gear up! 

This is what I have already purchased:
Wetsuit            - NRS Ultra John
Booties            - NRS Cross 4

This is what I am looking to purchase immediately or in the very near future:
A paddle           - Aquan has some Lendl paddles on sale right now, I am considering purchasing one of these
PFD                - Not sure which one to purchase but I am sure this one will not be difficult to figure out
Wet Socks
Rash Guard Top
Rash Guard Bottom
Paddle Jacket      - Thinking about the Kokatat Tempest
Whistle       
VHF Radio          - Standard Horizon HX 851
Compass
Dry/Flotation Bags - in place of pool noodles
Bilge Pump
First Aid Kit
Tool Kit
Paddling Gloves
Dive Knife
Net                - Thinking of the SPRO Stowaway net.  Does anyone have an opinion about this net?
Gaff               - KZ floating gaff with standard hook
Leashes
Flare Gun
Head Lamp
Foam Blocks        - I was going to purchase a rack for my Civic Si, but given that I am probably going to buy a new car by the end of this year, I am going to try and get by with foam blocks until then.

This is what I would like to purchase in the future:
Anchor           
Drift Chute
Fish Finder        - I want one eventually, but I am wondering if I can get by without one for a while.

Does this look like a complete list?  Is there something important that I am missing?  I am most interested in making sure I have the correct gear I need to be safe on the water.  I derived most of this from the "ocean newbie questions" thread.  I would greatly appreciate any other suggestions people might have regarding gearing up my kayak.  I am usually a very minimalistic fisherman so I suspect my approach to my kayak will follow a similar pattern.  Thanks for all the great posts that have gotten me this far and for the great advice that I am sure to get in the future!

Michael

Review of the net http://www.tackletour.com/reviewspronet.html

Sounds like a good list to start. I sent you a message.

Also you should consider going to the ise show in san mateo.  You should be able to see some rigged kayaks there for more ideas. Also, there are a few others who own t13s who will be there.  One for sure who will be there is yakhopper, who works for fishermans warehouse and is an OK team member. He also sold some kayak accessories last year for very fair prices.

There's a $2 coupon on the front page of NCKA for the show.

Just one more comment on the dry bags. I would not discount the use of pool noodles, especially for the t13 where so much is stored inside. You want to save space for your rods and other items you have stowed. Specifically on the t13 the supersize pool noodles fit perfectly within the small space between the scupper holes and the sides of the kayak. This area is pretty narrow and not easy to access while on the water anyways.  4 of these noodles would give you enough internal floatation to bail out or wait for help.  You could probably squeeze fit 8 regular size noodles in this space as well although I did not try it on my old one. Another benefit to this is that it gives you some soft areas internally to protect your gear if it bangs around or shifts. At worst, this could be your back up to a dry bag floatation. Never can be too safe.

Sorry to thread jack,
Due to Employee issues I will not be able to attend the ISE show this year.
I was really looking forward to seeing many of you at the show.
Hope the show goes well and we can get togather on the water soon.
Yakhopper
(The other E.K.)

sorry to hear that eric..Michael there should still be some good info at the show.  There is a seminar every day at 2:30pm about kayak rigging and there should be others around who have kayaks to see (i think)

Sounds like a good list to start. I sent you a message.

Also you should consider going to the ise show in san mateo.  You should be able to see some rigged kayaks there for more ideas. Also, there are a few others who own t13s who will be there.  One for sure who will be there is yakhopper, who works for fishermans warehouse and is an OK team member. He also sold some kayak accessories last year for very fair prices.

There's a $2 coupon on the front page of NCKA for the show.

Thanks all of your advice.  Every bit of advice I have gotten has been very helpful in my decision making process.  I will definitely be going to the ise show in san mateo, especially since I live in San Mateo so it is practically in my backyard.  Thanks again!

Michael

Hey Michael,

I found a site where they're selling HX850s for $174.99 including shipping and no tax.  Just incase you haven't bought the 851 yet.  I just order one and it's schedule to arrive next Thursday.  Here's the link...

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/MP63501045.htm?bct=t251412

Pete

See u guys at the ISE in san mateo driving up to visit friends and will drop in to say hi and try not to spend much money... LOL I need a lighter paddle so we will see what they have.

Hey Michael,

I found a site where they're selling HX850s for $174.99 including shipping and no tax.  Just incase you haven't bought the 851 yet.  I just order one and it's schedule to arrive next Thursday.  Here's the link...

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/MP63501045.htm?bct=t251412

Pete

Thanks for the heads up.  It seems the chief difference between the two is the ability to store waypoints in the 851.  I guess if I get a fishfinder with GPS that probably is not much of an extra benefit.

Michael

I don't see a camera on the list 

Congrats, Michael.  I would get a fish finder sooner, not later.  Let's get out on the water.

Tom

Congrats, Michael.  I would get a fish finder sooner, not later.  Let's get out on the water.

Tom

FF our not really a must. I caught more fish this last year without a ff then previous years with one. But I did get a ff for my new yak due to wanting to due some different type of fishing this year.

I think FF is useful if its territory that you do not know. other than that its probably not necessary.  generally speaking i use the FF more for structure and depth than for fish, as I don't particularly trust electronics.

if you're fishing for rockfish for example, you generally want to make sure you are not on a flat sandy area. while you may be able to tell right below you that it is sandy by the feel of your jig, you wouldn't necessarily know if there was a reef 50 yards from you to the north, south, east west etc unless you already know the area.  fishing blind is more of a challenge and can definitely be more fun because of that sense of the unknown for sure though.

Go by the Fish and game table.  Last year they were giving away license holders and whistles.