Just bought 2008 Hobie Outback. Need advice.

Will the mini Wheeleez work just as fine as the regular one?
Any quick ideas for anchor system?
Can I just use the 4 flush rod holders or should i buyt the ones that stick out of the rod holders?

I want to fish for Kokes, Kings, in the lake. What kind of setup do I need for my Outback?

After I become accustomed to the lakes then I will got to ARW or Tomales Bay.

Any and all suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

 

  Congradulations on your OB.  I have one as well.  I'll tell you now, you can loose rods out of the rear rod holders!  I know this as it happened to me.  The one time I foolishly choose NOT to teather(forgot) my fav trout rod, the roostertail I was trolling, snagged bottom, and as I  realized it was snagged I was a few seconds short of grbbing the rod " Missed it by that much" and watched the rod PLOP and disappear into Loch Lomond.

  For trolling now, I use a ram mounted scotty rod holder installed up front.  I have the small ball, and scotty extension.  Placed forward enough that the rod handle doesn't interfer with my peddling.

I lost my favorite Loomis at loch lomond also. As far as rigging plan for a downrigger for kokes. More people troll from forward rod holders so you can see your rod tips. The downrigger should be close to you. Look at a lot of rigged Outbacks before you start drilling.

Steph

I have an outback ghetto'd pretty much to the hilt. I put a scotty rod holder with extension on my left side of the Hobie and I use the hard handle as the other one. I have my GPS/depthfinder on the front hatch but plan on moving it someday close to where I sit. I have a livewell behind my seat, thanks to my wife,that  I sometimes put on just for an extra rod holder space and to hold fish when I catch them. 

I also have turbo fins and just put a sail rudder on the back. I have leaches for just about everything since I'm such a clutz.  I have the distinguished honor of being one of the few ever to roll an outback all the way over.

I want to put a downrigger on mine too, but that is in the way out future.

Will the mini Wheeleez work just as fine as the regular one?

No, in the end you will wish you had the one with bigger wheels, I spent more (building my own) trying to avoid a "wheeleze" than I would have just buying the one everyone else raves about.

Any quick ideas for anchor system??

Here's a link to Totes QRAS, http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,16289.0/topicseen.html

For an anchor I just use an old 5# dive weight.

What lake are you referring to? King Salmon?

Be sure you have a leash on your Mirage drive too.  $20 to save from losing a $500 ticket.

Will the mini Wheeleez work just as fine as the regular one?

No, in the end you will wish you had the one with bigger wheels, I spent more (building my own) trying to avoid a "wheeleze" than I would have just buying the one everyone else raves about.

Any quick ideas for anchor system??

Here's a link to Totes QRAS, http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,16289.0/topicseen.html

For an anchor I just use an old 5# dive weight.

I ended up buying the mini Wheeleez, found a good deal online with coupon, came out to $100. But now Im kind of having second thoughts, hope it isn't too small. The one reason I got it is because it stows away in the hatch, unlike the bigger Wheeleez does.

I looked over the anchor thread, looks complicated lol. But in the future I'll give it a try. For now I think I'll just hook up my anchor to some rope and attach a floater thing at the end.

So looks like I'm definately going to invest in some leashes first to tie everything down. One thing I'm worred about when installing these Ram Rods or Scotty Rod holders is the drilling, would hate to start drilling and it be in the wrong position, I may just settle for withought the rods for now and maybe stick some pvc piping in the rod holders the OB comes with lol.

Before you start mounting and especially drilling, it is a good idea to get out on the water and go through the motions to figure out the best workable positions for things.  See ya on the water.

Scotty makes a gimbal mount you can put in recessed rod  holders. If you shine a light down the holder you should see a cross piece that matches the slot on the bottom of the gimbal tap the gimbal down on the crosspiece and add the scotty parts / extenders  to customize your rig. worry about drilling after you have been out a few time and you get a feel for your boat.  Austin Kayaks has really good deals on rod holder systems

 

  Yes leash everything you want to keep!  I used small aircraft cable (Steel cable & asssociated clamps for the cable) 1/16" by maybe 20" or so for my drive leash.  It's permantley attached to my drive and the other end I use a brass clip I attach to the eyelet I installed just for it, on the bulkhead forward of the drive.
  As for the rest of my leashes, I simply used some black para cord I had, I used about 8', looped it back on its self, (Now 4') then, the closed end I then pushed through an eyelet, then ran the loose ends throught the closed end and pulled tight.  Bingo 2 secure leashes one anchor point.  The ends of the leashes I simply tied Bolin knots in.
  I have leashes for : up to 4 rods, my down rigger, and drive.

  Oh also, when you finally do decide it's time to start drilling to install stuff, MAKE sure you can reach inside the hull where your planning to drill!  You might not be able to reach to attach hardware (Nuts washers, backing, etc...)

I realize there that it's hard to not go jumping in and adding everything you have ever dreamed of to a new boat before you take it out.  But you should spend some time doing the fishing you plan on doing before you make the plunge to drill holes in your ride.  Really spend some time and think about what your needs are verses your wants.  Start with the needs, work you way up from there.  Same with gear, dont bring your whole garage with you when you go out.  Pick a fish or two and bring minimal gear to target them and spend your time OTW thinking about your options.

Myself, I use my crate for mounting Downrigger, Rod Holders, etc, and have never drilled a hole in my Outback.  I found that i'm comfortable with two rear rod holders for trolling, and dont really need much more than vertical rod storage for launching and landing.

I realize there that it's hard to not go jumping in and adding everything you have ever dreamed of to a new boat before you take it out.  But you should spend some time doing the fishing you plan on doing before you make the plunge to drill holes in your ride.  Really spend some time and think about what your needs are verses your wants.  Start with the needs, work you way up from there.  Same with gear, dont bring your whole garage with you when you go out.  Pick a fish or two and bring minimal gear to target them and spend your time OTW thinking about your options.

Myself, I use my crate for mounting Downrigger, Rod Holders, etc, and have never drilled a hole in my Outback.  I found that i'm comfortable with two rear rod holders for trolling, and dont really need much more than vertical rod storage for launching and landing.

Good point. I definately will take it out with minimal gear and hold off drilling. I think I will target Trout and Kokes for now and move up to Kings at Berry in deeper water if that is even possible? And yes as much as possible I'd like to not drill. By any chance ALS can you show me a pic of your crate/downrigger/rodholder setup? Wondering also how you strap that all down to your yak with all that weight so it doesn't go in the water. I found an old milkcrate behind my job in the bushes yesterday and snatched that up quick. Hope it wasn't anyones? lol

Take a look at this post: http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=34415.msg367669#msg367669

I just use the rear bungies strapped over the two corners of the crate, then my seat on the OB has a long cord to pull to the rear, and I run it through the left corner of the crate, and attach to the left bungie.  I've been flipped, and no way did I loose the crate, just everything else