Save me from overthinking! - Rigging for Trolling

You guys have really helped!  My mind is clear.  My goal is to kayak and catch fish.  And to learn how to be safe in this boat.  I can do that with the built-in rod holders. 

Thanks for sharing your setups, especially those with the down-riggers.  I am inspired by the simplicity and elegance. 

After a trip or two, I am sure I will have a better idea of what will work for me...

One thing you will see/find on here is more than one way to achieve a goal ...  another one thing you will find on here are DIY suggestions and 'over-the-counter' products that achieve the same purpose (generally) with the difference being investment of time vs money.

Lots of creativity on here!

One thing you will see/find on here is more than one way to achieve a goal ...  another one thing you will find on here are DIY suggestions and 'over-the-counter' products that achieve the same purpose (generally) with the difference being investment of time vs money.

When deciding whether to buy an over-the-counter product or make the piece of equipment yourself, remember that DIY projects can have a lot of entertainment value.

Don't do like I did and buy a bunch of "cool"  stuff for you boat right off the bat. Paddle around and get comfortable with it and make sure you and the boat are a good fit. You might find that you aren't comfortable, it's handling isn't what you want/expect etc. Then, if you are still happy, look at other setups on similar kayaks being used for the same styles of fishing you will be doing. If you like something, copy it.
Good luck! Hope to see you out there!

One thing you will see/find on here is more than one way to achieve a goal ...  another one thing you will find on here are DIY suggestions and 'over-the-counter' products that achieve the same purpose (generally) with the difference being investment of time vs money.

When deciding whether to buy an over-the-counter product or make the piece of equipment yourself, remember that DIY projects can have a lot of entertainment value.

I'll share some of the DIY stuff I get myself into if you want some entertainment value.  Sometimes buying a part along the way cannot be, value wise, accomplished via diy. 

+1 on the entertainment value of setting up ur yak , esp in the winter months.
Setting up my RTM last year, my motto was "keep it simple"
If you don't , you'll have so much shit to deal with in a small space , it can get complicated plus take a long time to get set up. 

I just packed a box to return to Amazon, full of $200 of stuff I bought in my initial rigging excitement!   

I did get the yak on the water in Foster City - nice 6ft deep protected blue-dyed saltwater lagoons in the middle of suburban housing tracts.  I found the outback to be very stable, smooth, and fast enough.  I even took my dog for a spin!  I can imagine there will be times (maybe with waves or strong current) when I will wish for the speed of a sleeker hull, like a Revolution.  AND, the  Vantage seat is uber-comfy and dry! 

All I am going to rig without specific on the water experience is four DIY projects with small $$ requirements.

1) Loading and roof-rack - Protect me and yak.
2) Wheeleez ABS mod - Learning from your experience.
3) Plano 1612 with triple rod holder - Learning from your experience, and limiting my available space on purpose.
4) Minor Front hatch mod - I can already tell it will leak.  Nylon straps are too tight to allow hatch to contact the seal.

looks good - just add pfd

Absolutely add PFD!  Bahia Predator on order!

In this situation, the water was 6-ft deep, I was 20 ft from shore, and I had a life-guard present!  (not to mention my guard dog).

ok I am a midget so water that deep is scary
BTW I can only dream of that new seating system

Here's my setup.
I added a Scotty backing plate to the mount where I have my downrigger is mounted.

ooh, nice!  That might even clear my knees!  These long legs of mine take up a lot of cockpit room!

You guys have really helped!  My mind is clear.  My goal is to kayak and catch fish.  And to learn how to be safe in this boat.  I can do that with the built-in rod holders. 

Thanks for sharing your setups, especially those with the down-riggers.  I am inspired by the simplicity and elegance. 

After a trip or two, I am sure I will have a better idea of what will work for me...

Really that is the best advice anyone can give you, spend some time in your boat before you decide where things should go.  I'd also say that it helps to use the K.I.S.S method when rigging your kayak.

i went through the same thing in my OB a couple months ago.  just take it out and fish from it (both salt and fresh, since you may have different setups for each)!  i tried trolling/storing with all the built in holders, but enjoyed slow trolling with rod in hand (couldn't do that before).  holder of choice, rocket launchers so far in fresh (not sure yet for salmon trolling).  coming from paddling, i learned quickly that your knees can get in the way of rod butts in a hobie, so now i realize why some mount on one side and point them over to the other side.

i wanted to keep gunwales clean for rack loading, so i knew i wanted scotty flush mounts and no tracks.  while fishing i would kinda imagine where i would want my rod holders to be.  ended up putting flush mounts in the forward trays.  if i were to do it all over again, i would add a starboard spacer to raise flush mounts a bit.  i think it will allow just enough clearance to use my laketroller w/o an extender.  i did use the scotty backing (oh what fun that was cutting off multiple siezed nuts/bolts with dremel!)

for FF i borrowed a mount that would fit in the mast.  it seemed nice and out of the way for crabbing, but made pushing buttons impossible without scooting foward.  ended up putting 1" ball in forward tray behind flush mounts (tough decision on which side to put it on!)

i just wish the OB was 10 lbs lighter!  have fun rigging!

one more thing.... add pad eye and leash that $600 drive

one more thing.... add pad eye and leash that $600 drive

+1

Paul, there will be at least 2 of us at Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton this Saturday.  We both have Outbacks.  Mine is rigged and my buddies is not - in fact it will be his christening.  Come join us and you'll at the very least be able to get a look at mine.

Michael