TANK WELL Organization ideas for tarpon 140: POST EM UP

Tarpon owners:

I have shifted things around in the back of my T140 enough to know there has to be a better way. My main goal is to heave an insulated fish bag all the way back, without too much obstruction from tackle, rod holders, etc. Bottom line is- there is too much @#$@ on my boat.
Any pics of your perfect Tarpon size set-up? Post em up

thanks
Alex

Won't the insulated fish bag strap to the front of the kayak???

Alex,
I kept it simple and stuck with the standard issue milk crate set up.  It would be challenging to transfer a large fish or a large anything beyond the crate. Far from perfect but still evolving.

Like Tote said, I think your best bet is to strap the bag to the front. There's just too much stuff we need to carry on the back of the yak. Trying to get fish back there would be a task no matter what the conditions.

These guys store their fish in the back under the small white tarps but what little equipment they do carry is up front.


Z

Yeah, I've found the same problem with my standard size milk crate. Lately i've been thinking of cutting it down to make it more rectangular, so I don't have to reach back so far to toss my stringer in the well. I like Joel's storage box setup, and I'm percolating ideas around something like that.
Necessary things are:
2 rod holders +billy & gaff holders
space for small dry bag & paddle jacket
water bottle
I don't really carry much back there, and the full size crate is mostly for shuttling all of my stuff to & from the truck.
I'm also trying to put the kayak on a diet & lose a few pounds to make the beach portages easier. It's a work in progress...

thanks for the posts:

H2O Spider- You're crate setup is very similar to what I have been using all this time. Like Piscean said, my crate is mostly helpful for shuttling gear to the truck. The problem is the unused space behind the crate, which is for me, inaccessible.

Maybe a smaller crate? Or Joel's marine box.

Strapping a fish bag to the front of the kayak is an option, but I worry about my ability to shimmy up there in swells everytime I bag a rockfish. Especially when I think about dodging rodholders, fishfinder, etc.---It is no man's land up there.

Zeelander- I think the guys from the pic have a very ideal setup. I might rip that off!
Are they concealing tackle under hatches somewhere, or is that really all the stuff they bring?


 

Like the fellas on with the yellow prowlers....I keep a burlap sack and use it as a blanket. Simply put the fish on the tankwell, then  burlap sack on top and I occasionally splash water on top (with my paddle) to keep the fish moist and shaded from the sun.

The burlap sack is cheap and can be re-used. Just water it down after use and let it dry under the sun and you won't smell a thing

I got rid of my crate last year just so I have room on the tankwell for my catch. The pvc pipes stuck behind the plano box did the trick to make more room on the tankwell.

I also got rid of  my crate in my Tarpon 120 b/c it was a pain putting fish in the back of the tankwell.

I have a Hobie adventure now and I'm thinking of getting the tackle box built in to the round hatch in the cockpit.  I saw it at the FH show and it seems like a good idea (for someone who doesn't too much tackle).  Doesn't help the Tarpon and Prowler guys, though...

I wish my seat had rod holders as it would be a good place to stow a gaff and club.

Found 19" by 13" crate at work. It was about 3.5" to 4" too long to fit in the rear well's square mold.
After cutting off some material, gained about 4" of useful space.

I am not sure about it yet.
 

SF Alex, that is the most unprofessional set up I've seen to date. Makes that nice Tarpon look like some sort of jalopy. I liked your old set up better, and that was nothing to write home about either. I'd recommend scrapping that one. I'd hate to be seen out on the water with that on the back of your kayak.
Thanks,
G

If it works for you then go for it. The object is to have fun and catch fish, period. As far as looks are concerned; who cares? Back in my skiing hayday I used to dress in my duck hunting gear just because I got tired of seeing everyone trying to look like a fashion model. I would even bring my duck call. I would get all kinds of laughs..until they saw me ski. I could smoke 95% of the people on the hill. Bottom line is performance.
If you have the worst looking gear on the planet but are the most consistent fisherman
( or fisherwoman ) people will overlook your gear or try to copy it. Hard to argue with success.
Personally I am not a fan of the milk crate. I found it to be somewhat restricting and I could do without the extra weight. For those who like it..Bravo.

Function over fashion.

Promethean Spark proves that every time he hits the water! 

not a tarpon (a scupper pro TW), and not real pretty, but a smaller box, angled back gives you more floor room.

I swung a 30" ling back there no problem last year. but a big fish would have to go in my front hatch.

this playmate cooler also floats.  I cut holes in it for straps and added some tubes for rods n things.

try looking at a small cooler for your box maybe?

fishcamp-
Thanks for chiming in.
I knew you would be taking notes on a kayak that consistently outfishes yours. In your situation, does crate discussion (when in reference to fish storage) really apply?
Yes, you can borrow my old set up, but its not in the garage, it is a museum piece now.
Some Tarpon rear-well Q&A:
Unprofessional set-up? Possibly.
A scrapped design? Probably.
A leaky ex-rental Prowler? Certainly not. 

ha take that,
Alex

Fishcamp and SFAlex.... It sounds like you guys are good fishing buddies.