Just getting started

funny!

OK - I made the leap and ordered a new P15 angler addition . I was able to jump on the MBK Paddlefest sale a little early. This is not advertised but they did let me take advantage of the sale . In addition to the Kayak and other discounts, I received the Basic Skills and and Surf Zone class that you all recommended. I will be looking to install a fish finder and maybe another pole holder or two and some other stuff. It won't be long and I will be looking for someone who won't mind fishing with a rookie. Get ready SCAllen  . The Kayak is Yellow for SAFETY (mooch) I was looking for a Swift Paddle but could not find one local. I ended up with a Werner Camano 230cm. Thanks to everyone who responded and helped me in making my decisions. Always willing to take advise and remember I'm still searching for two kayaks for my twin boys. Thanks - Ben

Congrats Ben! See you on the water soon!

Ben,

I own two Camanos. A full fiberglass one piece that is my day to day go-to paddle, and a less expensive two piece fiberglass/polycarbonate that serves as a spare. You made a good choice for an all around paddle. Perhaps an even better choice on the boat, what with it being almost a NorCal standard.

Get those lessons and you'll be a lot less of a kayaking newbie than many folks. Especially those that came to kayakfishing from being fishermen first, rather than being kayakers first. I'd fish with you, no problem...

Regards,
Scott

Hi Scott

Thanks for the positive feedback. I've totally relied on those who  responded to this thread in getting started. I'm planning on the leassons within the next couple of weekends and booking a trip with scallen out of Monterey. Once my kayak is in I should be ready to get out and meet some of the NCKA bunch. As I said in the beginning, I want to do this right and appreciate all the feedback I've received. I see you went to Stillwater for the opener. I'm within about 15 minutes from there. I will definitely have to check it out. I'll be contacting you soon to hookup.  Thanks again - Ben

YEEEEEEHAAAaaaaaawww!

Now let's do some fishin!!!

Allen

Hey Allen,

Enjoyed yaking with you a MBK Paddlefest yesterday . You showed me that the new P15 has a scupper hole designed for a transducer. Which model of fishfinder do I need that has the transducer that will fit that scupper hole? Let me know.

Thanks
Ben

Ben:

Great to meet you, too.  Look forward to getting out there with you.

Humminbird makes the transducers that fit, and I think you can get it specifically as an option with most of their fishfinders.

Allen

Ben,

I look forward to seeing you out at Bean Hollow and elsewhere this summer!

Since you and Allen mentioned it... You might check out the PiranhaMax series from Humminbird.  People here seem to like them.  The 240 is a newer and affordable model and it's tri-beam with an 8-level grayscale display.

http://www.humminbird.com/products.asp?ID=1006
http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=HUM4068901&id=HUM4068901&l=NEXTAG

If you want a bigger display, for $195, you can get a Humminbird 565...  for $165 you can get a 535, which I believe Scott Thornley has?  There are a number of threads here discussing FF's in detail.

I use the below mount for my FF unit.  I like how it's easy to connect and disconnect, and it's very adjustable.  You can call RAM to find out if the new PiranhaMax are compatible with this mount.
http://65.102.174.116/rammount/productdetail.aspx?partnumber=RAM-B-107-1U

Here is the topunit setup on my OK scupper pro.  Since I use a right-hand retrieve reel and feel most comfortable fishing off the left side of the yak, I mounted the FF unit on the right side.  Thus I would use the left for my rodholder (although my rodholder is low-profile and actually sits at the head of center console).  I use my forward hatch a lot, so I like to keep the path to that as free and clear as possible, thus mounting electronics/tall rodholders to one side or the other.

Awesome setup Craig!

Mooch and I were just discussing that ram mount setup last night.  Great position, and able to adjust closer, farther away, or off to the side for hatch access.  Clean.

Ben- the humminbird 300 and 500 lines have the capability for gps as well.  I think that's the way I will go for my next unit.

Allen

Curious ... I find the P13 to be slightly more stable than the P15.  I wonder if by the time you got to testing the P15, you got a feel for these boats and hence perceived the P15 as being more stable.

I too am a RAM mount user for FF installation.  I like it for all the reasons Allen/Craig stated.

-Allen

About the FF/GPS combo issue that scallen mentioned, it's so incredibly helpful to have both capabilites.

Personally, though, I prefer not combining them.  I like knowing that I have a great GPS made by Garmin ($160), and a great FF made by Lowrance/Eagle ($120).  Each product is its own price/category killer product, and if either one of them craps out or if I find a bargain upgrade, I don't have to replace both.

Plus, I access the GPS quite often on the water.  Often I'll take it out of the mount and fiddle with it sitting comfortably in my seat, change display modes, name/revise waypoints, set a new course, if I am going from one waypoint (fishing spot) to another, or now and then take it home and search online and enter GPS coords of reefs and other coastal points of interests, buoys etc.   Or I can just take it anywhere I want (on someone else's PB, for instance), for the fun of it.  All this is tough to do with a combined FF and GPS.

On the other hand, my FF which I hardly ever touch out on the water, is tucked back out of way, not even in the cockpit space - which I like.

I have an adjustable/locking mount designed for the Garmin GPS,
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Marine-Mount-GPSMAP-76/dp/B00005B8M1
(unit locks in fine for me, no problem) which fits right under my rodholder base on the console.  It's small, low, and takes up almost no additional space, and the access is terrific.

Here's how it all looks/works together.  As you can see, there is plenty of room for a 41" ling on my lap (my inseam is only 32"), and none of the items are in the way. (I keep the GPS angle adjuster a little loose, so if I need to push it down flush, I can, as shown here.  I keep it tilted up more like the FF while fishing.)  For having a separate FF, GPS, and rodholder, I think the deck is pretty uncluttered.

Hello Polepole  ,

I test paddled several kayaks before settling on the P15. I tested for initial stability,  secondary stability, sat sideways with my feet in the water, scooted on the sides and up the middle to and from the front of the kayake for access to the front hatch, paddled the kayak, checked the glide, speed and maneuverability. I found the P15 to be very comfortable doing all of this. The only thing that didn't outperform the P13 IMO was maneuverability. The P13 did not have much of a secondary as I was thrown out pretty quick. I seem to hit a wall with the P15 and actually had to force the issue before it tipped me out. There seemed to be more buoyancy in the P15 than the the P13. I was surprised that the 2' actually made that much difference. I'm 6' at about 240lb. Maybe that has something to do with why I felt the P15 worked better for me. 

Ben

Hey Cafecraig,

Thanks for all the great info and the photo's. I actually looked at a humminbird yesterday. I just couldn't remember what the transducer shape was on the P15. The GPS option is something to think about. I too have a handheld GPS made by Lowrance. I will have to decide if I want the unit with both features or just the one with a separate GPS. I kind of think the way you do as to what if something happens with the unit and losing both features. I have some time to decide because my P15 is not here yet. But, when it does I will be mounting the fishfinder with the ball mount as you have. That is a clean setup that can be moved. Where is your forward pole holder mounted? Send me a photo of your whole kayak. Would like to see how you have it set up. There is a lot of NCKA folks out there who I look forward to hooking up with on a fishing trip. Will let you know when I'm on the water.

Thanks again - Ben

Ben,

My kayak is offsite so it's tough to quickly get more photos than I have posted.  But I set up my systems this way because, mainly, I am value-minded (a cheap mofo) and wanted to spend the least $$.  The GPS/mount and rodholder, I already had.  The FF I got on clearance for $50 and the RAM mount was like $20 on eBay.

The other thing is that my yak has different mounting points/capabilities than yours has.  Here below is a photo similar to what I am suggesting - except
 -  my GPS is waterproof and floats and doesn't need a dry bag
 -  I like the RAM ball mount to move the FF further back in the cockpit
 -  and because I fish off the left of the yak, my FF and rodholder would be switched.   

I think for you the toughest thing will be deciding which rodholder you want.  The one I use would not work so well for you because you don't have a big enough flat surface in your console.

Your P15 would take the center console GPS fine, but you will mount your rodholder in the designated spaces above the footwell.

I will still post a photo of mine in "Rigged Kayaks" forum, as soon as I can get some more  photos of it.  It will be most helpful to someone who has a SPTW. Meanwhile, here's what I think is a great setup for your P15, given the - comments i made above.