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Got my first kayak, what all do I need to get?

Posted on 9/14/15 at 9:50 pm
Posted by chickman1313
Mandeville
Member since Dec 2007
4922 posts
Posted on 9/14/15 at 9:50 pm
My badass wife got me an ascend fs12t for my birthday yesterday! Been wanting one for years, happy to finally get it.

So what all do I need? I guess I'll make a stakeout pole, it has two built in rod holders. I see a lot of them with a milk crate, with more rods and I guess just storage? I have one of the Columbia fish bag/cooler deals so that should work for putting fish in and drinks and whatnot...

I have a bag tackle box or bag I guess, so that should be good for that. Never done much saltwater fishing but plan to start and do that mainly... Is there a good live bait container for kayaks?

Wife also got me an ascend paddle and a pfd.

Gotta get me a bed extender for my truck, thinking of getting the dolly thing so I can roll it instead of dragging it.

So what else ya got???
This post was edited on 9/14/15 at 9:51 pm
Posted by AutoYes_Clown
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Oct 2012
5176 posts
Posted on 9/14/15 at 10:04 pm to
Need pics of wife to provide proper suggestions.














Go out a few times with bare essentials in order to get a feel for what you will need and more importantly, how you will carry and store it. There are many many options when it comes to rigging. You have one of the most popular kayaks out there so there are lots of people that have done trial and error. Search on this and other forums.
Posted by armytiger16
Member since Oct 2010
563 posts
Posted on 9/14/15 at 10:07 pm to


Getting me fired up with all the excitement.

You might want to keep things simple at first. Take it out in a pond and get a feel for how your gear sits and what's comfortable for you. There's tons of stuff You can cram into a kayak but as long as you got a pole, paddle, pliers, and some baits you can do work! The simplicity of kayak fishing is one of the best parts.

Posted by YOURADHERE
Member since Dec 2006
8042 posts
Posted on 9/14/15 at 10:39 pm to
The ascends are notorious for leaking at the scupper holes. Check them out and see how the seams align, if you take it out and get water in the hull put silicone on the seams.

Like mentioned go out a couple times and figure out what you want/need and where you'd like it. Stake out pole, anchor trolley, figure out if you want a crate and how you'd like it arranged. Where you want your fish bag or tackle stored at, etc. You may end up with a few trail and error setups before you settle on what's right for you.
Posted by reds on reds on reds
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2013
4205 posts
Posted on 9/14/15 at 11:22 pm to
I don't bring shite when I go.. My paddle, pfd, baitcaster, fly rod, and a tackle bag. Never used an anchor or any of the other stuff and I catch more than most people I know that kayak fish. It's all about figuring out what works for you.
Posted by DeoreDX
Member since Oct 2010
4055 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 6:50 am to
Coast guard says you also need a sound producing device that can be heard from a half mile away. (I use a whistle attached to my PFD) And if you are navigating in low light conditions some type of light producing device or hull lights.
Posted by DownSouthDave
Beau, Bro, Baw
Member since Jan 2013
7377 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 6:59 am to
I would say that you probably don't need a bed extender.

Anchor trolley and stake out pole are must haves for me. And depending on what type of fishing you do, a depth finder. I use mine a lot.
Posted by StrongBackWeakMind
Member since May 2014
22650 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 7:11 am to
quote:

I catch more than most people I know that kayak fish.
Watch out now.
Posted by StrongBackWeakMind
Member since May 2014
22650 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 7:12 am to
It will take you a few times to figure out what you want and what you need. Everyone is different. Throw in a stick anchor and you'll have all the basics.

Get yourself a net, too.

This is what I use for live bait. Cheap and easy.

This post was edited on 9/15/15 at 7:24 am
Posted by reds on reds on reds
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2013
4205 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 8:31 am to
quote:

Watch out now.


What I failed to mention is I don't know that many people that kayak fish
Posted by thegreatboudini
Member since Oct 2008
6453 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 8:41 am to
Bed extender wasn't necessary for my 10'. I bought outdoor flag holders and used them as rod holders. They were a fraction the cost of real rod holders and I just mounted them to the top out of the way.
Posted by The Last Coco
On the water
Member since Mar 2009
6840 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 8:51 am to
quote:

Gotta get me a bed extender for my truck

I have a Ranger and have owned several kayaks over the past 8 years up to 14' long. I've never seen the need for a bed extender fwiw. Ratchet straps are all I ever use. I've even loaded 3 kayaks at one time in there.

quote:

thinking of getting the dolly thing so I can roll it instead of dragging it

Consider the type of terrain you will be traversing before selecting your dolly. Hard ground, pretty much any kayak cart will do. If you keep your eyes open, you can find some for around $30. If you'll be going through soft much or sand, you'll need a dolly with big, wide wheels or else you are better off dragging it.

quote:

it has two built in rod holders. I see a lot of them with a milk crate, with more rods and I guess just storage?
The built-in, angled rod holders are a PITA while fishing IMO. They get caught on the back-cast constantly. I prefer either straight up rod-holders on a crate, or laying my rods down and strapping them to the hull. I do a lot of river/stream fishing, so anything sticking up is a recipe for breaking and losing gear.

quote:

Is there a good live bait container for kayaks?
I have utilized the flow-through minnow buckets very successfully for keeping live bait alive. If that's not an option for you, the next best thing is either an ice chest with aerator, or two five gallon buckets stacked inside each other with ice in the bottom bucket to keep the water cool and an aerator in the top bucket for your bait.

Other gear to include is a paddle leash, anchor trolley, bow rope, first-aid kit, TP, and small hand paddle. Good luck and tight lines.
Posted by StrongBackWeakMind
Member since May 2014
22650 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 8:56 am to
quote:

two five gallon buckets stacked inside each other with ice in the bottom bucket
I like that idea.
Posted by chickman1313
Mandeville
Member since Dec 2007
4922 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 9:06 am to
Thank yall for the tips. So no bed extender? I figure with my tailgate down my bed is about 8ft so 4 ft will hang off, guess it doesn't really matter if it's secured good at the front.

The rod holder thing makes sense, those built in holders would be directly where I'd have my back cast.

It should be OK to drag it a few feet on concrete huh? I'd think 90% of the time I'd pull right up to where I'll put in.
Posted by Geaux23
Member since Sep 2012
5810 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 9:20 am to
quote:

and I catch more than most people I know that kayak fish


you dont know me bawwww
Posted by StrongBackWeakMind
Member since May 2014
22650 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 9:27 am to
Bed extender not necessary. Just strap it in well.

Angled, flush mount rod holders get in my way too. Crate solves that problem. Also, crates are good for keeping all your shite in one place. I've got tackle box, rain gear, first aid, sunscreen, anchor, etc. all in there. Easier on the mind knowing all your shite is in one place.

You should be able to just pick it up and carry it to the launch, assuming it's not too far. I never drag mine.
Posted by reds on reds on reds
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2013
4205 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 9:33 am to
quote:

you dont know me bawwww



I was a little full of myself last night
Posted by Geaux23
Member since Sep 2012
5810 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 9:38 am to


you were dreaming about that gold spoon and delacroix
Posted by Mark Makers
The LP
Member since Jul 2015
2336 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 9:38 am to
Heck no don't drag that thing. Just pick it up from the bed of your truck empty, set it in the water, then load your gear in it. A cart could come in handy to keep you from holding up a boat launch line and allowing you to fully load before you get in the way. You are going to drag and scrape the bottom enough on accident (oysters, etc.) so you won't want to drag it on purpose too.
Posted by reds on reds on reds
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2013
4205 posts
Posted on 9/15/15 at 9:45 am to
quote:

you were dreaming about that gold spoon and delacroix



That's exactly right. Been on crutches for the last 2 months and all I can think about is how I want to go tear up some fish.
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