Trophy Fishing TN Forum - Caney Fork Trout Fly Fishing - Caney Fork Trout Guide
Boating => Shallow Water River Boats and Jet Boats.. => Topic started by: MikeA on March 30, 2013, 04:59:53 PM
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Kayak Mods is something I am always searching the net for. I'll start off with a really simple one for the Stand Up Kayakers.
I was wanting something simple to hold my paddle at my waist so I can fish with both hands and get to my paddle for an adjustment without having to bend over. I think this is a very simple and effective solution to that problem. I used one of the Nite Ize Gear ties looped through my belt and formed into a cradle. The other end of the paddle I slide under one of the bungee cords on the front hatch of the Cosa.
The gear ties are awesome if you've never tried them BTW. Below is a link if you don't know what they are.
http://www.niteize.com/product/Gear-Tie-24.asp
Here is the paddle holder.
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0322.jpg)
Next I'll go through the 1" Pex Pipe mod I did for fly rod sleeves on the Jackson Cosa. Please feel free to share your Kayak Mods.
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It's all good til you snag your fly on a rock in heavy current, the your paddle pulls your draws down in the struggle. Better have a tight belt.
Looks rather ergonomic otherwise.
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It's all good til you snag your fly on a rock in heavy current, the your paddle pulls your draws down in the struggle. Better have a tight belt.
Looks rather ergonomic otherwise.
We here in middle tn call that the Full Mikie Moon! ;D
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Cool idea Mike.
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Mike what kayak do u use?
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Mike, Jackson Cosa.
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Mod to hold small boxes in the side compartment of the Jackson Cosa.
piece of 4" x 1/4 aluminum cut to fit and riveted into place. In the background is a Kayak dolly I made from a Golf cart last year. Works great.
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0331.jpg)
Perfect fit for small plano box or fly boxes.
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0332.jpg)
View with seat in place
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0334.jpg)
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Rod protectors made from 1" Pex pipe. You can find this pipe in straight sections at Lowes.
The setup has been tested in class 2 water. They hold fly rods in place safe and sound whether the boat stays upright,,, or in my case upside down... ;D
I found these rubberized conduit straps at Ace hardware. They work great at locking the pipe down tight.
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0327.jpg)
Extended to the end of the yak but not too far.
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0325.jpg)
Doesn't interfere with Paddle rests or other built in rod holders. Pex Pipe easily molds itself to fit the contours of the boat
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0329.jpg)
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0326.jpg)
Fly rod and spinning rod.
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0328.jpg)
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Dog Leash with Brass O ring.
One of the easiest mods to do and so handy. Had it not been for this I might have had to leave my boat behind last year when Dave and I had to drag our boats over several miles of boulder field..
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0325.jpg)
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0329.jpg)
An image I'll never forget...
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/DSCN0220~0.jpg)
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Just discovered that a Cliff's Bugger Barn fits the side compartment nice and snug. Shouldn't come out on its own.
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For lure boxes, I am fond of velcro. Of course, Mike's bar works well too.
I always carry a 6-9 ft cam strap, mostly to due the same thing as the dog leash but it has came in handy several times when we get to the take-out and partners says "umm dude, I only have enough rope for one boat".
I bought a super magnetic tool holder, to hold pliers and such without being tangled in cords, but have yet to mount.
Outcast seat saddle bag-- the back pocket is nice to keep a sandwich up off the floor and dry, along with a rain jacket. The drink holders are handy too.
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I was just asking Jarrod where I could find some velcro sheets. An idea? 4"x 8" sheet maybe??
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Mike,
I've bought the industrial strength stuff at Home Depot. It comes on a roll 2" wide by 6' long, if memory serves. Here it is on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Velcro-Industrial-Strength-Sticky-Back-Fasteners/dp/B00006RSP1/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1364789702&sr=8-7&keywords=velcro
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Man, that pic of the dry river bed is amazing!
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Some good mods Mike.
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Nice mods Mike, I really like the paddle holder, just make sure the cinch your pants up real good. I've seen some others do the paddle holder also, but I think yours is one of the best.
About the only mods I'm doing to the kayak now is an anchor trolley, and Conseal. Of course I run a Lowrance, use other tools like drift chutes, and that kind of stuff.
Jeremy
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Now that I have a Coosa, I need to get 'er ready with some mods of my own.
Wonder what you all recommend for an anchor trolley. Saw this DIY'er; what do you think? http://kayakfishinggear.com/anchortrolleyhow-to.aspx
Also, how heavy an anchor do you all recommend, where to buy, etc. I'll want to make a drag chain as well - the one I borrowed wasn't but about a foot-and-half of 3/8" chain - I guess that's enough?
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I use a retractable dog leash for the rear. There are two places on the back of your coosa made just for a drag chain to lay. There are also some loops there to run the rope through. What I did was drill a very small hole like 1/8" in the boat and ran the retractable leash cord through that hole (from the inside out). This keeps the retractable leash inside the hull and outa the way. Be sure to tape the leash handle so that it can't lock before you place it inside the hull. I picked up a zig zag boat cleat and mounted just behind the seat on the side of the boat. Ill take some photos later. It's a pretty sweet system and cleaner then mounting the dog leash outside the boat. Wal Mart is carrying a retractable leash made in Germany now and it's a very nice one for about $12.
For the front I took a 1/4 20 SS eye and replaced one of the 1/4 20 bolts on the front handle with it. Added a few eye straps to route the rope through and a zig zag cleat to tie it off mounted in the spot just behind the dry storage bin. I just use a 10 pound dumbbell and it works fine.
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3 lb dumbell for me. Dog leash ziptied to the side handle, line ran through the grove and out the back handle.
That should be long enough for drag chain, unless you raise the handle (use pvc for spacers and longer bolts), that way you can raise it all the way out of the water. I like the chain, just to use as a rudder, while drifting, set at about 2 ft of line.
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The rear drag chain
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0415.jpg)
Here is where I drilled a small hole and ran the retractable leash cord through the hull.
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0416.jpg)
Front eye bolt.
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0417.jpg)
Rope eye straps. Also notice the tennis ball. This helps get the paddle under the bungee.
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0418.jpg)
Just a zig zag cleat to secure the rope.
(http://trophyfishingtn.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0419.jpg)
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That's a big help, Mike - thanks for posting that.
Bfish, I'm trying to grasp the raised handle thing - any chance of getting a pic of that?
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Not my picture, but exactly the same:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5174/5495506509_771f2a4166.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5495520849_860eb1118d.jpg)