I'm new to the kayak fishing world...and after much research, I am expecting my new Coosa in within a week or so.

Aside from a sonar, what is the coolest gadget or equipment that you guys couldn't live without or really want to get for your boat. I have a ton of fishing gear from my bass boat days, so kayak ideas are what I'm looking for.

Thanks for the input!!

Paddle?

Just kidding ... read, research, and don't be afraid to try out your own ideas. I would suggest taking it out a few times before you do a whole lot. Get a feel for the boat, what you want/need and where would be the best locations for mounting that work for you and your style.

Congrats on the new boat ... sounds like you picked a good one!

just been thinkin about it.

My Propel pedal drive, of course.

Oh wait, that ain't gonna work in a Coosa...

It will become obvious quickly what you need to add for your own version of a well outfitted yak.
Since you led off with the obvious Sonar, I'll assume you like GPS also.

The general term safety gear makes you think of the all important PFD, but that will be just the start.
Things that make your gear float are great and will eventually be appreciated .
Rod floaters. I have never turtled, but have come back to the ramp to find I am missing a rod several times. Boga grips , scales etc can be tethered with a lanyard or leash and are sorely missed when lost. Academy sells a small float device the size of a car remote for $7.00. I have one on several pieces of gear including a couple of rods.

You can finish this list in your mind as you start loading up for the next trip.

At first you will try to bring everything you might need, but eventually,
Yak fishing will become a cycle of " what do I REALLY need with me.

Buy a couple of pool noodles to make extra floatation in the hull and just watch all the neat things you start to use them for. Great for staging leaders, jigs and lures on as well as shock absorbers for carrying and storing yak. I have napped more than once using a noodle for a pillow. A short piece makes an anchor buoy or stringer header when collecting " Box Fish".

Welcome to the fray. Keep us posted on how you do it, don't forget a waterproof camera and join in a trip when you can.

welcome again,
Phill

Rod holders for sure.

Take your time and build it up slow. I try to keep in mind all of the differant types of fishing I plan to do in that yak.... Rivers, saltwater flats, running jug lines, exploring creeks etc. Try not to lock yourself into any one setup but make it interchangable to the needs of the day. Things like crates, and scotty mounts give you flexability.

I have used my Tarpon 140 on flats, lakes, creeks, and rivers. The only things I have permantly added are....

One Scotty Deck mount.
One drain plug as an access hole for the FF Cable.
FF puck hard mounted to the inside of the hull.
One shelf underneath for the battery to rest on.
One small hook, eyelets and bungee to keep the hatch secure when trailering.

As a Coosa owner, I can tell you the best thing I have added to my coosa is the drag chain. There are instrctions i believe on the jackson site. Comes in very handy on windy days to slow you down just enough.

I would add to the list a waterproof camera and a 360° light if you if in low light. check out some of the gear YakAttack had to offer.

Can 't wait for YakAttack to come out with a 1 inch wide track, the 1.75 is too wide for where I would use it on the coosa

Thanks for the ideas. My wife got me a Go Pro Hero 2 for Christmas so the camera is taken care of.

The Yakattack site has some cool stuff on it. I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions in the near future.

I live on Lewisville/Stewarts Creek. Any kayakers in that area?

Not from the Lewisville side, but most of us travel anywhere to fish. A bunch of us getting together this saturay morning at Grapevine. Lok for more info on the first page of this section.

Depends what your fishing for really. But some type of dry box or bag is a MUST HAVE for keys, wallet & phone!
As mentioned the most important things are:

Whistle
PFD
Paddle
Bright 360 Light (night time & 30 min before and after dusk n dawn)

but Rods & tackle or bait is all you need to put a few fish in the boat.

I like a good solid pair of pliers tethered to the yak, a sharp knife close & a pair of clippers. a cooler with ice or ice blocks for my drinks/snacks & catch. My Anchor trolly is nice to keep position when im waiting for a bite.
A drift sock or chain if im drift fishing, my upfront scottys triple rod holders are handy when im trolling or waiting for a bite. I will sometime sit on a cushion to keep my tail dry n warm in the winter. i like sitting in a lil water in the summer. breathable waders in the winter or a dry suit when the water is below 60F.

Hmmmmmmmm.....What to bring??? I would have to say a lot of Zoom products, three or four rods w/ 20# test, some "Spike It," Bullfrog sunscreen & a couple of Shiner long necks....

A removable anchor trolly is nice. This with the drag chain TexasSteve mentioned will help set up the kayak for drifting and fishing an area.

Gonna agree with the anchor trolley set up... I now have an anchor with 40 feet of line, a brush gripper on about 6 feet of line, and gonna pick up a drift sock soon for lakes with open water... Being successful from the yak means being able to fish in winds greater than 14 mph at times. If it's blowing like that or harder, it's pushing you all over the place and you just won't be able to fish specific areas effectively without a trolley... Wind can really have it's way with you in a yak if you have no plan to counter it...

14 mph???....it's usually a given that when I fish, the wind is at least 14 mph gusting to 35 mph. LOVE the brush grippers....I had two of those on my bass boat.

I like a drift sock over a drag anchor. Quicker to pull in.

Actually on the coosa, it is set up for a drag chain. Pulls in faster than my anchor or my drift sock. And I don't have to worry about getting wet when I pull it in.