I am trying to slowly build up my rigging arsenal for when I get my kayak in a few weeks. Just want to know what particular items you guys recommend as far as quality. I am getting an Ascend FS12T, will be in small to large lakes just so you know what i'm working with. I plan on building a cart, adding rubber matting to certain areas(for grip), adding a taco paddle clip on the starboard side (kayak comes with clips on the port), making a stakeout pole, and using a retractable dog leash for n anchor line.

What specific anchor trolley systems do you recommend?

Anything else you think I should look into?

Also, how to move the poorly positioned rod holder that comes on the FS12T? I want to move it somewhere more functional and out of the way. But I don't want 4 random holes just chilling on the side of the kayak. What would you advise I use to seal the holes?

I like the Hobie Trolley because it have a bungee shock cord in the kit. The Yak gear deluxe trolley is good to. I actually bought it then saw the Hobie and bought the parts to make it like the Hobie. I also just put the hobie on my GF's boat. The hobie also comes with the longer well nuts which hold better.

To me those flat side boards beg for some gear track. You could leave the mount where its at or seal the holes and cover them with the gear track. With the gear track you can use something like the scotty gear head or make a adapter for the regular mount. I made the adapter for the front because I found it to be a pain to have to twist the gear head every time I wanted to turn the rod holder. With the regular mount you just lift the rode holder twist it to where you want and push it back down. I put the gear heads behind me since I don't move them.




I wouldn't bother with the extra paddle holder unless you are going to put the anchor trolley on the port side.

You might think of getting some kind of flag to help the power boats see you.

Awesome information thanks! I planned on getting some gear tracks for those flat boards like you said. Hopefully a cellblock one day with a FF. And I didn't even think about the anchor trolley interfering with the paddle taco clip. Good to know about the Hobie wellnuts, I will probably go that route. I hope to make all of the rigging I do on this kayak permenant. That will definitely help.

Sonar on a Yak Attack mount in the gear track, transducer on a Mad Frog Liberator. A good flag and light for visibility. I use a bungee holder for my paddle. Get some Yakgrips for your paddle, they make for nice cushioned paddling. If you're close to Manhattan when the weather warms up, give me a shout and maybe we can do a paddle together.

Unfortunately I will be moving to Fort Worth in a couple of weeks. I wish I would have knew about this forum earlier last year!

Good ideas and a whole forum on rigging at: www.texaskayakfisherman.com

I just put a FF on my boat but its a cheap one I caught on sale. So, I just put the transducer inside the boat. If you use a Yak Attak ball mount, go with the 1.5" ball. The 1" ball will let the thing move around no matter how tight you get it. I learned the hard way. I've got a Hummingbird so I had to make a adapter.



Also a Drift sock might not be a bad thing to have. I just made me and my GF one.

Already a member. Same name as I use here.

How do you like the drift sock? Does it help you out a lot? And do you attach it to your trolley?

Honestly I don't know the socks will do as I've not used them yet. Yes, they clip to the anchor trolley. I may try to hit Tawakoni this weekend and if I use the socks I'll report back. Maybe someone else can advise how well they work.

As you can see in the picture I have the main line and I added another shock cord that clips to the trolley. I'm not sure I needed it since my trolley has one but better safe than sorry. I put a buoy on it incase I need to detach it and come back for it later. What you don't see in this picture is I have another rope tied to the back side of the sock. This is a dump rope to allow you to pull the sock to the boat and not have to pull the boat to the sock.

A good quality PFD, there should be no skimping where your life could be concerned.

What size is your drift sock? I got a 18" from ACK for my Predator 13 and while it slows the kayak down somewhat the drift is still too fast. I will try a 24" drift sock to see if it works better. If all else fails I will run both drift socks to really slow down.

New to Yaking. Pics of other rigs helped me a lot. Here's a few of mine.

Nice. That seat seems like it's nice. I've been trying to figure out the best way to raise mine.

Thanks, The seat was really quite easy. Didn't seem to affect my paddling either. Center of gravity is higher that's For Sure.