dont let rods in upright holders get caught in trees
great thing about the yak, is how in the face of cover you can get
but watch out there
i grabbed a snake on top of a limb once. i think i know whom was most scared

rig a milk crate , use clips to secure your whistle and alwaya carry a knife i clip my on my pfd that way its always there . rig a stirup for deep water rentry , carry a boat cushion works it wight in gold . Use markers on your anchor line , where an orange hat or something that is visible ( been almost runover several times} also if fishing swift water rig on bunge cords your anchor to fall out if you turtle , saved my but on the brazos last spring

I have taken old cell phone chargers with the coiled cords, Duck decoy crimps and made paddle leashes with them. Cut the ends off, make some loops and crimps them attach clips to secure to the boat, crate, whatever. The rod connection is up to you. I made a loop out of the small bungee material and put a girth hitch around the handle of the rod. You can order the small bungee on a spool from ebay. I have used it for all kinds of stuff on and off the kayak.

bigreave:
the stirrup is a great idea, i am trying to picture how you would use it, without flipping again

its hard to explain but , right the yak lay your paddle across it the stirup then goes around the yak and the paddle . that way you use the yak it self as for balance you lean over pushing down i am horrible at discribeing this . I wish i a had a pic but it does work and im a big guy

Things I would add...

Stringer, unless you're out for a long time its easier than carrying a cooler. Coolers big enough for fish take up alot of space. I do carry a small cooler for bait sometimes.

Bring a light if you are going to be out late. You will also want at 360 light so you dont get hit by powerboats. I've had some pretty scary experiences!

Two pairs of pliers

Bug repellent depending on where you're going and the time of year.

I used to carry a brush clip but didn't get too much use from it in the bays and marshes.

ok Bigreave.
makes perfect sense. i built cellular sites for many years.
we would use stirrups as ascenders, in difficult climbs.

i have 3 hobies/get st terbo fins (A MUST HAVE ITEM) 2 outbacks 1 revolution/i have 2 outbacks 1 for me 1 for whoever is going with me and revolution for when i want to go fast/outback has 2 built in tacle box's/only rod holder you will need is fly rod holder/they have holders for con.equip that is great for troling they adjust up and down and rotate,i don't think you will need those/get the wheel dolly if you can't get outback with fishing packsge/have mine rigged for night as well/also seat strap ar short buy pad eyes have mounted more forward it wil make seat mor comfy

look get the hank parker and it will come with leash for paddle and rod but get extra's if you plan to have lot of rod's on board outback has 4 built in holders/i had a mesh velcro type container mounted in the boat to hold tools works great/i would get the dolly they sell yes it's over priced but plugs in bottom and comes apart for quick storage in front hatch or keep it togather a plug it in the holes in in cargo area if not loading a lot of stuff.they make a live well also 8 gal molded for hobie kayak's with 4 rod holders like you are going to 8 rod holders but go for it.if you get a deal on 07 there is a problem with flip and stow rudder handle it will fall off after a couple of times they fixed it on 08's but it is a quick fix for 07 remove allen screw and drill shaft and put a bolt through it that's what the dealer did to fix my 07

Oh, about drifting, in a yak would you try to put the sock off the bow to so as to drift directly away from the breeze? If so any tips on soc retreaval?
I use the trolley system for drifting, this way you can place the yak in the direction you want. Here is a link to what I did to my Kayak.
http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/rigging/cojo.php

over the last year I have fallen hard for Kayak fishing... the "essentials" have been covered but I might add that I view a fish finder as an essential.

The other is a question. why the outback, have you tried it and know you like it? ... Hobie makes several models that use the mirage drive like the revolution. try them before you buy them.. I though I wanted an outback then tried it... to me it was a barge.. IN the dallas area there is a hobie dealer that does demo sessions every thursday night on white rock lake... it is a good chance to make sure you are getting the right boat

You have a good list there but I would add a Matrix depth finder. I have one on my Hobie and it's nice to have. I spent $200 on mine.

Whew! What a lot of stuff you need just to go fishing nowadays
I'm about ready to cut a cane pole pole and get a can of red wrigglers and go back to basics.

I like to keep it simple. There is no need for all that stuff. I am a firm believer in K.I.S.S.

(Keep it simple stupid)

I bring the following;
Two rods and reels
PFD
Pliers
Stringer
Anchor
Two small tackle bags

i have revolution and outback if you want stable and the most room outback revolution speed