Picking up my Jackson Kayak Big Tuna tomorrow and am very very excited. I have a couple basic questions about some essential pieces of gear:
1. PFD - am thinking about either an MTI Dio F or the NRS Chinook, or lastly a basic inflatable (and there are soooo many inflatable choices with wild range I price it makes my head spin).
2. paddle - brand wise I have no idea. I did visit Academy today, they had a few, no plans to buy there but I did feel the difference between a graphite vs fiberglass vs aluminum el cheapo. WOW, the graphite was VERY light, is this the ticket if money is not an object or am I missing something?
3. anchor - I plan on just using a the dog leash with 3lb anchor down the hole in the very back of the boat.

Any other gear suggestions for making this a top notch fishing rig? (I have no intentions of doing fish finder or trolling motor so no need to mention them)

Thanks and I have really enjoyed reading many of your posts over the last couple weeks.

Get a comfy PFD, get the lightest paddle that is the right length, and take the kayak out several times before you start modifying it. Paddles with a broad blade are better for high angle paddlers, long blades are better for low angle paddlers. I really like Yakgrips on my paddle shafts, they provide a nice cushion when paddling.

Paddle leash and rod floats unless you plan on buying a new paddle.Chances are it was a carlisle brand paddle at academy. I heard they are pretty good I was going to get the magic, but my kayak came with the bending branches angler. I also have have a backwater assault paddle to adjust when I'm fishing.

Less is more is what im finding the first trip bass fishing a tournament i had so much gear i coulda sunk my Hobie lol.

Caribeaners can be used for so many things making it possible to utilize as a rodleash, a net leash, an anchor point, a tree brush clip, a bridge clip etc..That is my one thing lol

Id sit in a yak with those vest on if you can & at least make the paddling motion. I think all your looking at sounds good.
trrying them out in the store will help u make the final decision. At some point your gonna see & want an achor trolly IMO.

when it comes to paddles i learned this year that the graphite aqua bond manta ray is worth every penny. i used the carlisle day tripper for 2 years and it did good. but the light weight longer manta ray has bigger paddle surface are and is easier to paddle against the wind, has a higher top speed and cruising speed with less effort, i can change directions or adjust direction easier and it quieter bacause im not working as hard to make all the same movements quieter means more stealthly and more fish.

next i would agree with the anchor trolly. i use mine for my stake out pole and drift sock. havnt used an anchor in over a year. drift sock gets used almost every trip out. you can drift or use it to tie off to stuff.

for a pfd i use my ski life jacket that i have had for years. i like it cause it is very comfortable and i have been wearing it for years so its familiar to me.

other than that nice light weight long sleeve shirts and a neck buff to protect your head face and neck from the sun and your all set.

your pfd choices seem solid
your gonna need a longer paddle then academy carrys for the big tuna. gonna need like 250cm+
i use a 250cm with my jackson cuda in the high position and it feels short still to me im 6'3 but jackson requires 240cm on there kayaks in the up position i never saw anything at academy 240+ but maybe thats just my store.
anchor seems fine

I agree with the paddle info.

As someone mentioned above, I think the 'less is more' theory is good advice for someone starting out. I try to be as efficient as possible on the kayak in every way. Being seated correctly, having tools, rods, lures/bait, etc in close proximity AND in order so you're not having to spend a bunch of time searching for what you need.

Starting out with less, then adding things as you realize you need them will help you become more efficient. If you're a gear head and you watch a bunch of youtube videos of how others rigged their yaks, you might find yourself trying to replicate their kayak when you might not need everything that guy had on his yak or in that same order. I speak from experience on this piece.

Once you start to figure out your processes, what you need, and what your missing, you can add those things that will be valuable to your kayak fishing experience and afford you more time throwing lures in the water.

Also figuring out your processes will help you be more efficient. For example, for what ever reason, I feel more stable turning around to my right to access a new rod or something in the crate. So i pack accordingly. I put a certain rod in the right tube holder behind my seat. I pack my crate so that it's more accessible from the right side. Having these things on my right causes me to have my camera and my visipole on my left because I really don't need them in the way when I am accessing rods, or crate.

I used to try to carry all of my plastics/lures/baits, etc just in case I needed that one but realized most of this stuff wasn't needed, was never touched, and quite frankly got in the way. I have a couple staple plano boxes that I leave under my seat, but I always sit down the night before and create a game plan, which includes pulling together a smaller plano box with my 'go to' lures, baits, hooks, etc for that specific day/trip. Hopefully those work out, and if they don't, I still have a few extra plano boxes to resort back to if necessary.

Not saying this is the right way, or the only way, but it's how I do it.

You've gotten some great info from the guys so far, and I can only add one thing to it. Your PFD can be a great way to keep easy access to the things you use most often. I have the NRS Chinook an it has a ton of pockets and loops on it. I have loaded it up!


So, thats something you'll need to decide. Do you want/need the storage and access that a "kayak" PDF offers. If not, you can probably just go with an inflatable.

^^yup. That's the same pfd I have and it can store a ton! Get a halfback pfd so it's more comfortable for a long day of fishing. Your back will appreciate it.

any idea if anyone carries the Chinook PFD in the DFW area? I would like to get my hands on one today.

I think Mountain Sports in Arlington has them.

I got my NRS Chinook at Mariner Sails and I really like it. Put a leash or floats on everything that you don't mind replacing. I use my drift chute more than my anchor.

not sure about local stock. i purchased mine from hook1.