How to Rig a Fishing Kayak
- 1). Mount the fish finder so it will be in front of your feet while sitting in the kayak. Place the battery in the back of the kayak and tape the wires to the boat for a sit on top kayak. For an enclosed kayak, drill a small hole and feed the wires into the cockpit. Wires should be out of the way to avoid tangling and blocking your exit. The mounting bracket for the fish finder should be permanently installed on the kayak.
- 2). Install rod holders behind the seat of the kayak. The rods should be easy to grab yet not interfere with your paddling motion. With the rods behind the seat it will also be easy to troll. Set the holders at a 45 degree angle over the back of the kayak for trolling.
- 3). Strap a small milk crate in the storage area behind the seat using bungee cords. Cover the milk crate with netting and secure with a metal clip. Place dry bags with food, first-aid kit and spare clothing inside of the milk crate.
- 4). Place electronics and valuable materials inside dry bags and store inside the dry storage compartment. Attach a tether to your paddle. Most paddle tethers are designed to go from the paddle to either your wrist or a tie-up point on the kayak hull. The tether is important as you typically do not carry a backup paddle when fishing from a kayak.
- 5). Mount an anchor trolley system along one side of the kayak, following the directions that come from a kit obtained online or at a kayak outfitter. The trolley system allows the angler to move the anchor point from the front to the rear of the kayak and all points inbetween by pulling on a rope looped through pulleys and carabiners.
- 6). Wear a fishing vest and use it to store hooks, pliers and line cutters. PFD vests are ideal for safety and storage.
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