Kayak rigging ideas

[bassboogieman]

I made a bracket from 1.25" PVC for the back deck of my Hobie PA-14 kayak. A friend of mine (Bob) just bought a new Hobie PA-14 and liked my idea so he fabricated one for his needs. The back deck/rod holders are just slightly different on my 2012 model and his 2013 model, so mine would not fit, but he set his up to fit his style of fishing as I did mine. So since he liked it I thought I would share the idea that other kayakers may fabricate on similiar to there brand of kayak. As it utilizes the existing rod holders molded into many FIHING kayaks one should be easily made to suit your style. i made mine to hold a small (32 qt) cooler that I use for additonal dry storage (as opposed to the usual milk crate) or with ice to hold my catch should I want to do that. Bob made his to hold a 48 qt cooler that he fabricated into a livewell. We both added other fittings to hold items out of the way but easily accessible. One of the problems of a kayak is keeping things organized and also easily reachable. Several pictures, and at the end I included the holder for my stake out pole. Check them out and should you have questions just PM me. Very cloudy today so my pictures are a little dark but viewable.

This is the bracket, and it fits right into the two rod holders molded into the kayak behind the seat. Easily removable for transport or it not needed on a particular outing.


Bracket in place.


Cooler in place, and I have a rod in the back although I rarely have one there, pliers in the front holder, and the rack is secured on each side with small bungie cords to existing fittings. I cut the back bungie (black) to fit the back deck with the cooler on board. I carry a change of clothes back there in a dry bag.


Same set up on this side, I use the holders for my gaff and small Frabil folding net (I highly recommend this one for kayakers, I think it was $14.00 at Walmart).


For my stake out pole I used two rubber clamps I found on Ebay, (I bought several). I have the same clamps on the other side to hold my paddle (the PA-14 does not come with mounts for a paddle along the side like most kayaks).


In the rear clamp I put a 5/8" PVC coupling (had to ream out the ridge inside with a dremel tool). The rear clamp is out of reach from the seat, so I can just unhook the front clamp and the pole slides out. Easy to remove and put back in.


My rack can also be reversed and used to stick rods out the back when crappie fishing or just as a rod holder when fishing open water. I don't think I will use it this way often, but it is versitile.


That's mine, Bob took my idea and made alterations to suit his set up.
He has a 48 qt cooler fabricated as a livewell, with tool holders on each side, little different from mine.


He put 4 rod holders at the back (rocket launcher style). I think they will be a little hard to reach, but his 2013 has a different, higher seat than mine, so it may not be a real issue.


Livewell plumbing: really pretty well thought out. The intake and overflow go out the bottom of the cooler and fit right into existing scupper holes in the kayak.


PVC is really easy to work with, adds little weight to the kayak, can be designed to fit your fishing needs, and doesn't cost much. All mine was 1.25" which fit my rod holder holes perfectly. You can adjust the rod and tool holders as you need.