The Kayak Fishing Crate

The fishing crate isn't our invention, it has been around for quiet awhile. We have adapted it to our use by installing straps with buckles to match these two kayaks. As you can see, this simple piece of fishing gear gives us two rod holders, (We could add more if needed), and space for tackle. We added foam to the bottom to help it grip the kayaks securely, and also to protect the finish.

We still have some room in the tank well of the Scupper Pro TW to store some additional gear. Unfortunately, adding the crate to the Scupper Classic pretty well eliminates the posibility of using the rear hatch at sea. I think we will install flush mounted rod holders on this boat eventually, and then the rear hatch storage will be available to us. However, we are rigged up to fish now, so we will do that at a later date.

Both of these boats have a large bow hatch, so we have plenty of storage space up forward. If you want to see the construction details for the fishing crates scroll on down.

Kayak Fishing Crate Construction

Crate And Parts	Completed Crate

Not much to it. I hope you can make straighter cuts than me. The rod holders are 12" lengths of 1-1/2" PVC pipe, secured to the corners of the crate with plastic cable zip ties. The pipe, insulation, and zip ties can be purchased at your local Ace Hardware store. I used 1-1/2" Pipe insulation for foam on the bottom of the crate, and secured it with zip ties. I had an extra strap kit on hand, and atached the nylon straps to the crate with pop rivets. You just drill a hole the size of your rivet, push in the rivet and washer, and slip the rivet gun over the rivet shank. Squeeze the handle of the rivet gun until the rivet shank pops off.

The strap buckles on the crate attach to the matching buckles on my old ocean kayak. The newer model boats don't have these straps, they have a neat cargo webbing made up from shock cords, which is even better. Just slip your crate under the webbing and you are good to go. No other work required. If your boat only has accessory eyelets you can use small bungee or shock cords to attach your crate to the accessory eyelets.

The fishing crate will hold two or more rods, your tackle, and other small gear. There is still room in the tank well for other small kayak fishing gear items that aren't damaged by getting wet. This is a good place to store your folding anchor and anchor rode (Line). Anything that can't stand to get wet will go into a dry bag stored in the forward hatch. You will enjoy this home made kayak fishing accessory.

You can construct one of these crates for less than 20.00 dollars. You wil have to scrounge for the crate. You may find one at a garage sale. If rod holders are all you need, you can buy the flush mounted rod holders and install them yourself. The cost is 38.00 per set, plus shipping.

Constructing An Anchor Trolley

The anchor trolley is a nifty rig that lets you hook up your anchor from the seat of your kayak, and then pull the anchor rode (Anchor Line) up to the bow, without getting out of your seat. The anchor line is then attached at the bow and you don't have to try to climb up to the bow to do it. Here is a list of the parts you will need:

1. Two small spring loaded brass clips
2. A steel ring about 1" in diameter
3. About 30 feet of 1/4" nylon line

You can obtain all of this gear at your local Ace Hardware store. You can also find this stuff at West Marine, or Boat US, if you have one of these stores in your area. If so you may prefer to use Dacron instead of Nylon, and you can also buy stainless steel clips if you prefer. To make the rig insert one of the brass clips into the loop on each carry handlle. Pass one end of your nylon line through the bow clip and run it back to the clip at the stern. Pull this end to back to the center of the boat and tie to the 1" diameter steel ring. Pull the other end of the line through the 1" steel ringt and tie it off. Before you cut the line pull it fairly snug, and mark it where you want to cut it. It is best to burn the line in two with a butane fire starter, or soldering gun. That will prevent it from unraveling.

Anchor Trolley Hardware	Attach Clip At Handle	Tie Ends Of Line To Ring

Now take a third spring loaded hook and tie your anchor line to the loop in the end. Clip the hook onto the steel ring on your anchor trolley. That completes construction of your anchor trolley. At first I thought that this was the simplest way to make one of these rigs, but you could do it without any hardware at all. Just make a loop with a square knot, like the knot on the right side of the ring. Tie the other line to this loop, then tie your anchor rode to the loop too.

Anchor Forward	Anchor Amidship	Anchor Aft

Using The Anchor Trolley

I stow the anchor and rode in my fishing crate. When you are ready to anchor just reach behind you for the anchor rode, clip the hook of the anchor rode into the steel ring of the anchor trolley, reach back and get the anchor, and lower the anchor into the water, right beside your seat. Always attach the anchor rode first.

You will find that you can easily run your anchor rode (line) up to the bow for anchoring by pulling on one of the anchor trolley lines. When you are ready to go just pull the anchor rode back where you can reach it, pull the anchor up, stow it in your crate, unsnap the hook, and stow your anchor line. If you want to anchor from the stern just pull your anchor rode back to the stern. We sell a small folding anchor that will work well in lakes and streams. If you are fishing offshore you may want a larger anchor, and a sea anchor. They say that you need 7 times the water depth for your anchor rode (line), you can have more, but you need about that amount of rode for the anchor to hold well.

Kayak Fishing Outrigger

I am not sure that anything like this is required to fish with an Ocean Kayak and I would appreciate your input on this subject. If you are using outriggers and have a good design let us know. I have thought about it and if there is a need I think I have a rough design using PVC pipe ratttling around in my head.

Factory Made Fishing Kayaks By Ocean Kayak

Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks

The boat at left is the Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident 15 Angler, ocean kayaks latest fishing kayak. The center boat is the older Prowler 15, and the boat at right is the Scrambler XT Angler. The Prowler Trident 15 has about everything you could want in a fishing kayak, There is a top view below.

Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident 15 Angler

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