GOTTA SEE - 5 FAVORITE KAYAK HACKS & MODS

[@pendragofan]

your outrigger idea is genius

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & the compliment. I don't always need them but when I do, they work well. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@francisscanlon3510]

The pvc rod holder works great. I've been kayaking forever but am just starting to fish from one. Love this hack, not only for handling fish but also changing lures. Makes fishing from a kayak so much more manageable. Thanks!

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. The pvc rod holder & stabilizer pontoons are my 2 favorites. I use the rod holder every time I catch a fish or change lures. It gets used many times every day. Glad you enjoyed the video & found it useful.

[@foxyredsheri]

Good beginners kayak stabilization is awesome no worries of flipping the kayak while on the water

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. The stabilizers & the fishing rod holder are the 2 that I use the most 👍🏻

[@PilzE.]

Loved this, pure ingenuity of design! These hacks will now be travelling across the Atlantic to glorious Cornwall, UK! 😁 Thank you for sharing.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. It always makes me happy when people enjoy my videos & find them useful. Sounds like my hacks are beginning a world wide tour 😂

[@PilzE.]

@@ChesapeakeChris You simply cannot stop the spread of GREAT ideas, Chris! Tight lines, brother.

[@robbierolla]

extra ponits for all the orange; love it

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. My kayak came with orange handles & bungie cords so I just went with that theme. so glad you like it.

[@jdock32778]

That short paddle works great for turning the kayak for a better cast! I never thought it would be that good.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. That's exactly what I use it for. Much easier than using my 9' paddle. It works great. 👍🏻

[@donmoroz5502]

5 very useful and easy mods and hacks.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. Some were very similar to other KZbinrs, but some were my own design/thinking. Freight train strikes & tight lines to you.

[@zealousoutdoors]

Great ideas. I've watched so many of the similar videos and it's usually the same couple things repeated. Your video had fresh ideas I haven't seen before. Thanks.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. Thank you for the compliment. I really appreciate that you found it enjoyable & hopefully useful. I have 2 videos that show all the modifications I did to my yak when I first bought it. Tight lines to ya'

[@robertp6979]

I agree with the dog.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching 🤣 The beagles always have a lot to say

[@FishingwithBigWorm]

The stabilisers work like a charm. I had them on an other kayak I owned and I could stand when they were deployed. I like how you made them adjustable too. Good ideas in this video.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching. The stabilizers and the side mounted pvc rod holder are my favorite hacks. i use the rod holder every time i catch a fish.

[@ohillbilly]

Nice set of hacks! Will forward on to a friend that thinks he needs outriggers. ... I put outriggers or sort on my sit inside when I first got it bout ten years ago. Then after I found my balance, they've never been back on. Now I have the standard Tamarack. ... After having a no holes drilled trolley on the sit inside, I got to thinking. I seldom ever use the front half. So when I put one on the Tamarack, I just used the back half. I seldom anchor and if I do, I use a retractable dog leash with a floaty on it. Most of the time I either clamp on a limb or stick a tent peg in the bank. ... Am enjoying your channel!

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. Glad you are enjoying my videos. I try to post a wide variety of videos. My outriggers do work very well, but I only use them when it is very choppy from wind & large boats. Anchor trolley works awesome but I rarely anchor & fish. Usually troll or just drift.

[@B.A.Bassangler]

Great hacks! I've been yakk'n for about 4 years now, and every year my yack is a little different, lol. It's a process. Like your telescoping paddle. I use a similar setup; break the paddle in half and throw 1 end in a rod holder/crate. The other end gets a Hobie T-Handle. It's a labor of love!

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching and the great comments! I haven't done much to my Yak since the first year I had it. I do plan on putting a Kydex keel guard on it, already have the parts/material. Probably video the process & put it on my channel.

[@joelelias2556]

Always nice to exchange ideas with a fellow kayak fisher! I’m not sure about the usefulness of the short paddle. I usually just keep my kayak paddle across my lap for that purpose? The second hack is borderline genius though, and I’ll be doing that asap!

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. The second hack (rod holder) is definitely very useful. I use it many times on every outing. Its very easy to install.

[@seeratlasdtyria4584]

Those are some darned useful hacks:)

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & for the compliment. I made that video well over a year ago & they are still my favorite & most useful hacks. The pvc rod holder is probably my #1 favorite...I use it dozens of times every time I go kayak fishing.

[@ron9543]

Super practical mods.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. Of those 5, my favorite & most often used are the rod holder & the stabilizer pontoons. I use the rod holder about 50 times each outing & just used the pontoons today...was pretty choppy out there this morning.

[@sevensurvival]

I have a Lifetime Yukon, and an Evoke Navigator.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. My best friend, Ray, had a Yukon. Seemed like a nice fishing kayak. Appeared to be made for standing up in. I'm unfamiliar with the Evoke Navigator. I really want a pedal kayak, but I love my Tamarac Pro...I've had so many hrs of fun in it & caught so many fish, I've kind of become emotionally attached to it.

[@Flashahol]

I'm not a fisherman , but still amazed by the simplicity and genius... #1, That paddle is a great self-rescue item everyone should have. I've dropped my paddle before and I have also seen it drift away from me. #5: Coolest outriggers I've seen so far. You did not mention that this design could be taken completely out of the water by rotating them 180 degrees up. In your case, the 90 degree offset probably means they turn into arm rests... great for dock parties!

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & i always enjoy feedback. i use the telescopic paddle almost every time i go out. And you are 100 % correct about rotating the outriggers. i originally planned them straight, but even without the 90's, they did become armrests when rotated 180 deg cuz they're so close to seat.

[@Flashahol]

@@ChesapeakeChris I am planning my outriggers potentially to the front to avoid just that... the rod holders are almost directly behind the seat on my kayak. Plus I have rails in the front, so I could use your design that way.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

I have seen videos where people have installed them toward the front. As long as you have good mounting rails, seems like they should work. Let me know how they work out.

[@unitedivide2789]

Great ideas , nice set up

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. Glad you liked them. Often I'll take a general idea and modify it to improve upon it. My most favorites of the 5 are the stabilizer pontoons and the rod holder.

[@DL0R]

love that PVC rod holder, i don't have a fishing kayak and that seems perfect

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting! The PVC rod holder & adjustable pontoons are probably my 2 favorite & useful hacks!

[@thomasknapp6403]

Wow! You got me excited to get My kayak and do it up. Awsome.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. My inexpensive Lifetime Tamarack kayak purchase was 1 of my best buys. Have already had hundreds of hrs of enjoyment in it & caught hundreds of fish. Rigging it for your personal use is also a lot of fun 🎣

[@vernonsimmons4578]

A lot of good stuff. Really like the out rigger set up👍

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching and commenting. Hope you found some of the hacks useful. My 2 favorites are the rod holder (literally use it over a dozen times every outing) and the stabilizer pontoons. I've seen other ways to mount them and some designs seem like they may break if the kayak rocked excessively. I feel that my design is fairly strong and they do seem to help quite a bit. Tight lines and freight train bites/hits to ya'

[@smooveb191]

I have the same kayak and i will be using that pvc rod holder for sure . I ended up putting a piece of pvc on the tracks on the side next to my cup holder but your idea is better frees up more track space.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. I was careful when I mounted it to get the mounting height & angle correct. I just love it, if you watch my videos where I catch fish or deal with my lure, I use it all the time. You can mount it with kayak aluminum rivets with o-rings, well nuts or stainless steel screws & marine goop. Hope it works well for you!

[@sevensurvival]

Good tips, thanks Chris. I Am subscribed. I love fishing from My kayak for trout here in Michigan, one of the greatest states. Thanks, blessings, and respect.......Joshua Seven thunders///////

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching, commenting & subscribing! I am also an avid lover of kayak fishing...so much fun. I have 2 friends from Michigan. They say its an amazing state for fishing...just don't know if I could get used to all the cold & snow. Tight lines!

[@cjr5445]

Have that exact Kayak, love it, been thinking about raising my seat. Thanks for the tips

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. Glad you found it helpful. You can be creative & raise your seat more if desired.

[@davidmeeks2405]

Great ideas except #5 for me as my Native Titan 12 doesn't need any extra stability. Stay Safe on the water.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. Glad you enjoyed my video. My Tamarac Pro is only 31" wide & it's fairly stable until water conditions get bad. Unfortunately that can happen quickly around the Chesapeake Bay. You also stay safe & enjoy your yak.

[@TreasuredVintage]

Hi there Chris! Your sister’s BFF, Angie here 😃. Great content and bonus talking dog 😄. TFS

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx, the Beagles will make cameo appearances in future videos

[@pitchkapizda8355]

Genius ideas

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting, I utilize every one of those 5 items/hacks every time I go fishing.

[@JonOvalle]

Great video Chris! Thank you for this.... I just bought the same Kayak. Highly appreciate you.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & the compliment. I think the Tanarack Pro is the best bang for the buck for inexpensive fishing kayaks. Be sure to watch my 3 vids on everything I did to my kayak to set it up how I wanted it. It is very functional & I catch some nice fish using it. Keep on hooking & landing! 👍🏻

[@23FOEVA]

Those are great hacks!

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. They really make kayak fishing easier, hopefully other will benefit from seeing them.

[@patticarey9016]

Those are some really cool hacks!!!! I really like #5. Very clever!!! You should manufacture those and sell them. 😁

[@ChesapeakeChris]

They sell out rigger stabilizers similar to that, but they are aluminum & expensive. I made mine for about $35...about 1/3 of price of store bought. Plus it was fun figuring it out & making it

[@chipsterblack7950]

Nice work brother

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting! Appreciate the feedback!

[@FrankLadd]

I really like your outrigger set up. How do you keep salt water from rusting all those fittings? My stuff rusts after three trips no matter how I rinse it afterwards?

[@ChesapeakeChris]

That's a great question. I don't do anything special, I don't even rinse them after an outing. I did use all good quality stainless steel clamps, bolts, washers, nuts, etc. They have been installed for over a year & they have held up well. Thanx for watching & comenting.

[@WannaFishAllDay]

Those conduit straps in the track are genius!!

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx, used short 1/4" SS bolts, 1/4" track nuts & lock washers. They're as solid as the track mount.

[@arnoldlayne9469]

I think you can rotate the rod holder on the rail.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

The rod holders will definitely rotate on the rail...watch my videos "Rod Holder Fail" & "Water Is Warming, Fish Are Biting". Almost lost a rod twice due to rotation. I only rotate mine for trolling and they need to be locked down tightly because rockfish hit like a freight train when trolling.

[@Budget.bass.fishing]

Does the outriggers get in the way of paddling at all?

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & excellent question. They don't because I offset them back 5 to 6 inches using 90's. I thought they would work best if they were close to the heaviest load (which is my lard butt) & I didn't want them behind my milk crate because I wanted them easily accessible on the water: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4HHhppojrWYedE

[@npzninja]

How do I stop the straps from sawing through my kayak when I mounted to my car during travel?

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & interesting question. I haul my yak in the bed of my truck, but when strapping to a car, the wider the straps, the better. And you may want to try seat belt covers. They sell them on Amazon. You can get padded ones, not the furry ones, & they just wrap around the strap & attach with velcro.

[@npzninja]

@@ChesapeakeChris Thanks man, I'll try bigger straps with covers.

[@camhester4251]

they have that colapsable paddle at wal mart cheap

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Awesome, don't remember what I paid. My closest Walmart is about 30 minutes, wish it was closer. Thanx for watching & commenting.

[@4Saturday]

playing Boats in the back yard

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching and commenting.

[@timtation5837]

My number one hack is keeping my kayak portable… I can take it to any creek or stream and get to places others cannot. When I come to impassable obstacles, I can portage around, and keep on going… It gets me to places other boats can’t go, and to stretches of creeks and rivers that have never been fished. I cringe when I see these overloaded albatross yaks that no longer have the advantage of being portable… I own other boats for fishing the easy water… My kayak are for going places others cannot… So no outriggers, no milk crates, K.I.S.S. strategy. One or two rods (protected from brush), small box of tackle, snacks, and drinking water… Keeping it all portable is where the kayak shines like no other boat. I’m not about to throw the main advantage away no matter how bad my OCD might get… Bays tend to have creeks that flow into them too… And throwing a yak on a carrier and taking a drive to explore new water and fish is a ton of fun… Keep it portable and simple tho, that’s where the real fun begins.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. I definitely agree. In my 3 videos "Kayak setup for fishing" I say its not a competition to see who can get the most stuff on their kayak. But I fish mainly the Eastern Bay of the Chesapeake Bay and it is BIG water with BIG boats...so I have all the recommended safety items. And with the chop we get from wind & boats, my stabilizers are almost a must for my 10 ft kayak. My primary target fish are rockfish/stripers & I always troll to find them. Portage on the water I fish is never a consideration. I live on Kent Island so we have very few smaller creeks. Most of our rivers/creeks are lined with million dollar houses with piers and boats with 100 to 300 hp motors. We do have a few small ponds and I have launched on the one pond. Loaded, my kayak only weighs about 95 lbs & my DIY cart is awesome. I have considered buying another light kayak & keeping it minimally rigged...might just do that one day. I do wish I had more small creeks close....originally from upstate PA, I miss small rivers, creeks & lakes. Tight Lines!!

[@asafoetidajones8181]

That's valid; but a man can own more than one boat! I have a bedazzled fishing yak, with the kayak equivalent of every piercing and face tattoo you can think of, and I have a yak, and a canoe, with no features at all beyond "seat".

[@thecluelessoutdoorsman916]

Can someone give me a hack that’ll keep those damn rod floats outta the way of my line?

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Thanx for watching & commenting. My rod floats are fairly skinny. As long as I keep them down close to my spinning reel, I very rarely have an issue with them. They are absolutely no good on a baitcaster.

[@thecluelessoutdoorsman916]

It tends to snag my line when casting

[@ChesapeakeChris]

@@thecluelessoutdoorsman916 Occasionally, mine gets snagged on the Velcro strips that hold them on, but it usually happens if I try to set the hook, miss the fish & get some slack in my line. I'm considering replacing the Velcro strips with electrical tape. Are your floats fairly small diameter like mine?

[@thecluelessoutdoorsman916]

@@ChesapeakeChris they’re identical.

[@ChesapeakeChris]

Wow, that's really strange. I have noticed that some of my spinning reels hang lower below the rod than others...that may be an important factor.