bass yaks with TROLLING MOTOR!
 

just saw these at the hartford fishing show... kayak with a trolling motor mounted where the rudder would go... must be great to not have to paddle... just focus on fishing... must be so nice for tube/worm... anyone have or try one? Where does the battery go?

what?
 

no pictures? No Brand Name or model number... company name
:huh:
as far as battery placement...certain manufacturers are putting
in battery holders...

i think you could have 4 ....6 volt batteries hooked up in series with a voltage regulator...supplying 12volt current to spread the weight out.

We have been fishing these crafts for a number of years down here in the backwaters of Jersey.. 2-Man Ocean Ambush Kayaks. 55 thrust saltwater trollling motor and full size marine battery. The battery compartment is actually built in the bottom of the back seat.

Once a motor goes on it its no longer a kayak but a boat.:hidin:

This is true, especially here in NJ.. Hence the Registration and numbers ...
But let me tell you it gives you alot of additionial fishing options out on the water. Trolling & Bouncing eels off the bottom - again'st the tide.;) It also makes for quick location changes and there is nothing better then after 6hrs of fishing and you have a 2-3 mile trek back to your vehicle into the wind and tide :kewl:

I am in the very early stages (and still getting the parts) to build one. I plan to make mine a little different, more like an inboard. Nothing will be above deck and it will be sealed. I picked up a trolling motor from an SB.com'er and plan to cut it up and get all the parts to fit below deck. (Mine will have outriggers and side pontoons along with a comfortable fighting chair and electronics) When it is complete I will have some photos. Yeah I will register it but that is no big deal.

My one question is...how to you attach a flying bridge to a yak? :scream:

real interesting MR Sandman
 

i have been thinking about that same strategy

after seeing those fast boats
on the james bond flicks

small boats with in line engines...

Can't wait to see what it looks like !

can't wait to see that sandman!

I agree that on a human powered yak, you definitely have to keep your range in mind, mainly for the paddle/peddle back, because it can be a real bitch when you're tired or have a big fish in your lap ;) but I wouldn't know!

I saw these guys at the hartford show as well. I think they were called bassyaks or something like that. they are located near the casinos in Ct. sounds like a pretty good idea. I Think they want about 6 bills to rig your yak with their trolling motor. The guy I spoke with at the show was really nice and very informative. Surre would make trolling easier.

Another great thing about having a trolling motor is the time it cuts in half going from point A to point B.. I know they are not a real kayak and to tell you the truth I can care less about the exercise aspect of kayak fishing.. If I only have a tide to fish then I want to spend as much of that time with a lure in the water at as many places I can find.. Alot of times we just use them as a mode of transportation during the darkest of night to get to one sod bank or sedge island or another then we walk and stalk the points and tidal creeks.. If you are familiar with South Jersey you will know what I mean along the Inter-coastal-waterway...

Its a good debate up here in NE, would I enjoy my limited fishing time more if i had a yak outfitted.
In amongst the gunkholes all around this around sounds tempting.
But if its too snotty for a boat would it be any better for a yak?

The Electric Kayak Revolution
 

The Electric Kayak Revolution is coming, we have a featured article coming out tomorrow about the Electric Revolution

BassYaks is certainly leading the way

Kayak Fishing Magazine sent BassYaks a Malibu X-13 to be rigged with a trolling motor setup

we can't wait to get it in the water.

You do have to be careful with how far you go, if you got motor problems you will have to paddle home. My fear is that people will get electric kayaks get themselves into trouble and not be able to get themselves back to the car.

just some food for thought

In most cases not, and maybe even more so especially when water temps are running cold.. Not worth it one bit taking a chance..

Very rarely do I even attempt it when its blowing and I can only think on one particuilar instance where it becomes an advantage for me to fish in those conditions..

Good Point,, you have to use common sense and know your limits..
We actually outfitted our second seat so we can carry a extra battery because we have been out where we ran out of power in the past...

BASSYAKS.COM Just saw these guys at the RI show and placed an order for my tarpon 140 angler. I tried trolling last season but was not for me but now with this rig I will be trolling the Westport river soon.

There was a guy at th show who had a prototype yak with a custome trolling motor mounted in the center and it tilted up. Wide flat stern too...can't recall what it was called.

getting back to car
 

wind can change everything
and make even a strong trolling motor
not seem powerful enough
when you realize your way the heck out there
and your not gaining at all

those are nice rigs
thanks for posting them :kewl:

Thinking about build one out of 2-3mm and glass this summer.
LL Bean is also selling one that splits in the back to bring pontoon support to with a standup leaning post.
but at 1400 without motor seems steep.

They sure do look like a awesome fishing machine,,I really liked the remote control trolling motor system which I don't have on my rig but can only imagine how much easier it would be to navigate and it actually reduces the strain on your battery thus giving you extra juice with that type of system.. Specs were real close to my Ambush at 600lb capacity and 80 something pounds heavy.. You still really need to trailer it depending you what you drive...

Good Luck on the Wesport River..

It was a Native kayak I believe and it was pretty wild.
I don't know, the idea of a trolling motor on a yak and making it into boat just kind of defeats the purpose. when it's too much to get up on the roof, it's time to think if it's just as easy to get a skiff with a real motor on it!

Over the years I have taken more and more of the rigging/electronics of my yak. For one, I have switched to more ocean fishing then backbay. I try to keep everything to a minimal in case of spills. I;ve been lucky so far. I have alot of experience as I was a lifeguard and raced paddleboards which are fun to luanch from the beach and hop waves. I fished off them a few times after work wsa over in the early 90's chasing bluefish and bass after we where done for the day.

I have an 2000 Ocean Kayak Scrambler XT. It was an old lifeguard rescue yak. I have a rod mount down the starboard side I put a 8 ft Lami and a VS 150 on and I keep a conventional setup stored underneath. I only bring 6 or 8 plugs and a few metals, shads, and bucktails. Oh - I almost forgot - some 9" sluggos with a single 10/0 Gami. It's a very stable yak but you obv. loose paddling efficiency.
If I did more backbay I would get a hobie with the footpedals. I've tried them and they are sweet.

A kayak with a trolling motor is no longer a kayak, but a BOAT.
Kayaks were intended to be paddled.
Think of the reason you bought a kayak for in the first place, and then you want to turn it into a boat.
If that's what you want, fine, but please don't claim that you're fishing from a kayak like it's some "medal of honor". It's just more of the BBD (igger Better Deal) wanting to have all the gagetry of a boat , only on a smaller "boat".