LIP GRIPPERPA D D L I N G T E C H N I Q U E | R I G G I N G | S A LTWAT E R | F R E S HWAT E R Eyes on the Prize
RIG A FISHFINDER TO POWER UP YOUR DEEP-WATER KAYAK FISHING BY PAUL LEBOWITZ
USE YOUR SONAR HEAD: Mount the display on the center console close enough to see without squinting, but keep it out of your workspace. A hefty fish can crunch your all-seeing electronics. Just out of reach is just about right.
WIRE PASS-THRU: Routing the wires through the hull close to the fishfinder prevents on-deck cable clutter and provides a clean look. Choose a spot protected from splash and pooling water. Drill the smallest hole possible (measure first!). Seal it with a grommet crafted from a rubber stopper or grab a waterproof fitting from a marine supply store.
CHEAT ROUTE: An easier solution is to route your wires through the front hatch. Some hatches require minor modification such as a notch cut in a rigid cover. Make sure the hatch still seals well enough to keep the water out.
THROUGH-HULL FOR THE SLICK- EST SETUP: Affix the transducer to a flat spot within the hull for fix-and-forget convenience. Put it near the seat; your weight will keep it underwater. Go with a flexible silicone-based adhesive such as Amazing Goop; rigid two-part epoxies lose their grip when the hull flexes—and it will. Air is the enemy! Squeeze out any bubbles when install- ing the transducer puck in the requisite thick bead of epoxy and allow plenty of time to dry. The alternative is external scupper plug trandsducers—or suction cup-mounted transducers which are messier and are magnets for weeds, kelp and rocks.
PLAN YOUR PURCHASE: Fishfinders run from dinner and movie money to pie in the sky. Con- sider where you fish. Lake bassers don’t need a unit that’ll read the bottom at 800 feet, but color GPS combos pack that “wow” factor. For travel or swapping between ‘yaks, consider a portable.
SHIP SHAPE: Don’t forget to coil up loose cables that could snag on rods and other gear below deck. Use zip ties or wire clamps.
PEDAL POWER: If you have a
pedal-powered craft, mount the fishfinder on the gunwale in- stead. Portable units perch on the bow hatch or console.
BATTERY: Stash it where it’s easily accessible. Just aft of the bow hatch is a favored spot. Protecting it from any water that leaks into the hull is as simple as wiring it into a waterproof box or rolling it up in a drybag suspended from the underside of the deck to keep the closure from sitting in any bilge water.
S E T T I N G U P F O R S O N A R MOUNT UP:
A removable mount like those from Scotty or RAM is a near-must, allowing below-deck storage for surf transits or a back-to-the- basics outing. Don’t settle; find the solution that works best for you and your boat.
PACK PLENTY OF JUICE: Most kayakers opt for sealed rechargeable lead-acid batteries in the 7- to 12-amp range. Some build custom power sources using 10 AA batteries to get those 12 volts. Warning: combo units with GPS are power hogs, so go big.
LUBE IT OR LOSE IT: Saltwater eats connectors. Coat the pins and sockets with conductive grease. Repeat as necessary and keep the hardware running smoothly. Forcing a stuck connection is a sure way to snap a delicate pin.
18 … KAYAK ANGLER spring 2008
ILLUSTRATION: PAUL MASON
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