Understanding Kayak Rigging – Mounting Base Options

Mounting bases are an essential part of rigging and personalizing your fishing kayak for your needs. A mounting base is typically and after market install for adding mounts for rod holders, fish finders, and other personalized accessory’s.  In this article ThePlasticHull.net covers basic and typical mounting hardware and bases along with track systems.

Fasteners:

There are 4 main types of fasteners typically used for rigging plastic kayaks.  They are as follows.

1. Thru Bolt: (Best Mounting Solution. This includes metal backing plates used in track system mounting.)
2. Rivets: (Second to the best method)
3. Well Nut & Bolt (Typically used with no inside access)
4. Self tapping screw (Has its uses)
5.  Factory molded threaded inserts (Becoming more common. Standard on Jackson fishing Kayaks)

Accessory Bases:

These fastening methods are used to install a mounting base. Depending on the accessory there are choices on base options. For a long time mounting a spline base or a flush mount spline base was the best method of installing rod holders and safety flags. With the evolution of kayak fishing and innovative accessory companies like Ram Mount,s Scotty, and Yak Attack new mounting options have been invented. To cover a few of the main mount base options.

1. Scotty base
2. RAM Ball Base
3. Rail Blaza Deck Mount Base

Gear Tracks:

The most widely used deck mounting solutions in recent time are track mount bases. Track mounting works just like track lighting. Simply by turning the accessory it can be located and secured in any location on the track desired.  I believe Wilderness Systems were the first to incorporate track mount systems into their fishing line of kayaks. Luther Cyphers of Yak Attack developed first the mighty mount which accepted a T style bolt that also is compatible with a track system.  Later he developed the gear track. The gear track really made rigging possibility’s endless. Also created the ability to slide accessory’s to different positions on the fly.  For paddlers the ability to move rod holders out of your paddle sweep on the fly.

In recent time many other fishing kayak manufacturers are incorporating the Yak Attack Gear track or similar track system into their fishing line of kayaks. Along with the tracks came “T Bolt Accessory’s” . The Screw ball was one of the first solutions for mounting accessory’s to the tracks. The ability to have a RAM Mount accessory on a sliding track made options endless. From mounting Rod Holders to Fish finders and camera mounts.

Scotty and RAM Mount spline bases can be adapted to work with track systems by utilizing the Yak Attack MightyMount Post Mount kit. Check it out here!

For 2015 Yak Attack has done it again with a new innovative track system that enables mounting accessory’s from any point on the track. No more sliding from one end to another. Mount between already mounted accessory’s! This is going to make it easy!

For more information on GearTrack Mounting Hardware go to YakAttack.us!

Disclaimer:

Installing hardware may cause damage and/or void manufacturer warranties.  ThePlasticHull.net its authors or any other source of information on this website is in no way responsible for your actions nor any type issues or damage that may occur.  The information provided on this website is a free reference guide only. The authors of all information, sponsors and the owners of the website that host this information are not liable for any problems or issues that arise from the use of this information. Users of this information hereby acknowledge that all use of this information is done by their own free will, at their own sole risk, understanding that destruction of property, injury, or death could occur.

Dio F Spec PFD

As US Coast Guard Type III certified and a required piece of kayak fishing gear MTI Adventurewear’s latest Fishing PFD the MTI Dio F Spec Review is incredibly comfortable! Its high back is ideal for sit on top kayaks with high seat backs for maximum all day comfort. It has ample amounts of storage. Fishing from a kayak canoe or any small platform you always need all of the storage you can get. With 3 pockets the storage is ample. Personally I keep my digital camera in the  right side pocket along with a pocket knife. The pin reinforcement is a great idea for pinning retractable leashes to the PFD without tearing the nylon fabric. These leashes are great for small tools such as pliers line sippers and small folding knives. Its high visual gray color and added reflective strips makes you exceptionally visible when out on the water during the day and night.On the left pocket face there is a sleeve with a Velcro strap to house your fishing pliers. On the face of the right pocket is a bungee which I usually clip a leash or stow my boga grips. One thing I really love is the Zip up. It totally beats out straps and clips. Left Pocket for radio. I added an external mic speaker on my hand held radio for ease of use and so I could stow it in the pocket at all times. Downside is the radio is not waterproof anymore.   Right two Pockets includes a fly pad for your fly storage. A work bridge for tying and anything else you would need a flat surface for.  Above the right pocket is a leather patch area for pinning retractable tools such as line cutters. The PFD is endless in what you can store within it.

You will not be uncomfortable or hot wearing this PFD as its mesh breaths your body feel the breeze in the summer for maximum coolness in the summer heat.    

Get to your local MTI dealer and try it on! I recommend it. If you dont know where to try on MTI PFD’s check out their website at www.mtiadventurewear.com.