Hobie PA14 Rocket Launcher DIY

I love my Pro Angler 14, but I was not a fan of any pre-made crate or homemade one. I also wanted to be able to use a cooler instead of a crate for fish and also to use for storage. I had a few ideas in my head and was set on making some kind of rod holder/rocket launcher that fit into the rear flush rod holders. I searched the internet for picture, how-to's, and ideas and most were huge or so gaudy that it was an eyesore. One blog, The Hobie Life, is where I found the best DIY and went with my version of that.

Here is the final product. I can still store my Wheeleez wheels in the scuppers and my cooler fits perfect too. I made sure to angle the rod holders so my rods would not hit my Yak Attak Visipole mounted on the rear deck. Overall I am sure happy with it and plan on testing it tomorrow. I can store 3 rods and also troll one on each side.

Parts List

8' - 1-1/2" Black ABS Pipe

2 -  1-1/2" 45° Black ABS Elbow

2 - 1-1/2" 90° Black ABS Elbow

2 - 1-1/2" Black ABS Sweep Tee

3 - 1-1/2" Black ABS Cross Tee

2 - 1-1/2" to 1-/4" Bushing

2' - 1-1/4" White PVC Pipe 

The bushing and 1-1/4" pipe are to insert into the flush mount rod holders. 1-1/2" is tight, but could be sanded down to fit snug. I also used a section of bungee and brass snap to attach to the padeye to hold the rocket launcher in place.

I cemented all joints and also added #10 Pan Head 1/2" SS screws on each fitting to prevent spinning in the event that the glue let go.

UPDATE:

I have since reconfigured the outside rod holders. I used a 45 degree elbow and a short piece of tubing to hold the rod. I did not glue or screw it but used a #10 SS bolt and cap nut so I can adjust the angle whether I am trolling or dead sticking baits.

Point Pleasant Elks Fluke Tournament

The Googans Kayak Fishing Team set out Saturday in search of fluke for the Point Pleasant Elks Fluke Tournament. The kayak division was sponsored by The Jersey Paddler and proceeds benefited Heroes on the Water NJ Chapter.

We launched at 5:30am in Raritan Bay to calm water and an incoming tide. As soon as we dropped our bucktails down the fish were chewing. I was prepared with big baits to target some larger fish; handcut squid strips, smelts, butterflied snappers, and mackerel strips. Right away I was losing snappers to some larger fish which I suspected to be blues, as they were taking the baits and running. I did manage a few 16" or so fluke on the snappers, smelt, and squid.

After a few hours the tide switched and started moving out of the Bay. I had to move up to a 3oz bucktail just to hold bottom, the drift was moving about 1.5MPH and the wind picked up out of the south. Soon the Bay turned into a bathtub due to the wind and boat wakes. Everyone seemed to be out in the Bay that day including all the headboats.

I had drifted pretty far out, just past the Naval Pier and about a mile east of where we launched. I started the slow pedal back to the group and set up another drift. About 10 minutes into the drift I felt that distinct thump of a hit. Not one of those short fast head shakes but, a heavy tap and pressure, I new it was a larger fish I have been after. A minute later a 27.50 inch fluke was in the boat. She really didn't put much of a fight other than just laying there on the bottom. I got my board out and my identifier and snapped some pics. I really didn't plan on keeping any fish today so I didn't have a stringer (I actually can't find it. 3rd one I've lost in a year so maybe the fish gods are telling me something). We also had our Triclub Tournament that day for my fishing club. I knew I had a big fish and had to keep it to weigh it in for that. I had my Waterbug rescue ladder then turned into my makeshift stringer and met back up with Chris. We made a few more drifts with little to show and snapped some pics.

We packed up and headed back down to Waretown to the weigh station for the Tri-club Tournament. It weighed in at 7.55lbs and was 27.5" long with a 22" girth. They informed me that is was the biggest weighed in so far but had to wait until the next day for the Awards BBQ.

We cleaned up, dropped the kayaks off at Chris's house and headed back up to Point Pleasant for the awards. We met up with everyone else, ate, told fish stories, drinks lots of beer and had a great time. I took second place in the largest overall fluke and got a nice certificate and a $100 gift card to Jersey Paddler. My buddy Larry took first with a 28" fluke and won a $200 gift card and a Jackson Kayak from JP. I also took the trash fish category and calcutta with a 31" dogfish. 

2nd Place Fluke

1st Place Trash Fish

The highlight of the day was fellow Googan Fishing Team Member Dennis "Homer" taking the most species category! He had a fluke, dogfish, a snapper, skate, a bunker, and a blueclaw crab. That is right a bunker and crab! 

Homer and his 1st Place Most Unique Species

Thanks to Point Pleasant Elks and Pat at The Jersey Paddler for running a great event! Can't wait until next year!

As for the Tri-club Tournament. I won the largest fluke overall and the Forked River Tuna Club won the Tri-club trophy for top 8 fluke combined weight. 

Snappers!

Just a quick report...

I took my youngest daughter, Stella (4yo), out this evening on the kayak for a after dinner kayak cruise up the Forked River. We really didn't plan to fish and I didn't expect to stay long, a 4 year olds attention span is pretty short.

I rigger her seat up and we set off. I was surprised she stayed the whole time behind me in the chair for almost two hours. Then she asked when are we going to fish?!?!? We searched for snappers feeding on spearing and were rewarded with a dozen small snappers, perfect for fluke bait! Stella reeled in about half of them including the biggest one!

July or November?

I headed out on the Manasquan River with Bill for a evening fluke trip. We launch and were met by ice cold incoming tide of ocean water that plummeted over the past few days. A constant South wind caused upwelling and the cooler ocean water near the bottom to surface and keep the ocean a frigid temp all week. Just a few miles off the beach the water was in the 70 and clear. The lowest temp we would read all afternoon was 51 degrees with the temp hovering around 55 degrees of so. Just enough to turn the fluke bite off.

We fished a few hours of the incoming with nothing to show except a few taps and no fish to the boat. We tried all the usual holes and ledges with every bait and presentation imaginable. Bill said why don't we try up river where we usually bass fish in the fall, so we made the drift further up.

I drifted around a piece of structure jigged and felt a nice hit, then slack. Nothing and then it was game on. The fish was head shaking and taking line. I thought I had a big fluke on when it took off away from the boat. A few minutes later after doging some boats and a ferry A fat, healthy 31" striper was in the boat. Some pics, an ALS tag, and she swam away strong.

Oceangrip Deck Padding

I wanted to customize my PA14 a little more beside the regular stuff everyone has on their boats. I wanted to go the route of deck padding and there were two choices guys were using, Seadek and Oceangrip. It seemed Seadek was on a lot more boats but with some research I found some guys who installed the Oceangrip and were happy and they said it was the same as Seadek. My buddy Chris has the Seadek in the Army Camo and is very happy with it.

There was quite a bit cost difference between the two. Seadek costs $150.95 for the front half of the boat and Oceangrip was $130.00 for the entire boat. To me it was a no brainer especially if the padding was the same. Oceangrip also seemed to have more colors already cut and ready to ship then Seadek who only have two colors at the time.

I ended up speaking to a employee of Oceangrip on facebook who answered my questions and I ordered up the full deluxe kit in storm grey. Three days later the padding arrived and I installed it in my shop. Chris helped me, as he had already installed his Seadek, and he said it was pretty much the same products. Fitment was good but some areas it was a hair off, like around the rear hatch. It was fairly easy with tow people and it could be a one person job but the extra hands help, especially with someone who knew what to do.

Overall I am very happy with the product and also it was priced right. It changes the whole look and feel of the Pro Angler and can't wait to bloody it up!

Dry fitting all the pieces

A Bittersweet Day

Today was a bittersweet day. I sold my Hobie Outback, but she went to a good home. I spent the past 3+ years with her and I fished her hard, very hard. From togging bridges, road trips to far away fishing grounds, and catching monster stripers she has never let me down.

But with every door closed and new ones opens and I am happy to say that I am now a Hobie Fishing Team Member! A big thanks to Pat at Jersey Paddler in Brick, NJ for hooking me up with a brand new 2014 Hobie Pro Angler 14 and getting me on the team!

I spent Sunday morning fishing the Manasquan River for fluke and blues with some fellow Googans. Chris and I drove up together and planned on swinging by Jersey Paddler on the way home to say hi. We caught some flatties on bucktails and gulp and a bunch of blues on plugs and poppers, which was a blast. My only regret was not having the GoPro running when a chopper blue jumped at Chris's popper a foot next to his boat!

After the fishing frenzy we stopped by to talk to Pat and he surprised me by saying I will drop the Pro Angler off tomorrow at my shop, unless ya wanna take it now. I said sure! We loaded the new rig up, still in her shiny white bubble wrap and strapped my Outback on top for the half hour ride home.

I got her home and it was time for the unwrapping. It was pretty straight forward and easy to get everything together. The wife and kids were down the street at the lake so going out fishing was out of the question. Next best thing was taking the kids out for her maiden voyage!

Peddling was a dream and I think it was easier then in my Outback. Standing was great too and there was so much room. I am 100% happy with the boat and can't wait to get her slimed up! 

I put the Outback up on a few websites and had some interest in it. It sold 8 hours after I listed it for a price I was willing to let her go for. She was going to a good home to a good fisherman. She has lots of mojo and a ton of fishing left to do with her new owner!

Heroes on the Water - North Wildwood

Many of you may have heard of Heroes on the Water and that I am a volunteer for this wonderful organization. I have met a lot of awesome people, both vets and volunteers, and many of them I fish with on a regular basis. If you have never of hear of HOW, simply put we take vets out kayak fishing. We supply them with a kayak, paddle, safety gear, rod & reel, and all the tackle and bait they will need. They also get lunch, water, snacks and drinks for their day of fishing and everyone helping is a volunteer and everything is 100% free to the vets and their families.

All the gear rigged up

This past Sunday was the first saltwater event of the year. The Kayak Fishing Store in North Wildwood was gracious enough to host us again and Chris and his crew do a  great job. Chris and I left at 5am to head down and arrived around 6:30am or so. There were already a few guys there setting up and prepping kayaks, rods, bait, and lunch. A while later we had our meeting, the vets showed up, and we got everyone on the water.

Chris, Kevin, and I were paired up with the Cooper Family from PA. There were 6 of them and they were a great group and we had tons of fun fishing with them. Brian was the high hook with a 23"er and a short all on a white S&S Bucktail tipped with squid.

Fishing was slow but some fish were caught. Most of were using S&S Bucktails tipped with Gulp, squid strips or mackerel. Everyone had a great day on the water and a few keeper fluke were put in the coolers, but most importantly we got some vets on the water for a day of relaxation.

Kevin, Bob, Me, Chris, and Yim

Dennis and Paul

Congrats to Dennis "Homer" who put the whole event together. He did a fantastic job and put a lot of time and effort into it. Nice job Homer!