Hook 1's Tarpon 160

[Mark Ezell]

Took out the new Tarpon 160 for the first time this week. Man this kayak is sweeeeeeet.
Got a good feel for where and how I wanted to rig the kayak. I like the RAM products, so that is what I'm using.

1-Front Rod Holder
First I took the bungee holders off the back track. I saved the metal slides that fit in the track along with the allen bolts to use to mount the RAM ball mount. I did some custom drilling on the mount to recess the head of the bolt (1/8") to get full thread in the metal slide. I wanted the mount to sit tight on the rail above the track. Turned out good.
Note: Did a trial run testing the mount on the track. Using a small crank baiting got 2 small sand bass both around 1 1/2 lb. The track worked fine using this type of mount for this size fish. I personally I would not use a line size over 10lb. using this mount.

Moved RAM mount to the front of the foot well. Drilled and tapped 4 holes. Used stainless steel (SS) bolts and nuts to mount the RAM. I have used this area before and it works well.

2- Gear Holder
Took some 2" strap/webbing material and 6 small SS screws and made a gear holder for my pliers and Fish Grips.

3- New Seat
Took off the factory seat and put a Surf to Sumit GTS PRO on. Had to add some pad eyes towards the front on the top of the rail.

4-Tackle Box
I putting a Plano 1612 Marine Storage Box behind the seat in the tank well. I liked the box when I had it in my OK prowler 15.

5-Bait tank and Ram Tubes
Using rivets I mounted some RAM tubes behind the seat. I put a little Goop on top of the rivet to help seal the rivets. Put my bait tank behind the tackle box using pad eyes to secure it to the kayak.

More to come later.

Mark
Hook 1

[Erick Bell]

Mark, glad you like the new kayak. Karen had put up a post as well about the new kayaks but glad to see the rigging.

Now I am a Scotty guy, why do you prefer the Ram?

[Mark Ezell]

The RAM rod holder has 2 pivot points so you can move the rod closer or farther from you, the Scotty can't do that.
The tube rod holder keeps my reels higher from the water. Less maitenance for the reels.

[Mark Ezell]

Some more rigging.......

I used about a foot of bungee, 2 termination ends 1/4" and screwed it to the outside edge of the tackle box, using the clips from the seat to leash the box to the kayak.

Put the livewell/bait tank behind the tackle box using pad eyes to secure it to the kayak. I need to move the battery box to the front of the tank so I can reach the on/off switch..
I like this.

[Mark Ezell]

Took the T-160 out yesterday for the final trial. With bait tank full and running, tackle box full and my fat ass this kayak is dry and that's very cool. You can rig the T-160 with just about anything on the market. The T-160 has a ton of mounting areas to let you customize your kayak for all different types of fishing. It has good glide, speed, very stable, and dry.
Over all......this is a nice kayak for fishing.

On One,
Mark

[John A. Mortensen]

Was wondering about the Slide Trax.. Where can we purchase the Brass inserts for the Slide Trax.. Don't want to loose the Bungee's on the Back and want to add lots more stuff to the Slide trax.. Was thinking, my Surf Thiegh Straps, anchor Trolly, Two Rams, a GPS.. All connected tot he Slide Trax.. Been looking all over the web and there is very little that I can find in the Form of Hardware to mount things too.. Any help would be great.. Thanx in advance.. JAM

[Chris Hill]

John, Harmony has some of the items you might be looking for, but mainly for Scotty not RAM. Hook1 has a set of 4 "T" handle Track Screws for the Slide Trax system (go to Hardware & Fasteners ath Hook 1 site). You can also checkout Erick Bell's Blog "Tarpon 140 Fully Rigged with Slide Trax" (with pictures) of the Tarpon 140 with all of the Slide Trax items from Harmony, this might answer your question about mounting a RAM using the Universal Mount. Good Luck

[Mark Ezell]

We will be adding all of the Slide Trax products soon - in this next week. I have an order in for the brass inserts as well. If you buy a side mounting board it comes with the brass inserts and the good screws :) Harmony carries these products, or some of them, as well.
Karen (sneaking in under Mark)

[John A. Mortensen]

Mark WOW , what an Impressive Site..With lots of very Cool Stuff.. I can see who's gonna get some of my pennies in the Future.. Love the way ya rigged the Rams, gonna do the same thing when my new tarpon 120 arrives. Besides the movement of the RAMS they are Gaurenteed for LIFE... Been using them on my cirrent T120 for around 7 years now.. Gonna rig all my electronics on RAMS as well..HH GPS and a Seprate Fishfinder.. Will be getting in touch when Boat comes in. Stupid Question?? Those are hi grade Stainless T's right?? I guess I could fabricate the Brass Trax Inserts.. How Strong is the Slide Trax?? Would an anchor Trolly be too much for it?? I use Surf Thiegh Straps, Again are they strong enough for that?? What are they made of the Slide Trax that is?? Thanks for all the help .... Later ... JAM

[Mark Ezell]

Thanks John glad you like the site. Karen has worked hard at putting it all together. Did you get a chance to check out the How-To's on rigging? I used alot of Wilderness kayaks.
No question is stupid. (I had to call to make sure on the T's...LOL)
1-Those are hi grade Stainless T's right.....Yes they are.
2-How Strong is the Slide Trax....Can't give you any numbers but it's strong enough. I just don't think mounting a rod holder with 2 bolts and fishing in the ocean is that good of an idea. If you run your drags light you should be fine.
3- I "think" an anchor trolly would work fine on the Trax. I don't use an anchor so I really don't know.
4- Thigh straps should be fine also. If it was me I would go with some pad eyes.
5- Annodized aluminum I believe.

On One,
Mark

[Todd Llewellyn]

Maark-

I really like the idea of the gear holder. Very well thought out.

[Robert J. Wiebel]

Great job Mark rigging your new 160. I could never put all that gear behind the seat. I have very short arms that keep me from reaching into the back of my Yak. I have all my gear up front.

[Russ]

Looks like a well thoughtout rig, sweet! What are the side tracks made out of? Do you troll with it mounted like that?

Russ