Left or right orientation when fishing from the AI or TI

Hiyas
I'm just in the process of customizing my 2011 Dune AI to catch fish near the east coast of Vancouver Island where I live.
I'm right handed, so I designed the AI's fishing aspect by leaving the right Tramp off. That allows me to mainly concentrate on the open right side even though I will be trolling from 2+ rods mounted on a RailBlaza track system custom mounted to my rear crossbar.

http://www.railblaza.com/products/brows ... fic/28/58/

I ask, do you 'lean' towards one side or the other by you who use their Adventure Island (or TI) to catch fish? In your experience, do you prefer to just keep the tramps off when your fishing? Or do you prefer a left, right, or both Tramps?

My opinion, one Tramp is Gold. It could even allow a platform to hold or process the catch to keep the bulk of your catch as small (and fresh) as possible with limited ice supplies aboard. (local regulations, may not allow this)

I'm planing on putting Railblaza Starport mounts

http://www.railblaza.com/products/view/starport/32/59/

on the bow to use the small Fillet table as a 'spray buster' when it is not being used to process fish fillets. otherwise it can be mounted on the stern as an extra seat base or possibly on an amma as the Railblaza Starport mount system is highly flexible for swapping out the attachments

Your input would be highly appreciated
Regards
Trinomite

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

Check out Halibu77 on YouTube, he's one of the most effective AI fisherman I've seen. He uses both tramps. Last I checked he had about 65 videos on his channel.

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It's a good Life, Let's sail!

iHop

Dune TI - 6/4/2011
Camas, WA

IslandHoppa27
Way too much fun for words. Thanks M8 that was a hoot.
May I also share some vids with you from a 'Man down Under':
Josh Holmes: Yakass admin, editor & founder
http://yakass.net/
Killa vids and this man has inspired me to model my AI along his proven ideas and concepts, even though where I live on the North Pacific we do not have exotic fish. We just simply smack a salmon over the head and eat it raw...(after flash freezing it, yadda, yadda, yadda...
How barbaric...Yumm!

Smiles whilst chewing on Salmon Jerky (Oh snap that was a dog biscuit!)
Trinomite

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

Btw: Josh Holmes used to work for Hobie and Hobie dealers in Australia and is an expert on AI or TI mods.

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

Thanks, must admit I'm totally hooked on the Hobie forums, spending way too much time on it but I'm away from home (with the grandkids in Orlando, visiting Mickey) and don't have a sailboat around so this is the next best thing.

Hope to someday sail in the San Juans or around the "other" Vancouver (I live in Vancouver, WA area).

_________________
It's a good Life, Let's sail!

iHop

Dune TI - 6/4/2011
Camas, WA

I do a lot of fishing from my TI and I find it easier to leave the tramps on. That way I can scramble about when a big Tuna runs in all directions. When I am hauling in bigger fish I usually find myself on my knees on one of the tramps.

I think this is going to come down to personal preference, possibly influenced by conditions, fish species and fishing style. I've learned to prefer single tramp usage, for several reasons and I tend to fish from my right side, so it makes sense for me to keep that side open.

One reason I prefer a single tramp being that I find it simpler (a lot simpler actually) to fold a pontoon in to deal with big fish/sharks yakside. I have more control in the seated position (everything I need accessible from here) than kneeling on a tramp. I'm not a fan of handling big fish in the manner Riddo describes, allowing the fish to run about wherever. I've done it this way, but it feels like I'm being controlled by the fish more than the other way around. Friends of mine prefer to deal with big fish using Riddo's technique though, so it's just a matter of what works for you. It's worth experimenting with.

In my experience, most AI anglers prefer fishing a single tramp. Acknowledging this, I think it would be a good idea if Hobie made them available singularly, in left or right as well as in a pair.

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

Hi Yakass

I've looked at most of your great vids and have also read your insightful and highly helpfull Hints and Tips. That has helped me greatly in customizing my Dune 2011 AI'. Many Thanks.
I've watched you bring in some mighty large fish on your videos with the single left tramp only. It would seem to be the most efficient way. Getting out of my seat without a harness would seem a bit unsafe to me especially in rough conditions.
As a lot of the salmon here are down deep (150-200 feet). I've been eyeballing a small downrigger setup for the AI without having to do yoga moves to get at it. LOL

Nice to meet you, M8. I wasn't sure if you were a member of this forum. Looks like you are .

You might find this video of interest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg2B9eJBnpY

Soon to be released

Regards
Fred (Trinomite)

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

Trinomite, I had to giggle at that clip because half of the footage was shot without the cam being mounted. Hehe. That said, looks like a good product. I do like the look of Railblaza gear - I think I might look into getting it stocked in the kayak dealership I work at.

I'm not sure if a harness is so important (actually, I'd rather not be leashed to the boat, as I don't expect to fall out) but for me, having everything at the ready certainly is. For example, if I'm fighting a big fish at the back end of the yak and my gaff is mounted at the bow (which it is) then I'm going to have to do some serious stretching to get to it.

I understand why Riddo and others might take the other approach though. Big tuna will fight hard, and go around and round in circles and for some it might be easier to deal with while kneeling instead of sitting. I just try to manuever the yak into the best possible position at any given stage of the fight, which often means alot of circling with fish like tuna. Doing it the other way means you follow the fish around with the rod, as opposed to following it around with the yak, which is what I do. Both methods work. Its just a matter of what is easier for the user.

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

Yakass. I got used to using a carabiner ended system from a ring on my Mustang inflatable PDF to one of the lifelines when I soloed on my Catalina 27.
Even though that was an 9000 lb monhull and the sailyak is a far different kettle of fish in design amd weight, I was also wondering of the practicality versus safety issue.
However after taking a few dumps off my SUP while learning, was amazed at how quickly that board got caught in the wind and out of my grasp (that's before I bought a board leash)
Of course the AI isn't that light but I wonder if anyone has experimented with letting the Hobie AI sail without a pilot in contolled conditions to see how the sail and rudder reacted whilst being on 'Auto pilot' without human intervention?
As for the harness, I'll go without it soloing on the AI.

Trinomite

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

Hi, it's been a while since I used mine, but when I first got my AI, I set it up to scuba off, with a fixed mount FF/GPS fixed to the hull on the right as well as my anchor trolley. With everything set up on the right it was easier and safer to use the left side for entry/exit and to limit any risk of entanglement or hitting my sounder with dive gear.
I run a single tramp on the right side most of the time I am fishing as well, and I am also a right hander. I have two scotty holders mounted forward and use a downrigger +2 rod holders mounted on the left side rear aka when fishing.

I am a bit like Josh (Yakass) and like to bring the kayak around to the fish, rather than play/chase the fish around the kayak, but that does not always work. If I am sailing/trolling off the down rigger and hook up, then I use a small chock to hold the steering/course and only partially reef the sail so I can maintain pressure while I raise the downrigger bomb, wind in any extra lines etc. I then turn the bow around towards the left and the fish, finish reefing the sail and then take up the rod. I must add, very rarely the fish are of any great size and most of the time, under 4 kg.

I always found if you let go of the rudder and while still under sail, the AI always takes a fast turn down wind and ends up in an uncontrolled drift down wind, using a chock under the rudder/steering handle can help you maintain your course. In the southern end of Port Phillip Bay where I fished and if the conditions are quite blowy, the waves are very close and build up very quick, there are also a lot of shallow sand bars where a rolling swell can stand up very quick and will capsize you if you are not pointing into it. In conditions like this and where you are trolling on the edge of the bar, I often had to point the AI into the wind, chock the rudder and play the fish under sail off the back, exciting times .

Hi ELM
Funny Yakass and I were just discussing the use of down riggers for the AI on his site:
Yakass.net.

Just wondering if you have problems managing the extra 'fiddle'?
I ask because most fishers (of all types of fishing vessels) on the west coast of Canada (here) seem to prefer this method of getting the lines down deep for the Salmon (150 to 200 feet depending on Ocean temp and all the other factors, tide, bait, etc).

Could you upload a photo of your set up please.

Regards
Fred

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

I have discussed it "here" and the rest of the thread makes good reading. Moved all my images that are linked there, sorry may take a bit to re-do them as my computer is not playing nice. I have made a few changes since so if I get a chance and my computer will allow it, I will take some new shots then upload them.

The best change I made was getting the down rigger reel next to me and easy to reach also the downrigger line dropping just behind the aka and also within relatively easy reach, better than it was before anyway.

(Edit; Images added)

Sorry Elm

I was just looking for ways to get out of the stuff I used on my 27 foot Catalina 8 years ago.

No worries, friend, I thank you for your response (Yes admitting you've been here way longer than I have as I just worked the last month to make this AI 'custom' to bend it to my careful wishes)

Glad you like your setup.
I think I got what I want to almost get the same thing:

Deep Six No. 002 (180 feet diving plane surface)

Good Fishin', m8

Trinomite

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

Hi Trinomite
You need to check that last link, it just takes me to some dodgy "You won first prize, Collect your Prize", hate that!!!

From your comments, I gather you purchased a "planner", personally I do not like them and it is also discussed in that last link I gave you. Best of luck with it if you have and would love to here your comments after you have tried it for a while.