Tarpon 120

[ASH]

Is the Wilderness systems Tarpon 120 too small for a paddler around 6'1" 225#
to be used in bays and perhaps venture out with more time in the saddle.
This would be my first Yak.
Thanks.

[swanny]

The 120 was the second yak I ever owned. It's a solid boat and will accomodate your size no problem. A better question might be why that boat? If you plan on eventually hitting open ocean and maybe wanting to cover some more distance a 160i or even a 140 would be a better choice in my opinion. Also the prowler 15 is a nice option as well. There is no shortage of great fishing yaks out there to choose from. If your doing rivers or other applications where a tight turning radius is required then the 120 would be a great option but there are better boats for your applications.

[ASH]

Well the only reason I was thinking about the t120 is that I had chance to get one at a smoking deal. My current yak a dirigo I purchased last season for rec yaking, not sure why I was not thinking of fishing when I made the purchase. Anyway I was all set to pull the trigger on a Tarpon 160 when my girlfriends boss wants to buy my dirigo, sweet more cash for the fishing yak.
Being intrigued by the ability to troll at constant speed or re-rig while on the way to a new location the mirage drive was on my mind. I am now the proud owner of a Hobie Revolution, while I have yet to fish from it taking it for a spin was fun. Now I just have to figure out how to rig it, and decide if I want the turbo fins.

[swanny]

Ahh Ash. Now your talking. Welcome to the next stage of kayakfishing. The mirage drive will catch you more fish than any other piece of fishing gear you own. I would say definately spring for the turbos. I would also grab a sailing rudder while you are at it. Those upgrades make the best fishing kayak much better. It was the best decision I made to upgrade. The boat is much more responsive with the sailing rudder and the turbos provide the needed resistance for comfortable peddling. With the standard I always felt like I was peddling a bike downhill. Very little resistance. Also with the turbos you can practically pull a hole shot when getting up to go and chase breaking fish or moving out of a dangerous situation.

[ASH]

I guess its not just me then, because I thought it was rather easy to pedal, turbos on the way.
With the small side rails I am trying to take my time in picking the right mounts, I am debating using a scotty flush mount with extender or a ram tube in the front. What rod mounts have you tried on this rig?
Also did you have to loosen your rudder assembly to allow it to retract and extend smoothly?
Ash.

[swanny]

I have 2 normal round ram mount bases up front - where there is more space - in addition to the depth finder on a ram diamond mount where the gunnell thins out. I put a rod holder base on each side for flexability. be sure to check clearance but the ram holders provide enough height clearance for the butt of the rod to be in the yak while trolling and not interfere with peddling. the small diamond mount will fit almost anywhere along the skinny gunnel. I mounted the gps on a diamond close to me near the cup holder. no problems at all. not sure why some guys are struggling with rigging, i've had no problems at all so far. i like the rams since i can change out rod holders between combination holder and ram tube. if you fly fish the combo is the way to go. be sure to mount those front holders securely since you may get into trolling a bunker spoon or umbrella rig most times you'll be holding the rod but occassionally you will put it in the holder to have a drink, make a phone call or stretch out your arms, and that is when big bertha might smash that spoon when your moving at a good clip. not the same take as when your crawling a tube n' worm or eel, that's for sure

[ASH]

Not so much problems mounting I was just concerned about the strength of the mounts with such narrow surface to work with.
Umbrella rig ehh sounds interesting, I must admit I would have never thought of that. The bunker spoon I thought of but will need to uo the anty on my conventional setup toa heavy rod. With the fall run comming up I forsee many hours in the Revo.
Food for thought for sure.