Kayak Ballast Weight - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

FishNinjaY · 07-05-2013, 08:23 PM

there's been other post here also about this topic.. no clear "right" answer. Some people sit up front. I was thinking of trying this on my Hobie Oasis. The only issue is the rod holders, and my current fishfinder config. I was thinking of sitting up front, and having my bait tank on the floor in back, right above the rear mirage drive hole. I'll drop the inflow tubing down that hole.

Likewise, if I decide to stay in the rear seat, which is what I'm most used to when I kayak with my son, I'm considering putting my bait tank in the front seat for ballast. My tank can hold up to 8 gal, which is almost 72lbs! That'd be plenty of ballast up front. I would have it facing back, so I would reach forward to get bait out of the tank.

I'd also like to hear people's thoughts and advice on this. Right now, when I go solo in the back, with the bait tank behind me, my bow is way up and there's a ton of hull slap. I usually decrease my bait tank to about 4-5gals just to lessen the weight and the water sloshing around back there.

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07-05-2013, 08:23 PM	#3
FishNinjaY Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Seal Beach, CA Posts: 428	there's been other post here also about this topic.. no clear "right" answer. Some people sit up front. I was thinking of trying this on my Hobie Oasis. The only issue is the rod holders, and my current fishfinder config. I was thinking of sitting up front, and having my bait tank on the floor in back, right above the rear mirage drive hole. I'll drop the inflow tubing down that hole. Likewise, if I decide to stay in the rear seat, which is what I'm most used to when I kayak with my son, I'm considering putting my bait tank in the front seat for ballast. My tank can hold up to 8 gal, which is almost 72lbs! That'd be plenty of ballast up front. I would have it facing back, so I would reach forward to get bait out of the tank. I'd also like to hear people's thoughts and advice on this. Right now, when I go solo in the back, with the bait tank behind me, my bow is way up and there's a ton of hull slap. I usually decrease my bait tank to about 4-5gals just to lessen the weight and the water sloshing around back there.