Waverunner Build in January

[Exodus Outfitters]

I hear there are a couple of members with Waverunners rigged up for fishing. I am planning on waiting till the boatshow to purchase my 2014 FXHO because of the deals they run. I am doing a rear Yeti Rack with misc rod holders and external fuel tank. On the front a console that will hold my HDS7,VHF, waterproof switch panel etc. The rear rack is to be fabbed with a Power Pole bracket. I still may buy a boat instead, but am really leaning toward the ski. I predominately fish alone, but the ski would still allow for a buddy to go, with minimal Brokeback Factor.Here are a couple of pics of skis that Coastline has done. Mine will be more similar to the brown Kawasaki. Let me know what yall think, as well as who else has a ski rigged out, Thanks!

[plugger]

I haven't seen a lot , but that is the best rigged fishing wave runner I've ever seen . Way neat . Just me , but I would still lean towards a boat . You may not be able to cast from the WR if you want to , drift fish , be quieter with a trolling motor , be safer in sudden rough weather , stretch out with your feet up while you eat a foot long subway , or take a buddy and me with you . It's a tool with pluses and minuses like a kayak vs a boat .

[Walker]

I have fished from a waverunner a few times. My biggest gripe is that when the power is off, they have no directional stability. In a drift, a waverunner is constantly swinging around fairly fast - sometimes in complete circles. A drift sock on a trolley would probably solve the problem.

[TroutSupport]

That's all I used to fish off of... in the future I may still get another one for solo days and scouting. Fun way to fish.

Here's my input for your build. make sure the backside of your electronics are sheilded from salt spray...those connectors will corrode.

The rear rod holders have to be more to the center of the craft or your reels will get drenched from spray. I'd even prefer putting them behind the ice chest or low and between the ice chest and the craft to protect them from spray... might even get vynyl or nylon reel covers to cover reels during transit. This was a big factor so don't overlook it. the front side rod holders might be ok. On rough days they will still get spray. Rods as centered as possible.

I love power poles... but thats a lot of weight to add to a ski and anywhere you want to wade you need to properly anchor. Speaking of anchor... get a real one. Get a small danforth for a 14ft boat. You can cut the stabilizing spines shorter so it's not so wide and it won't effect holding power. Get galvanized and galvanized chain. I'd go with a Stick It Pin for a pin for ski.

2 large boat cleats about 18" apart make for a great way to wrap your anchor rope and keep it secure. I mounted this on the side rail of the craft that way if you fish while anchored you can adjust how much rope you have out or pull in/up. Also gives you a place to attach a drift sock.

Coastline does great work. I'm about to drop off my boat to them for Aluminum work.
Have fun, If you see the top of the crab trap... you should get a little nervous ;-)

[mgstei1]

That craft is bad!!!! Hope to see you out soon! Great job on the build!!

[JT]

Make sure it comes with that Bevo emblem...that makes it complete!

[Exodus Outfitters]

Yep my reels are to be mounted behind cooler, and i can run with the covers on i suppose... The 6' signature PP only apply 17 lbs to the transom/bracket. Good call on the electronics, i am going ahead and building a fully enclosed box/dash. This also will allow for stereo n speakers later... The boat im chewing on is a 19' shoalwater cat w / raised console, new 135 etecHO... With PP that puppy is 34,000$.... The ski loaded to gills is 15,000@$200/ mo.... Thanks for the tips... Now tell me what "general" patterns i should be fishing in winter time West Bay?

[dbarham]

Yep my reels are to be mounted behind cooler, and i can run with the covers on i suppose... The 6' signature PP only apply 17 lbs to the transom/bracket. Good call on the electronics, i am going ahead and building a fully enclosed box/dash. This also will allow for stereo n speakers later... The boat im chewing on is a 19' shoalwater cat w / raised console, new 135 etecHO... With PP that puppy is 34,000$.... The ski loaded to gills is 15,000@$200/ mo.... Thanks for the tips... Now tell me what "general" patterns i should be fishing in winter time West Bay?

Very nice .. but I would go with the boat you see way more old boats still on the water then old jet skis.. boats last forever

[Torque]

I recently rebuilt a Yamaha 4 stroker and have been thinking seriously about selling the boat. There are some limitations like plugger mentioned, but there are a lot of advantages....Besides much more fun to drive....

[walkinwader]

With all that stuff added it doesn't affect handling? Looks pretty top heavy.

[WestEndAngler]

I would go with raw aluminum and have it powder coated. Anodized is nice & shiny but the maintenance on it is sometimes a chore! Salt deposits left on the anodized will cause it to pit.

[Exodus Outfitters]

You figure The 3 Seater FXHO is 12 feet long, 4 foot wide, and can ride 3 people AND pull a wakeboarder they are very stable. All of the aluminum, bottom machine, cooler w/ice , gear MIGHT be 250 lbs..... Consider also that very few 300HP, $70000 Bay Boats can run 70, in 6 inches of water. $225.00/mo , $60.00 fill up and that's Premium! Supposedly at 40mph in calm seas the 18.5 gallon tank will give you a range of 150 miles.....That Should get you out to 100 foot, of water for snapper season, and add the 10 gallon auxillary fuel tank and you could possibly do some trolling or Tuna trips..I guess that sounds a little ambitious...just excited I guess. I have a great job and make a very good living, but with 5 daughters its taken me a long time to get here.......

[Exodus Outfitters]

Wrong reply, sorry.

Sorry man I was trying to reply to someones question. I have yet to be able to get a good handle on how much powder coating would be...Ive already got about @3,000.00 in upgrades on top of the ski, trailer, warranty, up front maintenance etc. I gotta pump the brakes a lil

[FP10]

looks good....I kept mine pretty stock. Just two rod holders in the back. That way I can still use it for fun. Power pole does seem a bit extreme a stake out stick works just fine.

[reeltime]

Lol

sent from my taxpayer-funded sail phone and yes the government is tapped into my talk