Hi IT

I also have an Oasis (while I have not gone outside, I find it a versatile fishing yak for estuary work and I am gearing up for inshore work and then later, further out) and I also share your query re rod mounts. I don't mind too much reaching behind me but it can be a bit of a pain, especially if you need to plonk the rod somewhere quickly while dealing with a fish etc. On occasions, I place the rod (on these temporary occasions) into the scupper hole behind the Mirage Drive - not overly ideal but they work as a temporary fix. (Without ensuring that the butt does not protrude beyond the bottom of the yak, I would not recommend this while moving the yak around.)

But this does not address your concerns re mounting the rods for trolling. I have an added limitation. I need to transport my Oasis in the upside down position and slide it onto / off the roof racks. Thus, I need to avoid and protrusions beyond (above) the general profile that will catch on the roof racks. (I have already modified the x4 storage nets to keep them below the general profile.) A system that has caught my eye is a NZ item from www.railblaza.com/products/browse/all_products/27/58/ especially the SidePort mounts. (I saw these either on this or another forum). The side mounting bases will get below the general profile but as yet I have not yet worked out where they could go on the Oasis. Of course, any mounting od rod holders ought to be ideally out of the way of paddling.


I have a further challenge: my son is traveling to Coffs in early Feb and will come out with me fishing. Therefore, I need to also mount some rod holders up front so that he can reach them from the front seat. I have a few ideas incorporating e sail mount and a cross beam immediately behind the front seat but forward of the forward thrust of peddling the Mirage Drive from the back seat. Once worked out, if it is any good, I will post here.
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I saw these today for $4.99 at Woolies and $4.36 at Big W (in the same shopping complex) - go figure! The one I purchased also has a slotted insert (I guess for lifting beetroot out while allowing it to drain back into the container). I will use the container for estuary fishing on those occasions when I have live nippers.
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I am new to kayak fishing and have only restricted myself so far to local rivers / estuaries - but what a buzz! But even in this restricted setting my safety tip would be: a place for everything and everything in it's place. I have already experienced a flapping flathead wedged between my bum and the seat. I can imagine the threat to personal well being in: not putting a knife back in it's sheath; not placing a lure with treble hooks back in the tackle box after changing lures; not securely stowing a paddle while using the Mirage Drive while fishing; etc. I can also imagine the hassle of not having critical gear handy when needed, such as flares, radio, first aid kit, and so on. By being in the habit of stowing everything in it's place and returning everything to it's designated location immediately after using it means that everything will be readily on hand when needed.
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