Milk crate?

[Dkim73]

This may cause an uproar here, not sure.

So what is the consensus on milk crates? Regular milk crates? Or is it worth it to splurge on H Crate or blackjac? Maybe start off with a cheap milk crate? My outback comes the end of the month but I feel like a new dad prepping for the new baby to come home :-)

Maybe pm me your thoughts on the hcrate or blackjac by yakattack? Is yakattack a good alternative to the hobie "factory" accessories?

Also, I looking at two yeti hoppers, a 30 or 20. Anyone using these? Do u which one would fit between the seat and crate better on the outback? I would prefer the larger hopper 30.

Thanks again,

David

[sega]

I don't mind spending a little money for nice gear, when it's needed. But one thing I could just not get on board with are those fancy crates. $140 for a crate?

Can you fathom what a $2 milk crate with $138 in accessories specifically rigged to your style of fishing would look like?

I say build your own. I like the idea of customizing something 100% to my style like you can with a milk crate.


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[Ken kayak]

Welcome. You can get any milk crate cost a few dollar and add rod holder on it. Put in your outback, you good to go


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2014 Hobie Outback [emoji41]

[MD Dore]

I admit the high end crates look like they have a lot of advantages, but I went with a regular crate largely due to its lower cost. I also felt a regular crate would catch less wind while on the water, making it easier to track and control lateral drift in higher winds.

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[Redfish12]

For the past 4 or 5 years I have been using a cheap cooler I found in CVS that had 2 mesh side pockets and a front insulated pocket. It's worked great as a cooler/tackle/rod holder but now the fabric is toast and the pockets are worn through. I'm interested to see where this goes and I have been considering replacing it with an Engel 19qt cooler but still on the fence about it. If I went with that, I'd probably put a tackleweb or yak gear pocket on the front for leader material and other odds and ends.

[Mark]

I like my BlackPak because I use it as much as a rod holder as for storage. It accommodates Scotty base mounts which allow me to configure it to carry two fly rods or I can use the same base mounts for trolling or to merely hold 2 conventional rods. I can also carry 3 additional spinning or baitcasting rods in the tubes that come with the BlackPac

The BlackPak keeps what I place in it dryer than a conventional crate due to its solid sides and lid. That includes food, water, towel, tackle and tools.

It is indeed pricey and a regular milk crate will serve the same basic purpose, albeit smaller and wetter.

My Revo's slender build is space-challenged compared to an Outback. I therefore appreciate the extra storage space provided by my BlackPac and its multiple rod-holding configurations. It's well-made, sturdy and has worked well for me.

However, before you invest in even an inexpensive milk crate and spend time securing it in your kayak and modifying it to hold your gear you might want to actually fish in your Outback to see exactly what your storage needs are. (Many of us carry far more gear and tackle than we actually need.) Perhaps the center hatch will suffice for your tackle and the Outback's stock rod holders are all that you'll need. At least 3 of my kayak angler friends use no milk crate. One who uses no crate has an Outback.

Good luck in your research.

[jhoss]

Only cost the price of the rod holder. I found the crate over by Hartmiller island

[J.A. Veil]

I am a contrarian who sees no need for a crate behind seat. A crate has negatives for me in the following ways:

1) Encourages the angler to bring much more gear than is really needed
2) Requires the angler to turn around to get at much of the gear (this creates potential balance issues)
3) Sets up rod storage in vertical tubes (this creates the potential for snagging rods during casting and is a problem when moving under low bridges or low-hanging branches)

I recognize that my opinion is in the small majority of other kayak anglers. Some may agree with me.

[bruce19365]

I prefer a cooler vs crate. I made a bracket from PVC to hold it in place and incorporated a couple rod/tool holders. The bracket fits into the molded rod holders in the Hobie hull behind seat and works fine for me. Did it for my first Outback and now my Pro Anglers. Cooler keeps stuff dry if you get rain and taclke can be removed for a couple keepers should you choose to eat some of your catch. Unlike many that just put their plano boxes in a crate loose, I prefer keeping them in a soft tackle bag that fits inside the cooler, if I want to put fish in the cooler the tackle bags sits in top.

[Mark]

I actually agree with each of John's points. But each can also be overcome with technique and discipline.

1. Learn what you typically use by experience and bring only that. Many times all the tackle I carry is one in one Plano storage box in my crate. Usually I bring only two boxes -- one for jigs and plastics and one for hard baits or one for flies.

2. Keep your weight centered (butt in seat) and swing your legs over the side to access items in your crate. That will maintain stability. See here. Notice my leg is over the side. I accessed my box for something "dink-proof" in a feeding frenzy. It didn't work, by the way. I was loaded for pickerel and didn't have anything to go deep fast.

Severn Blitz.jpg

3. Never cast directly over your bow. Always angle your casts to the port or starboard and you will not hit your stored rods. This even works while fly fishing. Overhead obstructions are indeed a problem. Low bridges are easy because you can see them, pull your rods and temporarily lay them in your lap as you go under the bridge. Overhanging branches while fishing close to shore are more difficult. Sometimes in the heat of action you can forget about the branches. Being mindful of where you are will avoid the situation. But if it happens, and it will, do not continue to move forward. That may lead to broken rod tips. Stop and untangle your rods before proceeding.

Another thing I like about a crate is that it provides storage while it is "in storage." I keep mine loaded and ready to go. I only have to switch out the Plano box(es) depending on what species I am chasing that particular day.

The size and configuration of some boats makes practical storage options other than placing things behind your seat difficult. By and large I think crates are good but they may not be necessary for all. Actual experience on the water will determine what is best for you.

[Dkim73]

Thanks everyone for the detailed responses. I think I'm going to try the milk crate options and see if that works. Honestly, after spending money on the new kayak, I'm running low on the "husband slush fund" �� I need to replenish...
david

[dasher]

I looked at length and measured my tackle boxes & the traditional square crate precluded me from using my 14 by 9 plano boxes. I could find larger rectangular boxes but they were expensive. I weighed the cost of a cheap crate & adding to it vs a manufactured fishing crate. I bought a hobie h crate & that was cheaper for me & it is surrounded by H rail. It fits nicely in my PA & is perfect for storing gear.

[Egriger]

It's crazy this came up today! I just walked out this morning, starred at my kayak and wondered .......what if i put a milk crate in the back like everyone else. So i grabbed one and put it in. I currently have a Pro Angler 14 which clearly has plenty of storage space. I've found myself carrying 4-5 rods(never thought i would). 2 for trolling. 1 perch rod. 1 top water. 1 Jig or swim bait. I try to keep my rods rigged and ready to go based on the fishing I expect to encounter. I do how ever only carry 1 tackle tray and few rigged baits in my center hatch. I have found places for everything i want on board with plenty of storage space left. BUT

I've realized, I have no place close to put my Fleece/jacket, gloves or crocs. I am hoping to utilize the crate for that(although i don't like the idea of having something else on board).

I'll take some input on storing these items

Ed

[sega]

I am a contrarian who sees no need for a crate behind seat. A crate has negatives for me in the following ways:

1) Encourages the angler to bring much more gear than is really needed
2) Requires the angler to turn around to get at much of the gear (this creates potential balance issues)
3) Sets up rod storage in vertical tubes (this creates the potential for snagging rods during casting and is a problem when moving under low bridges or low-hanging branches)

I recognize that my opinion is in the small majority of other kayak anglers. Some may agree with me.

I agree with you to an extent. It can be a PITA, but I really only use my crate on longer trips. I keep my planos stashed to the side of my seat, and my tools are on my PFD at all times.

I use my crate for bait buckets, big water jugs, MREs, filming gear, etc.


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[Yak Fish]

I use a crate for not only storage but also as a rod holder, as it can handle 3 rods as John showed above.
Mine is a stander crate and I added a PVC stand to raise it off the rear deck such that my Torqeedo battery can stow beneath it, like a garage.
I then bought something I don't know is available anymore, but it's a relatively inexpensive crate cover that has pouches, etc. I then added clips, etc to hold it to the kayak and for additional pouches.

The "crate" is kinda the last thing we have left from the homemade era of our sport as things are really changing to provide us with commercial products to do all the things we used to make. For the price, and customization, I still like the lowly milk crate....although if I couldn't find another fabric precision pak to go over it, I may reconsider because I need just a little more utility than a plain crate can provide.