Rigging an Old Town Topwater 106 kayak

The compact yet comfortable Old Town Topwater 106 is a great fishing-kayak option once rigged up with a stack of YakGear accessories.
The compact yet comfortable Old Town Topwater 106 is a great fishing-kayak option once rigged up with a stack of YakGear accessories.
Without gear, the boat weighs in at 73 pounds and is easily launched or dragged on wheels to the water's edge.
Without gear, the boat weighs in at 73 pounds and is easily launched or dragged on wheels to the water’s edge.
The spacious front end allows for ample add-on room.
The spacious front end allows for ample add-on room.
The rear offers room for a storage crate and rod holders.
The rear offers room for a storage crate and rod holders.
Starting at the bow there is a tie-off cleat for an anchor whenever the user feels remaining stationary is required to catch fish. You'll also notice the front navigation light. More on that later.
Starting at the bow there is a tie-off cleat for an anchor whenever the user feels remaining stationary is required to catch fish. You’ll also notice the front navigation light. More on that later.
The YakGear anchor is compact, yet effective.
The YakGear anchor is compact, yet effective.
Ahead of the main storage compartment is a convenient handle that aids in carrying and maneuvering the boat.
Ahead of the main storage compartment is a convenient handle that aids in carrying and maneuvering the boat.
Beneath the storage cover is a great spot for gear, electronics battery, rain gear or whatever makes you happy.
Beneath the storage cover is a great spot for gear, electronics battery, rain gear or whatever makes you happy.
It securely lashes shut with a pair bungee cords.
It securely lashes shut with a pair bungee cords.
Moving towards the cockpit, there is an aftermarket RailBlaza rod holder and base.
Moving towards the cockpit, there is an aftermarket RailBlaza rod holder and base.
On the primary track that comes standard with the Topwater kayak is a Humminbird Helix 5. It's not yet hooked up to the transducer, but that's the next project.
On the primary track that comes standard with the Topwater kayak is a Humminbird Helix 5. It’s not yet hooked up to the transducer, but that’s the next project.
As usual for Old Town fishing kayaks, the seat is supportive, comfortable and easily adjustable.
As usual for Old Town fishing kayaks, the seat is supportive, comfortable and easily adjustable.
Inside the kayak now, this is where your feet sit, and the strap that is resting down the middle is to help you stand up or gently sit down.
Inside the kayak now, this is where your feet sit, and the strap that is resting down the middle is to help you stand up or gently sit down.
The fully adjustable foot rests are convenient and comfortable. They offer a comfortable angle for your legs, but also add stability when paddling or fishing.
The fully adjustable foot rests are convenient and comfortable. They offer a comfortable angle for your legs, but also add stability when paddling or fishing.
Conveniently attached to the side of the boat is a YakGear Backwater Assassin carbon fiber hybrid paddle. Built to break through vegetation and power and steer the kayak.
Conveniently attached to the side of the boat is a YakGear Backwater Assassin carbon fiber hybrid paddle. Built to break through vegetation and power and steer the kayak.
Here's another look at the aggressive cut paddle.
Here’s another look at the aggressive cut paddle.
Moving to the starboard side of the boat there are more places to mount accessories from RailBlaza and others. In this picture you can see an action camera mount, but I've placed a GoPro clamp mount on that part to get an interesting angle. You'll also notice the front nav light. It's powered by three AA batteries and has three settings. If you do any kayaking/fishing during twilight hours, you need a navigation light system.
Moving to the starboard side of the boat there are more places to mount accessories from RailBlaza and others. In this picture you can see an action camera mount, but I’ve placed a GoPro clamp mount on that part to get an interesting angle. You’ll also notice the front nav light. It’s powered by three AA batteries and has three settings. If you do any kayaking/fishing during twilight hours, you need a navigation light system.
I mounted it to the inside of the gunnel, but the light can be removed and replaced with another rod holder, action camera holder or whatever you so desire.
I mounted it to the inside of the gunnel, but the light can be removed and replaced with another rod holder, action camera holder or whatever you so desire.
Straight across on the port side is the transducer mount for the Humminbird electronics. I still have to mount the transducer, but this arm is easily turned 90 degrees to place the transducer into the water. As you see it now, it's in the stowed position.
Straight across on the port side is the transducer mount for the Humminbird electronics. I still have to mount the transducer, but this arm is easily turned 90 degrees to place the transducer into the water. As you see it now, it’s in the stowed position.
Here's a close look at the action camera mount.
Here’s a close look at the action camera mount.
It attaches to a RailBlaza base plate, and a 90-degree mounting base. This is not exclusively for a transducer, there are plenty of options out there.
It attaches to a RailBlaza base plate, and a 90-degree mounting base. This is not exclusively for a transducer, there are plenty of options out there.
On the rear of the captain's chair is a YakGear storage bag, good for whatever you feel needs to be brought along: Extra tackle, clothes, food, water--you name it. Extra storage is always handy when fishing from a kayak.
On the rear of the captain’s chair is a YakGear storage bag, good for whatever you feel needs to be brought along: Extra tackle, clothes, food, water–you name it. Extra storage is always handy when fishing from a kayak.
Behind the seat is a YakGear Kayak Angler Kit in Crate. It has rod holders and plenty of room for tackle trays. And whatever else you might need to have along.
Behind the seat is a YakGear Kayak Angler Kit in Crate. It has rod holders and plenty of room for tackle trays. And whatever else you might need to have along.
The crate is rugged and fits perfectly behind the seat within easy reach.
The crate is rugged and fits perfectly behind the seat within easy reach.
Towards the rear is another RailBlaza rod holder and base. Again, you can swap the rod holder out for whatever makes sense for your next trip to the lake.
Towards the rear is another RailBlaza rod holder and base. Again, you can swap the rod holder out for whatever makes sense for your next trip to the lake.
Here is the base plate for the rear nav light. It's attached via heavy-duty adhesive, and trimmed back to the edge of the base.
Here is the base plate for the rear nav light. It’s attached via heavy-duty adhesive, and trimmed back to the edge of the base.
Here you can see the full rear nav light. It also has three settings and runs on three AA batteries.
Here you can see the full rear nav light. It also has three settings and runs on three AA batteries.
The navigation lights fit into a small hand-held bag and and easily stores within the kayak's compartments.
The navigation lights fit into a small hand-held bag and and easily stores within the kayak’s compartments.
On the rear starboard side is another RailBlaza mounting base with an action camera mount. Again, it can be swapped out with rod holders.
On the rear starboard side is another RailBlaza mounting base with an action camera mount. Again, it can be swapped out with rod holders.
This angle provides a great perspective of the angler fighting the fish.
This angle provides a great perspective of the angler fighting the fish.
Here's another look at the crate and included rod holders.
Here’s another look at the crate and included rod holders.
On this side of the crate is a tool pouch, good for holding pliers or lip grippers, or whatever you might need.
On this side of the crate is a tool pouch, good for holding pliers or lip grippers, or whatever you might need.
Placed right next to the seat is another rod holder.
Placed right next to the seat is another rod holder.
In this photo you can see the mounting base rigged at a 90-degree angle inside the boat and completely out of the way.
In this photo you can see the mounting base rigged at a 90-degree angle inside the boat and completely out of the way.
Here's another look at the decked out Old Town Topwater 106 rigged with YakGear.
Here’s another look at the decked out Old Town Topwater 106 rigged with YakGear.
The C-Tug Kayak and Canoe cart makes hauling and launching the Topwater a piece of cake.
The C-Tug Kayak and Canoe cart makes hauling and launching the Topwater a piece of cake.
The kickstand in the middle helps with storage, but don't leave it down when it's time to move the boat.
The kickstand in the middle helps with storage, but don’t leave it down when it’s time to move the boat.
Here's another view of the cart.
Here’s another view of the cart.
The Old Town Topwater 106 is a compact, yet very effective fishing machine that's easy to load, drive and store. Plus it looks great in the process. The YakGear add-ons make it a pure fish-catching machine.
The Old Town Topwater 106 is a compact, yet very effective fishing machine that’s easy to load, drive and store. Plus it looks great in the process. The YakGear add-ons make it a pure fish-catching machine.