I don’t throw around the word epic, but this fishing trip was epic. I was on an after-work session when I ran into schools of 40-pound redfish on a shallow flat. As the tide flooded the warm sand, big reds were tailing in two feet of water. By sunset, I landed nine redfish up to 50 inches.
When I returned to the launch, epic victory was quickly followed by epic despair. Unpacking gear from my Ocean Kayak Trident 13, I opened the bow hatch and found a half-gallon of water sloshing around inside the boat. After seven years of faithful service, my trusty steed was dead.
Elegy for a Fishing Kayak
I am hard on my gear and I crossed paths with the Trident after I burned through a half dozen boats. My first fishing kayak was an original Hobie Hank Parker. I destroyed the rudder and pedal system in less than a year. Looking for a different platform to target big game in the lower Chesapeake and Atlantic Ocean, I purchased an Ocean Kayak Prowler 15, one of the only fishing kayaks available in the early 2000s.
For the next decade, I cycled through three Prowlers. After I patched the keel of my third Prowler for the last time, I decided to try out the latest Trident 13.
Whoa, fishing from the modern boat was like trading my 2014 Ram 1500 for Elon’s Cybertruck. The Trident offered a perfect balance between stability and speed. When my old Prowler came online, gear tracks, molded seats, center hatches and transducer scuppers hadn’t been invented.
The new boat carried me to new destinations and elevated my fishing to new levels. The trusty Trident was ready for anything from the skinniest backwaters to the open ocean. I even took it freshwater fishing. When the fish weren’t biting, my Trident and I would leave the fishing rods at home and go for long sunrise paddles.
When Ocean Kayak discontinued the Trident line, I quickly bought three backup boats on Facebook Marketplace. I stored the boats under a tarp in anticipation of the inevitable demise of my loyal fishing kayak.
An Opportunity to Start Fresh
After finding the first cracks, I started gathering the components to customize my next Trident 13: a new RAM Mount for my fish finder, straps to replace the latches on the center hatch, bungees to replace the taco paddle holder, flush mount rod holders for the bow.
When I discovered the water sloshing around inside my boat in the middle of drum season, I left the new accoutrements in storage and grabbed one of the backup boats. In a few minutes, I transferred my fish finder and gear crate to the new-to-me Trident and I was ready for the next break in the weather.
The newer plastic is smooth and solid. The accessories shine and sparkle. I have to admit, the new seat, without holes in the padding, is more comfortable. And, after a rough day on the water, the hold is bone-dry.
I’ve already slimed the deck of the new boat with a couple big drum. Over time, I’ll customize the rigging as I fill the new boat with memories. As for my old boat, I’ll use my plastic welder to fix the cracks and keep it for guests. The old boat will continue to connect my friends and family with unforgettable experiences. Unlike human warriors, plastic warriors may grow old, but they never die.
The battleship went down fighting. | Feature photo: Ric Burnley
