Patrick and Leslie Price gave me their Yakdaddy deluxe slider during CKO’s first tournament and asked that I write a review. I was so excited to be given such a wonderful item of such great innovation. When I first saw them set up the slider displays and talked through the mounting and functionality of the devise, I was kind of skeptical at first thinking it would be too top heavy and interfere with kayaking strokes. So this is my first review of their product…

When I see ‘some assembly required…” I get ready for a two day ordeal involved with some cussing and throwing tools. Not the case here. I placed the Slider on my Perception 13 and it looked like it was made to fit my kayak.  I moved it around some to see if it would fit better in a different spot, but it was a good fit right where I first placed it. Like most people…who need instructions. My yak has a dry hole by the bottom of my seat so easy access to bolt in the bottom rail. I also have a dry hole on the top so in arm’s reach the top rail was secure. Only one extra washer was used. I was surprised that just two bolts secured the commercial grade PVC base. Very little play on it. The top part of the slider is made out of polyethylene marine material so I was surprised that it was that light being such a large attachment. It slide very smooth and I saw that the travel peg and travel release worked with ease.

Since I usually load and unload kayaks from the top of my jeep roof by myself, I had concerns with the added weight and weight shifting. I was going to load it with the entire feature on but did immediately feel the added weight movement. I easily slid the top off.  My only concern was if the plastic boat did fall off, I didn’t want to damage the base unit; a problem that I will have to find a solution for.

My friends and I got the super, duper, kayak fishing machine to the water easily. I was careful getting in thinking the higher weight distribution would play a factor. That wasn’t the case at all. I loaded my rods in the two RAM-117 Rod Holders. I have never used these before and loved how they turned and maneuvered so easily. I started with the rods straight out and the slider moved all the way forward. First strokes. Not a problem. From my racing days, I did some sit up and straight forward, aggressive paddle strokes and never hit the mounts. Next I flared out the rod holders to a trolling position. I moved the slider back and forth with ease. I thought I’d hear a grinding or intrusive sound but the machine was silent. Again, aggressive forward strokes. I would come within 1 to 2 inches of the rod holders but they didn’t interfere with my strokes.

Before Melinda and I started out from the dock, a couple stopped to talk to us. My very first comment with the Slider…. The gentlemen said, “You look very professional.”  Yeah, even if I do have pink rods and a pink cooler!

One of our main goals that day was just to paddle and enjoy the late November air. We paddled about three miles and not once did the Slider cause any difference to my boat. It was time to put it to work. There was no interference casting either with the other rod angled to the front side. Time to switch baits. Sliding the Flambeau 7320 double sided tackle box was easy to get to a spinner bait. The light weight box sat across my legs made an easy table. In the past, if I dropped a bait, especially a treble hooked monster, it would get caught on my clothes or drop in the bottom of the boat somewhere. I could keep all my baits right on my desk top lap.

Another thing I noticed that made this fishing trip a deluxe accommodation outfit, is that I usually have my reel dangling somewhere in the boat or in the water when putting line thru the eyelets. Note in the picture, that the reel with the rod balances between the back slider rails. A thought for an add-on a rubber holder to secure the rod would be better for this process.

With the bait on the rod, and the rod in the sleeve of the holder, I placed the tackle box in the top unit. It secured on very easy with no hard pulling on the bungee cord. The bungee hooks over the J-hook and is very secure. Slide it forward and off I go.

Oh, if you want to know how it works when you do catch a fish???  Well, you’ll just have to wait for the rest of the story…