TABS 4800 TERRITORY PRO FIT OUT^109
I spent a few nights wondering whether to get
the Minn Kota professionally fitted or attempt it
myself and I’m very glad I decided to take it on.
It took about three hours one afternoon to fit the
quick release bracket to the TABS bow mount
and install a 120 amp hour deep cycle battery
under the front casting deck. I extended the
cables and fitted an Anderson Plug to disconnect
the motor along with a 50 amp circuit breaker.
I also purchased a CTek battery charger and
leave it connected to the battery so I only have to
plug it in when I get home. The whole set up is
dead easy to run and having that electric up
front has been a complete revolution when it
comes to estuary lure casting.
Lean Post
Another necessary item was a front lean post.
A great item when it’s a bit rough or sloppy.
We do a lot of work inshore chasing reds and
kings with lures or fishing the washes and
much of this involves someone up on the front
casting deck trying to stay upright in what
can, at times, be pretty sloppy conditions.
I considered a front casting seat option at one
stage but after fishing with Andrew Chorley
in Hervey Bay last April I decided to go for a
fabricated lean post set up
that is removable. These
are very popular north of
the NSW border but you
don’t see many of them
down south. That may
change ...
I had a local aluminium
fabricator to weld it up
along with the base that it
fits into. It wasn’t until
I fitted it that I realised it
may be a big problem.
I had to remove the front
seat base and when I did
that I realised it had
stringers and supports welded in place to support
the f loor and seat base. I had visions of a major
f loor re-fit, but in one of the very few instances
of good luck I’ve ever had when it comes to boat
fit outs, it fitted straight in and missed the f loor
stringers by millimetres. Talk about lucky ....
The set-up consists of a 4mm plate base
with two bits of pipe welded in that the 50mm
OD pipe frame fits into. It’s a snug fit and can
be dropped in or taken out and stored under
the f loor if not needed. It is the best thing I’ve
seen for support when casting in sloppyconditions because we can lean back on it or
even straddle it and stay upright when casting
or fighting a fish. It cost $400 to get made
and nothing to fit and was a very worthwhile
investment.
After six months in the TABS I couldn’t be
happy with its performance and fishability.
It draws attention everywhere it goes and
everyone comments on what a great looking
rig it is. I’d have to agree. I reckon it looks
great but more importantly it performs
superbly out on the water.MAIN : An alloy lean post is
mounted on the front deck.
LEF T: The vertical rod holders
also store tools.