-
BigFlatBrook,
Kayak fishing is a hoot!! especially in the salt. Welcome to the "Dark Side".
Before you buy a kayak know what you want to do with it because that will determine what kind of yak that you will need. You will also want to try the ones that are appropriate for the mission. I could tell you all about my preferance (Tarpon 160i) but it may not be what you want or need.
I suggest that you surf the following sites. They contain lots of info that will be helpfull to you. The first two are not commercial sites but are communications between kayak fishers and/or people that have an intrest. The third is a commercial sponsored site that hosts a bulliten board.
[url=http://www.ultimatekayakfishing.com:1ebac]http://www.ultimatekayakfishing.com[/url:1ebac]
[url=http://www.newenglandkayakfishing.com:1ebac]http://www.newenglandkayakfishing.com[/url:1ebac]
You are from NJ and mention Janaca Bay so I suggest that you check this site out and visit Joey and Jon at their store. They have always treated me very well.
[url=http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com:1ebac]http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com[/url:1ebac]
If you want more specific info feel free to email me your phone # and I will call you.
Ct Don
[This message has been edited by Ct Don (edited 05 March 2006).]
[This message has been edited by Ct Don (edited 05 March 2006).]
-
I can't speak to the SIK's. I'm from Florida and the SOT's dominate this market. You have listed two great fishing kayaks in the Tarpon 120 and Prowler 13. I have a Prowler 15 due to my size, but the 13 is just as good in its own way. If I were looking at the Tarpons, I would favor the Tarpon 140. Another good choice in the SOT's are the Heritage Redfisher/Marquesa.
If you are planning to cover a lot of ground, go with the 15+ foot kayaks like the Prowler 15 and the Tarpon 160 for tracking and speed. Other wise I would stay in the 13' to 14' range.
-
Thanks! I dropped by KayakFishingStuff yesterday and spoke to Joe. Got some good information from him and I'll seek out some more info from you guys here.
Best!
-
I fish out of a SOT and have spent multiple hours non-stop in the seat with no problems. The Outback comes with a padded seat though so it's not the bare plastic that many SOT's come with (and the Outback's seat provides adjustable back support).
Lots of SOTs can have a gel-padded seat added if desired.
If you fish from a SIK, bring a bilge pump with you. If you get swamped or tip over, you need to be able to get the water out or you'll be paddling a barge to shore.
SOTs are usually self-draining (which is part of why they tend to get you wetter though I fish in warm climates and find the wetness to be a nice feature). :-)
Take an intro/saftey course if you can find one or at least learn how to do a self-rescue in whatever model you get. Climbing back into your yak in the middle of the water can be tricky unless somebody has shown you how to do it efficiently.
For SIKs, you might want/need a paddle float to make self-rescue easier. For my Outback, I can climb in and out on the water without tipping it and I'm over six feet tall and wish I was as light as 215. :-)
I suspect some of the other SOTs are similarly stable (especially the more recent models that are being designed for fishing).
-
I've been wanting a Kayak for some time...
I live in PA...I am looking at the Ocean Kayak Drifter Angler.
Which is a SOT....for the types of water I'll be fishing this one seems perfect....
Now as for weather conditions....ya'll have me thinking it gets pretty cold and windy here at times..
and waiting for perfect sunny day's is not on my agenda...
How dry or not dry can I expect to be with a SOT..???...SOT's seem to be the ONLY boats in my price range...This IS a huge factor in my purchasing or not purchasing of a yak....
Are there any sit-ins, In this same price range that also match well with the features of this boat ? That I am just not finding??
[url=http://www.outdoorplay.com/store/product.asp?DID=150&PDID=8&SKU=BSO_OKDRA:d37cb]http://www.outdoorplay.com/store/product.asp?DID=150&PDID=8&SKU=BSO_OKDRA[/url:d37cb]
I really like the design and features of this boat....What do you have to do to get prices from certian manufactures? Cause most don't even list them...(Hobie)
Thanks for anything any of you can tell me.
,Bill
-
Bill,
The article that's linked to from the first post in this thread tells how to keep dry during the colder parts of the year. It's a pretty common approach (i.e.: I've read pretty much the same thing previously on other places...like the KFS site).
Waders plus a "dry top" can keep you bone dry. By dry top, they're referring to something from the scuba diving world (the top portion of a "dry suit" instead of part of a "wet suit").
Find the kind of top that has two layers at the bottom. One layer tucks inside the waders and the second layer goes on top of the waders to seal them. Add a snug wading belt (just in case) and you should be plenty dry even if you dump yourself over board. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif
Yak-fishing sites like KFS (listed earlier in this thread) should have more info on staying dry (plus what types of dry tops work best).
Another common option is actually a wet suit. I haven't used one (can't find a comfortable fit for my odd size) but apparently the water they hold absorbs body heat then keeps you plenty cozy. I don't think I'd want to do that in the wind, but you could add a layer of wind protection maybe to solve that (something cheap like Frog Toggs perhaps).
"Farmer John" is the most common yak fisher's wet suit I've seen (and I'm NOWHERE near an authority). This style leaves the shoulders free so casting is easier.
You can also get a "shorty" version of the Farmer John which leaves most of the legs exposed (for warmer weather).
-
I have a 14ftr SIK Wilderness System fishing kayak and would not trade it for anything. Actually you stay dryer in SIK and store stuff without it fall out. Will be taking it to florida next month with me
-
I have friends that used to use neoprene waders in these cold rivers of Colorado, winter fishing. They would get cold because the moisture would build up and could not evaporate. Breathable waders are warmer. For the Guy in Pa that fishes in cold weather I would think coldness from moisture build up in a wet suit would be an issue also. I would think a cold wind would not help.
-
Wet suits are only warm if they are submerged and in the water.....on the deck of a SOT they offer little protection from the cold. Stocking foot breatheables and a dry top offer much more protection. The most protection is a dry suit but it will hurt the wallet as well.
-
BigFlatBrook,,,
My buddy use to be a member her, "loudog", he's up in Eatontown. Didn't look at the map to see, but you might be near him and you guys could hook up for a yak trip. He's loudog99@comcast.net
Also, here's some sites that may be of use for kayak info:
[url=http://www.paddling.net/:02048]http://www.paddling.net/[/url:02048] [url=http://www.allkayakfishing.com/:02048]http://www.allkayakfishing.com/[/url:02048] [url=http://www.jsska.org/:02048]http://www.jsska.org/[/url:02048] [url=http://paddle-fishing.com/:02048]http://paddle-fishing.com/[/url:02048] [url=http://www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/Articles/FishDive/index.html:02048]http://www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/Articles/FishDive/index.html[/url:02048] [url=http://sit-on-topkayaking.com/Articles/Instruction/PaddleFloat.htm:02048]http://sit-on-topkayaking.com/Articles/Instruction/PaddleFloat.htm[/url:02048] [url=http://www.ultimatekayakfishing.com/:02048]http://www.ultimatekayakfishing.com/[/url:02048]
That should keep you all busy for a while!
Jim
[This message has been edited by Jim Sentell (edited 06 March 2006).]