....great article by a friend of mine....
Food for thought if you're contemplating taking the yak plunge.
[url=http://www.hatchesmagazine.com/page/march2006/142:b7c5e]http://www.hatchesmagazine.com/page/march2006/142[/url:b7c5e]
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....great article by a friend of mine....
Food for thought if you're contemplating taking the yak plunge.
[url=http://www.hatchesmagazine.com/page/march2006/142:b7c5e]http://www.hatchesmagazine.com/page/march2006/142[/url:b7c5e]
I *am* contemplating the yak plunge. In fact, I'm going to look at Kayaks this morning!
Do you have any experience with yaks in the salt?
Kayak fishing in the salt is about as much fun as you can have sitting down http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/biggrin.gif
Kayaks are very stable and you will be suprised how secure you feel in choppy seas.
I've used one for a good number of years and it's still a thrill every time I go out.
------------------
fishing will do a lot for a man, but it won't make him truthful
I love fishing out of my 'yak. Haven't taken it out in the salt yet. Hobie has a new model coming out this Fall intended for salt:
[url=http://www.hobiecat.com/fishing/models_adventurefisherman.html:b189a]http://www.hobiecat.com/fishing/models_adventurefisherman.html[/url:b189a]
I have their older "Outback" model which plenty of folks have taken out into the salt but it's short and wide (both of which translate into slower vs. the new model which is longer and slightly narrower).
It should be a lot of fun in the water. I paddle mine if I have to but prefer to peddle since that leaves my hands free for fishing. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif
I did look over kayaks this morning as I said. The Hobie Mirage Adventure in the link looks great, but I'm not sure I need a touring kayak at this point. Probably I will fish in protected areas such as Raritan Bay or Jamaica Bay. However, I am starting to feel jealous of you guys that discovered this years earlier.
Right now, I'm considering the
(1) Tarpon 120
(2) Prowler 13
(3) Hobie Quest
equipped with a ruddering system. To my inexperienced eye, these are roughly equivalent kayaks, except that it seemed a little more comfortable sitting in the Tarpon 120 with my awkward frame and 215 lbs.
Don't know exactly when I'll do this, but it's an experience I definitely want to have.
Advice on kayaking in general or on these three kayaks in specific will be appreciated.
Thanks!
[This message has been edited by BigFlatBrook (edited 04 March 2006).]
Bigger is better. the longer the kayak the better it tracks, which will make a big difference when paddling against tide, wind, current or all three. I'd say go 14 feet or more if you can. Kayaks are amazingly stable, so, unless you're a big guy, don't think you need a boat real wide in the beam. It will slow you down. A rudder or skeg is a big help--if you don't buy a boat with one at least consider a boat that you can add one to later. If you get a sit in kayak, make sure it has water tight bulkheads. This will keep things dry, as well as keep the kayak from sinking if you should tip it (an extemely rare occurance--in 10 years of yak fishing i've never come close to tipping it). Make sure your boat is made of a durable material like polyprothelene (sp?). fiberglass boats look nice and are fast, but you'll be dragging your boat over mussel beds and rocks so you want it to be able to take a beating. don't hesitate to buy a used yak--they are nearly indestructible. if you have a local kayak rental place, check with them to see if they have any used boats--they often will sell them off at the end of a season. most importantly--have fun!
[This message has been edited by D. Micus (edited 04 March 2006).]
BigFlatBrook,
You're about ten miles away from a big-time kayak fishing store! The folks behind the Kayak Fishing Stuff web site are in Mine Hills, NJ which MapQuest says is about ten miles away from where your profile says you live. I suggest a road trip!
They do plenty of demo days if I'm not mistaken. I'm on the other coast from them but have used their web site's forum for info and advice. You can look them up at:
[url=http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/default.asp:d6565]http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/default.asp[/url:d6565]
I'm bigger than you are by more pounds than I care to admit. I fit great in a Hobie Outback but would probably be squished in a Hobie Sport. I really like pedaling when fishing since I don't have to put my rod down to manuever. It's not for everybody though.
I have buddies with sit-in yaks and they fish just fine too. Figure out how you'll mount rod holders (Hobie's moulded-in rod holders are designed for spin rods, not fly rods...I'm modifying my Outback this weekend to correct that oversight).,
You can find some info here on FAOL for getting started in yak fishing (typical gear you'll want to bring like a personal floatation device, VHF radio if going in the salt, top notch whistle for signalling, tow rope, etc). You can also find good info on the KFS site I listed above.
Given how close they are to you, if you haven't already dropped in on them, it's probably a good thing to do before deciding on which model is best. They should have demo days, or some other way for you to try some of the models out (possibly already rigged for fishing).
They'll have info on rigging for fishing as well (most kayak shops I've been in just start at you when you ask about that).
Good luck
Sit In Kayaks (SIK) vs. Sit On Top (SOT) kayaks. For me I find the SOT kayaks not nearly as comfortable (I have a weak back). I also like the dry SIK. WIth the cooler Northeast waters the SOT gets you wet and therefore cold way too easy. As for Dave's comment on size, he is right about everything except the issue of where you will kayak. If you are in smaller lakes, ponds or winding rivers the extra length increases your turning radius and makes it harder to manoever. For the ocean, 14' is a great size. I do all types, from ponds and wetlands to the Salt. I settled on a 12' Wilderness Systems Pungo SIK and have added a rod holder and anchor system.
jed
Hi Jim! I agree with the above link to check out kayakfishingstuff.com. I don't think you will find a more comprehensive site that discusses fishing from a kayak. You will find a wealth of info there.
Bob
Jed, buddy, the question was about kayaking in the salt. work with me here...
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).]
Thanks for the info...Currently checking on the Old Town Predator K140...Just might be an affordable option...even though it'll add some extra unwanted weight...guess none are perfect...
[url=http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/:e8db0]http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/[/url:e8db0]
is a good link with some interesting articles. Worth looking at for additional info.
jed
Jed,,,
Didn't list KFS because it had been previously listed...the owners are nuts, anyway. They go out 3-5 miles or more in the Atlantic....not me!!!!!
They're extremely knowledgable and accomodating with sales, service and information sharing.
Jim
Anyone got an opinion about using a kayak instead of a pontoon boat to drift a trout river?
I don't see how one could control a kayak when drifting down a river and fighting a fish at the same time. At least I can use fins with my River Tamer.
billnepp mentioned the "anglers edition". The OK Drifter is a great, stable yak, but I wouldn't get the anglers edition of any kayak. For the extra cost, you can set a stock kayak up the way you want it. In addition, you can get any color you want. This may not seem like much, but when a power boat is bearing down on you, believe me, it is better to be in an orange kayak that a dark green one.
If anybody is worried that using a bright color for their yak might spook the fish, I'd like to point out that my yak is a bold red. I've caught multiple fish inches off the side of it while fishing maybe a couple feet below the surface.
All of the times it's happened, I was bait fishing (worms under a bobber is a weakness of mine some times). I'd just rebaited my hook, tossed it over the side so I could put the worm container away and wash the gunk off my hands...looked up and my bobber was under water with a fish on. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif
If a 13' red blob over head doesn't spook them, I don't think any color will.
I've also drifted down river on slow clear waters just to see how close I can get to trout before they notice me. I can get pretty much right on top if I sit still.
If I'm going up river, I can pedal really slow and get within a few feet of them. When they do spook/move, they generally just go wide of me and circle back behind to right where they started from as soon as I'm out of the way.
This summer, I'm planning to try drift fishing over a particular corner on the Fall River. The water gets wide and very deep. I've seen fish stacked up there early in the morning. When I was there last September, I was dead drifting nymphs through that corner with good results while anchored well above it.
The long distance drift makes it difficult to set the hook and I was pondering how to get closer and still be able to drift the right area (the feeding lane crosses from right to left as it heads into that corner so anywhere you park upstream puts you in the way or you have to deal with weird currents on different parts of your line).
It finally dawned on me that I should be able to cast slightly ahead of my yak and keep the yak just out of the feeding lane as the indicator and I drift down through/over/past the area. Then, I'll come back up the inside of the turn where I'm easily 10-15 ft away from the sweet spot and set up for another pass.
If I hook up, I'll let the trout pull me down river which takes the action out of the sweet spot and hopefully avoids putting the other fish in that spot down. That sort of answers the earlier concern about fighting a trout while drifting...just go with it and come back up afterwards to fish any good spot you missed.
Moving a kayak back up a driftable waterway is trivial and letting the trout drag you downstream should help protect your tippet (vs. the trout pulling against your anchored yak). http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif
Then again, I'd be happy to hook a trout big enough to pull me a meaningful distance downstream, upstream, or wherever. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif
Color is not at all an issue for me....Some of the best fishing I've ever had was out of an Old Town Discovery 16 that I stupidily sold a few years back....it was Red also!!
The more I think of why I sold it...The more I think of getting their pack canoe...it's a 12 ft Solo rig priced at under $700.00... The 16 footer was a bit much alone...Was fishing with my bro in-law when I bought that rig..and since he and my sis split...I just did'nt need that much rig..Even with it setup with oars it was not quite there yet.
I have a Hobie Floatcat 75 Expedition...but it does not quite fit the bill for what I want a yak for....I'll not see any power boats while useing it..... http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif
Bright is best if fishing water with boat traffic....makes you much more visible to them. I own 2 yellow (yeah yum yum yellow I've heard the stories and seen no more sharks in it than I have my camo or olive drab yaks) SOT's and feel much better out in the ocean or bays than I do my camo or olive drab yaks. Though my Olive drab will get out of the way faster than all of them with a visible rooster tail from behind http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif
I must admit....The Hobie Mirage Drive is really screaming my name !!! and I may just end up owning another Hobie product.....anyone interested in a Floatcat 75??...lol...or some bamboo rods...I gotta stop looking at these things !!
I think it is much more important to have bright paddles.
My fishing partner has sky/sea camo colored paddles. They are almost unnoticeable.
White or other light colored paddles seem to flash in the sun.
This is a good thing.
I have had power boats seem to ignore me on purpose.
Bright paddles flashing in the sun every time you take a stroke goes a long way to get you noticed
My kayak is red, my PFD is yellow, My paddles are white.
If I'm in trouble, I want to be seen!!
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fishing will do a lot for a man, but it won't make him truthful
[This message has been edited by dudley (edited 07 March 2006).]
The worse ones are the bassboat guys.....they seem to try and swap kayaks on the Susquehanna Flats........I have personally experienced it and have seen others in the same situation.
In the ocean it is a different level of boaters mentality....they all seem to steer clear once noticed.
I agree bright paddles are important as well.
Tyflier,
Last time I was out on one of the long narrow reserviors out here, there was a guy in one of those inflatable yaks. He was a good ways from the launch ramp (mile, maybe mile and a half) and was paddling all over with no problems.
Looks like a slightly odd shaped float tube. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif Might be a little slower on the water since the sides aren't as stiff but I doubt the difference matters much.
I've pondered them because they might fold up small enough to tuck in the back of a Cessna while I'm flying somewhere to fish (vs. having to rent a boat once I get there). http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif
I don't think they'd be light enough to backpack into anywhere interesting though. My float tube has the same problem (too heavy and bulky even when deflated to be able to backpack it anywhere).
Hextall, regards your question about kayaks and trout streams: of course much depends on the flow rate. I can't imagine fishing the Sugar River in Newport with a flow of 300cfs, but I have fished the Merrimack (although it was with spinning tackle) numerous times from my Old Town Loon 111. I have also fished "gentle" streams like the Spickett and Exeter Rivers without a problem. Working your tackle while drifting along is definitely doable. And, of course, sometimes one just "hooks up" to a convenient branch or drops anchor to hold in any one spot for a time. Simply put, depending on the stream or river and cfs, yak fishing is easily done.
------------------
"I yam what I yam, and that's all that I yam!" (Popeye the Sailor)
Tyflier,
You might also be intrested in a site I found while looking for a used yak...not sure of the name but it kept coming up with every google search I ran....
It was of Folding Yak's....Very interesting and if it were not for that Hobie Mirage Drive....I think it's the way I'd go....Have you seen that video on their site yet??....Very Kewl....I also notice Thwack keeps saying Pedal....and not paddle...lol
[This message has been edited by billknepp (edited 08 March 2006).]
Not sure if they have a folding YAK or not....but SeaEagle.com has a folding pontoon they call the FoldCat.
Gem
Pedalling is much easier. :-)
My daughter, when she was 10 yrs old, came kayaking on a local reservior where one of the yak shops rents pretty much anything you might want to try.
She couldn't quite get the hang of paddling in the tandem so we wouldn't let her try going out solo in a regular kayak.
Instead, I put her in my Hobie Outback and adjusted the pedals to fit her (takes only a couple seconds to adjust them). I hopped in a regular paddle-type SIK and followed her just in case.
Within seconds, she was whooping and laughing and cutting donuts in the water (on purpose)...thrilled at suddenly being able to do it all on her own.
Can't get much simpler than something a 10 yr old can master in a few seconds of trying. :-)
Now, if I could just get her to take up fly fishing, I'd have somebody to fish with...
First of all, let me say thanks for all good information posted on this thread. And, Jim Sentell, thanks for the offer to hook me up with loudog -- I remember him posting here.
I have another question or two.
Can you get by with fishing a smaller rod on a kayak because you can get closer to the fish? Maybe an 8-weight rather than a 10-weight? Even if you can get by, would you want to?
Also, I have heard that salt water can damage breathable waders. So maybe I wouldn't want to have my regular trout fishing waders to serve double duty on the kayak. Any truth to that?
BFR,
Some thoughts:
I don't have nearly as much leverage when sitting on a yak with my legs straight out in front of me as when I'm standing, therefore I can't cast nearly as far sitting in a yak as I can standing.
You aren't as high out of the water when sitting in the yak.
I assume that you are talking about salt water fishing. The wind blows harder over open water and it seems never to be blowing to your advantage.
My suggestion would be, use a long rod with lots of authority as you are handicapped many ways.
I've been using my Simms gortex waders for two years in the salt with no adverse effects.
Don
BigFlatBrook:
An 8wt is fine, plenty of guts for anything. Don't worry about your waders, as with any salwater fishing, you should have a jug of fresh water and rinse everything down when you're finished. My fishin' buddy, FisherTim here, carries a large spray bottle of fresh water. When the day is done, everything gets rinsed; rod, reel, waders, etc. Then, when you get home, hose 'em down real good.
Ct Don:
Why would you need to make a "long" cast? You're in a kayak, you can "get up there" quickly and quietly without spooking anyone!