Re: whats everyones kayak???
Mark me down as another big Hobie Outback fan. Without a doubt, it is the best personal flishing craft I've ever used, especially for the type of fishing you'll be doing. If you get a chance, try out a couple of the models that have been recommended first, but don't buy anything until you fish from a Hobie Outback.
Jim Smith
Re: whats everyones kayak???
I use a 9'6" Caspia made by Perception
Bill
Re: whats everyones kayak???
Hobie Outback s where I've done the vast majority of my kayak fishing (99% or more).
Re: whats everyones kayak???
9' Wilderness Systems Victory Bravo. Reasonably fast, stable and tracks wonderfully. My next kayak will be a sea kayak.
Semper Fly!
Re: whats everyones kayak???
I have an old 12' Perception Aqua Terra.
They haven't been made for quite a while but the hull design is similar to todays Carolina
Low, fairly sleek and fast. It's a fun 'yak to use.
My kayak is a little heavier than others I've tried, but the more solid feel makes me feel more secure
I use my kayak primarily in salt water where it will handle high seas or travel longer distances, prefering to use my canoe when fishing fresh water
In the canoe I can kick back and relax or stand to fish. In the kayak you're sitting.....only
Re: whats everyones kayak???
I fish from a 9' otter (Old town) that has a large cockpit and it small enough to hang in the back wall of the garage. For the size of the kayak is a bit heavy but I can still manage it. I can put and take from the top of the subaru by my self and I'm not the tallest nor the strongest one! :D
I chose small size and durability over lightness and capacity. Just my 2 cents
Malevo
Re: whats everyones kayak???
I have three kayaks an old town otter, an old town loon 120 and a perception sundance 120. I ususlly fish from the sundance since it has a huge cockpit which allows easy entry and exit. I usually paddle from hole to hole and then get out and wade fish. The otter is good for small streams since it is the most manuverable. The loon 120 is good for larger lakes as it has a small cockpit and a spray skirt.
Re: whats everyones kayak???
both myself and wsife have Old Town Dirigo 10'6" and then suit us well for fishing from .
Tom
Re: whats everyones kayak???
Flyandtie,
Recommend you consider the advice of all the respondents here (who have each forgotten more about kayaking than I know). But before actually buying a kayak, consider this:
Ask around at your nearest canoe/kayak shops to see if any of those shops have a "Demo Day". These events are invaluable to potential buyers. The shop (or company reps) bring out their various kayak models to a local lake or river, and let people paddle the boats around for a while. This gives you an opportunity to experience some "butt in boat" time, which helps you weed out kayaks that don't fit you or don't serve your particular needs (as you envision those needs).
Perhaps an even better idea is to start hanging out in your local canoe/kayak shop. Just strike up conversations with people who come in. Experienced self-propelled boaters are typically a friendly bunch. Chances are good you will meet somebody (maybe a number of somebodys) who will be agreeable to including you on an upcoming trip, and letting you borrow one of their kayaks so that you can paddle it on a trip with them. This would let you test-paddle a kayak under actual trip conditions.
Don't shy away from buying a used kayak, if a reasonable-sounding offer comes your way. I own three canoes, each pre-owned. Like with canoes, there is a highly active market for selling and buying used kayaks. New is good. Used-but-in-good-shape is good, too.
Joe
"Better small than not at all."
Re: whats everyones kayak???
Hobie outback owner here as well..If I HAD...To use/Buy another it'd be the Native waters Ultimate...For it's stability and comfy seating...want to get a couple for my kids someday..and another Outback for the wife too...
Also have a Hobie Floatcat 75 Poontoon ...and if your not looking to do an awful lot of cruiseing around or long runs to get to where you want to fish...They are well worth a look at as well...as they place you higher off the water for sight fishing...These are not the blowup barbies you may be thinking of..but rather the poontoons are molded of the same material they make their Kayak's out of...