whats everyone using as there kayak choice?????
and im lookin in to buying one what would you suggest for me (if its different from the one you own)
i will only be doing lake and pond fishing with it if it helps
thanx in advance guys!!!! 8)
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whats everyone using as there kayak choice?????
and im lookin in to buying one what would you suggest for me (if its different from the one you own)
i will only be doing lake and pond fishing with it if it helps
thanx in advance guys!!!! 8)
Hobie Outback - is there another kind?
I mostly use a canoe these days for my freshwater fishing. However, I do have and use an Old Town Loon 138 kayak to fish out of once in a while. I also have used a number of sit-on-tops- Ocean Kayaks, Wilderness Systems and Heritage. I prefer the sit inside as I can extend my fishing season from the boat as the weather and water get colder. There are plenty of advantages to a sit inside. One disadvantage is access to gear and limited space for gear storage. That's why I use a canoe.
If I were buying a kayak for fishing I'd be looking at a rec kayak with a large cockpit. Easy entry and exit, easier access to gear. Something along the lines of the Loon or Perceptions Acadia, Heritage Featherlights, Necky Manta.
Seeing as you are mostly fishing lakes and ponds have you considered a solo canoe? They are lighter to carry than a kayak and will get you into some backwater ponds you have to hike into. They can be used with a kayak paddle and and will give you easy access to your gear and you won't be limited to what you can bring.
Wenonah, Bell and Old Town all make solo canoes that cost about the same as a rec kayak. Wenonah, Bell and Hornbeck all make super light kevlar solos that cost a bit more, but are a dream to paddle.
Good luck in your search.
Me - Ocean Kayak Drifter
My wife - Perception Swing
Just got a Native Watercraft Ultimate - sort of across between a kayak and canoe. Very stable and very comfortable seat. Bought it for small lakes and ponds.
TxEngr
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120
Wilderness Systems Pungo Duralite 120
jed
WS T-120 and T140.
There are a LOT of nice kayaks out there. Of course, test them before buying if you have that chance.
I have a Ocean Kayak Prowler 15. I cover a lot of distance when I'm fishing so the longer kayak suites my style better (plus I'm a big guy). For lakes and ponds, I would go with a smaller kayak, something in the 12 foot range.
IMHO, SOT's are much better suited to fishing. In cold weather, just put on a pair of waders. SOT's allow much easier access to your stuff and are much easier to mount and dismount for wading.
Chris:
I also have a Loon 138. It is a bit of a dog to paddle but this is of relatively little concern if you are going to do more fishing than paddling. It does have a relatively large cockpit. That both gives you a little more space to work in and is essential if you are over 6' and your knees don't bend backwards. I concur with "kayak angler" that a solo canoe has some real advantages as a fishing platform and use mine a lot more than the kayak - but then a kayak is a lot better paddling platform (particularly in the wind). There are a lot of good kayaks out there and it may be hard to make a wrong decision.
David
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
I use a 9'6" Caspia made by Perception
Bill
Hobie Outback s where I've done the vast majority of my kayak fishing (99% or more).
9' Wilderness Systems Victory Bravo. Reasonably fast, stable and tracks wonderfully. My next kayak will be a sea kayak.
Semper Fly!
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
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
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.
both myself and wsife have Old Town Dirigo 10'6" and then suit us well for fishing from .
Tom
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."
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...
I have a Tarpon 120. it paddles well and is versatile. I've had it out in rivers, lakes, and in the salt.
I think buying a used kayak is a good idea. A lot of people are upgrading to the Hobie peddle 'yaks, and you might be able to find a good one. Some owners might ship.
I'd like to own one of those peddle kayaks myself.
have a look at www.akff.net and all the yaks available here are listed and discussed.
Mine's here...
...[url=http://www.lunceford.org/fishing/yakrig.html:1c018]My Kayak[/url:1c018]
:)
Right now, I own three Heritage Redfish 14s (angler model). Tomorrow (July 2), my new fleeet arrives. I'm getting two Heritage Redfish 12s (angler model) with rudders. My third kayak will be a 14.5 Native Watercraft Ultimate, a cross between a kayak and canoe that has a great seat. It's also tunnel-hulled and so stable you really can stand up with little problem. Should be great for sightfishing on the flats.
The reason I downsized from the Heritage 14 to 12 is because of weight and maneuverability. If it was just me, I'd go with the 14. However, I run Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing in Sarasota, FL and it words better for my clients.
My first kayak was a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140. I loved this boat, but it was wet. That's wasn't so bad in the summer, but not desireable in winter. The Heritage boats are extremely dry.
Like everyone else I advise paddling different kayaks until you find one that fits you.
I have a Hornbeck 10'6" that I love. 17lbs what else do I need to say?
I fish from a 12' Current Design Kestrel. Mine is thermaformed and weighs approx 36#. If I had it to do over again, I would get a 14' with a rudder, for hands free correction when drifting down river. I have added a half skirt, also called a work station. And a soft anchor system.
Just bought a Heritage Redfish 14 Tuesday. I use it for fishing in the Indian/Banana river Lagoons
Perception "America" 12'6", of 1999? vintage. 'Milk crate' on top of the rear hatch with modifications to the crate to haul the stuff that doesn't work out residing in the cockpit.
Full skirt in the cold or rain and a half deck for the work area and protection from the sun for my legs.
Home made outriggers (aka and ama) when I need to stand to see my quarry attatch to the milk crate. One good paddle and a cheap one for the back-up/loaner.
Use a home made anchor I saw on the Texas Kayak Fishing web site (Bruce type) made from welded lawn mower blades when I don't want to "Go". Full length anchor trolley adds control.
Soft sided cooler when I'm planning on eating fish.
When I learn to post pix, will do as much.
I have tried a pontoon and a small it in kayak but just purchased a Native Watercraft Ultimate 12. I think this one is a keeper. It is pretty light at 50 pounds and stable enough to stand and sight fish from. It is a very nice and comfortable boat.
I fish (a lot) from my Old Town 'Dirigo 106' kayak. I've found it to be easy to transport, comfortable to sit in and stable to cast from. I like it! :)
Jeff
Currently have 4.
Wilderness System Pungo (12'1" Classic) - Still my go-to boat for versitility, menuverability and seaworthyness.
(2) Old Town Loon 138's- Once with Rudder, one without. Great all round yak. Similar in performance as the pungo but is better suited to longer paddles ( due to slightly better hull speed & tracking) and higher weight of gear capacity.
14' Heritage Sea Dart SOT( with Rudder)- My only SOT left ( after 3 others)- fast, nicely designed/featured SOT that looks like a yak vs a bar of soap :-) A bit tight for fishing but great for paddles where I want to get in/out of the yak routinly.
My ONLY advice is to TRY BEFORE YOU BUY REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU READ FOR REVIEWS.
One mans' perfect yak is another disapointment! Been there-done that-it's expensive
Kind of late in the game to reply, but I have a Malibu Mini-X, and it has been great on ponds and slow moving streams. Extremely stable, you can sit sidesaddle if you want(1) and pretty good performance in a small yak.
Bob
Been checking them out myself and think I'm going to get a Native Ultimate 12.
I am going to be using it mainly on ponds, lakes and slow-moving rivers. The main reason for getting it is it's stability and the ability to stand and fish from it, being mainly a fly fisherman.
It has covers to make it pretty much waterproof and has a lot of pretty cool options. It also has a much more open layout, kinda like a canoe, leaving more room for you and tackle.
I have been fishing out of my new Native Watercraft 14.5 Ultimate since June. And it's absolutely the finest paddling/fishing boat I've owned. It's easy to paddle, tracks extremely well, very stable and quiet. Best of all, it's wide open and extremely roomy. I carry a cooler full of ice, food and drinks, milk crate with tackle and rod holders and other equipment.
This is just a great boat (especially for fly fishing) that you might want to check out if you're in the market for a new ride.
For the past year I've been using a Coleman's inflatable kayak from Wally World. Cost less than $100...It has 5 chambers and is very sturdy. I pump it up by hand in about 3 minutes and the paddles screw together and work well. The only negative is the cockpit dimensions. I don't think it was designed for anyone over 6 feet who has long legs :? It ain't fancy, but it gets me "on" the water...
Later...
I have an old perception swing and love it. I guess I have had it for 7 years.
Here are a couple of pics of it rigged and in action.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSC00292.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSC00197.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSC00341.jpg
I don't use mine as much as I used to anymore, but I still love getting out there in it. I still offer kayak guide trips and usually do 3 or 4 a year, but I'm mainly in the jet sled these days.
www.arkansastroutbum.com
I've been reading aboiut this new Freedom 14 Outrigger Fishing Kayak that sounds very interesting indeed. Here is a link: www.freedomhawkkayaks.com
What makes this one different is that it has two outriggers that make it very stable to stand up and cast when stationary and then they fold in while moving. Not cheap, but very cool indeed.
Rick
I have a Heritage 9.5 Featherlite Angler (SINK) and a Heritage Fisherman Pro 14 (SOT).
I love them both.
Ultimate 12
I've got a Pamlico 100 with the adjustable padded seat, otherwise there's no way I'd sit in a yak for hours on end without feeling like I'd been kicked in the kidneys.
I'm typically on moving water and wont' try to flyfish out of it (big headache) unless I happen to make it to a pond or lake.