Im thinking of trying fishing from a kayak but Im 6’1" and Im starting to get a little creaky and arthritic in the knees, hips and lower back. Anyone have a suggestion on what models might work the best or hurt the least?
I purchased a Hobie Mirage Outback Kayak about 18 months ago and it is with out a doubt the best personal fishing craft I’ve ever used. While I am not 6’1" tall, I’m a bit overwright and old enough to retire and this kayak is comfortable enough for me to fish all day in. Both my son and son in law are at least 6’1" and they find it just as comfortable. It uses the peddal system so you hands are free for fishing. Very stable, fast when you need it, not very tiring and super quiet. As you can tell, I love my Hobie Outback! Great kayak for lakes or river if there isn’t too much current. Just one man’s opinion.
Jim Smith
porcupine
Since you are east coast, it would be well worth the effort for you to contact John S. and Joey at kayakfishingstuff.com
Those two are the best fishing kayak outfitters on the east coast. They also know how to fish, transport, and rig yaks. The best part is that they have demo days and will get you into many models so that you can evaluate all the little ins and outs of a personal watercraft. Often times a good seat with inflatable lumbar supprt and the correct clothing wiill make a huge difference in your ability to stay on the water comfortably for long periods of time. Do it wrong and you’ll suffer for sure.
So again, sign up for a spring session with them and you will be treated rightiously. I’ll stake my good hat on that! Good luck It is a great sport!
Rich
I’m 6’ 1" and fish from a kayak. I’m only middle-aged (so far) but have been comfortable spending 3+ hours at a time in my Hobie Outback…
There are two basic styles of kayak, those you sit in, and those you sit on. It is considerably easier to mount and dismount a sit-on kayak, particularly for someone who has lost the agility of youth. This can be suddenly more important if one dumps the kayak. Also, with my long legs and feet, I find sit-in kayaks to be rather constraining.
Taxon
[url=http://FlyfishingEntomology.com:e992e]FlyfishingEntomology.com[/url:e992e]
[This message has been edited by Taxon (edited 01 April 2006).]
eing from New England I think you will get more use out of a Sit In Kayak. I have a Pungo 12 footer. It is an excellent compromise between small enough to go anywhere and large enough to use in the ocean. It has a large cockpit so entry is easy (easier) than most. The seats are also adjustable and as comfortable as a kayak can be. I am also getting authritic and can “feel your pain”. It works for me.
easiest entry method for me is to straddle your kayak and lower yourself until you can get your hands on the gunnels. Then lower yourself with all four appendages. After you are sitting, swing in your legs. I do this with the seat as close to the water as I can be while keeping myself dry. I then take the two paddle halves and use them like ski poles to push myself into the water. Assemble the paddle and you’re ready to go. Getting out is the reverse.
This keeps me dry and I don’t get too tippy and role. Just be careful trying this in the ocean with the waves as it can roll you in a heartbeat.
jed
I too am 6’1" and VERY recently purchased a Hobie Outback… I’m also of XXL stature…If I can ever get my launch permit taken care of…“Prolly today!!”…I’ll report on what I already know is going to be the best fishing tool I ever bought…
I’m 6’, 230, late 50s, and recently purchased a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 sit on top kayak for mostly lake and Gulf Coast fishing. I concur with the advice to contact the guys at kayakfishingstuff.com. I’ve been following activity on the local bulletin boards, like texaskayakfisherman.com, and the guys mentioned above have gotten rave reviews.
I also have back issues and would highly recommend that you consider an after market add on seat with good padding and support. I have the Surf to Summit GTS Elite, which has all kinds of padding and adjustability to support me where I need to be supported. There are many other options, so check them out.
If you’re looking at a sit in kayak, you may want to consider an Old Town Dirigo, which has an “Extrasport Outfitting System” that includes a well-padded seat with built in lumbar support adjustment via a knob on the side of the kayak.
Combing the bulletin boards, I’ve been surprised by the number of us older guys who are just getting into kayak fishing, and by the success and fun that many are having as a result. Maybe you can teach an old sea dog new tricks after all.
[This message has been edited by mickmcco (edited 01 April 2006).]
I live about 20-30 minutes from KayakFishingStuff in NJ. I just bought a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 from them. They have a bunch of Tarpon “blems” as they call them – which are cosmetically flawed but functionally sound. The 'yak was 25% off list price. I was zeroing in on the Hobie Quest, but you can’t ignore 25% off.
I would recommend thinking about kayak transport a little. I think that loading/unloading the yak is going to be more of a problem than comfort while you’re in it. 55-60 lbs isn’t all that much, but it’s an awkward weight. If you can get the right rack on your car/truck, you can use a loading bar. The loading bar is what KFS recommends and it looks like a great solution. It’s only about $25.
But a roof rack is likely to add some significant cost to the 'yak.
Foam pads work well and are cheap, and you can secure the kayak very well with them, but you still have the problem of getting the kayak up there.
One of the things that I like KFS is that every one at the shop is highly familiar with every product, and are really straightforward about what will work for you and what won’t.
[This message has been edited by BigFlatBrook (edited 01 April 2006).]
Porcupine,
Your itemized problems, in my opinion, would take a severe beating in a kayak. Especially the lower back. Padelling a kayak requires arm and lower back muscles. Not only are you sitting in a tough position for lower back pain but you’d be also rotating the lower back left and right with each stroke of the paddle. I’d take the advice given above and take a test ride before you buy.
I don’t now own a kayak but rent them often for casual padelling like on Monterey Bay etc.Those are usually the sit on top models that I do not care for. I will however buy the Hobie this summer
and put it to the Snake River test this fall.
Mark
I’d rather be in Wyoming!
Thank for the responses. Now Ive got a lot of good stuff to consider instead of just hoping for the best
Porcupine,
You might want to look at a Perception Sundance 12. It has the largest cockpit of any I’ve seen. I too have a bad lower back and had to quit using my canoe because of no back support. My yak has caused no back problems so far. It is true that you will use your back and arms, but for flat water or slow creeks and rivers, i.e. the Merrimack in Manchester a wonderful river for smallies, you should do fine. My present yak does not have a cockpit large enough for ffing which is what led me to look for a new one.
Good luck and I will see you on the rivers when I come up to visit my grandkids.
Clint in Western Kentucky, but formally from Nashua NH
One other factor to consider…and you may need to attend a demo-day type event to find out if it’s a problem for you…
Can you get back into your kayak (whatever model/size/type) all by yourself out on the water?
If you can’t self-rescue, then make certain you’re never fishing alone. Being stuck in the water and unable to get yourself back into the kayak can be life-threatening in cold water.
No matter what, Should you decide to buy a Kayak.
Be sure that you receive the “Certificate of Origin”…This is in essence your boats Title…
I purchased my Yak as a blem…It was in, Never in the water condition…and yesterday while trying to get my launch permit I found out why it was sold as a blem…They had “Lost” the C of O…After a few calls to the dealer and no real answer’s…1 quick call to the manufacture took care of things…As they contacted the dealer and were not at all impressed with their treatment of the matter…my C of O will be here shortly…!!!
There are a lot of good manufactures out there Ocean Kayak,Hobie,Yakka,Wilderness Systems…the list is endless.
So long as the boat chosen meets your requirements of Stability,Weight Capacity and any other suited to your use, I don’t think one can go wrong…
The Hobie Mirage Drive System might be something to consider with your back issues…as this will help aid in that you’ll be pedaling with your legs where the water depth allows…and lessen the strain of paddling alone…Check out the link and look at the video in the mirage drive page as well…The tug O war video sold me on this boat!!!..Hope you find what your looking for!!
[url=http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/models_outback.html:42163]http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/models_outback.html[/url:42163]
“I’ve often wondered why it is that so many anglers spend so much money on,and pay so much attention to.the details on the wrong end of the fly line.If they took as much care in selecting or tying their flies as they did in the selection of the reel and rod,They might be able to gain the real extra edge that makes it possible to fool a fish that has,in fact,seen it all before” A.K.Best
Everyone wants to excel in this sport but at the same time we let traditionalists place restrictions on our tactics, methods, and ideas. I always assumed that fly fishing was a sport that allowed imagination, creation, adaptation, investigation, dedication, education, revelation? : Fox Statler, On Spinners (Not the dainty Dry Fly kind) “Spinner’d Minner Fly”
“Wish ya great fishing”
Bill
[This message has been edited by billknepp (edited 02 April 2006).]
[This message has been edited by billknepp (edited 02 April 2006).]
Is a yak better than a pontoon boat?
My parents have some nice yaks but I find them too confining and uncomfortable. Oh ya and I would use a lanyard on my rod next time… no comment.
notmo,
I also own a Hobie Floatcat 75 Pontoon boat hard sided pontoon’s on these same material as of their yak’s…and other than the issues of covering longer distances (A Yak will allow much better straight tracking )…I can not say I find any fault with my toon…
I wanted to add…“Yes I still have and am keeping my Floatcat”…
a Yak to my arsonal of options…I’m not thinking of useing the floatcat to often myself since getting the Outback…But rather allowing anyone who wants to fish with me use the Floatcat…and for smaller ponds I fish where it would be better suited to my needs there…Both have their merit’s…and there are a wide number of model’s of yak’s out there…Maybe the ones you’ve had experience with were not of the right configuration’s for fishing out of…??..thus far I have no complaint’s of either or…Just some thought’s…
Porcupine, Check out the malibou Xtreme, its 55 pounds, wide and plenty of room. You will stand in that one. Lots of storage. KFS is great on installation and the xtras, rudder, anchor trolley setup and graph/gps combo if needed.
[url=http://www.malibukayaks.com/kayak_extreme.asp:76a2d]http://www.malibukayaks.com/kayak_extreme.asp[/url:76a2d]
The geezer
[This message has been edited by old geezer (edited 02 April 2006).]
If you are having problems with your hips and knees then a kayak may not be such a good idea. One thing to keep in mind is that regardless whether you go sit in or sit on top, your legs are always bent.
I too am getting arthritus in my right hip and last year, had some painful paddles out on the river.
Have you considered a canoe?