Gil and Mr. Micus have been helping me on this and I would like to hear from other Kayak fisherman. I will use the yak for lakes, rivers, ponds, and saltwater in that order. I will overnight camp also.
Redfish 14
Tarpon 14
I have narrowed it down to the above, pros and cons would be appreciated.
Thanks to all
Philip
Excus my spelling and gramma, I hooked Mondays and Fridays so I could Hunt or fish.
[This message has been edited by old geezer (edited 25 January 2006).]
Old Geezer,
So you don’t feel ignored, I am not familiar with those ‘yaks so I can’t advise. My suggestion would be a Pungo, 12 or 14’. The 12’ is usually long enough for stability in most lakes or the ocean and more maneuverable in smaller waters.
I use my 12’ Pungo mostly on rivers and ponds and then in the salt and on lakes. I had a 14’ Old Town but found it too hard to steer and the extra stability in the ocean was negligable.
Is there a place where you can try one out. That can make a difference, especially concerning the seat and the area in the cockpit.
Hope I did not muddy the waters too much.
jed
Jed, thanks buddy. I will be yaking at the fish-in. Michele likes the canoes and wants some space from me and I don’t care for the single solo or the 18 fts we have for the salt. Gill and Dave have sucked me in and I am looking forward to getting out in one.
When I buy one I want to do it right the 1st time. I know I’ll load it up with finder gps combo, rudder, holders, anchor etc.
Philip
geezer - I know lots of people that are loyal tarpon fans
they seem very similar to my OK prowler which I like very much - however, the redfish seems to be a bit wider and has a larger capacity. otherwise they seem quite similar to me without having ever used either.
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - “WOW-What a Ride!”
Don’t take life too seriously, you’ll never get out alive.
Geezer,
There is a web site called [url=http://www.paddle-fishing.com.:41380]www.paddle-fishing.com.[/url:41380] Do use the dash in between. That is just what the site is about, fishing from a yak. One of the countries best yak fishing suppliers is up there in Jersey near you too. the link to them should be on that site. before I went over to the dark side my son and I fished from a canoe. Our own Fl_Skibum posts on paddle-fishing as well.
I think the difference between the Redfish and the Tarpon depends on what you need… speed or stability.
Rusty <><
“PC” is for Plant City not Politically Correct. if you wanna catch something ya gotta get a hook in the water
Thanks for the input. I like to stand, so a flat bottom without the ridges is desireable. Stability is #1 , speed,enough that I don’t have a heart attack fighting a stong wind and current getting back.
Michel and I where going to fish the edge of this rapids in the New River. The river won.
Philip
Excus my spelling and gramma, I hooked Mondays and Fridays so I could Hunt or fish.
[This message has been edited by old geezer (edited 25 January 2006).]
[This message has been edited by old geezer (edited 25 January 2006).]
When stocking up don’t forget the butane single burner stove and french press coffee pot. Because I am roughing it when I kayak I bring pre-ground coffee. A coffee grinder when kayaking is over the top, don’t you think. You have GOT to have good coffee when kayaking 
jed
When we do our fishing/camping we have everything but the kitchen sink. Michele dehydrates all the food and when she adds water its a meal fit for a king. 1 year I lugged a 8" Meade Schmidt Cassegrain telescope and 75Lb tri pod 3 portages so we could enjoy the evening constalations and planets up in Canada. It was fantastic.
Philip
Excus my spelling and gramma, I hooked Mondays and Fridays so I could Hunt or fish.
Hey Philip,
If you’re not in any real hurry to buy, and since you’ve narrowed it down to those two, you are more than welcome to test drive my T-120 without rudder or the T-140 with rudder for a day when you come down.
Then we’ll find a place to rent you a Redfish or Marquesa.
Gil
Gil, thanks for the offer and all your help in research. It’s nice to know I have an option. You lead and I’ll follow.
Philip
Excus my spelling and gramma, I hooked Mondays and Fridays so I could Hunt or fish.
Caught many a red in my heritage, although not the most popular.
[url=http://us.a1.yahoofs.com/users/433b8f40z6f192393/4afc/__tn_/f881.jpg?ph4wF3DBheka.u1n:abe62]http://us.a1.yahoofs.com/users/433b8f40z6f192393/4afc/__tn_/f881.jpg?ph4wF3DBheka.u1n[/url:abe62]
saw the new 16’ hobie fisherman…very nice fishing yak. I own 4 kayaks already so a 5th would be hard to justify but that would be one I would really consider myself.
Heritage Nomad II
heritage Sea Dart
Kiwi Stealth electric powered
Mokia jet powered
Well, it looks like the Hobie Quest in Orange might be the way to go. Its 10 lbs lighter before I load it up with goodies
Anyone have one and what is your experience.
Thanks all
Philip
Excus my spelling and gramma, I hooked Mondays and Fridays so I could Hunt or fish.
I don’t own one Philip, but since no one responded…
I own an orange Tarpon 160. So the color you chose is good .
I looked at the Quest, the length is good, I like the fact it doesn’t have molded foot wells, and I have heard good things about the hatch design.
Are you getting it with a rudder?
Good luck with it and I hope to see you out on the water.
-Phil
Yes Phil I am getting the gas pedal rudder system, and a LowranceM56 FFinder/GPS combo and a Scotty power lock. The Quest Fisherman has allot of storage and I like the cart wheel system for lugging to the launch site.
I agrre about the foot braces, I like to stand from time to time.
Regards
Philip
Excus my spelling and gramma, I hooked Mondays and Fridays so I could Hunt or fish.
If stability is #1 then I’m gonna throw out another name you may be interested in. The Ocean Kayak Drifter may be a great option for ya. Speed isn’t great, but its not bad. You can’t beat the stability with anything else out on the water.
I currently fish with many other fine older fellas who practiced a bit and can now stand comfortably in moving water on their drifters. The price (and stability) is MUCH better than the tarpons or just about anything else for that matter. There is AMPLE deckspace on this boat to add all sorts of gizmo’s if your heart so desires. I don’t know anyone who is unhappy with thier purchase of an OK Drifter. So this was just another option to look at, so by all means check it out.
PiKaap, thanks for the reply to my post, I looked at the drifter. The molded foot wells turned me off, its a nice yak and others I liked had the same molded foot wells. I want a flat bottom.
Thanks again
Philip
Excus my spelling and gramma, I hooked Mondays and Fridays so I could Hunt or fish.
Old Geezer,
If you are “old”, as I am, it is important to consider the fact that it is a lot easier to get on and off a sit on top (SOT) kayak than it is to get in and out of a sit in kayak (SINK). Once in a SINK you are pretty much stationary untill you get out, the SOT it is easy to move around on and relieve that sore cheek. I have a SOT Tarpon 160i and usually sit sidesaddle if I am going to fish in one spot for a while, I also sit straddling the yak.
A long yak is faster and tracks straighter and paddles easier than a short yak, the short yak is more nimble and excells on rivers, small ponds and lakes.
A SOT is a wet ride but you sit a bit higher over the water, while the SINK is “dry” and you sit much lower in the water (casting distance comes into play).
The SOT has more avaliable space on which to hang gear. It is generaly the choice of the fisherman. The wilderness Systems Tarpons and the Hobie Adventures have been designed with the fishermans needs in mind. I would recomend either one.
As with anything, you should do your homework and test drive before you buy.
You can get some ideas by surfing these websites, go to the photo galleries to see what can be done.
[url=http://www.ultimatekayakfishing.com:ef27b]http://www.ultimatekayakfishing.com[/url:ef27b]
[url=http://www.newenglandkayakfishing.com:ef27b]http://www.newenglandkayakfishing.com[/url:ef27b]
Enjoy what ever you finally decide on. Kayak fishing is lots of fun.
Ct Don
Randy
The heritage is a great boat go with the Marquesa instead of the Redfish same boat without factory placed rod holders. My shops will rig it the way you want it and the price my even be less.
![http://us.a1.yahoofs.com/users/433b8f40z6f192393/4afc/__tn_/f881.jpg?ph4wF3DBheka.u1n[/url:abe62]](http://us.a1.yahoofs.com/users/433b8f40z6f192393/4afc/__tn_/f881.jpg?ph4wF3DBheka.u1n%5B/url:abe62%5D){kind=link}