The recent article and discussion on FAO has me considering a kayak. I am hoping to stay below $500 for a kayak and I noticed Cabela’s has the Old Town Kayak for ~359. I will be fishing primarily small lakes and slow moving creeks. Does anyone have any comments regarding this kayak or suggestions for a better choice?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Don
You might want to enter this months Drawing for the inflatable kayak! Click on FREE Drawing on the left-hand menu.
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
I fish the same types of water out of a Tarpon 100. I like the sit-on-top so that i can easily get out and wade. The Tarpon is well made, fairly light at 48lb, very stable, and retails for around $425. I’ve also hear great things about the Heritage dolphin which retails for under $350.
Good luck,
Lou
Dailey
The Tarpon 100 is a great little boat. However, if there’s a Costco in your area, check it out to see if they have any of the Mainstream Tropics. They’re 9’X 30" wide and weigh about 35 pounds.
I’ve been using mine for almost 4 years now in small lakes and streams locally.
I paid under $300.00 for the boat, paddle and good high-back seat.
I got an Otter as my first kayak about 4 years ago. I’m still using it for the same applications that you describe (eg ponds, small streams). I like it. It’s small, light and easy to handle.
I installed bungee cords, paddle holder and flyrod holder.
However, $349 sounds a bit high. I paid about $250 for it at Dicks Sporting Goods. I believe they’re still about the same price.
Mark
Don,
Welcome to the site!
Many of our FAOL folks love kayaks, & I am also thinking of one. In fact, I have now been “smoke-free” for 6 weeks & my long-term reward (next year) will be a kayak. However, with an old shoulder injury & fishing the same type water you do, I have been looking for a small, lightweight yak. Heritage makes a “sit-in” called the Ultralight Angler that has been highly rated. It is 9.5’ long & 39 lbs. All reviews state it is highly stable & the price is right…below your $500.00 figure. Site is [url=http://www.heritagekayaks.com:5a746]www.heritagekayaks.com[/url:5a746] . Also, for info & reviews, check out [url=http://www.paddling.net:5a746]www.paddling.net[/url:5a746] .
Hope this helps.
Mike
I have an Otter and it is a treat to use. The large cockpit allows me to put my fly gear between my knees for easy access. It is light to carry and durable. There is a bar (not shown on the website that goes most of the length of the boat to add stability to the keel. The listing on the web also does not mention footrest, which in my opinion are a must. We liked the first one so much that we got a second one two years ago. Now the canoe lies idle while we go kayaking.
Thanks for all the information. This is a great site for help. I did register for the kayak on this site. Unfortunately, there isn’t a Costco or Dick’s in my area. I’ll have to check in Nasville, TN. If I can find one for $250 that would be great. I am uncertain what Bass Pro has to offer.
Thanks Mike for the paddling website, it is very helpful.
Don
IF you can, I would not buy a kayak without paddling one first. Not all are created equal. Some track better than others. This is the time of year when local dealers will have free demos at a local lake. If there is a yak/canoe shop in your area, you might want to give them a call.
Just my $.02
YAK YAK YAK. I love to kayak fish!
Angle Dave gives some good advice. I like patronizing local dealers as much as possible. My buddy who owns a shop is very accommodating with demos, accessories and advise. He has also become a great fishing buddy.
Chuck Hitt
Dailey:
Go here for all the info you’ll ever need, [url=http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com.:565be]www.kayakfishingstuff.com.[/url:565be]
And, take anglerdave’s advice, try before you buy. Kayaking and fishing from a kayak are two different animals…
Regards, Jim
Let me begin this post by saying thank you to KAYAKPROSHOP.COM for sponsoring FAOL and offering a very neat inflatable kayak for a drawing. As JC says, without sponsors like them we would not be having this discussion. There are some incredible clear bottom boats amongst other kayaks, listed on their web site. Having said that, I will comment that there is not a boat in their selection that compares with the Pungo, which I find somewhat interesting since they do carry the Pimlico. I hope that they will consider the segment of the market that wants a smaller plastic kayak (not an inflatable) when they expand their choices.
Chuck Hitt
[This message has been edited by check your fly (edited 09 April 2005).]
Dailey
Bet you never thought a simple question would get such a variety of replies. Regardless of who and who does not sponsor FAOL, I still stand by my advice that if at all possible, try before you buy.
is there a kayak rental place near you? they will have great deals on used kayaks, and since kayaks are almost impossible to damage i would not heistate to buy one used.
good luck!
Anglerdave, Yes an interesting set of responses.
Several have recommended testing a kayak at a local dealer. I do not have that option but I agree it is an excellent idea if possible. My primary source of information is the internet. I have been searching the variety of sites mentioned above including the site offering the inflatable kayak. I have not settled on one yet but hope to do it soon.
Thanks,
Don
Don
Since there are no dealers close to you, then you have to settle on buying over the net. Here’s another suggestion. Are there any paddling clubs in your area? A search on the internet might provide you with that information. If so, you might be able to hook up with someone. I just hate to see someone buy a kayak (from a sponsor or otherwise) without trying one out first. Kayaks aren’t for everyone. Fishing from one is different than from fishing from a boat or canoe.
Just my $.02
Been fishing out of a kayak for years and love it. I was going to get another but the girlfreind wants me to get a tandeem kayak for fishing so that we are in the same kayak instead of two diffrent kayaks. Has any of you out there used a tandem kayak for fishing? I would like to get one thats good in rough water and wind for large lakes and Puget Sound and am looking for advice on what to look for.
To follow up on my earlier post, although I said that I have an Otter, it is actually an Otter XT. The foot rests and folding seat are an important/essential consideration.
What is the difference in the Otter and the Otter XT? I couldn’t find the XT listed on their web site.
Thanks,
Rex
otter is a fine yak but i do not recommend it for slow or flat water. it is short and stubby so it not an efficient paddler for long range, getting around a lake will seem like long range. a longer yak wiil paddle more efficiently and track straighter. you will not need the maneuverability of a short flat bottom yak. look into a longer, more chined yak. a couple that fit that bill are old town loon 14, wilderness system pungo, tarpon 12, america. you can fish well out of the otter and enjoy it, but you will not know any better of what you are missing. do not hurry into buying something inexpensive over buying what is best for your situation. again try to find some shop that is doing a demo day and try differnt ones.