Need info on fishing kayaks

[bd-]

I'm thinking again about buying a kayak. At this point I'm just kind of "tire kicking," but I'm trying to learn more. I know there are a few serious kayak fishermen on this site, and so I figured maybe you could help me with the learning curve.

I've fished out of canoes quite a bit, but kayaks, not so much. I don't know enough about them, and I'd rather not learn through trial and error by buying something that's not really ideal for fishing.

What I'm trying to find out is what are the tradeoffs and balances with kayaks. For instance, I assume a shorter kayak is more maneuverable in fast water, but doesn't track as straight. So what length is the ideal middle of the road? I'm not interested in fishing flatwater with a kayak - I've got my Gheenoe for the lakes. I'd mainly be using it on small creeks and maybe some trout rivers that are too swift and rocky for my Gheenoe.

Likewise, what are the pros and cons of a sit-in as opposed to a sit-on-top kayak? I'm inclined to think I'd prefer a sit-in, but I'd be interested in hearing the good and bad of both designs.

Also, if there are any absolutely "can't live without" features I need to look for on a fishing kayak, please let me know.

There are some guys here with some really tricked-out rigs - I don't need anything to that degree. I won't be fishing out of it enough to be interested in depth finders and stuff like that. I'd like to know what's essential though.

Thanks in advance,

bd

[lforet2002]

Thanks for posting, I am wondering the same thing...

[Alphahawk]

I would ask MidTNKayakAngler. Now I just bought 2 new Jackson Coosa's about a month ago. I am fishing them on flat water but bought them to fish the Caney.....Duck and so on. I have been in them almost every day since I bought them. Comfort is superb....stability is great...and I am a novice kayaker but it really feels more stable to many I have been in. I will say this...if you buy....buy from a kayak dealer..not just someone who sells kayaks. Chris at HOOK 1 will let you demo anything he has and it can be outfitted at the same place.


Regards

[Travis C.]

Chris at HOOK 1 will let you demo anything he has and it can be outfitted at the same place.

Regards

bd, he is in the 699 building on main street.

I personally think you should just take the plunge all the way and give me the gheenoe. It was just overkill anyways. :D

[browntrout]

I have a Native Ultimate 12 and I love mine. The Ultimate is a sit in kayak which I prefer over the sit on kayak. I fully agree with seeing Chris at HOOK1. He is an awesome guy and will really take the time to ensure that you get what you want.

I really like the Wilderness Commander series that he carries. If I was in the market for a sit in kayak that would be my #1 choice.

I think that you will find that once you start fishing from one that you will really enjoy it. I have a Riverhawk that I use on the Caney when they are generating but other than that I use my kayak.

I used to have an 18 foot bass boat with a 150HP and fish all the bass tournaments. Fishing from a kayak is so much more fun and enjoyable. It is so peaceful and relaxing. I think once you start using a kayak that you will be surprised at how much you enjoy it.

Roy

[Reel Tune]

I'm thinking again about buying a kayak. At this point I'm just kind of "tire kicking," but I'm trying to learn more. I know there are a few serious kayak fishermen on this site, and so I figured maybe you could help me with the learning curve.

I've fished out of canoes quite a bit, but kayaks, not so much. I don't know enough about them, and I'd rather not learn through trial and error by buying something that's not really ideal for fishing.

I got my 1st canoe when I was about 11 or 12, and wish I had known about kayak fishing then. When I herd of kayaks I always thought of the 18’ 20” wide touring kayaks, and never about a kayak designed to fish out of. It’s great exercise, gets you to waters that are not easily accessible, and easy to transport they are a great tool. You are doing the right thing by not just jumping in on an impulse buy, I think that’s why you see so many $250-$500 kayaks for sale. The resale on a quality kayak in good shape is pretty good. I know a lot of guys that buy one every year, and they only loose $200-$300 off the original purchase, and they fish near 150-200 days a year.

What I'm trying to find out is what are the tradeoffs and balances with kayaks. For instance, I assume a shorter kayak is more maneuverable in fast water, but doesn't track as straight. So what length is the ideal middle of the road? I'm not interested in fishing flatwater with a kayak - I've got my Gheenoe for the lakes. I'd mainly be using it on small creeks and maybe some trout rivers that are too swift and rocky for my Gheenoe.

Shorter is easier to turn and good for small creeks, but most look like a Zara Spook when trying to paddle fast or for long distances like open water fishing. 12’-14’ is a good middle ground, but Jackson came out with the Coosa which is just shy of that at 11’2” and 70lbs then Wilderness Systems answered with the Ride 115 at 11’6” and weighing in at 76lbs. If it’s too swift and rocky for a Gheenoe I wouldn’t recommend a Sit-In, or hybrid I would want to stick with a SOT for safety issues.

There are a lot of kayaks

Likewise, what are the pros and cons of a sit-in as opposed to a sit-on-top kayak? I'm inclined to think I'd prefer a sit-in, but I'd be interested in hearing the good and bad of both designs.

Sit-Inhas the advantage in flat water with speed, and in the winter of keeping your legs warmer.

Sit-on-top advantages are more storage for gear, easier to access gear, more rigging options, more stable, has scuppers so if you take water over the side you don’t sink the water just flows thru the scuppers and back into the river, and most SOT’s are more stable. You can store dry bags and other items in the hull of a SOT so incase you do flip aka turtle your gear is safe.

Also, if there are any absolutely "can't live without" features I need to look for on a fishing kayak, please let me know.

A good seat, you will be sitting all day, if you’re not standing. You want something comfortable and stable. The best thing is to get the kayak that fits your needs bare bones then add what you think is necessary for what you will be doing.

There are some guys here with some really tricked-out rigs - I don't need anything to that degree. I won't be fishing out of it enough to be interested in depth finders and stuff like that. I'd like to know what's essential though.

Essential-
A good paddle (lightweight and durable), a good PFD (one you WILL wear all the time). A clam cleat, or similar tie-off is good for an anchor, in rivers I don’t recommend clawed anchors, I make my own drag anchors. I’ve herd is nothing worse than having a claw anchor catch on a rock or submerged tree and watching the water rush over the top of your kayak. I wouldn’t recommend anchoring in moving water, but I’ll throw out a drag chain to slow my drift. Learn to downsize gear, take only what you need. A good river knife. No need for 50 spinnerbaits, 15 topwater, 30 jerkbaits, 8 rods, 50 bags of soft plastics. I like to keep it to 3-4 Plano 3700 series waterproof boxes these house all the lures and terminal tackle I will need.

Thanks in advance,

bd


I also agree with what was stated above, try as many as you can before you buy. If you would like I can arrange with Hook1 to get a few demo boats, and I can bring a few of my own that they don’t carry and we can get out and try a few. We bought our 1st kayaks without ever having been in one and got lucky, but not all do.

Options of river kayaks

Sit-On-Top (Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120, Tarpon 120 Ultra lite, Ride 115, (Ride 135 about as big as I would go)

Sit-On-Top (Jackson Coosa, Jackson Cuda)

Sit-In (Wilderness Systems Pungo, Jackson Day Tripper)

Hybrid (Native Ultimate, Wilderness Systems Commander 120)

The Coosa’s are a great boat, but once you hit a certain size standing in it feels wobbly. I would say 6’3” 250lbs, where the Commander, Ride 115, Ride 135, or Cuda would be more comfortable.

One thing you need to consider is weight capacity just because the kayak is rated up to 350lbs doesn’t mean that a 300lb person can comfortably fish from it. Take into consideration of the amount of water, food, and gear you pack it could be up to 100lbs.

Jeremy

[GO-OKFISHIN]

Love my Tarpon 120. I almost bought the Tarpon 100. I went into Cumberland Transit about 5 years ago w/ money burning a hole in my pocket and told the sales person I wanted to see a tarpon 100. He insisted they did not make one. I said ok but I know they do I had researched it online. He didn't even bother to check a cataloge or ask anyone else. I said thank you and left. Found a Tarpon 120 on REI closeout for less money and pulled the trigger that day.

Like Mid Tenn said a good paddle is a must which will set you back at least $100-$150.

I do want to add to what everyone has said about Chris at Hook 1. I drove all the way up there from Bellevue on my one day off to get some rivets. Chris took me back to his stockroom found exactly what I needed. I only had a few dolloars cash on me and asked him if I could use my debit card. He said don't worry about they are on me! I could not believe it. I insisted on him taking the few dollars I had but he refused. He then proceeded to give me a couple of stickers also. I was dumfounded. I will certainley be giving him all my business from now on and encourage others to shop there as well. Awesome guy!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/gookfishin/018.jpg

[tennesseeyakker]

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i433/RoundBear/IMG_20110521_125525.jpgMy wife has a Dagger 14' sit inside and I have the ocean kayak trident. I MUCH prefer the sit on top when it comes to fishing. My yak is tricked out to the max, however it is great without adding anything! The 12-13' length is good all around. I had an ocean kayak big game but it was slow. I much prefer the narrower profile of the trident.

[Travis C.]

Here ya go bd...

http://nashville.craigslist.org/spo/2975612232.html

Don't know if its any good but its a good price.

[Reel Tune]

Probably a good reason it's for sale a 10' sit in would be brutally small. Maybe someone 5' 90lbs and wanted to take one rod, and not be able to carry any gear. It would be a sauna in the summer sun also with no air flow. Just my opinion.

[txnative]

Bd,

You've seen my yak, and I got it on Craigslist for $400. I purchased a decent sit-on-top at dick's for $499, and I use it less simply because I haven't tricked it out as much. Bottom line is you find one that fits YOU and your style, and leave price out of the initial decision-making. You can find a great yak without breaking the bank, if you know what to look for. I would recommend on a 12' length, or close to it, and at least 30" of width for stability. That said, different models will feel more or less stable according to how you fit in them, which is why testing before buying is crucial. A keel or rudder is also important. My blue yak has a full-length keel that helps my tracking, speed, and drift.

The Coosa is a great option, and it has a lot of built-in features. I would highly recommend it as a river yak. The wilderness systems ride is another top option. Either way, I would 100% go with a sit on top versus a sit-in, the rest is up to your own needs/wants.


Chris

[bd-]

Great info so far, guys. Thanks a ton - this helps a lot.

I'm surprised at folks saying the SOT kayaks are more stable than a sit-in. I figured a sit-in would be inherently more stable due to lower center of gravity. Interesting.

The Jackson Coosas look like great little boats but I notice there's one on Craigslist selling used this morning for $1,000.00. That's a little out of the range I'm looking to spend right now. :(

If I can find something in that $400-used range that txnative mentioned, that would probably be more my style. I will keep looking.

Thanks to all,

bd

[Travis C.]

If I can find something in that $400-used range that txnative mentioned, that would probably be more my style. I will keep looking.

Thanks to all,

bd

A little above $400 bd but not bare bones either...

http://bgky.craigslist.org/boa/2957719644.html

[Reel Tune]

Not a bad boat Travis.

You might want to look for an older Wilderness Systems Ride, or Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 older of course. Just stay away from cracked scuppers, and heavily faded.

[Greasy Ham]

Last year I bought my first kayak. It was an Ascend D10 from basspro shops. It was a sit in kayak. I never once felt unstable out on the water in it. Not ever. I got wet twice with it. Once I went in the water getting in the boat and once getting out of the boat. I estimate that I put maybe 200 hours of use on the boat. (I get that number from about 40 weekends at 5 hours each time.) So using the boat that much in all different types of weather, getting wet twice is a good number to me. Now I never did anything stupid such as going out in the middle of the lake with idiot jet skiers flying around or pleasure boaters that don't know common courtesy either. But I did several lake trips and stayed in coves or went to "no wake" lakes. I also did several trips to the Duck river near shelbyville and handled the areas that had some minor rapids really well.
There is no way I would ever attempt to stand up in that boat. However, it was not designed for that. This years same model of that boat at BassPro has a tunnel hull and a much more comfortable seat. http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-D10-SitIn-Kayak-Red/product/11081905012221/212172 So yeah you probably could stand in that if you are brave.

This year I have upgraded to a Native Watercraft Ultimate 12. http://www.nativewatercraft.com/boat.cfm?id=5 It's best described as a cross between a sit in and sit on. I've only taken it out 4 times so far. Is it better than my Ascend? Absolutely! But the difference is I spent 1000 bucks on this one where as I only spent 400 on the other so it better be.

Now I only have 1 year of experience kayaking. With that said, if my opinion was asked, my answer is buy what you can afford. If you want a sit in then buy one. Chances are most people that are on the hype of how much greater a "sit on" is verses a "sit in", have never owned and paddled both. As I have never owned a sit on I can tell you about my experience with a sit in. It was an enjoyable one. Whatever decision you make will be the correct one. There is absolutely nothing more fun when it comes to fishing than fishing from a kayak.