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
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