Kayak Fishing

[Doc Marshall]

I want to get a fishing kayak but I have zero idea where to start.

Unfortunately, I get low back pain. I know there are some kayaks where you can stand for a bit if needed. Can anyone recommend a good kayak for this?

Basically, I have a Toyota Camry and it isn't suitable for pulling even a small jon boat. I figure a kayak that allows me to stand occasionally would be an excellent compromise.

Any suggestions with regard to brands etc. would be greatly appreciated.

[Adough]

I love fishing from my kayak, love it. There are many kayaks that allow you to stand. As I understand it, if it is wider than your shoulders your should be able to stand. That being said, it is very easy to pull up to the bank, hop out and fish while standing for a while to get some relief. Also, some kayaks such as the coosa have an actual seat in them. I find that the sit-on-top kayaks give the best support for my back. Many having an adjustable back rest. I'm not keen to suggest another forum but, http://www.kayakbassfishing.com/ would be imo a much better place to get answers to your question. I got mine off of craigslist, very happy with it. Dicks has the same one with paddle and vest for $250. It's the coleman "frenzy" I think. Anywho, I'm sure midtnkayakangler will come in with much more knowledgeable advice. He's the king of kayak fishing here(though I think he frequently admits to his wief being the better angler )

[Travis C.]

I am wanting to get into kayak fishing as well. I will actually have one to test out this weekend and keep it for a while. It is a sit-on, I think I'll be better off on a sit-in. But still in the gathering info stages on both.

Here is a link to another alternative.

http://web.me.com/imaginesurf/eng/rapidfire.html

Here is one guys review of it from another forum. (Mike's forum TK)

http://trophyfishingtn.com/smf/index.php?topic=5857.0


Here is another brands version with brace to lean on and integrated Yeti attachments.

http://www.boteboard.com/

What type of water are you going to fish most often? Lakes? Rivers? Both?

[txnative]

Travis,

I'm hitting the caney saturday night. If you wanna join me, i'll bring both of my kayaks so you can try out kayak fishing.


Chris

[Doc Marshall]

I almost exclusively fish lakes, though I'm open to some river fishing.

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by txnative

Travis,

I'm hitting the caney saturday night. If you wanna join me, i'll bring both of my kayaks so you can try out kayak fishing.


Chris

My computer is jacked up. I tried to post a reply three stinkin times already.

I can't this weekend man. I told my better half I'd stay close to home. Sunday morning I am gonna slide out to a small local lake for some bassin a couple hours.

Check your PMs

[Alphahawk]

Originally Posted by Doc Marshall

I want to get a fishing kayak but I have zero idea where to start.

Unfortunately, I get low back pain. I know there are some kayaks where you can stand for a bit if needed. Can anyone recommend a good kayak for this?

Basically, I have a Toyota Camry and it isn't suitable for pulling even a small jon boat. I figure a kayak that allows me to stand occasionally would be an excellent compromise.

Any suggestions with regard to brands etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Try out several before you make a decision on which one to buy. The Coosa is very comfortable and has a lot of nice features. The seat in it is great....and it is very stable. The Native line also has great seats. The seat on their SUP is awesome....also a stable platform. Feel Free makes a Yak called the Moken 10 Angler that is a pretty good boat. If I can stand in a Native SUP anyone can....but standing in any kayak or SUP is not for overweight or older folks such as myself. I think most folks can do it to get a little stretch or relief from sitting for so long but I can't see myself fishing standing in one for more than a couple of casts.

Regards

[Reel Tune]

Thanks for the kind words Adough, but there are some great anglers on here. I can't say kayak fisherman, bank fisherman, canoe fisherman, or boat fisherman. If someone can fish they can fish no matter what kind of vessel you are using. I could take a good boat, or bank angler out in a kayak and they could do well even though it might be out of their comfort zone, or I could hop on a boat and do just fine. I choose to fish out of a kayak, because I enjoy stalking fish, the excitement of catching a big fish on a small craft, or utilizing this craft to get to places where you cannot on foot, or by larger boat. I like the stealthy ness, maneuverability, and ease of loading and unloading that a kayak gives me. It's light enough where I can drag or carry it a mile if needed to remote locations. The kayak is a tool I use to find and catch fish, it's like some people prefer a spinning rod to a baitcaster, v-hull to a flat bottom it's just the tool that I choose to use.


Now, Doc
There are many different manufacturers out there that are great. Some of the best are Wilderness Systems, Jackson, Hobie, Ocean Kayak, and Native Kayaks. Now you mention that you have lower back issues so mobility and comfort are going to be the most important things for you. Next I may ask what kind of waters do you mainly fish whether it be larger lakes, rivers, small ponds, or creeks.

I don't recommend standing in any kayak right away it takes time. You must get used to the boat at first and know what it will and will not do. Some of the better kayak for standing are Jackson Coosa, Wilderness Systems Ride 135, and 115, Commander 120, and 140, Native Ultimate 14.5, and Hobie Pro Angler.

The best seats out there are on the Jackson, Ultimates, and Hobie Pro Angler they all give great posture pedic support and also give you great standing platforms, but are all different kayaks for different uses.

We have a 4cyl Honda Accord that we car top two kayaks with. With the gas prices the way they are the Silverado sits in the driveway unless we are taking the trailer when we are doing shuttles with others. The good thing about smaller crafts is that you don't need a big truck to move them with and most are less than 70lbs so picking them up or dragging them is no big deal.

The link that Adough gave you is a great resource. Every moth we have on-line challenges that pay out a couple thousand dollars in merchandise, and at the end of the year the Angler of the year gets somewhere around $20,000. It's a great place to learn about kayaks, and what you can do to your kayak to make it more fishable. You can learn about the latest and greatest gear also. There are several people from the area on there where you can get together and fish with other kayak anglers in your area, or travel to other areas and fish with other people.

My preference is a Sit-On-Top kayak, because I like my legs to get sun, I enjoying being able to hop out easily, I like the ability to customize how I want it, I like being able to carry lots of gear, and I like being able to get back in easily if I decide to get out.

If you would like to get out and see what it’s like to be on a kayak I’d be willing to let you try a few out.

I own two Native boats. I would endorse the Ultimate series for lakes and gentle rivers. The seat is tops, lots of storage and easy to stand in. Downside is no scuppers and I have no idea where they are sold here in TN. The 12' is easily car topped, the 14 slightly less so.

Overall the best advice has been given, try before you buy. I would offer a demo but my boats are in FL at the moment.

[Doc Marshall]

MidTNKayakAngler,

Thanks for all the suggestions. I actually may take you up on your offer. I'd been considering the Coosa, but can't justify dropping the money until I've at least tried it out. I will PM you.

I think being able to stand periodically will help enormously. Also, I plan to maybe sign up for some kayak lessons, so I learn the correct form. And learning to tie it onto my car is something I really want to know cold.

My wife is also dying to get into kayaking and this may pave the way.

Thanks to all who made suggestions.

Doc

[Reel Tune]

I sent you a PM Doc. Hopefully I can get you on the water soon.

[TNtransplant08]

Doc Marshall- if you're looking for a Mahal that has comfortable seats and you can stand in, you may also want to look at the Freedom hawk kayak. The kayak comes with a casting brace that you can lean on when standing and casting. It folds to the deck when you are sitting and not using it. Also its biggest feature is its rear outrigger system. It folds out when you want to stand for stability. They came out with a new seat that is suppose to be much more comfortable.

Now on the downside it is probably not as quick on the water or turn as quickly as other kayaks. It also has no rudder making it more difficult to maneuver in windy conditions. I am in the process of researching for my first kayak myself and this is one that I am looking at. Thought I'd let you know about this option.

[Alphahawk]

Originally Posted by TNtransplant08

Doc Marshall- if you're looking for a Mahal that has comfortable seats and you can stand in, you may also want to look at the Freedom hawk kayak. The kayak comes with a casting brace that you can lean on when standing and casting. It folds to the deck when you are sitting and not using it. Also its biggest feature is its rear outrigger system. It folds out when you want to stand for stability. They came out with a new seat that is suppose to be much more comfortable.

Now on the downside it is probably not as quick on the water or turn as quickly as other kayaks. It also has no rudder making it more difficult to maneuver in windy conditions. I am in the process of researching for my first kayak myself and this is one that I am looking at. Thought I'd let you know about this option.

I am getting ready to purchase my first kayak also and it is going to be the Coosa. I have the car rack...paddle...dry bags...chain....in short I have all I need except the kayak. I bum a ride from my nephew when I want to go...he has 5 and if I am nice I get to use the Native Ultimate. I will be buying two as I want my son to go along with me and he is just too cheap so I will just get two. But the second one will be the Feel Free Moken 10 Angler. I just moved into a house from an apt on the square in Columbia and I had to walk up 49 steps and no way was I going to carry a kayak up those steps. I did a lot of research on this and I strongly suggest anyone buying do the same and take a day trip in what you think you might buy.


Regards

[TNtransplant08]

Fly south in Nashville carry the freedom hawk and they will let you try out their demo 'yak.