Could use a little kayak guidance

[Pinwheeled]

I finally had the chance to spend some time fishing in a kayak this past weekend. Myself and a few friends fished the Caney from the Dam all the way down to Gordonsville. It was a great trip and I honestly lost count of how many trout I caught. I'm no trout fisherman at all but I'm pretty confident I caught 25-30 myself and some of the other guys caught far more than I did. I even managed to land and release a 19" Brown and lost a couple of really nice Walleyes right at the boat. Before going on this trip, I honestly didn't expect to like fishing out of a yak. I was completely wrong. Now I don't own a kayak so I had to rent one from Caney Fork Outdoors. They put me in a Jackson Coosa. I was really impressed with how comfortable that boat was to fish out of.

After this past weekend, I talked myself in to getting a yak for a number of reasons. Mainly, I really want to start fishing some of the kayak bass tournaments. I love tournament fishing but it's just a huge money pit. I figured kayak tournaments still give you the competition and time constraint aspects without the ridiculous expenses of bass boat maintenance and fuel.

I started looking at kayaks as soon as I got home. I want to buy locally from Hook1 so I've limited my search to what they carry. I think I've narrowed my search down to a few options but I have a few questions. The boats that I think would really fit what I'm looking for are the Ride115, Lure10, and Tarpon100. I'm just looking for a fairly stable kayak that is easy to transport by myself and tracks fairly well in the water. I'm not concerned about large amounts of storage as I pack light and felt like the Coosa had far more than I would ever use. I've read tons of reviews on all of these and have yet to read a bad word. The only thing hanging me up is the seats. My favorite thing about the Jackson was the elevated seat option. That was a night and day difference for me. For that reason, I'm leaning toward the Lure10 or the Ride115 with elevated seat. However, based just on the layout, I like the Tarpon100 the best out of these three. Its just simple, compact, and the price doesn't hurt either. Is there a way to elevate the seat on the Tarpon to mimic that feel? Or would I be better off going with the Lure or Ride that have that option? Are they that much better of a boat to justify the roughly $300 jump in price?

I'm going to try and make it to Hook1 this weekend and test a few out if they are open. I was hoping maybe I could get a little insight here so that I have a better idea when I go to see them. Any input you guys might have is appreciated.

[MNfisher]

Glad you had a great trip! The Caney is great!


Mike

[Alphahawk]

HOOK1 will steer you toward the right kayak for you. Being able to have an elevated seat does make a big difference. I own a Coosa and a Big Game Prowler II. The BG II is the first kayak I have been in where I am able to use the seat in the elevated position without feeling I will flip the kayak....but I am a big guy and the BG II is a big boat. I had a Ride 115 with the elevated seat....it is not technically a "high seat" as other models. I absolutely loved the Ride 115....but the comfort was not there in the seat for me. I much prefer the lawn chair type seats. A new seat is coming out for the Ride early fall time frame according to some blogs I have seen. I liked that kayak so much that with their new seat I could see myself getting another one. I don't have any one brand I prefer over the other....just as long as it is a well made boat. My advice to anyone getting a kayak is comfort...comfort......comfort. Many on here are much more suited to give you more advice on choosing a boat. But my thinking is that if you are not comfortable in a kayak you will not use it. A word of caution on the Coosa. While I like my Coosa on the river it is horrible used on flat water...lakes. It will spin like a top even in a small breeze. HOOK1 is the place to go to get yourself in the right kayak. They have a lot to choose from and the expertise to help you get the right kayak for you.



Regards

[bfish]

JMO but you will want more speed for tournaments, go with a longer kayaks. Such as Ride 135, Jackson Kilroy etc. Nothing wrong with your choices, but a larger boat will allow you cover more water, which IMO is important in the short format that most tournaments have.

[jad2t]

I know you see us all the time mentioning HOOK1 and there's a reason for that. I can't say enough of how great the crew is over there. Knowledgeable, friendly, and won't pressure you into buying the more expensive yak. They'll discuss what kind of fishing you'll be doing and tell you what model(s) work best. They'll even drive you out to Old Hickory with a kayak you want to demo and let you paddle/fish from it for a few hours.

I did that and within an hour I knew I wanted to buy my Ride 115. The only downside to the Tarpon over the Ride or Lure is stability. Not that it isn't stable, but you won't have quite the standing capability on that one as you will in the Lure or Ride. I stand in my Ride and fish about 90% of the time I'm in it. You won't worry at all about flipping it.

As far as Jacksons go, I think they're a bit pricey. They're great kayaks, no doubt about it, but they're expensive. If you can find a used one somewhere, definitely look into it. Craigslist is good place to check. Another downside to them is the only place I know of that sells them is in Cookeville and they'll charge you 50 bucks to demo one. That immediately turned me away. Car dealerships don't charge you to test drive a car so why pay to test paddle a kayak?

However, several of the anglers that show up to the kayak tournaments fish out of Jackson yaks so maybe come one night, meet a bunch of us, and if you get there before or after the event I'm sure they'll let you take their yak out for a quick paddle. I'll let you paddle mine around if you want.

[Travis C.]

No reason to say it again as everyone has about Hook1.

But I can speak to the Lure for you as a first time standing in one. I fish out of a seated position in my Kingfish and Chris (txnative) let me check out the Lure Saturday night. I have never stood in a kayak before getting in his boat. Going from seated in the high position which my knees were about at a 90 angle while paddling to stand was easy. It's so wide that it felt like I was standing on the front deck of my bass boat. Then sitting down was a matter of just sitting no real balancing act. The seat was very comfy as well.

This is just my observation from this weekend not trying to put you in a Lure. Try out as many as you can to get what fits you and your comfort level.

[outback fisher]

I have a jackson kilroy and in my opinion it the most comfortable kayak I've had so far. I had a hobie outback and a native ultimate ( which is like sitting in a recliner) but the kilroy is a lot easier paddling and faster. Found it on craigslist for $800 maybe caney fork outfitters could let you test out several different Jackson's there because the jackson yaks is about as local as they come since they are made in Sparta tn

[browntrout]

I am of the odd bunch and I really like the Native line of kayaks. (Hook1 carries them also) I have the slayer propel and I love it. It opens up all kinds of different avenues for fishing. It is a little on the big side but is still manageable by 1 person. Try some of the Natives out when you are doing your testing, I think you will be impressed. They are noted for having one of the most comfortable seats around and I can attest to that!!!

Roy

[tennesseekeith]

I got my new kayak a few weeks ago. I was like you. Didn't know what I wanted. I had a list like yours. The lure, the ride 115x, ride 135, & old town p13. I wanted to stay in the 10' to 12' boat. After talking with them at Hook1. I brought home the ride 115x. The 115x has that removable console. I got it with the high seat. Love my new kayak. Fit in my little truck. I think the ride 135 would be a little faster. But I'm in no race.
Best thing to do is talk with hook1 and others. AND TEST PADDLE ALL OF THEM you looking at.

[TNtroller]

I've got a Ride 115 with the low seat, have not tried out the elevated seat option but mine can be retro-fitted if desired. Elevated seat option is $150, but I don't use my 115 enough to justify the expense at this time. You can stand in the 115, I installed a "pull strap" to help me get up to the standing position, by installing an eye bolt in the front of the cockpit and attach a nylon web dog leash to the eye bolt. Very easy to do, minimal cost/weight.

You should test paddle all the ones on your radar before you buy imo.

[Pinwheeled]

Appreciate all the input guys. Some good stuff here.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Reel Tune]

My name is Jeremy and some say I have a problem. I just call it a fishing addiction. The most economical way for me to get on the water and especially take advantage of skinny waters is by kayak.

Of the 3 kayaks you mentioned the Tarpon 100 does not have an elevated seat, or what I would call suitable for standing. I've spent some time in the Ride 115 and liked the speed of the Ride 135 although no fast, it was faster and more efficient than the Ride 115. The Ride has a new height adjustable type lawn chair style seat that will be available soon. Like others have said Jackson, Native, and Feel Free also make good boats. Wilderness and Jackson are make in the USA, and I think Native is also, but not sure of Feel Free if that matters to you.

I would paddle everything you can get your hands on.

[MPD816]

If you are interested in a Jackson, give Joel a call at Caney Fork Outfitters. he will let you demo a boat and it will not cost you anything. They are really good folks. I have 3 Jacksons myself. Well I have the Big Rig (cause I'm fat and it's really stable) the wife has the cuda 12 that she loves to fish out of and my 12 yr old has a cruise 10. Like many have said before me, COMFORT, is the most important feature you will want. You can buy a cheap kayak and spend money on comfort add-ons and still pull them over the side. The most fun in having a kayak is customizing it the way you like it. I would suggest a leaning post if you are going to do alot of standing. You can buy one for about $170 or you can buy some conduit and make one for about $10. They help alot. I will get off my soap box now and just suggest you get a really comfortable seat in whatever you decide. Good luck to you and hopefully see you on the Caney sometime.