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New guy (Oh no!). New kayak. I've done some research. #10852703 05/18/15 04:37 PM
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rschreck Offline OP
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Hey all. New guy to the board, new guy to kayak fishing. Heck, new guy to spin/bait cast fishing. My only fishing experience is throwing flies at trout in places like Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Moved to Texas and want to give this who bass fishing thing a shot.

Most likely will be fishing Ray Hubbard, Grapevine, and the occasional swing down to Joe Pool. I'm 6', 155 lbs. I've done some research and yes it would be awesome if I could just drop $1700+ on a Jackson Coosa HD but I kind of like my wife so I can't. I'm looking for primarily a fishing yak but want to be able to go explore a few places and not feel like I am turning a yacht. I don't need a ton of storage as I won't be doing any overnight trips. From my research, the few kayaks I am interested in are great for one, [censored] for another. One is more expensive than the other two yet the most expensive one doesn't really look like it's worth the extra money.

1) WS Tarpon 120. Yup the one that costs the most. I checked one out locally and I've heard a ton of good things about it but I can't seem to figure out why it's priced at the price point it is. From watching videos about rigging and everything, it doesn't seem like it's a really good bang for the buck. I can get a similar, cheaper model, spend $50-75 on rigging items, and have pretty much the same setup. Am I missing something in regards to the Tarpon?

The next two seem well discussed:

2) Ascend FS 12T. I've read a lot about it and everyone seems to have their opinions. The seat is great, it's nice and wide, tracks straight. Harder to turn, weak plastic in certain areas, no rocker so you're going to get wet in the chop, rod holder placement is terrible. I like the seat design but I'm a little skeptical about the all the flat spots on the deck. I don't plan on standing much so the seat seems to be a great selling point for me. The width worries me. I understand the width makes it more stable, but I'm going to assume it also makes it harder to turn and harder to get into tighter spots.

3) Perception Pescador 12. Basically an older Tarpon from what I've read. Seems like it would be great for getting in and out of places but not as stable as the Ascend. I've heard the seat is terrible and it's not exactly worth putting money into a great seat compared to the cost of the yak. Oh and I'm not exactly a fan of the storage right behind the seat. The small, circular dry storage area. Seems like it just makes it a tad bit harder to get to your fishing crate.

My budget is around $600 for the kayak itself. 8 out of 10 times when I do the comparisons I come up with the Ascend being the clear choice for what I want to do. But then one time the Pescador sneaks in the and the other time I think maybe spending the extra money on the Tarpon is the key.

Long story short, is the Tarpon worth the extra money? If it is, could you guys tell me why? I have no issues waiting another two weeks or so to up the budget and get the Tarpon but only if it's actually worth it.

Re: New guy (Oh no!). New kayak. I've done some research. [Re: rschreck] #10852738 05/18/15 04:49 PM
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Rhino68W Offline
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I have the FS12T and enjoy it. I have about 100lbs on you and have no issues turning or maneuvering into tight spots. The rod holders on this years model are in a great location unlike last years. And the deck won't warp with someone who weighs as much as you on it, it barely does with me. Great kayak for the price, and you should be able to stand on it no problem, I can at 6'2" 250#. You do get wet, but it's part of the game. I'd buy it again if given the choice. It's a lot of kayak for the money.

Re: New guy (Oh no!). New kayak. I've done some research. [Re: rschreck] #10852795 05/18/15 05:12 PM
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crabtrap Offline
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Academy is selling the Perception Pescador 12 currently for $399, same models as the WS Tarpon pre 2008. Only minimal things have been changed since then. This boat would fit you fine, do all the things you mentioned and leave plenty of coin in your pocket for add ons

Re: New guy (Oh no!). New kayak. I've done some research. [Re: rschreck] #10852813 05/18/15 05:20 PM
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J.T.69 Offline
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I have the new15 tarpon 120 and the Wife has the tarpon 100 and we really like theme! its fast if you get the nose down a touch and stable for me and I'm 260 plus gear! There was a Tarpon or two in the classifieds in the past few days!


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Re: New guy (Oh no!). New kayak. I've done some research. [Re: crabtrap] #10852828 05/18/15 05:24 PM
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Linecaster Offline
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Agreed, I have the Pescador and the price is good. The Ascend is heavier and has a nice seat. The Pescador is the Tarpon in disguise, your choice.


In the beginning God created. Gen. 1:1
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Re: New guy (Oh no!). New kayak. I've done some research. [Re: crabtrap] #10852867 05/18/15 05:40 PM
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Linecaster Offline
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Agreed as I own one (Pescador). The ascend is heavier but has a nice seat.


In the beginning God created. Gen. 1:1
All things were made by him and without him was not anything made. John 1:3
Re: New guy (Oh no!). New kayak. I've done some research. [Re: rschreck] #10853345 05/18/15 09:06 PM
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Fish ZoMbiE Offline
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At 155#s
Your gunna fit well In just about any yak.
The seat on the ascend is worth a trip to BPS. Pull It down and sit In It.
Tarpons are a lot more narrow, faster And less stable if thats your thing.
The tarpons come tricked out from factory.
The Pescador is a lot of bang for your buck at around $400.
Lots of anglers start out with one, like the sport then upgrade to a ocean, hobie, ws or jackson later.
Oths love the sport n keep their pescador because its cheap n want to keep It simple knowing what what works for them.
The koosa is more for river /creek fishing Imo. U have a lot of options. Good luck cheers


Re: New guy (Oh no!). New kayak. I've done some research. [Re: rschreck] #10853395 05/18/15 09:25 PM
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Fishgutz Offline
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The tarpons ( newer ones) are much nicer than the pescadors. Thumb lock hatches as aposed to the Tupperware style, much nicer seats, slide trax system, bigger tank well with the removal of the little and useless hatch behind the seat. Good luck

Re: New guy (Oh no!). New kayak. I've done some research. [Re: rschreck] #10853469 05/18/15 09:52 PM
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rschreck Offline OP
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Maybe I am searching the wrong classifieds but I can't seem to find the Tarpon's you guys were talking about.

Re: New guy (Oh no!). New kayak. I've done some research. [Re: rschreck] #10853560 05/18/15 10:23 PM
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passinthru Offline
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Would be hard to pass on the pescador right now if I was looking, nothing against the other 2 but on sale right now for 399 I don't think you can go wrong.

Re: New guy (Oh no!). New kayak. I've done some research. [Re: rschreck] #10854356 05/19/15 03:13 AM
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Knot at work Offline
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Whats the best budget kayak that you can stand on most of the time. Bass fishing I have to be standing up to work baits the way I like to. I enjoy flipping alot also


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Re: New guy (Oh no!). New kayak. I've done some research. [Re: rschreck] #10854555 05/19/15 08:08 AM
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Cigga Offline
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I have a pescador 12 and it is a great kayak. haven't had any problems with it and at 400 dollars, its hard to pass up.

Re: New guy (Oh no!). New kayak. I've done some research. [Re: Knot at work] #10856819 05/20/15 01:34 AM
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Rhino68W Offline
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I stand pretty easily in my FS12T. It would be even easier if I raised the seat up a little bit. But it's still pretty easy with the stock setup.

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