Hi All, Academy have this yak on sale for $400. Is this yak any good for a first ever yak? For hauling gears bank spots hopping? Thanks

It's definitely worth it at the price they're being offered at right now!

YEP!

My wife has been using hers for a year now with zero complaints. I have the Pescador 13.0 which is awesome too.

The Pescador is an older Wilderness Systems Tarpon kayak, and is an excellent first, or second kayak. Since I am more of a paddler than a fisherman, my entire fleet is made up of a variety of Sit In kayaks but I have my eye on the 14 foot Pescador at the end of the season, or if Academy has a similar sale on it as they do the 12 footer.

The $400 price is a really good price, you would be hard pressed to find a used one for that price. In fact, if you were to buy it at that price and decide that you did not like it, you would not have a problem getting your money back, if you were to sell it through Craigslist.

Thanks gents for your replies. I took wife and son to Academy to buy their running shoes, while waiting for them I browsed the ads and saw the Pescador sale... wasn't thinking about kayaking, but...

I'm pretty much a banker, I enjoy bank fishing and like to go fishing midweek days which means after a full day of work then go fishing... and quite often I felt asleep and took a short nap... am not sure if the fishing or napping that I enjoy more... falling asleep on a yak is the last thing I want to chance. So I won't do extensive fishing on the yak, most likely just scouting bank fishing spots and hauling my gears to bank fishing spots and beach my yak and fish from the bank. The pescador is the first yak that I looked at and I do have some questions. ..

I read yak choosing thread that you should only realistically only consider only 2/3 of mfr load capacity, the Pescador having 350# load capacity and I am 160#, plus 2 or three surf rods rod holders, etc , would I have trouble paddling this yak? Also, how wet would I be this yak?

Thanks

I have the 12 ft pescador kayak and really don't have any complaints. Except one. I haven't caught any big stripers/hybrid to pull me around yet. That may just be user error though. You shouldn't have any problems paddling that thing around. I am 6'2" 205 lbs carrying a lot of unnecessary gear around and I haven't had any problems paddling. Pretty stable kayak but I don't think its stable enough to stand up on like some of the reviews I have read before purchasing this kayak a year and a half ago. There are a couple of utility boxes full of lures and jigs at the bottom of Lake Texoma that will agree with me. But I am 6'2" and really dont have any balancing skill whatsoever. Maybe someone who is shorter and knows how to surf would fair much better at trying to stand on the pescador.

Thanks Cigga! Good to know that this yak paddle well when loaded and is stable enough for someone to stand on it, maybe not for 6'2"er

I don't intend to do much standing on it, maybe casting net, I'll make sure I unload first b4 go for a bait run and hopefully not for a swim.

I read that seat is low and thus will get wet, so I need to invest in a pair of dry suite or wader, yes? I'm going to need the dry suite or light waiter made for kayaking anyway because good banking days water is going to be very choppy, I figure I'm going to take on some water no matter how high my seat is... I'll go out in windy conditions but stay very close to shore or would drag yak along bank if waves are unmanageable.

Oh about big stripers, all my 10+lbers come from the bank and usually after my usually nap when either waves are pounding the shore or lake is eerily calm and quiet... that's not going to change after I get a yak.

I'm about to jump the gun on this kayak, anyone else with experience on this yak want to add something that I should know? Thanks

Well last fall i was dead set on an Ascend fs128t so I could stand and fish... I was a couple hundred short from saving up for it, so I was going to stay in my pelican for a couple of more months till I had the cash. Well, I went into Academy one day and they had a $299 sticker on the pescador, so I got a price check, and the associate said it was the right price. I jumped the gun and bought it, and figured I could get the Ascend another day. Here's my thoughts... Do I still want to try the Ascend? Yes, mainly because I'm 6'4 and like to eat, so it can be a wet ride. Do I regret my purchase? Not at all, I have enjoyed fishing out of it in every setting, wether thats a river, creek, or a big lake such as Palestine. I've caught tons of fish out of it. I'm saving up for either the Ascend, or a Jackson. I will keep the pescador to get my son started in it and to have for buddies. At $399 you better buy one, no better bang for your buck.

I wonder if this should be a sticky? This questions seems to be asked a lot.

I have one and like it a lot - I'm 6'2 and 230. I've used it in all conditions and it performs well. My only recommendation would be to plug the scupper holes for a dryer ride.

Yes, you can spend a lot more money, but I don't think you will find a better unit for the price. Get one, use it this summer and upgrade if you need more later. You could even sell it and recoup just about what you paid.

Thank you all, I decided to hold off kayaking idea for now, wife said the magic words she wouldn't feel good about me go fishing into the dark, like I often do, on a yak... plus from what I read it's hard enough dealing with boats during daylight on the water and at the ramp, at night? Definitely not a good idea.

Thanks again for all your inputs, in less than one day I could gather enough information from this forum to make an informed decision... You all are great!

I've had one for a couple years and really like it
Fish all around east Texas and spent a week in Gulf Shores this month.
Great kayak for the money in my opinion.

Saw tou decided not to get one but I have the 10ft I'm a little guy at 5'7" 155lbs so it works great for me but I do sometimes wish I had gotten the 12. No complaints except might add a cushion to the seat for a little extra comfort for my skinny (censored). Its a great kayak for the money. I also found out I can store full length rods inside the hull. Kinda cool.

That hull space is awesome! Perfect for hauling my surf rods around, all one need is some bungee cords. I have no doubt the 12'Pescador is an excellent 1st or 2nd yak, perfect for a new part timer like me. I read between lines, plenty load capacity (I'm only 160#), track well, fast enough for my scouting and perhaps occasional shallow water school fish chasing... the fact that it retain good value over time say a lot about guality and functionality of this fishing yak.

The only reason I decide to hold off the purchase is my fishing time window 4 or 5 pm to sunset, banking off my off road suv ( b4 the deluge) work well timewise, with yak not very practical at this time.