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Dec 30th, 2023
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 Good first kayak?
#11385334
02/02/16 04:02 AM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 149
DancesWithSquirrels
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 149 |
Hello, I am thinking of expanding my fishing capabilities by buying a kayak. I've always fished from the shore, so this will be a new aspect. Does anyone know of any good ideas in buying a first kayak for fishing? Qualities like length? Price?
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Re: Good first kayak?
[Re: DancesWithSquirrels]
#11385352
02/02/16 04:12 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 16,495
Magged Out
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 16,495 |
Test paddle a couple before you buy.
Good time of the year for some deals. Trying to move all the 2015 models.
I'd Tack That!!
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Re: Good first kayak?
[Re: DancesWithSquirrels]
#11385475
02/02/16 06:30 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,543
pelican
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,543 |
Post this in the Kayak fishing section, you'll get a few opinions.
 I've never been good, But I've been Lucky! I don't Lie or Exaggerate, but sometimes I remember BIG!
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 Re: Good first kayak?
[Re: pelican]
#11385754
02/02/16 02:25 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,111
Jamoke
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,111 |
I couldn't agree more on test 1rst. You absolutely will know when you get in the Kayak if it is right for you. When I bought mine there was a day where I was able to try out 50 kayaks in Austin. Many venders were there with many choices. Once I knew which one I liked, I bought it used. Couldn't be happier!! GL.
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Re: Good first kayak?
[Re: DancesWithSquirrels]
#11386887
02/02/16 08:31 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 97
JdDurango
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 97 |
Hello, I am thinking of expanding my fishing capabilities by buying a kayak. I've always fished from the shore, so this will be a new aspect. Does anyone know of any good ideas in buying a first kayak for fishing? Qualities like length? Price? Diablo Amigo
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Re: Good first kayak?
[Re: Magged Out]
#11386897
02/02/16 08:34 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 49,581
TreeBass
Lt. Dan
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Lt. Dan
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 49,581 |
Test paddle a couple before you buy.
Good time of the year for some deals. Trying to move all the 2015 models. ^^ this is great advice
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Re: Good first kayak?
[Re: DancesWithSquirrels]
#11386933
02/02/16 08:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 325
Searsay
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 325 |
Try and go beyond just a paddle test - see if you can find some people who you can go out with and fish for a few hours (we have a number of friendly people on the forums as well as a few people who do guiding)
I've had a few friends who went fishing... decided they loved it and ended up budgeting more than they were expecting to - so they could get the nicer kayak. I've also had a few friends who LOVE kayaking... but hate kayak fishing (after they tried it) and ended up going for something else fishing wise.
You do get what you pay for - a cheaper kayak is usually less durable and fewer options (but sometimes that is what you want - simple)
Good luck!
Last edited by Searsay; 02/02/16 08:48 PM.
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Re: Good first kayak?
[Re: DancesWithSquirrels]
#11387131
02/02/16 09:50 PM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,560
HERROUTDOORS
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,560 |
Kayak owners are opinionated and you will get a thousand reasons why they bought theirs. Try before you buy.
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Re: Good first kayak?
[Re: Magged Out]
#11387354
02/02/16 11:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 766
yakintime
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 766 |
Test paddle a couple before you buy.
Good time of the year for some deals. Trying to move all the 2015 models. I'm also in agreement with this. You'll get a lot of opinions but yours will be the most valuable to you. There are lots of factors that go into a good decision and some of them have to do with your experience, size and usage. I see you are in Carrollton, we are near I35 and Royal Lane at I35 and Merrill Rd, see our website for directions, and we offer demos here in Dallas. I'd like to invite you to visit our store and look over our large selection of fishing kayaks to determine if you are interested in giving any a try. We can set up a demo and then you'll have some hands on experience! Aris
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Re: Good first kayak?
[Re: DancesWithSquirrels]
#11387801
02/03/16 02:18 AM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 29
darjeeling
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 29 |
I would start by thinking if I wanted to pedal vs paddle. And along those line how heavy of a yak do you want to mess with. Heavy kayaks make it more work to get on the water but will make up for it with options and stability. Imo.  oh yeah and do some testing as well.
Last edited by darjeeling; 02/03/16 02:18 AM.
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Re: Good first kayak?
[Re: DancesWithSquirrels]
#11387877
02/03/16 02:50 AM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 984
The Black Hammer
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 984 |
Yes, demo, demo, demo. Mariner Sails is a great place to start, plus you will have a huge selection of kayaks to look at hands on. Also know your budget because you will most likely need at the very least a PFD and a Paddle. If you find one you really like feel free to post on here to see if anyone has that kayak as a spare that you can tag along with and fish out of one day. You'll be surprised, this is a bunch of really nice folks who just wants everyone to be able to get out and have fun, catch some fish, and be safe.
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Re: Good first kayak?
[Re: DancesWithSquirrels]
#11388721
02/03/16 04:29 PM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 40,723
CCTX
mapquest
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mapquest
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 40,723 |
Agree with demo, but I don't think you really know what you want out of a kayak without six months or so on the water experience.
For your first kayak; I'd get a cheap, relatively light kayak that is safe for your weight + gear capacity. Experiment with it, do a bunch of DIY mods, take it to multiple different lakes with different fishing conditions.
You will make mistakes with your first kayak; might even not like kayak fishing after a few months; you will find out where and how you like to fish from a kayak. Might as well make these mistakes with a cheap kayak.
Then, after six months or a year; consider buying a more expensive kayak based on your experience. You might end up keeping your lighter, cheap kayak for rivers/shallow water/difficult access/ heavy vegetation waters and using your more expensive kayak for bigger waters.
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Re: Good first kayak?
[Re: CCTX]
#11388794
02/03/16 04:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,006
HeavyLead
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,006 |
Agree with demo, but I don't think you really know what you want out of a kayak without six months or so on the water experience.
For your first kayak; I'd get a cheap, relatively light kayak that is safe for your weight + gear capacity. Experiment with it, do a bunch of DIY mods, take it to multiple different lakes with different fishing conditions.
You will make mistakes with your first kayak; might even not like kayak fishing after a few months; you will find out where and how you like to fish from a kayak. Might as well make these mistakes with a cheap kayak.
Then, after six months or a year; consider buying a more expensive kayak based on your experience. You might end up keeping your lighter, cheap kayak for rivers/shallow water/difficult access/ heavy vegetation waters and using your more expensive kayak for bigger waters. I agree with this. Definitely make an educated decision about what kind of fishing you'll be doing and what kind of kayak will work best for that. Go cheap, and more specifically, go used. You'll get way more yak for your money if you buy used. Then after you spend a good amount of time on the water, you'll actually know what you want. A lot of people don't know how they'll actually end up using the kayak. It's hard to imagine if you've spent your whole life stuck on the bank. Someone might be blown away with the stability of a particular yak at a demo, but end up really disappointed with the lack of speed if they end up chasing whites and hybrids on open water.
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Re: Good first kayak?
[Re: DancesWithSquirrels]
#11388884
02/03/16 05:34 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 151
BayouFennec
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 151 |
i bought an old Tarpon 100 off of craigslist for my first kayak. didn't want to spend too much until i knew i was hooked (i am). added rod holders, light, anchor trolley. learned a bunch about setting up the kayak. now that i know i'm in i'll look for a new kayak probably one of the Diablo yaks. i'll keep the Tarpon as a 'buddy yak'.
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