I am 6ft 4in, 230lbs.., and seeking my first Kayak...

Was curious to which Kayak would fit my long leg comfortably..

Appreciate any feed back on recommendations there..

Mo

That is only one thing to consider with your size, but the most important is what is the weight limit of the kayak you are interested in.
Remember you have to also take into consideration the weight of your gear plus your own weight.
I would highly recommend something in the 400# plus range, probably something not less that 13' with you leg length.
Probably one of the biggest mistakes people make with their first kayak.
Lot of good entry level kayaks out there, but unless you weight 150# they won't fit someone your size and weight.

I'm pretty close to your size and have not been in any sit on top kayaks 12 foot and longer that I've had issues with leg room. Leg room won't be much of an issue but you need to pay attention to weight limits. At 230# you don't want a kayak with a weight capacity of 300#. I don't like fishing out of a watercraft that I'm pushing the limit on. You'll want to take out a cooler and other gear when you go.

Give us a little more info and we can narrow it down some. What's your budget? Do you want to paddle, pedal, or both? Do you want to stand in it or just stay seated? What kind of waters do you plan to fish and how much gear do you want to carry?

Todd,

My budget is 1k.
Not sure if I want to paddle or pedal yet... I am thinking pedal might be easier for me... as I like to have both hands on my rod and reel.
I might would want to stay seated... if the seat is comfortable enough... I would mainly like to fish some small ponds, and maybe some small creeks on some lakes... and I would carry small amount of tackle.. 3 rods max and small bag of plastics, hooks and weights, with some top water depending on the weather.. and then I would need to cooler.. built in or me bringing a portable one...
My budget is a little flexible... because depending on the size of the yak, I might would need to buy a trailer too... since I have a short bed truck.

This is my first yak.. so thank you for taking the time to answer my inquiry...

I would need to find some waters to take it on.. so if you guys know of some descent ponds and stuff.. that would be great too..

Mo

Just FYI...I am 6'4", and about 200 pounds. I've been fishing out of the Old Town Predator 13 for 2 years now, and it has plenty of room for me. It will hold a little over 400 pounds:

https://www.oldtowncanoe.com/Predator_13/

You will not be able to pedal on a 1k budget.

Here is a fair price on Craigslist for a used Predator 13. Bet you could get it for less than asking and has cart. Get a bed extender for your 1/2 ton and be good to go.

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/6160358606.html

You and I are the same size. I love my Jackson Big Rig.

Its a 2014 I got it used about 18 months ago for $1100 and that was a very good deal considering the guy had used it twice. (he then had a heart attack and had to let it go). I did have to drive to Houston from DFW to get it but that price and condition and he had a lot of extras included, was worth it.

Its very roomy for a big guy. Stable as heck. You can stand up to fish, or throw a net, or take a leak, whatever. Lots of room for your gear. Well laid out. For sure you need a rudder on it. Mine came with one, for the first trips I did not use it. Once I started using it, and figured out the proper way to use it lol it made the paddling much easier.

Its not fast. You wont win any races in it. But thats not what its for. It is on the heavy end. But you know, those little 10 foot fast yaks are made for little guys who could not load a #130 yak on their own.

You will need a bed extender since you have a short bed. My truck is a long bed so with the tailgate down I am good to go.

Dont forget to budget in a GOOD paddle and life jacket. A good paddle (hint will be over $100 and likely over $150) makes a huge difference.

As someone had mentioned, you likely wont be pedaling for $1000. A Big Rig would be hard to find for a grand. Keep your eyes out you will find something.

If you want to test out mine youre welcome to pick it up at my place and take it out for a paddle, see if its something you want to purse.

That is a good deal.

If $1k is your budget for everything (paddle, pfd, and kayak) then check out Ascend kayaks from BPS.

You can get a 128T for $850 or a slightly smaller 12T for $650 which will leave you room for a quality paddle and PDF. Both of these kayaks should be fairly comfortable for your height as I am 6'2" and enjoyed my 12T when I had it. I sold it and bought an Ascend H12, but I would not recommend that style to a beginner kayak angler as it can sink.

A good paddle and a functional/safe PFD is key to enjoying kayak fishing. If you find a more expensive kayak and are forced to buy a cheap paddle you'll be wanting to upgrade in the future (which is completely fine, it's what I had to do).

Ascend 12T

Ascend 128T

A Vibe SeaGhost 130 would be my next recommendation. They are very good for the money as well and come with a paddle. Russ Whitesides of Cowtown Kayak can probably get you setup with a demo of the SeaGhost 130 so you can try before you buy.

Vibe Kayaks Sea Ghost 130 Angler Kayak Package

No need for a trailer. Just get a bed extender and a red 1' x 1' red flag. 1K budget that's flexible can get you several paddle kayak options and as mentioned you'll need a paddle and Personal Flotation Device. I always recommend demoing kayaks first. For some including me 1K is a lot of money and should not be thrown at some other guys opinion of a good kayak. Being an ambassador for Mariner Sails has given me the opportunity to try a lot of kayaks. More times than not I've thought a kayak looked and sounded awesome to find out it was not what I thought. If you're going to be spending hours sitting in something and paddling it around for miles, you want it to be comfortable. Seats, the layout of the deck, foot pegs, how it paddles, is it a wet or dry ride all factor in and should be tested by YOU to decide if its a fit. Demo before you buy!!! It's free! I'm not employed by Mariner Sails and get nothing out of a sale. I'm just trying to help you spend your money wisely. Look at the Web site and you can see several in your price range then ask what deals they have going or discounts they might have.

Contact Adrian at Mariner Sails and he can set you up with several kayaks to demo. It's a free, no pressure time for you to find out if its for you, what you're looking for in a kayak, and then you can go from there. Be sure to bring a rod so you can get the feel of casting from them. Warning! Kayak fishing is addicting!

I like speed and fish in open water, if I weighed #230 I would buy something at least 15' long. If you have a place to store it and a way to transport it that's the way to go. I have a WS ride135 or 13.5" and it's too slow. I'm talking for paddling. I'm 6'4 too but am quite a bit heavier and the ws ride135 fits me like a glove

Here are a few good ones that I'm familiar with that would work for you: There are a lot of great deals if you willing to drive down to Houston.

https://houston.craigslist.org/spo/6151966048.html The icebox/fish storage pod was designed for this kayak.. over $300 for it alone

https://houston.craigslist.org/boa/6163812412.html Wilderness Ride 135 as mentioned by others

https://houston.craigslist.org/boa/6167208512.html Good company, comfy seat, fast kayak

https://houston.craigslist.org/boa/6164614172.html Jim Samons Signature kayak from Jackson Kayaks, that is a bargain.

https://houston.craigslist.org/boa/6131549790.html These were the bomb years ago, now discontinued. Its actually called a Bimini 15, no such thing as a Bimini 16. Almost bought one myself when they first came out... went with it's little brother the Perception Illusion. Both very low wind profile and rockets. At the time and maybe still one of the largest front hatches for in hull storage.

https://houston.craigslist.org/boa/6103853669.html Another Manta Ray from Native. These kayaks are much more popular on the east coast. I like em.

Find one you like and get to fishing. I really enjoyed shopping for you.

I'd snatch up that ultra.

When I check craigslist near any major coastal city, the used kayak deals make me drool. Here i one of the best deals I've ever seen. Someone doesn't know what they have or would be asking a lot more for it. I doubt its still available.

https://houston.craigslist.org/boa/6167059254.html