Some General Rules:
1. Paddle as many as you can before you make your purchase.
2. For best performance & safety, pay attention to weight capacity ratings.
3. A comfy Seat & Quality Paddle will help make the experience more pleasant.
4. Craigslist & Kayak Shop "Demos" are a good source to pick up used yaks at a good price.
5. Ask what other have experienced with: EXAMPLE: Pelican 116,Ocean Scrambler XT, etc. etc.
6. See what the reviews are on your choices click-> Buzzillions.com

* Some shops offer Forum members a 10%-20% discounts!

I know you asked me to provide some input and really hope we can get this thread "stickyed" so that any newbie to kayak fishing can look at it, but it really looks like you've covered the bases pretty well, FZ.
I would like to add that nobody should be afraid to buy a good quality name kayak used though because as long as you keep it in good shape you can get every bit of what you paid for it (if not more) out of it in resale.
Also when people are looking at max capacity ratings figure you need at about 100lbs more than you and your gear weight to have a nice dry ride.

Good list.

7. Go fishing several times before you start attaching accessories.
8. Consider how you're going to store/transport, longer kayaks are a little more difficult than shorter kayaks.
9. Generally speaking, longer kayaks are quicker/less maneuverable, shorter kayaks are more maneuverable/not the best for longer distances, wider kayaks are more stable/slower on the water, narrower kayaks are less stable/quicker on the water. So find your equilibrium.

Anybody want to talk intellegently about primary and secondary stability?

I had a Cobra kayak that felt like you were gonna tip over everytime you moved but you would have to fall out of the thing to actually turn it over.
The reason for this is the shape of the hull. It was a narrow v shape at the bottom and it came up and spread out wide and flat at the top right below the water line.
Because of the bouyancy of it the narrow shape at the bottom made it feel really shakey. Now if you loaded it down to capacity (I think it was like 450#) it would sit lower in the water and feel a lot less shakey.

To expand on #3, make sure you budget for this as well

10. Go to retailers web sites and look for users reviews on kayaks don't just trust the pro reviews
11. Compare boat strengths to your desired activity, if you are creek fishing a 15 foot boat designed to go beyond the breakers is not going to suit your needs
12. If you are new to the sport take someone who is experienced with you or take a paddling class rather than putting yourself at risk
13. When looking at boats make sure and take a measuring tape to check the seat, tank well and other features that will be important to your rigging and the gear you want to be able to use

Demo, demo, demo...

I am now a fan of one man and a 17 ft canoe
as handling it solo is most manly.

And I think it is better than a yak cause of the stand up stuff.


If I step into a big $$ turd I'd get a tricked out SOT !

But I am waiting for my ultimate multi rod storage / raiser seat ideas to hit the market. Actually some one is doing the seat, a flip n' raise insert.

There is no single best Yak. At least not for me. but that won't keep me from yammering on for a while.

The question is quite timely for me.
This is the first time in quite a few years I have only had one kayak in my stable and I hope that is short lived. (I do still have two cedar strip canoes, but they are more nostalgia I am afraid to admit)

Getting down to one yak has forced me to make some tough decisions and try to answer " which one will I keep?".
I have bought, used and eventually sold several yaks in the last five years just for the sake of learning a bit about this same subject and finding a better boat for a particular purpose. Then there are the rentals when fishing in Florida or Nebraska ( or numerous point in between) while I was supposed to be on job-site working. I wanted to learn first hand about what I was reading on these forums and knew that I could recover most of my money from anything I bought. I also discovered the location of most of the manufacturers close-out centers in the south also.

Yaks owned recently for two years or more (I'll list still in production only )( and that I still remember):

Pelican Castaway (1)
Heritage Fisherman Pro (1)
Hobie Outback (2)
Hobie Revolution (1)
Hobie Pro Angler (3)


Paddled ( actually fished two or more days out of )
Tarpon 140
Tarpon 160 (My favorite saltwater paddle type)
Perception Prism
Hobie Sport

What I already knew was that the "best yak" is very, very isolated,,,,, only for a particular trip, for a particular location and on that particular days weather only. The difference in wind from one day to the next would have me taking a different yak to the same location as the day before. Changing from chasing surfacing stripers / hybrids or (anything else that dwells beneath diving birds) versus catfish jugging versus crappie fishing would require even more decision making for the same water. Drifting 8 two hook spider rigs in a tourney with a 7 - 10 fish live weigh-in and 6 lbs of minnows to keep alive required me to change again drastically.

There is no single best Yak. At least not for me, but I still have to choose just one.

When life dictated I thin my fleet to one I eventually chose the Hobie Pro Angler for reasons that most would not expect.
I fish open water for several species,and most all of my yaks would do that quite well, but also really, really like the creeks for both fishing and hunting up in the grassland. Most all of them would fish open water great and track well enough for the long crossing or retreat from an advancing thunderhead. The Pro Angler will take the open water better than just fine, Pedals easier and is faster than my Outback did, but most importantly, turns in a much tighter radius. It will basically turn in its own length and is actually my creek boat that works in wind and open also. When I am hunting, I get in and out of the boat regularly and this is much easier also. You can run and jump into it with no fear of dumping.

The bad. I can carry it in the back of my truck, but still it is much better handled on a small trailer and that was exactly what I was fighting that caused me to thin the fleet,,,,,,zero storage space. Not trailering was one of the beauties of kayak fishing. I do walk it down to the water through grassy lawns regularly but I sure don't carry it on my shoulder like my cedar.

My traditional paddling kayaks held great importance in my stable as well as my heart as I have paddled for five decades before I ever heard the words "mirage drive". Even after I started pedaling instead of paddling I clung to the traditional yaks for any day that I would rather drift or chase catfish jugs and having free hands didn't really count.
I would also take them on most pleasure trips where I was doing scouting for hunts or just traveling and touring. I simply love to Paddle.

I don't fly fish so standing while in a kayak has never been a great desire except for slinging a cast net form the yak. I do very much enjoy the luxury of being able not just to stand but to casually walk around in the boat from end to end. I have put a lawn chair behind my seat and taken a full grown adult with me with no regrets other than having to share my junk food.

Obviously I am a Hobie fan as most owners are. That being admitted if the question had a low $ limit to it, I would say that you ( I ) need to find ( in order of importance to me) a GOOD TRACKING yak that is stable enough that you can turn compeletly backwards in your seat with no fear of turtling. There is simply no reason to invest in a yak without paddling it and in-fact if the water is warm turtle it in your demo. Go to the shallows and start leaning. Most of the time you will be quite surprised by the secondary stability of most modern yaks. You might feel squirrely for a minute, but when you lean over far, the added perimeter hull will add buoyancy to the needed side and hold you still..... maybe.. like I said shallow warm water. Learn the limits of the boat and yourself.

The need for good tracking simply cannot be over stated. If you spend every third stroke correcting your intended course you are not getting near the pleasure out of your yak you could be. You can add a rudder to a anything and I will always vote for that, but the yak should track and glide well without the rudder deployed. The rudder will keep you straight, but it is still spending ( read that as wasting ) the energy you just deployed to go forward.

Don't over buy in size! Bigger is not necessarily better.
Get a yak that will do all you can imagine plus some, but windage from a yak floating high and longer than needed is a monster to keep on location without adding hardware. The better fit the yak the more fun it is to paddle, store and carry.

What you do to your yak can change it's value ( usability ) and not always for the best.
Don't add hardware you don't really see an immediate need for and then keep it low and light. Just because everyone says it is cool on the forum doesn't mean you need to be hanging your landing net on it tomorrow on your yak. Then ask if you really need the landing net anyway.

I will always suggest a fish-finder as an addition no matter how inexpensive or simple. Knowing what the structure of the water is means everything even if you don't understand at first. It is the best teaching tool ever.

I have a yak designed in my mind and partially finished in my computer I hope to build eventually. It is 13-14 long and 32" wide but with a severe hourglass cross section midship. The bow is low and flush for wind and drainage. There is a lip similar to a spray skirt in front of the seating area that will shed waves that I have plowed into and through. I would rather not go over the top of everything on a long haul offshore. It does not have much initial stability, but if you lean it into the secondary float, you are carving a smooth curve like snow skiing or free-form canoe paddling. Its a hoot.

Well said Mr. Carver. There are number of good boats out there... Native and Hobie are the two that come to mind...and being biased towards Hobie because I have a Revolution and like it. I've only added an anchor trolley and one rod holder. The rest of the stuff can put in the milk crate, bungied behind the seat. Just remember to turn on a vertical axis and not a horizontal one...or you will go for an unintended swim. Finally, most reputable dealers will discount a new purchase by 10-15%. I bought mine in Austin, but there are local DFW area shops that probably will discount if you ask.

There is plenty of good advice above here.
My experience in a kayak has been only in fresh water.
The single best kayak for me is HYBRID. This is a kayak that I designed and built from scratch. It is the 4th kayak I have built. HYBRID is 14'X28" and it has it ALL, with a hull weight under 40 lbs. I realize not everybody can design and build their own kayak even if they wanted to.

If I were going to buy a kayak one of the major criteria that I would look at is weight. There are so many kayaks out there with outrageous weight numbers, and no good reason for it either. I can't see choosing a kayak that weighs 20 lbs or more extra than a similar model. In the light weight category Cobra kayaks excel. I had a Navigator for some time and caught a lot of fish from that kayak.

If I were going to buy a kayak today I would definitely want a pedal drive and in that category the Hobie Revolution excels.

Choosing a kayak that comes feature rich would be nice and in that category the Jackson Coosa excels. The adjustable seat is a feature that would be hard to beat.

Each kayak has it merits and flaws.
But this is what I would look for:
SOT
In general I want a kayak at least 12 feet long as this is the minimum for longitudinal stability
Hull weight should not exceed 50 lbs.
Pedal drive.
Lots of easy access storage.
High back seat. Soft, coiffed bottom.
Plenty of rod holders.
Bait tank with self priming fresh water intake.
Easy access cooler.
Fish finder is nice.

There is nothing like a little experience in a kayak to know whether it is good for you.

Before you buy, think long and hard about where you will use it most. This is where those trade offs are made. My first yak was an OK Scrambler. not a bad yak for a starter, but I quickly realized that it was not best suited for what I'm doing most. Paddling bigger distances over coastal flats and big N Texas lakes.

I have a Mainstream Patriot Sit in Kayak 12 Foot. It paddles great & effortlessly.
Please don't call them sinks

I chose this to duck hunt from along with fishing.
You can store much more in the "SI" . 1 time At Possum Kingdom, at daylight, I was paddling right in the middle of probably 200 Canadian Geese. They did not know I was there. Did not shoot any either, way to beautiful.

I have 2 rod holders that have actually landed fish while trolling

I have storage upfront & waterproof storage behind. I have packed enough food & liquids for a 3 day trip (rather Spartan) & carried 3 rod & reels with tackle

As i have become older & suffered a knee injury, i wish i also had a Sit on Top. I have to go to shore to get out now.

For expeditions i would never trade my Mainstream. wish i had a NICE sit in for fishing

I believe you get wgat you pay for in the boat its onself

I believe that a mid-range paddle is good enough also, i bought an expensive telescopic paddle and The River ruined it the 1st trip.

Remember, The River is hard on your equipment, so get good equipment. Nothing worse than having a spool, rod, or paddle break down on a trip you have taken your time & effort to attend.

Like Spiny said "Where will you use it?"

Just my thoughts men

SINK sink.
Just ask NaconaBrian.

NOOoooo

I kid. I kid because I love.
You crazy sit in guys look just like real es-kee-mos in the winter.

14. More pronounce (higher) bow allows you to rider waves higher (dryer, faster) in chop & surf.

15. Overnighters: Larger hatches allow you to stow & grab LARGER items below deck easier.

16. If you don't like to travel light, look at Yaks with larger cargo areas (behind the seat)
17. As well as length, a streamlined bottom means less paddling to glide through the water & better tracking.
18. Some yaks are designed to install sonar/transducers below the hull in direct contact with the water.

19. Rounder or flatter bottoms are typically easier to turn. example: white water kayaks
20. High sides (gunnels) generally = a drier ride.
21. Lower gunnels catch less wind, allow angler to sit side saddle & generally = a wetter ride.

Great stuff here. Don't think I can add anything really. I'll just reiterate that a kayak is a solid piece of mass. The laws of physics apply. Think carefully about how one kayaks physical properties, dimensions and hull shape differ from the next, then do what you can to demo them in conditions that you expect to be paddling.

For every positive quality in a yak, I can play devil's advocate and show you how it could be a negative. Hull weight under 40? Totally get why people would demand that. But remember that for production yaks, that lighter weight often translates to less plastic, which is a decent indicator of durability. Oilcanning and cracked scuppers are not the end of the world, but for me, staving off such problems is more important than the lighter weight. Wanna stand? Makes a lot of sense if you like to pitch and flip for bass. Can also help with fatigue and joint issues. Just know that your wider, higher profile yak is gonna be a chore to keep tracking well and will get pushed around a lot more when you decide to chase stripers with it in open water on Texoma with 15-20 mph winds. Wanna cover a ton of water in big wind? Your 15 footer is gonna be great for that, but trying to turn and maneuver that thing when you decide to go into that densely wooded creek for some crappie ain't gonna be easy. Peddle drive you say? I wish I had one too, believe me. But then again, my 12 foot 2 inch mr 12 cost me less than a third of that and when I take it into creeks, shallow cover, and and along oyster reefs, my shoulders might be hurting next day, but I don't have to worry about damaging that mirage drive. Don't like the idea of scuppers cracking under the weight of your ever widening, near middle-aged backside and all that gear you're now taking along? Get yourself a hybrid. They're bullet proof and stable to boot. But get a sponge and a bilge pump and keep in mind that those things can sink. Those 3 foot swells don't just suck now, they can be life-threatening. Want a higher rocker for those swells and chop? Good thinking. Just don't be too irritated when the hull slap from your boat makes those bedding bass aware of your presence while sight fishing.

It's all a tradeoff...

Someday, I'll sell my Manta and get four or five boats. A kaskazi dorado/hobie revo for long distance offshore trips, a Coosa/Commander/Pro Angler with trailer/Ultimate for river running and pitching/flipping to visible cover on small wind sheltered lakes, a Malibu II for taking my wife and or daughter along for a paddle, a Wavewalk with trolling motor to drop brushpiles, a mini x for chunking into the back of my new 4x4 Tacoma to explore unfished creeks, ponds and backwaters, and a canoe that I probably will only use to take one or two nostalgic "Goodbye to A River" style trips during my autumn years and will look great in the rafters of my luxurious man cave.

Hey, a guy can dream can't he?

It's all a trade off... This is it in a nutshell. Hull design whether it's for a yacht, a bass boat or a kayak is nothing more then a series of tradeoffs. Finding the perfect craft for every application is a fools errand.

Trade Offs Just about every kayak/hybrid looks great on the store display or laid in the grass with water beading off of it. So PADDLE AS MANY AS YOU CAN STAND before you buy. IMO 14' is too long for our creeks & rivers but fine for lakes & BTB. 13' is a good in between length. <-Compromise

22. A Rudder is a nice extra, they look cool but, are not needed/required on a PADDLE style kayak.
23. Attend a "demo day" at your local kayak shop to test the latest yaks side by side.
24. Paddle fins are a nice option for folks like "PieMoney" who have shoulder or wrist problems.
25. The right Paddle fins are nice in big or open waters but can limit you in shallow waters.
26. Remember both rudders & fins require maintenance.
27. Rudders are required on PEDDLE style kayaks. Some believe them to be a hassle when passing through or fishing shallow waters.
28. More hatches make kayak modifications easier.
29. The "more stable kayaks" start at about 31"+.
30. Most all angler kayak cockpits are laid out a little differently.

ADVISE: Invest in a nice "Paddling Jacket" or PFD (personal flotation device). It can not only save your life but WILL make the kayak experience more enjoyable.

Selecting Kayak Color:
The top manufactures offer brite colors & it's no accident.
You might ask yourself, "Why do I want to be seen?" Kayaks have a very low profile in the water. At dusk/dawn or even in the middle of a brite-n-sunny day you'll still want to be seen unless your hunting. Remember, the same no street drivin idiots own power boats. Add a few beers to the mix & it gets ridiculous especially on our METRO lakes! Not all florescent colors are easily seen. Yellow, White, Mango & Orange are highly visible against stained water. If your really secure w/ you manhood so is Pink! Orange, Red, Mango, & Yellow are highly visible for BTB.

Question: Will a brite color deter fish? Answer: NO! NOT AT ALL!!!


So what if you dont want to be seen?
Planning to Bow Hunt, Duck Hunt, Run moonshine down the river?
Sand, Green, Blue, Grey, or Camo in any of these will make you stealthy. You could always sport an orange flag, wear a brite vest or tote a white cooler for added visibility

Fish Zombie,

Thanks for all the advice. I'm hooked on getting a kayak but I need to get out and test ride a few first. What is your favorite? Remember, I fish Ray Hubbard 90 percent of the time.

My two cents - I would definitely look closely at the hobbies with mirage drive. Having the option of pedaling or paddling is a big plus. Ive had an outback for about two years and shopped around for about year before taking the plunge, so to speak. I've been real pleased with it. Just wish they came equipped with more time so I could get it out more often! I recently went to using an extend-a-bed and haul it in the back of my truck. Like this MUCH better than hauling it on top of my jeep.

By now you guys may know I am working for Diablo, so if anyone in the DFW area (I draw a pretty wide circle) wants to demo an Adios (12.5-footer) this spring, let me know. As you know they're made right here in Texas - "The Friendly State."

you guys have it covered. try before you buy.
http://www.paddling.net/buyersguide/kayakFish.html

Double Dee, PM sent bud :~)

_________________________________________________

Had paddled some before but, my 1st kayak, was a Woodsman SI (sit in) touring kayak. I bought it for $200 from a neighbor. She came with gobs of goodies too. It was a one piece kayak & even I knew I couldn't pass on that deal. It would get me out on the water, but man what a difference compared to what's available today!

Did my homework & asked as many folks & paddled as many as I could stand. Kept hearing some brands names over & over. Then Yaknyota said he guides out of Ocean Kayaks & saw they were also getting good reviews. They, among the others mentioned below were popular with the BTB (beyond the breakers) crowd. Went on vacation to Maui & saw the locals using them.

When I looked online I saw all the pros using:

Wilderness Systems Kayaks
Ocean Kayaks
Hobie Kayaks
Cobra Kayaks
Malibu Kayaks
Native Kayaks

So, I learned that these brands had been proven in the sport.
My friends, family & I have owned Perception, Wilderness Systems, Hobie, Ascend, Confluence Sports (i know, i know), Ocean, Native, Malibu, & I've paddle all but the Cobra Kayak line. But, most of the BTB guys have nothing but great things to say about them.

Remember, those 100mph bass boat drivers refer to kayak fishermen as "Speedbumps"

nice work Zombie

I guess what I've posted could be in this thread.
Anyway, here's a copy & paste of it:

I saw this kayak online:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Dragonfly-Moorea-Kayak/10910811#rr

Please share your opinion about this kayak if I plan to use it
for fishing. Thanks.

I thought the sailing option is good to go downwind.
And if I add a trolling motor, I can go back upwind.
Of course, I can always paddle to make the kayak go faster.

Too short even for a kid.
Too heavy for such a small kayak.
Capacity is only 250 lbs? Miniscule. And you want to add a trolling motor? Unless your under 100 lbs forget that.
Hard back seat. Uncomfortable
Junk Paddle.
Save your money and get something better.

Never paddled one so I couldn't tell you but I see several things about it that I wouldn't care for myself. One is the 250# max cap. Two is the length of it. Three is the hull shape. Four is the lack of storage space anywhere but right behind me. Five the paddle is carp.
In my opinion this would not make for an ideal kayak to covert into a fishing kayak.

Newb,

Our goal is to help inform/educate angler kayak buyers. I honostly could not tell you if that kayak is good or no good for you. i can tell you based on what info the link provides, that that kayak would not work for me. i have not paddled one. I also don't know your weight/height fishing grounds or even what your targeting. but im confident that if youll take the time to read through this thread a little closer, you'll find some answers to your question.

I saw some Hobie Cats at the Houston Fishing Show last week that caught my eye.

Get tired of paddling, peddle.

Cool stuff !!!

thanks butch & thanks to everyone that is helping put this thread together. If you have something to add dont be shy.

I hope this continues to be as useful source of info to many. Feel free to PM me & the others with specific questions. Don't be afraid to start a new thread. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask. We were all new to the sport at one time.

1. Demo before you buy! Nearly every yak shop offers some sort of demo days throughout the year, while some offer them much more frequently (for instance, we offer demos every day we're open). You will instantly feel the difference between 2 similar yaks even if you've never paddled in your life. Ignorance may be bliss, but test driving boats keeps you from thinking "what if?"

2. Figure out where you're going to be paddling 75% of the time and get a boat that fits that. If you're BTB 75% of the time, invest in a T-160, Trident 15 etc. For the other 25% of your paddling, rent or borrow a yak to fit that paddling style. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to try make a Coosa your BTB boat 6 times a year. Someday you'll have 3 or 4 boats that will cover all your paddling needs, but until then, focus on your main paddling area and get a boat that fits that.

3. Manufacturer capacities are ALWAYS over-estimated. If you put 600lbs (listed max capacity) in a Cobra Fish-N-Dive, you'll lose all maneuverability, speed, and stability. You will literally be paddling a $1000 yellow log. Take 2/3 of a listed capacity to find the boat's performance capacity. This will assure that you have a boat that will perform the way it was designed, which allows you to focus less on paddling and more on fishing.

4. You get what you pay for. Sure, the Pelican gets you on the water, but be patient, save up another month, and get yourself into a boat that will last. There's a reason why yak shops don't sell some brands. It may be difficult to hold off on the $299 Academy special, but getting yourself in a $500 used Trident 11 will be so worth it. Some inexpensive brands can't be repaired.

5A. Don't skimp on your paddle and life jacket. For paddles, as price goes up, weight decreases. The difference becomes apparent at the end of a day long paddling trip. There are also different blades for different applications, so try out the paddles before you buy. Most yaks shops (like us) will allow you to test drive paddles as you test drive yaks.
5B. For PFDs, as price goes up, so does comfort. Don't use a ski vest. The arm holes are too small and will rub your arms raw while paddling. Also, when you're trying on PFDs, try sitting in a boat with a similar seat to yours. Some PFDs have a lot of flotation in the back, which gets in the way of your seat. Last thing you want is a thick backed PFD making you hunch over because it doesn't fit well with your yak seat.

6. Buy at your local yak shop. Not only do we yak shops have better equipment than the box stores, but we know yaks. We're not selling running shoes, basketball goals, and BBQ grills. We know how to fit you with the right boat and accessories. We can do installations, repairs, and help you with warranty issues. We'll help you load your yak on your truck, figure out the best rack system for your car, and help give you ideas for your trailer. You may save a little bit of cash at a box store, but that price difference is made up 10-fold by the service only local yak shops can provide.

7. Answers are free. If you have a question, call a local yak shop.

I purchased one of those in my ignorance and have used it.yes it is a bit small but I wanted it for small waters however it was windy the last time out and realized I need to be careful.
I wish I had of seen all the experienced advice on this site before buying. My concern was weight, storage and portability.

Im considering buying a Kayak or Canoe for both fishing and recreation (when I take my boy out to the waters).

We got 2 major problems though:

1. We have very little room for storage
2. Cost


What options do I have?

Ive been keeping an eye on Craigslist.

Look at inflatables. The high quality ones are durable, less expensive than regular kayaks, and you can store them in a small space.

Okay thanks,

Any particular Brand (or Construction Material) I should keep an eye out for?

New to forum and kayaking.
Thanks for all the info.
Are there any of the top brand of kayaks
to watch out for as far as bad construction
design or material used.

Cobra would be the top brand as far as I am concerned although Ocean Kayak has some very good models including the Scrambler XT. Both of these brands tend to keep hull weight to the optimum.

I would avoid the Pelican brand and everything they make, because of just plain poor quality. They don't track well and they don't hold up well. Seats are built-in and of poor quality.

Almost all of the commercially made kayaks out there are made of polyethylene or a derivative thereof. Fiberglass, Kevlar or Graphite are going to be a more expensive.
Custom made wood kayaks are a beautiful and incredibly durable.
If you are looking to build a kayak there is now an option that is "ham fisted hacker" approved, that would be Styrofoam sheet construction.

A few of us around here absolutley love our Hobies, I have used a few other kayaks and now I am 100% spoiled with my outback. They make excellent fishing kayaks and if your paddling technique sucks like mine then they help make up for that too

If I wanted to buy one for fishing ponds which one should I look at first.

I'm 6'3" and 240 lbs.

Over 50 yrs old.

Have a pickup truck.

Thanks!

Under $500 ... used.

I see where discover kayak is letting everyone test out kayaks Saturday at Grapevine.

I think I will go and check it out.

They say they want $5 to park?

Do any of you know what this is about.

Thanks!

They hold the demo in one of the parks and most of the parks on G'vine require a fee now. Sadly a sign of the times.

Is there a toll booth?

$5 parking at most...they are run by the City of Grapevine.

On this kayak deal, I think I want one that I can sit inside of, instead on on top of.

Am I wrong on this ... I am going to use it to fish ponds and creeks.

You arent right or wrong. its a matter of getting what works best for your needs. Again, back to the tradeoffs thing. A SINK of equal length is lighter then a SOT. Less easy access space for gear then a SOT. much more comfortable in cold conditions then a SOT. Should you turtle, a SINK requires more time to recover since you have to bail out that water once you are back upright. It it were me, I would want one if I was having to haul it by hand to the launch and wasn't going to be carrying more then one rod and not much other gear.
For mostly ponds and creeks a small SINK would serve you well.
It WILL get hot in the summer down in that plastic.

How about the length ... 10' would be fine.

Check this out.

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/pr...w&from=grid

10 feet is perfect for creeks and ponds. You will find it wanting if you ever wanted to take it out and paddle any distance on area lakes or down at the coast.

Are you saying that it doesn't steer well?

Again, I have never had a kayak before but I have many hours on the water in bass boats.

"Tracking" would be a better term. When you paddle a kayak, you are pulling on one side then the other. This causes the kayak to track a little to the left then a little to the right even with the best of paddling technique. It's a question of leverage. Now on a long touring sea kayak like a 17 footer you wouldnt notice it. On a short ten footer you will be tracking like a snake and each stroke will waste a fair amount of energy recovering from the last stroke. On small lakes and streams, that wouldn't be a big deal but a long trip over open water can be exhausting with all that wasted energy. Add in a quartering wind and it would take all the fun out of paddling. Now some shorter kayaks can mitigate the problem a bit by sharpening the V or adding a skeg or chines but they can't erradicate it. That's just the nature of hull design. You can also help by using a high paddling stroke vs a low one. This keeps the blade closer to the hull as it passes throught the water.

I understand.

What do you think of this one? It might be more weight than I want to drag around but I am a big guy ...

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/2300229543.html

I'm not saying you can't enjoy a shorter kayak on the flats around port aransas or cruise around ray Roberts. Just saying you might enjoy something longer if you end up doing that. Tradeoffs tradeoffs tradeoffs. I could take my 14 down clear creek north of Denton but it would be a hassle any time I wanted to turn around. There is no perfect kayak for every situation or they would have designed it by now. Some folks who really get unto paddling end up with several kayaks for different situations. Just like a fisherman will have more then one rod and reel or a hunter with multiple guns. The pleasure comes from having the best performing tool for the job at hand.

While I agree with Spiney that SINK vs SOT is really a trade study depending on what you intend to do with the kayak, I can say that of the dozen or so yak anglers I fish with, all of them have SOT kayaks. Coincidence?

Thanks for the advice.

Here we go ... how about this one?

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/2305919731.html

The only advantage I see is casting, but I can cast just fine so I don't see the advantage.

I would think you would get more wet using a SOT kayak.

Is that not true?

Yes, you will get more wet on a SOT. But in summer this isn't a factor, and in the winter time, you wear waders. The advantages of SOT: easier to get in and out (for wade or bank fishing); you can fish from diferent positions more easily; more space to stow equipment; not as hot in summer.

9 of 10 angling yakkers have SOTs. There's probably a good reason for that.

All that said, it sounds like you want a SINK. So just get one.

Can't dangle your feet in a sink

im in northwest houston near memorial city mall. whats a good kayak shop near me?

Southwest Paddlesports is located in The Woodlands. There's also FTU, Austin Canoe & Kayak and Creative Feather.

I don't know why people keep bringing up Pelican kayaks. Try just about anything else and you will wonder why they are still in business.

I fish rivers and lakes and would not consider any kayak under 11'6", especially for trolling, my favorite kind of fishing.

I have done it and have seen people do it but I don't understand why any fisherman would prefer a SINK over a SOT. Another thing you can't do in a SINK, put fish in the cooler behind you!

You get wet and your stuff is inside the yak.

Sit on top and get wet and stand the chance of losing a $200 rod and reel with one screwup.

That sounds like a good argument to me.

I fish all day even in wind and the only thing that gets wet is my feet when I climb into the kayak and when I side saddle to put a fish in the cooler. Now if someone were in a dinky overloaded SOT wet might be a problem. And having my stuff inside the kayak is a good thing.

Why is that different with a SINK? Lose an untethered rod overboard it is gone either way. My son flipped my Navigator last summer. Nothing was lost because it was either inside or tethered.

Turn a SINK over and everything is wet, and good luck getting a SINK right side up and the water out, assuming you don't drown in the process. I'll take the SOT on every item you mention, thankyou.

If you put floats on your rods they will float. It cost maybe a $1 per rod, and works great.

The bottom line is it's a personal choice. Try both, and you decide which one you like more.

Or buy both, and see which one you take out more .

I would think if you're in a sink and it turtles unless you know how to right you self your going to bail out of it and then turn it up right. You would still loose a lot of your stuff. I turtled my sot at the GTG racing it backward in 3 feet of water. It didn't take 3 second to flip it back and get back in it. If I was in a sink I would have to go back to shore to get back in it.

Here's one a mechanical paddle kayak.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0L8hR2sY0U&feature=related

The only time I would want a sink was in white water.

As for fishing SOTs, I wouldn't go shorter than 12' if you are average build of 5'10 and 180-200. It won't track well, and it will get topheavy if you overload it.

If you are buying for the first time, pay attention to the seat. It is the most important additional piece to the kayak.

You have probably seen yakinYota do it, but it is really hard to paddle a tandem with one person. And don't ever plan to have two people fish out of a tandem kayak.

In the next year, I will be upgading my fleet to a stealth (me) and a 12' ultimate (wife).

http://www.feelfreekayak.com/products/moken12-angler/

these look pretty sweet.dont think any dealers in dallas area.

The Moken 12 Angler is a little narrow at 29", and heavy at 72.7 lbs.
I really don't care for the rear wheel, pretty much useless as far as I can see.
Built in seat back is too short for me.
Much too expensive at 828 bucks. ($916.39 with tax and shipping)
However if you really want one it is available from ACK.

without a demo we have no idea if that wheel is useless or not & im not driving to austin kayak to demo one.unless ack is a dallas dealer.

after some research, im liking the malibu x-factor for the ultimate fishing yak.looking for a used one.

hellbender,

X-factor is a good choice in my book if your fishing open water or ever think about paddling the bays, chip channels or fishing BTB Malibu has certainly made a name for themselves in the sport. Be aware that that yak is big & heavy! Exactly what a man my size would feel comfy in. Good luck in the hunt. Please let us know how you like it.


Length: 14' 4"
Weight: 62lbs.
Width: 33" (at beam)
Depth: 4.75"(from waterline)
Footrests: Deluxe Adjustable
Max. load: 625 lbs. (these 2 are pushin it)


Link to Malibu fishing kayaks: http://www.malibukayaks.com/fishing_kayaks.asp

AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...first love.

I definitely recommend rowing it before you buy it, I like a lot of things about mine but it was not a joy to row at all.

try & go duck hunting in a SOT

You mean like this?

http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/drupal/node/251

wow
how would you like paddling that around
i bet it works though

It has the Mirage drive. You peddle with your feet, not paddle with your hands. I mean, you can paddle if you need to, but the peddling is a terrific way to get around.
I have the kayak just like it(Hobie Outback). It's extremely stable. A little pricey, but a great Kayak.

http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaks/features/miragedrive/

Rented a Kayak this morning for a short fishing trip. I learned a lot.

1) A good seat is a must (you guys are 100% right on this).
2) A wider kayak would better for me (I'm 5'9" 215).
3) I would need an anchor system for my fishing.
4) Rod holders are a must
4) Catching a fish from a kayak is really cool!
5) Not buying a pelican.

If I can figure out how to get a live well on one I might take the plunge and give the guys in my bass club hell with it. That Malibu Stealth (above) has got my attention.

Several kayaks are designed with integral bait tanks.
Hobie has an add on bait tank, but you must be under way to get a prime as the pump is above the waterline.
When I had a Cobra Navigator, I put the intake pump down one of the scuppers behind the seat. This self primed but only when I was sitting in it.
My current kayak HYBRID has an intake pump behind the seat that will self prime even with no one sitting in it.

An ordinary Frabil bait bucket will keep bait reasonably well for some people.

I have seen an active recycling system installed on a kayak.

Lusca and several others have passive recycling systems up to about 17 gallons.

An ordinary 6 volt 12 AH battery will power 500 GPM pump for all day day. These pumps are designed to run at 12 volts and 500 GPM which is a little much. Running them at 6 volts turns the volume down to about 115 GPM which is just about right for most installations (including the Hobie).

He said livewell and bass club.

He needs a livewell that can sustain the life of several bass over the course of several hours for tourny use.

And that is an easy answer. Home built live well using a bilge pump and an airator in a cooler.
I've built and used several.

Once I find my yak I may have to pick your brain on the livewell MR.

I just rigged a cooler with one of these. It'll last all day.

clicky

What places can help me in the Dallas area for demos and trying to decide what is best for me? When I saw that you can still get a ticket for tubing on White Rock, that is a dealbreaker for me to look at a yak.

Any recommendations for a yak to put on White Rock for crappie for a VERY lightweight person?

Mariner Sails. Just give them a call. Great people, and they have demos on the weekends as well.

http://www.mariner-sails.com/contact.asp

Every Thursday evening at White Rock Lake Mariner Sales will be out there demonstrating kayaks.

I've fished a lot from an Emotion Mojo Angler, Heritage Redfish 12, Diablo Adios 12.5, and Native Manta Ray 12. I've also tried Wilderness Ride and Ocean Prowler 13. Manta Ray is my favorite. Tracks better and paddles faster. Biggest advantage is comfortable seat.

I've also fished from several sit inside boats such as Emotion Glide, Heritage Featherlite 9.5 and 12, and Necky Santa Cruze. My favorite sit inside is the Featherlite 12. It's fast and stable and can handle whitewater with a spray skirt.

I use sit insides for rivers with some rapids and whitewater and sit on tops for flatwater.

I went to academy and the best kayak i saw was a perception sport pescador 12' im thinking about buying it but dont know if its a good yak can any of you guys help me?

I bought one and I am very happy with it. It simply glides thru the water.

Thanks linecaster have you ever tried it in the coast or bay? how stable is it? and what are the advantages and disadvantages?

I also recently got into kayak fishing. Bought the perception pescador 12 from academy for $ 399. Took it out for the first time friday at purtis creek. Didn't catch much but the trip was more about the yak. Having never used a kayak it went as well as could be, no problems, did well in a slight head wind. Lots of space for an ice chest, lots of tackle, and spots for lots of future add ons.

No I have not fished nor do I intend fishing in the salt.
I have just got into the kayak clan, however I must say that the Pescador after recommendations from members of this board convinced me to by it and I must say I am happy, it is stable enough for me and I have now rigged it with a trolley for the anchor and subsequently changed to the 2 anchor system, without drilling any holes, so it does have enough on it without major modifications.

i like that

staying busy Nocona?

My Dad recently purchased me a nice 12' Ascend Angler Kayak. He asked me if it would be alright as part of my upcoming birthday gift(s) and I assuredly said "yes." It's gonna be a great exercise tool too beyond just seeing nature and catching fish all the time, so I'm really looking forward to it all!

As well as finally owning my own Kayak to fish on, I've also become more and more interested in crab trapping. I've seen some videos of people pulling up their crab pots from Kayaks and would love to experience that beauty of nature myself soon enough. Anybody else try trapping with their Kayaks yet and, if so, do you have any tips, pics or stories about it all? I'd love to see what ya got. Thanks.

You've just made a Numbie mistake
In a No ROOKIE ZONE!

Sir, we are gunna ask you to
START A NEW THREAD!!!
yall's post are cool but they dont belong in here!
Start a new thread cause yall are GEEKIN up this one!!!
No one wants to read thru all the off topics to extract the topic info.
U can opologize in another thread too or put it in a personal message!



Not trying to single ANYONE OUT but a lot of time and effort was put into making this thread work.
It's been going on too long and it was going to happen to someone eventually!



Next time Officer Dangle will give you a ride downtown!

After reading thru all the Rookie post you hopefully have gained enough knowledge to know what to look for in a Fishing Kayak.



So what kayaks should you demo 1st?

CLICK HERE - Article on top 10 Angler Kayaks


Remember each of these also has there own + & -
Paddling as many as you can side by side.
You can demo a new kayak and buy a lightly used 1 for less.

Thoughts from any SEASONED yakers?

Alrighty then. Suit yourself with the thread. I was only trying to help and bring some "excitement" to it.

LOL!!!

Now I know what a "sink" is......haw haw

Try, try, try BEFORE you buy. The two best peaces of advice I can give is to try out diffrent kayaks before you decide on which one is right for you. Go out with friends, or go to your local kayak shop and let them take you out and try a few kayaks BEFORE you buy. I studied and studied on kayaks when I bought the first one. I thought I had done my homework well and went out and bought a kayak.
A month or so later I had it up for sale be cause I didn't TRY IT BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. Be patent, go demo a few kayaks first. Compare the different models side by side. Then and only then put you hard earned money one the counter to purchase you first kayak.

The second thing is to get hooked up with a experanced kayaker, or group of Kayakers in your area. Let the first few times out be with people that are willing to get you started off on the right foot.

Note: If anyone is getting started in kayaking and needs someone to go out with them the first couple times I'm happy to be there for you. I live up by Ray Roberts but can meet down around Lewisville or Grapevine. It's not hard getting started but to have someone there to give a couple timely pointers helps.
Shaun

Just took out my new vapor 10. Great kayak. It tracks good, fast, comfortable. My kid loved it too. With the large cockpit we both had a good ride. Totally dry inside the boat. Stable enough to feel good about. All around great kayak and right now it is 100 dollars of at academy thru Saturday.

I agree totally. Drunks in big boats crash into other big boats all the time so any help being seen the better. They should start making more life jackets in bright orange etc too IMO.

I agree with all who say try before you buy. But after watching videos on the new WS Ride 115 I may buy before I try.

Whats the general opinion on Old Town kayaks? Academy has a 10ft vapor angler on sale near me for $279. Just going to be used for small ponds.

old town has been building some quality canoes & other small water craft for many yrs. IMO for small tanks n ponds the vapor is OK. Just know what its limitations are concerning weight capacity. Sit In Kayaks can certainly be nice in the winter time when the water is cold but R harder to get in n out of especially if you turtle (Dump Over) on the water. If the water is cold (Below 60*). SOTs (Sit On Tops) are easier & just make more sense the other 8-9 months out of the yr.

I finally had the opportunity to paddle the Ride 115 for a few minutes after a customer demo last Saturday morning. BTW the customer followed me to the store afterwards and purchased the same Ride that she demoed. This amazing little 11' 6" yak is rated for a 500# payload. It carried me as if I wasn't even there. That little Ride has excellent performance while still having the maneuverable characteristics of a shorter boat. Another neat point...the customer had never paddled a yak before but was out in the lake standing up and comfortably bouncing back and forth in less than 30 minutes from the first splash. Her boyfriend was so impressed that he ordered a Camo Ride 135 yesterday.

Wilderness Systems has done a great job with the re-do of the Ride 135 as well as the introduction of the new Ride 115. Most of you probably know but the redesign of the Ride 135's hull increased the payload from 400# to 550#, kept the superior stability, PLUS added an extreme increase to the yaks performance.

Upcoming events to try a Ride will be on the 10th at Fly Fish Texas at Athens, the TFF Spring GTG, Thursday afternoons and several Saturday mornings at White Rock Lake. Call me for details.

I agree with others who say, there is no single best Yak. May be why many have a fleet of them? My little Tarpon 100 is a great yak for a light weight, throw in the back of the truck & go out for a few hours after work or on the weekend. May not be good for long distance or speed, but finding a place to unload that's not too far to the fishing hole is usually not a problem. Nice size for kids to have fun on too. Paddle before you buy is sound advice but if I had the money right now I'd go buy a Coosa without trying one out. I already know from not paddling one it's not a speed demon, can be a bugger in heavy wind, mostly designed for river fishing, seat to die for etc. etc. If I had lots of money I'd buy a ride 115 without trying it out also. That's just me tho. New to kayaking folks should study as much as possible to figure out what will be best for their needs & test paddle the ones they narrow down too. Nothing worse than regretting what could be a large investment for many folks. Right now a 400 dollar used yak would be a large investment for me being I'm busted broke..

It really depends on your style of fishing that determines if you have the perfect kayak.

I have what I consider the perfect kayak, and that is "for me" and it does everything that I need it to do.

It's light enough for me to handle and load on top of my Jeep at 48# and it's 31" wide and is rock stable. It has a huge front hatch that I can load two rod and reels, my seat, my lifejacket and have it all self contained where I just grab it and go.

That said, you can never have too many kayaks, so I'm looking for another kayak right now since I already have two, but need another for my other grandaughter, so instead of picking up a cheaper one, that may get used just a few times, I'm going to go with a more expensive upgrade, and I'm looking at the Malabu Stealth 12.

Afterall, when your able to find an excuse for a new yak, you might as well take advantage of it!

I love my wilderness systems commander 120. It is the most stable kayak I have ever been in. I can stand, turn around, cast, fight fish, do back flips in the summer, etc.. The removable seat is extremely comfortable, but I spend most of my time in the captains perch. I like the higher seating position both for paddling and fishing. It is also requires little thought or effort to stand up while in the captains chair. Due to the hull shape it tracks extremely well without a rudder. It is a bit of a beast to turn though. Its not the fastest boat out there, but once you get up to speed it moves along pretty well. I can paddle for hours without a break.

It is an extremely good creek boat. During the winter and spring, I wear waders and can jump in and out of the boat to fish or drag the boat over big logs. It handles light rapids well. Tight turns in rapids can be tough but are doable with the right technique. You can lean this boat almost all the way over on its side and it wont tip.

It handles well on lakes too. I've been out in all sorts of conditions on all the major lakes around here including texoma. On windy days I get some splash from big waves over the bow. It is usually minimal amounts of water, and it pools in the back. This is due to the open, canoe like shape of the kayak. I plan to get the bow bag/cover to help with this.

Accessories are very easy to add due to the track system that runs the entire length of the boat. I have added an anchor trolly, fish finder, work platform, storage boxes, rod holders, drink holder... all attached to the tracks and all easy to re-position or remove. You can also fit a ton of gear inside the boat, plenty to camp for multiple nights. A dog or child is also not a problem.

It has a trolling motor mount at the back. I have rigged a trolling motor with an extra long tiller handle and moved the controls forward to a box on the deck. It moves along nicely and is easy to steer, though I have only tested it once on private water. I will need to get the yak registered before further trials on public lakes.

I have had mine for a couple years and I would guess it has seen ~200 trips. Nothing has broken, and it has held up very well. I bought it at Mariner Sails. They gave me a good deal and allowed me to try the boat at WR.

cons:
1. boat smells like fish.
2. She is a heavy mama. about 60 lbs. The padded sides do make it relatively easy to carry, but there are times when I would like a lighter boat.

Pics taken shortly after I bought the boat:





This winter:


I almost forgot to mention my favorite feature of the boat. Get a long kayak paddle or paddle board paddle, and you can easily paddle from the standing position. You can actually lean into the paddle strokes and move along pretty fast.

I also own an 11 foot perception sit in yak. It was my 2nd yak, and is now my "friend" boat. It is slightly faster, and more maneuverable. You cannot stand in this boat, but secondary stability is excellent. The seat is ok. If you have back problems, make the seat a priority in your purchase. A good seat makes all the difference.

Future additions to the fleet:
1.Native Watercraft Versa Board
2.Liquid Logic Coupe
3.Feel Free Moken 10
4.Wilerness Systems Ride or Tarpon (If I ever get into ocean fishing)

Allot of good information here for people new to kayaking, Thanks everyone for your input. I was very impressed with the wisdom shared here; I would like to share my thoughts on the Jackson line.
I have tried many different Kayaks; buying trading and so on, and hands down I keep coming back to a Jackson kayak. You won’t find a better kayak for the money that offers all your needs. If you’re looking to try out a Jackson Kayak I can put you in one as demo and you can try it for yourself. Anyone interested just PM me.

the hardest thing for me ... is the life jacket - still have not found one that i like yet. i have a wilderness systems ride and love it. it is heavy ... but very stable.

Have not paddled jacksons "Big Tuna". I do like Jackson & Wilderness in more protected waters. Hobie, Ocean, Malibu, Cobra etc etc for open waters. When the water is smooth n calm, in general, they all perform well. But, if you happen to find yourself in some nice choppy water because u got Caught out in some high winds (it will happen) trust me, your will want a yak that will more than just handle it. Jackson & WS are quality made for sure I'm talking about performance in white cap conditions. This is another reason why we stress that you pay attention to weight ratings. Remember, you will be carrying rigging, gear, beverage, snacks, hopefully a ice chest full of cold fish if your keeping. You should at least keep this in mind when your demoing different yaks. We have learned these things through experience. what works well in the ocean doesn't necessarily work well in creeks rivers but in my experence Jackson excels in the creeks n rivers. Really like mods that some lines like Jackson & WS, Hobie, Malibu have made for the angler. Angler Yaks have come a long ways & are still improving. The future looks bright for the kayak angler

I think Cobra secondary floatation could be better. Or at least on the navigator.