I took advantage of the boat show prices Mariner Sails are offering and put a deposit down on this boat. This will be my first yak and I am excited. Does anyone have any recommendations on a PFD and paddle?

Mike

Nice!! you will love this yak, I have the Ride 115 and am very happy with it. I have the Helios MTI inflatable PDF and it feels like i'm not even wearing a PDF, but if you want one with pockets I recommend the Stohlquist fisherman lots of pockets and storage for pliers and stuff but was a bit to bulky for me. as for the paddle I got the Bending Branches Breeze which only weighs 29oz and I really like it alot, maybe the last paddle I ever buy.

Great choice! I have the new one myself.

Stohlquist seems to be the popular choice for a lifevest. When you're looking at a vest make sure you get one with narrow shoulder straps to allow the motion for your stroke and also with padding high on the back to allow room for the kayak seat. Inflatables are nice especially on hot Texas days.

Bending Branches Breeze and the Aquabound Manta Ray Carbon offer great bang for the buck. Try to purchase the lightest paddle you can that falls in your budget , your body will thank you.

When you pick up your Ride at Mariner they have a great selection of paddles. I have the Aqua Bound Manta Ray that is a carbon mix. Only 29oz and is the best bang for the buck. I had it attached to the Ride on display at the booth. I'm not sure if the have come in or not but they have ordered them.

There are a ton of good pdfs out there. I'm using a Stolhquest.

+1 on the aquabound manta ray. I have one as does the wife. Very little flex, lightweight, adjustable. It really is the best bang for the buck.v I actually had to buy a longer paddle for my cuda and bought another manta ray because i liked it so much.

Mike,

We have a big selection of both PFD's and paddles and can show you when you pick up your yak. The PFD's include the MTI that you mentioned.

Also you can get 15% off with the boat package

I just bought a Ride 135 this weekend as well as a Werner Cyprus performance core. I use the MTI dorado, they still had one or two on the shelf last time I was there but I do not think MTI makes them any more.

I forgot to mention that Mariner is a Werner dealer now.

Grats on the new RIDE Bert! (ok, I had to make that pun, sorry...)

Well, I went today and ordered my Ride 135 in orange. I also picked up a paddle and PFD. I am also in work on my crate for all my gear, I will be looking to go somewhere close to home (Rockwall) very soon. If anyone is interested in me tagging along that would be nice as I have never been kayak fishing before.

Mike

Mp.... I stay in mesquite and frequently fish Lavon......all my trips are OPEN INVITE


If you know some spots on Hubbard, I'll do the tagging along

Congrats , hope you enjoy it.

May I also ask what made you choose the ride 135 over the coosa, cuda, etc etc??

Personally if I was targeting big cats and doing a good bit of drift fishing I'd take the ride over the Cuda or Coosa.

I know Brian does some catfishing from his Coosa but I'm too short to reach the mounts where he had to put them.

If I was fishing bodies of water less protected from the wind the ride would have my attention as well.

As a Coosa owner the Cuda has appeal for a big water boat however the low profile of the ride and the ability to do more effective drifting has me set to pick one up in the fall or next spring around the boatshow!

Chess, thanks I will get in contact with you, I have fished Lavon before, from the bank. The first time I went to Lavonia Park and an older gentleman was yelling at me like I was a 10 year old kid who stole something from his store for turning right instead of left, after I went through the gate. I have been back since then but never saw him there. (no right turns)

BassFever, I choose the 135 due to conversations I have had with other 135 owners and what I want to get from a kayak, I went and looked at one about a year ago and this particular 135 was a little older but I really like how it was set up. I did consider the Coosa but never really had the opportunity to try one out. Also Mariner Sails really could not be beat for a new kayak and a few accessories, the Coosa is nice but I could not find one for less than 1K. I’ve been looking and researching fishing kayaks for about 8 months now, I take a lot of time to make a decision on spending my money and I believe I made the right choice for what I want to do with a Kayak. That is how I made my decision on getting this kayak, but I have never fished out of one yet so I will see how that goes.

Mike

My 2 cents on the paddles:
If you have wrist or shoulder problems u might want a paddle w/smaller blades. IE: bending branches. Thinner blades are designed for calmer waters & are easier to move through each stroke. Generally speaking, the taller you are the longer paddle you'll want. There are exceptions to everything though.

If your strong n healthy up top, u might look at a medium to large bladed paddle. They bite more water n can propel you through the water faster. More energy & burn!

Work on your paddle stroke & remember a smoother stroke will get you there just as quick with energy to spare. Some like a blade with flex, while others prefer a rigid blade for extra bite. I personally prefer a longer paddle, with blades that flex. Your grip (the way you hold your paddle) will also make a difference. Don't hold it with a tight grip. Holding your paddle like this will wear you out quickly. Instead relax your grip n rest your thumbs on the shaft similar to a golfers grip. There are exceptions to this too.

Concerning PFDs:
There are several brands to choose from.
Siloquest makes a nice jacket if you can afford em. YOU CAN! Inflatables are also nice. I will recommend you take your time, look for a paddlers vest with a high back & maybe a few pockets. Check some of these out: http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/6466639/The_Basics
There is more info on both paddles n PFDs in this link.
Hope it helps ya