I plan on being in the market to upgrade from my pelican 120 maybe next spring, but on the mean time I want to know what you guys would think would satisfy my needs most. I ask because no one in my area offers any demos for any of their yaks.

First off, im 6'2 and 220-230, and I mainly plan on fishing for cats, so drifting in fairly open water is going to be something the yak needs to be able to do, and I also want to fly fish from it, not necessarily stand from it though. I also will be putting it in the bed of my truck.

I've been looking really closely at the ocean kayak prowler 13, tarpon 120/140, and commander 120/140.

The commander looks spectacular but I have heard that it doesn't do well in open water with a sort of chop, which wouldn't be too conducive for open water drifting for cats. This is why the prowler and tarpon have my eye. Would I be able to put a 14 foot boat in my truck bed, with a bed extender?

My grandparents gave me their 15' 74 kingfisher, but I'm so big I don't fit in the drivers seat without sitting sideways, so I am most likely going to end up selling it. So I should have a 1500-2000 budget once it gets sold for a new kayak and accessories!

All input is appreciated guys and gals!

Scroll down...to see my bed extender and light bar rig. The kayak is 14' 7".

With your budget, you should be able to get something that suits your needs nicely. The Tarpon 120 and 140 don't have the weight capacity you need. I suggest you look at something with at least a 450 lb weight capacity.

I am all about comfort. I had a similar budget and I have the Native Slayer 14.5 and love every minute of it. I think one if the Jackson kayaks have a similar seat but went for the leg room in the native.

Give a raptor a try. You will need to be able to throw a cast net wont ya? You should be able to get a brand new raptor nicley rigged.

I didn't even, think about a raptor!

Diablopaddlesports.com

I bet the ride 135 with the new seat would suit you well.

My recommendation is that you shop for a used kayak, teenfisherman. This may be a little difficult for you (since you live in an area that probably does not have many used yaks for sale), but I still think it may be a good idea. Others have mentioned the importance of your new yak's weight capacity. Add your weight to your anticipated gear weight, then add another 10% or so for "insurance" and then shop for a kayak that will easily handle that weight. You might also consider portability. Kayaks greater than 12' in length and 60 pounds in weight become much more difficult for a single person to handle when out of the water. If you could find a used Cobra Fish-n-Dive, an OK Prowler 13, or quite a few others with your required weight capacity, you'd probably be able to buy the yak, a nice paddle and an angler PFD for half of the budget you've mentioned. Heck, even an old Mainstream Kingfish might be a good choice for you at even less cost. If you took the remaining $1000 and invested it in a well-diversified mutual fund for your future, your grandparents would think that you were making wise decisions with your money....and they'd be right.

Have fun with your search for a new ride.

Look at the feelfree range. I just got me a lure 11.5. Great product
Mike

+1

I have a commander 140 and it seems to handle the water fairly well, although I don't have any experience with any other kayaks to base this off of...it also has good capacity

I say its time for a road trip next spring when your ready to pull the trigger. We can head to the big city and then fish our way back in your new yak. That way you can actually demo a few. I need a big tuna anyway to start taking my daughter next summer.

There's got to be 2 more people we could get to go and split the gas. Then travel isn't that big of an expense. I hope to have a trailer by then as well. I bet we could twist -Clay-'s arm to go.

Dont be in a rush to leave! Fish here too!!!

I'd go, but what's the big city?

Anywhere they have some demo's. San Antonio/Austin or Dallas area. I'd be willing to go just about anywhere (In Texas of course) teenfisherman finds a deal.