Looking to purchase my first kayak I am 5'9 180 lbs and we'll be fishing river and creeks that fork off it and will have some portage along the way also trying to stay under $500 any suggestions on first yak. Have also heard everyone say try before you buy, I live in Ft worth are there any of the demos here that everyone speaks of

For your budget I'd go with a Pescador 12

Kayak, paddle, PFD, probably a cart if you're portaging. Mariner Sails is a place to look.

X2^^^ mariner sails is the best group of friends a kayak fisherman can have.

For rivers n creeks at your height and weight u have all kinds of options.
The more narrow the yak the less water displacement youll have for floating over shallow rocks.

Hey fish zombie will def have areas of real shallow so do I want wide or narrow bottom and also what shape and should I stay around 10' length because I will have portage like spill off walls and stuff

Be mindful of the weight of the yak if remote access to your rivers and creeks is part of the plan. Cart or no cart, dragging a yak and contents up steep, rugged river terraces is work. My sit-on (100+ lbs loaded) often gets left in the garage in favor of my sit-in (~60 lbs loaded) when making an afternoon trip to the river.

I would put a larger emphasis on the weight of the kayak than most of us would because you already know that you will be making portages while fishing and for reasons that pelageo has made.

I would also look for a kayak that has a flatter bottom because that will distribute the weight of the kayak over a larger surface area, which means less draft. You definitely don't need a kayak over 12, so the 10-12 ft range is where you should start looking.

I would start out looking at the OK Scrambler & Caper or Malibu Mini X; provably have to buy those used but you never know. There's also the Emotion Stealth 11, Perception Sport Pescador 12 or Pescador 10, or the Heritage Angler 10 (Nicer Version).

Although everyone is going to say "No No No No!" to this I feel the Pelican Icon 120 and Icon 100 are good kayaks for the money. Everyone is still living in the past and refuses to take an objective view on this newer kayak model. Yes, the Pelican Castaway is a terrible kayak that was tippy and had leaky hatches. However, I have yet to hear or read a complaint about the Pelican Icon suffering the same issues.

Thanks guys this is exactly the input I've been searching the Internet un able to find so the sit in kayaks are usually lighter is that correct this first one is solely for fishing these small river and creek forks I'm wanting to get on then I'll purchase one geared more towards lake fishing...has anyone heard anything on the VIBE kayaks specifically the VIBE skipjack 95

If you're leaning towards a sit inside kayak beware that depending on how much you'll be portaging while fishing the more water and sand/gravel you're going to be getting inside your kayak. Granted it's not that much, but you're floor will be collect water, so having a big sponge would be necessary.

Here's a thread about Vibe Kayaks: Click

Just an FYI since you are local to DFW, Kayak Instruct in Rowlett carries the same kayak as Vibe the Skipjack. They call it the KI-2

there are many yaks that will work . I suggest u demo some to know whats gonna work Best 4 u. U may also want to consider a hybrid for weight sake. Expect the bottom to get rashed up fishing these Texas rivers. More flat and wider is what id look 4 personally. Id also look for something w a low profile as not to catch much wind.

Some of the river guys should be pming u to demo their yaks and u may want to book a trip with shane davies.
Jackson and wildernes make nice river yaks as do diablo to name a few.
Im not connected to any of these brands just trying to help the new guys.

I have a Pescador 10 gave $400 for it. I don't fish rivers yet but I do fish ponds and I have to portage quite a ways sometimes. Its light and works great for me I'm a small guy at 5'7" 150 lbs and I car top it. I have had it on the lake and it did fine in light winds 15mph or less. I wish I had a kayak I could stand in but this one serves me well. I was like you and didn't have a lot to spend on one my limit was $500 and I got this one on Craigslist for $400. Just recently I saw one for sale at Academy for $400 the one off Garland rd. Hope that helps.

Rivers and creeks, portaging, so you ought to look at a hybrid. Native Ultimates or Wilderness systems Commander would get my vote.
A used Malibu Mini X would be ideal if you can find one used. They get snatched up fast when one appears on the classifieds or craigs list.