First off I'm a crappie fisherman from Comanche, Texas and I will be fishing Lake Proctor and possibly some small stock tanks in the area. I'm 6'0" and weigh 215 lbs. I tie my own jigs and fish with plastics as well, so it will be strictly artificial fishing and I do want to be able to anchor over brush piles. I have a dandy little 17' ranger bass boat and have really enjoyed fishing proctor over the last two seasons in it, but last Tuesday the corp. of engineers closed the last boat ramp. Not wanting to have to make the hour drive to brownwood or leon to get in some fishing I'm looking into getting a kayak. I don't know the first thing about kayaks so I read all the info I could in this section as well as a couple of other forums. The main gist of what I've read is to go try before you buy. I don't have the luxury of time to go make a day long trip to the metroplex or Austin, so I'm going to try and make due with what time I do have. I drive a 3/4 ton 4 x 4 with a headache rack so hauling the kayak won't be an issue. I really don't want to spend more than $500 since I do have the boat and this will be a secondary form of fishing when the water does come back up. Also any suggestions on paddles would be greatly appreciated. I'm not going to fish the whole lake, plan on putting in close to where I will be fishing. Don't plan on any ocean trips or big water and heavy waves. Academy has the perception pescador sport in 12' that seems good for my needs, however I'm really looking for input from you guys that know this stuff.

If you don't have a lot of time to try out a few, then the Perception Pescador is a great kayak. You seem slim enough to not mind that it don't have a whole lot of room. I started out with a Pescadore and still have it to this day (4 years ago). Very fast and reliable.

Pescador or the striker may both work for u. Stiker is gonna catch more wind but is going to b more stable.

Mariner sails has a huge selection of kayaks brush clips anchors paddles and every accessory you could possibly need to get going. They are in Dallas so they are pretty far for you but worth the drive. Whichever way you decide to go your going to be happy, kayaking it's a blast! If you want to chase some bass or just shoot the bull come out to the working mans tournaments some time every Thursday nigh on lake grapevine.

I fish with two people that have the preception sport scout, it looks very good and so is the preception sport pescardor. Both are 500$ at academy. As for fishing in brush if your a DIY kinda guy go to home depot and make a brush clip for 5$ out of a 3" spring clamp its super strong. If nothing to clip on just get simple anchor system up.

I bought the Perception Striker in January, I caught it on clearance at academy for $495. Like FishZombie said it does catch wind but it is really stable. I'm 6 ft 300#, haven't ever felt like the kayak was to small.

I just purchased the striker from the academy on Bryant Irving for $449 on clearance. They had one more in stock.

The perception pescador 12 is a good yak as well as the Ocean Kayak prowler 13.

If you are an average to small sized person I'd go with the Pescador 12, and if you are a big guy over 210+ pounds the Striker would be the way to go.

I don't particular care to name brands, but it's always wise to test paddle a few to find out what feels right, and get a name brand kayak with a good repulation that you can afford.

Thanks for the advice gentlemen. Went last night and picked up a 12 foot perception pescador angler. Hope to get it wet Friday morning depending on weather.

to the plastic navy!

I fish Proctor a lot. If you fish there you have probably seen me.
Now that they have closed the ramps there is no easy way to get to the water with any boat. I had to haul my kayak about 250 yards this last time out. So in addition to a kayak you are going to need a cart. Some PVC and a couple of wheels from TSC or Harbor Freight works OK. All sorts of plans on the internet for carts.
If you want to get on those brush piles, you'll probably need a fish finder.
And once you try this kayak fishing you just might sell that PB. No annual fees, no trailer and trailer fees, no fuel etc. And a much smaller footprint.