When I soon add a kayak, I am considering how I'll use it.

Well, I have a great fishing canoe (Meyers Sportspal S-15), arguably the best, and it can easily accommodate 2 adults or 1 adult and 2 kids . . . so I am covered for a sort of tandem ride to take grandkids/ a friend fishing.

Then, I have my Slayer Propel 10 and it is a super fishing vessel, perhaps the best for small lakes. But, it isn't the best kayak for the shallows, or grassy lakes . . . and we'll soon be living on a lake known for its grass and lily pads, etc.

So, here I am . . . thinking that what I want is a pure paddle kayak --- no worries about anything of a mechanical sort, no frayed rudder cables, no greasing gears.

My criteria? Several, but two come to mind: I want it to be as fast as possible, a high available seat position and I really want to be able to stand up rather easily in whatever I buy. I like fishing standing up in my canoe.

Eddyline has their new C-135 and they have one pre-rigged for fishing with Yak Attack gear. The vessel is beyond good looking. It'll hurt to scratch one of these! It is a super fast paddler, 34" wide, 13.5' long and supposedly really standing "stable."

Then, there are several really popular large kayaks that have similar stability.

With a paddler, I can envision pulling into the grass or vegetation and setting up to fish through it or on its edge. Also, fishing back in coves, rivers, etc.

Brad

There are lots of great options! Try before you buy is the best advice I have. We offer demos here at Mariner Sails. If you'll give me an idea of your size and weight I'd be happy to give you some reasonable options to try.

All I can say is paddle it before you make a decision. There are a lot of kayaks in that size range that are stable and efficient to paddle and for 2100 base (2600 for yakattack) you have tons of options in your budget. Mariner sails has a demo day coming up and if you contact them with boats they have that you want to paddle I am sure they would accommodate you.

Here are a few in the same size that are paddle friendly that you should look at IMO,

Wilderness Systems Ride 135
Santa Cruz Raptor you can also wait for the new g2 and can put your peddle drive from the Native in it.
Feel Free Lure 13 or Moken 14
Old town Predator 13

There is also a new Wildy Tarpon 13 that will hit soon that might fit the bill with the redesign but I am not sure of stability. There are others I am missing/omitting due to lack of knowledge or knowing the seats are not top of the line.

The Ride 135 is going to be a fantastic yak in the criteria you've mentioned, but I would recommend you go paddle one and see for yourself first!

That eddyline looks like a nice yak, but for $2200, YIKES. Go buy a hobie outback :P

Have you considered a hybrid? Great stability, room like a canoe, and pretty good speed depending on model.

ACK had a demo days coming up soon, but you'll be limited to the kayaks that they sell. I evolved to a pedal yak to fit my style of fishing, but if I add another or go back to a paddle yak, I will definitely look at the Jackson line.

Ride 135 airpro max seat.

Good ideas, everyone!

I will definitely paddle and stand in any kayak before I buy it.

I love Natives with propel drives but it just depends a bit on how much grass there is, other issues.

And, I really like to paddle every bit as much, if not more, than pedaling.

Brad

Dang Brad, you plan on starting up a rental service at the new place?

Ha! Brad, I'm just thinking about how best to get around on a grassy lake. But, my "fleet" will definitely get a bit bigger, that is for sure. 2 yaks for different purposes, then the canoe for taking the kids out.

I have been studying all of the recommendations. There are some really nice choices out there.

No one mentioned the Jackson Big Rig but they have one that is pre-configured for fishing, actually 2 of them and it is a nice wide vessel.

Oh! And the new Native Ultimate Propel might actually be a good choice as it is sleek and could be a good paddler with the drive unit up or left behind. To me, it looks almost more canoe than kayak. I'm okay with that as I love canoes!

Brad

Have you looked at the new Vibe Sea Ghost 13?

http://vibekayaks.com/products/vibe-kayaks-sea-ghost-130-angler-kayak

Looks like a sweet deal on what might be a game changer for "more affordable" kayaks.

I have a navite ultimate 14.5 if you want to give it a try so you can spend a day fishing out of one.

if stability is what you're looking for I would add the ATAK from Wilderness Systems to your demo list