I am looking to buy a new kayak and have been looking at the Ascend 12T and the Pescador 12 pretty extensively. I would love some input as to what you guys think that own either one. Here is a list of my pro's/con's:

Ascend 12T:
Pros - stable, wide, fishability seems great, removable seat
Cons - slow, heavy, a little bit more expensive

Pescador 12:
Pros - faster, great reviews, lighter, has good amenities, cheaper
Cons - no removable seat, less stable, cheaper construction

Do any of you have any insight on this? Primarily I will be lake fishing, but would like to do some flats fishing and on float trips.

Thanks for any insight!

I think the Ascend is wider which makes it more stable and slower. If you plan to stand on the kayak while fishing, I would go with the Ascend. If you don't plan on standing, go with the Pescador.

If you plan on taking several fishing rods with you, go with the Ascend. If you plan to take 2 fishing rods and travel light, go with the Pescador.

The Pescador 12.0 is on currently sale at Academy for $499. Their sales don't last long.

If the Ascend ever goes on sale, I'm buying it. I check in to BPS everyday hoping it will come down by at least $50. It seems perfect for what I want to do. If I get it, I will let you know how I like it. It seems like a good way to get started.

I'm in an Ascend, 6'2" and 210lbs..... I read several posts about this Yak being slow and I always laugh. It's GOTTA be paddling technique because I can cruise at a good clip very easily.

The Ascend is a very stable Yak overall, glides smooth through the water, turns easily, Yada Yada Yada and I'm happy with it so far.

Both yaks are roto molded. I would weigh construction quality as the same.

The Pescador is the same as the older Wilderness Systems Tarpon, which is a design that favored speed over stability.

I would consider the vessel weight very closely depending on how you plan on transporting it. Truck bed? Weight doesnt matter much. If you're going to put it on the roof of an SUV, then shoulder pressing that bad boy could be a struggle.

Also, like PowerLizard said, if you wanna stand, forget the Pescador.

If you demo several different types of kayaks you can tell the difference between slow and fast.
It's a known fact a wider shorter kayak isn't going to be as fast a narrower longer kayak.
It's always going to be a trade off.
If you think your short wide kayak is fast, just try keeping up with someone over distance that is paddling say a Tarpon 140 or 160, and get back with your results....I got left in the dust!
It's all about personal preference and your style of fishing.

Speaking from experience as I have had, and have both of these boats.

ASCEND
Pro - Very stable
Pro - made for a quality fishing yak
Con - Heavy
Con - Scuppers can have bad seals from the molding process you have to seal up to stop leaks.
Con - No side handles, harder to load by yourself.
Con - Hatches seemed to let in water and not sealed well.

PESCADOR
Pro- Stable all around boat
Pro - Lighter than Ascend and easier to handle
Pro - Faster than Ascend
Con - a touch on the narrow side if you are a bigger guy
Con- Seat is not bad, but it's not great either.

Having both of these boat (currently have the Pescador), I like the Pescador better overall. Neither boat was easy to stand in so that for me was out of the equation. If you want to stand up a lot, go with the Ascend H12 or another brand. I am looking to replace the factory Pescador seat, bu tother than that, I really like it.

Standing is a capability with losing speed over

I can't comment on the Ascend but the Pescador 12 is really a nice boat for the money. I've owned two for several years now and I've been in ponds, creeks, lakes, rivers and the Gulf of Mexico without first hint of problems. Always dry on the inside after smashing through some nasty surf on the upper Texas coast. It has plenty of stability for me. The guy in the pic is on a cuda 14 and I'm in my Pescador 12 anchored up in the Gulf catching 6+' sharks. I'm not really sure what the "cheaper construction" you're referring to would be.

Thanks guys. I went ahead and got the Ascend. I am really happy with my purchase so far! Thanks for the input.

Show us how you rig it out!