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Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? #12323892 07/04/17 10:24 PM
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BU343 Offline OP
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Hello all, I've been doing some research and reading in regards to kayaks because I really want to get involved in this sport. With that where are the best places in DFW to buy and most importantly test specific kayaks? I've looked at several and the Ascend 128T looks nice. Any other reasonably priced models anyone would recommend (obviously sit on top models). Also one that would be fairly suitable for trips to grass flats down in Galveston Bay and the likes. Thanks in advance

Re: Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? [Re: BU343] #12323930 07/04/17 11:02 PM
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Tallgrass05 Offline
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What's your budget, including kayak, good paddle, and PFD? How much do you weigh, that's a factor. If you're 250 lbs you don't want a kayak with a 300 lb weight capacity. Check out demos from Mariner Sails or Angler's Pro Tackle & Outdoors. I've also purchased a lot of gear, including my kayaks, online from Austin Canoe & Kayak, they have good prices.

Re: Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? [Re: BU343] #12324612 07/05/17 02:30 PM
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BU343 Offline OP
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Budget will probably be $1k. Weight is around 190 or so. I've read not to go cheap on paddle. I'll look those two up you provided, I do appreciate it.

Re: Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? [Re: BU343] #12325084 07/05/17 06:53 PM
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If you are intent on demoing, I'd take more money. Don't know anything about the Ascend line but, just looking at the online listings, I wouldn't spend the extra $200 on the 128T vs the 12T for 8" and 20 lbs more boat with do-dads. You can add just the do-dads that you need later if you are inclined to tinker. Carbon fiber paddles do have a nice feel but I was also happy with my aluminum model and not once did I almost collapse with exhaustion from having to lift it all day. I would splurge on an inflatable PFD that doesn't interfere with the seatback used in most kayak seats these days. You are almost certain to have a blast with whatever you buy and likely spend a few more Ks in the future. Happy trails.

Re: Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? [Re: BU343] #12325181 07/05/17 08:03 PM
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lconn4 Online Content
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+1 on inflatable pfd during the summer as it is hot out there right now.


A good rule of angling philosophy is not to interfere with another fisherman's ways of being happy, unless you want to be hated.
Zane Grey, Tales of Fishes, 1919

https://vimeo.com/73372194
https://vimeo.com/72859045

Re: Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? [Re: pelageo] #12325773 07/06/17 01:22 AM
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BU343 Offline OP
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Thank you. This is exactly why I'm reaching out for guidance because of my extreme lack of knowledge. Well appreciated.

Re: Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? [Re: BU343] #12325871 07/06/17 01:51 AM
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formula462 Offline
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nothing under 12'

Re: Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? [Re: BU343] #12326246 07/06/17 07:52 AM
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Get Pescador 12' -- you can't stand in it, but in all other ways it is the best bang per buck (around $400 on craigslist). It holds value very well. Cheap paddle (it is not as important as they say, usually comes with second-hand yak). Cheap pfd (unless you go offshore).

Face buff ($1 online), hat, wading pants ($40), fishhide tshirt ($30 on sale, no need for gloves/buff) or any other long-sleeved shirt + gloves($2 online), wading boots (foreverlast flats wading boots $40), polarizing sunglasses (from $5 in Academy)
Soft cooler from buc'ees with large bag of ice (in summer, small in winter) $20

Two 6-6.5' rods ($40 each, e.g. DAIWA AIRX661MFS or similar), cheap reel (shimano sienna 2500FE - $30, no dunking!).
30lb Power Pro braid (moss green) + 1/4oz jig with few plastics -- and you're good for inshore
10lb line + 1/16oz crappie jigs -- and you're good for freshwater
Good breatheable waders (SIMMS on sale, Toggs, etc) $200 -- and you're good for cold weather.

Good luck and have fun.

Last edited by C.M.; 07/06/17 04:50 PM.
Re: Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? [Re: BU343] #12326291 07/06/17 11:39 AM
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when you get it, before you deck it out practice falling out and getting back on it. You will turtle it, it is just a matter of time and you dont want to spend 20 minutes trying to get back on the kayak while all your stuff floats away. that being said, tether everything you dont want to donate to the lake, or put a float on everything. I dumped my kayak in corpus and lost EVERYTHING that didnt float.

Re: Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? [Re: BU343] #12326307 07/06/17 11:57 AM
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Best advice I can give is don't rush into a purchase without doing a lot of research and reading.
You just need to educate yourself a little, and you are well within a budget that will get you started.
It's probably best not to go all out just in case you find that kayaking isn't your thing. More than likely it will be, but you can find out and have a ball and keep within your budget.


Just one more cast!

Re: Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? [Re: BU343] #12326375 07/06/17 01:09 PM
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I'd like to add one thing - Buy one of those small blowhorns from BassPro. It can save your life. You're a small, tiny bobber in a lake full of waves and big boats and often they're drunk or stupid or just happen to have a hot girl standing between them and you and they won't see you. A quick toot or two (five if you want to be legal about it) from one of these isn't as loud and crazy as it is on tv, but it is loud enough to hear over an outboard and say to those that aren't paying attention "Hey, I'm here too!".

It's kinda like you're a bicyclist riding on the highway sometimes. You gotta keep your head on a swivel. You may have the "right of way" but in reality it's your responsibility to keep a huge boat with a distracted (possibly untrained, uneducated) driver from running over you.

Last edited by TrailHand; 07/06/17 01:13 PM.
Re: Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? [Re: TrailHand] #12326438 07/06/17 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted By: TrailHand
I'd like to add one thing - Buy one of those small blowhorns from BassPro. It can save your life. You're a small, tiny bobber in a lake full of waves and big boats and often they're drunk or stupid or just happen to have a hot girl standing between them and you and they won't see you. A quick toot or two (five if you want to be legal about it) from one of these isn't as loud and crazy as it is on tv, but it is loud enough to hear over an outboard and say to those that aren't paying attention "Hey, I'm here too!".

It's kinda like you're a bicyclist riding on the highway sometimes. You gotta keep your head on a swivel. You may have the "right of way" but in reality it's your responsibility to keep a huge boat with a distracted (possibly untrained, uneducated) driver from running over you.


No truer words have been written!
I've been going to do this for a long time but my last time out was the last straw....(Guy was trolling straight toward me messing around with gear at the back of his boat while his boat was on auto pilot with me dead ahead, and it wasn't the first time.)
I've noticed that people will approach and crowd you from behind if you are anchored. It seems they think if your back is facing them, that everything up to your kayak is fair game.
As mentioned, people don't pay attention, don't care, or both.

Even with a horn, you need to keep your head on a swivel for sure!

By the way, welcome to the forum with an awesome second post! welcome
And also to the other new guys! welcome

Last edited by Jimbo; 07/06/17 02:10 PM.

Just one more cast!

Re: Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? [Re: BU343] #12326671 07/06/17 04:54 PM
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1. Don't run buy a yak
2. Call Kayak Instruction in Rowlett. They have some three hour tours/training very reasonable. They usually have a groupon ad for $20.00 or so for the beginning tour. https://www.groupon.com/deals/kayak-instruction-inc-4-11?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us_dt_sea_ggl_txt_ttt_sr_cbp_ch1_nbr_k*kayak%20instruction_m*p_d*fort-worth-RTC-Root_g*RTC-kayak-instruction-inc-4-11-PHRASE_c*205137630922_ap*1t1_t*aud-299079745321:kwd-297704239824&loc_physical_ms=9026859&loc_interest_ms=&template=ETA3&gclid=Cj0KEQjwv_fKBRCG8a3ao-OQuZ8BEiQAvpHp6KOad-cLXoeIyRKZVFY4U2qjSxkN9GpJ-PWzLPPBg64aAouG8P8HAQ
3. Kayak fish a day on the Brazos with Shane Davies. http://www.shanedaviesguide.com/ I think his trip are still about $125.00 per person.
4. After that if you still like fishing from a kayak move forward. You will have had some good basic instruction and some good actual fishing experience. If you decide you don't care for yaking...you won't have money tied up in one.
5. Be careful of sales people...a fair number of them are just that, sales people. They talk a good game, but really don't know squat about fishing and do not give "a rats' bony hind leg about you." All they want to do is make a sale no matter how good their line of trash talk is.
6. It is easy to dream about off shore fishing, inshore fishing etc. Figure out realistically where you will spend the most time fishing and buy a yak suited for that.
7. Test drive the different yaks at demo days.
8. After you buy a yak - don't trick it out with ever gadget you can find or someone sells you. Use it, fish it, figure out what works for you. Add accessories as you go along.


Last edited by Riverdog; 07/06/17 04:55 PM.

Joe
Re: Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? [Re: C.M.] #12329520 07/08/17 02:08 PM
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BU343 Offline OP
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Now that's a shopping list, thanks

Re: Newbie to Kayak Fishing, any suggestions? [Re: Riverdog] #12329527 07/08/17 02:14 PM
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Thanks Riverdog

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