Well, the one I tried the little heat gun on had some simple scratched from a metal bracket that stuck up a bit on my trailer. They were tiny.

The kayak that leaked was a Jackson Cuda LT and it leaked badly from the very first trip out. I agreed to send it back to the factory and they sent some pics indicating it had a leak in one scupper, then leaks at the "join" at the bow and the stern both. The shipper didn't do the kayak any favors as they apparently jammed a forklift tine through the side. So, I switched to a Big Rig and I love it. I did love the lightness and speed of the Cuda Lt.

I actually wasn't aware that Wilderness Systems has any ultra-lights in the fishing category, at least none made using the thermo-formed process. But, just in general, the WS kayaks are highly regarded. The ATAK 120 looks like a great paddle only fishing kayak. Be forewarned that WS fishing kayaks often have very low sides to cut down on wind effects on the water pushing the vessel around. Others might chime in on other factors.

Thermo-form? I love the idea but my guess is if one is heavy or loads up a lot, that these and other issues might "flex" the glued pieces and create some possible leaks. I am uncertain whether another thermo-formed model, the Eddyline C-135, has had any issues with leaks or not. And, Native has its Propel 12 LT and it looks very nice.

Which models are you interested in?

Brad

Hey Brad,

Thanks for answering that for me. WS makes the Tarpon 120 and Pungo 120 (rec boat) in ultralite. Since I am more of a paddler than a fisherman (right now, anyway) I lean more towards speed since I prefer covering long distances and can't really see my standing up to fish. I would really prefer a Tarpon 160, but I imagine that a kayak that long would be difficult to manage on some of the tighter waterways even with a rudder. Not to mention the 76 lbs that it weights.

Right now I fish out of a Pungo 140 which is fast for a rec boat but at 58 lbs it can be a little bit of a handful to load, carry and unload especially at the end of the day. The Tarpon weighs 42 lbs which is only 16 pounds lighter but that 16 lbs is really substantial, I know because my 18 ft sea kayak weights 43 lbs and I can easily throw it over my shoulder and carry it wherever I need to go, even on the return trip.

I really like the idea of being able to transport a boat without having to use a cart, which I will usually do with my Pungo, and I really like the idea of not having to wrestle with a kayak to load it and more importantly to unload it since for whatever reason my kayaks seem to weigh so much more on the way home, from the lake, than they did getting ready to go to the lake.

Hey DBlNoob, if you weigh in the 180 and less range you should check out the RTM Disco. I owned one that I wished I'd never sold. Had it mainly for friends to use but fished out of it both inshore and offshore with minimal gear. At 15 feet in length, 25 inch beam and under 55 lbs it was easy to load and go. With some rocker it would turn on a dime and you could halfway surf the thing back in. Other than the name, Disco, there wasn't a thing I didn't like about the way it handled in rough water and against the wind in some chop it would flat out fly.




https://www.rtm-fishing.com/produit/disco-peche/

Another to consider might be the Eddyline Caribbean 12 Angler coming in at 45 lbs. This'd get you just a bit closer to a true fishing kayak with some minimal tracks, a nice tank well area, etc. Anglers Pro Tackle might be a source to look at them, try one, buy one.

Oh! And, the looks, the styling are just off the chart especially when you factor in that "shine" specific to the thermo-formed kayaks.

I really like the trend toward finesse set ups for fishing . . . seems odd for me to say this with a battleship-proportioned Big Rig, but that was situational. And, I really love the thing for when and where I will use it.

With the Cuda LT, its speed was really good and I could walk down about 100 yds from my garage to the water with it overhead on bent arms, not even resting on my head. No trailer, no cart, no nothing works great for me.

*** Yep, I have flipped sides so to speak. If I had one kayak, it'd be a paddler not a pedaler. And, it isn't that I don't really like my pedaler, it is just the simplicity/low maintenance of a paddler. I have now seen enough results from kayak fishing tournaments to see there really isn't great advantage one over the other.

Brad

Thanks for the suggestions, Iconn4 the Disco is very nice, it is longer and a little narrower than my Pungo and from the reviews that I have read paddles a bit more like my touring kayak, but I could only find 3 dealers in the US and the closest one is in Fla, so that kind of rules that one out, for me.

Brad R, thanks for suggesting the Eddyline. I paddle with a few people who own then and I am really impressed with their touring boats. I would have never thought about them, so it pays to look around, or at least ask people who may be able to guide you in the right direction.

The Eddyline has most of what I was looking for, the weight is spot own and it has mounting rails where the WS does not, and it appears to have a "better", i.e., more modern seat. From my research the Tarpon Ultralite goes back to 2007 with only changes to the hatches. Not to mention, it is a very nice looking boat, so I definitely have to have a look at it. Thanks again for the suggestion, it is greatly appreciated.