I am looking to get my first new kayak and I have my sights set on the Ascend 12T from BP. I've got enough points built up to cover the cost. The question is, is this a good quality kayak? I have only ever rented kayaks or used them at scout camps and I am just looking for some opinions that are not copied from the BP reviews. Thank you for any help that you can give me. Also are there any kayak shops close to the Forney or Rockwall area?

Mariner Sails in Dallas.

There are several people who have them around. I have heard and seen many who like them in a calm water situations. Kayaks are very purpose built so the type of fishing you do will play a big part in being able to tell if its a good choice for you. Its a calm water, low wind type of boat. Its very stable, pretty slow and heavy to paddle any real distance and has been known to leak around the hatches....most kayaks will leak a little around hatches. See if there is someone here you can try theirs to see if you like.

I have owned a few of the Ascend kayaks and Christian more/less hit every mark.

They paddle like a barge, but I fish slow.
Hatches leaked in heavy wave action. I added extra gasket, eliminated that issue.
I could stand and fish easily without the nervous wobble. So they are stable.

If you have the points to get one and no money out of pocket, then I say go for it.

You can rent Jackson kayaks out of Paddle point park, close to miller road and 190.
Kayak Instruction Inc runs the kayaks out of this location.
http://kayakinstruct.com/kayakrental.html
Just got a coosa hd. Moves through water well, well thought out, full of convienences, very comfortable to be in, very stable and and easy to stand in.
Might want to demo the ascend and also a higher end kayak to see the differences and see which ones really make a difference to you.

I fish for catfish and crappie mostly. I was looking for something to get out on some of the local lakes like Hubbard, Tawakoni, Fork and Cedar Creek but was also wanting something to fish in the bay down in Anahuac. Is the wind and waves that we have in the Dallas Area on a regular basis going to be to much for this kayak?