So as the title said, i thinking about stepping away from kayak fishing. List of things i currenlty have are as follows,,,
Viking profish 440, this is the real deal fishing kayak. I have both the soft net that covers the front tankwell and a custom pinstriped hard cover for the front tankwell. Anchor trolleys both sides, tons of starports and flush mount rod holders. I used this kayak in last years blue water kayak classic,,,both parts of the tourney, first one came in 5th and got biggest kingfish the second got hammered by bad conditions in 20+ft waves, strong wind and fast current,,,still managed over 10 miles in that slop. I can stand pretty easy and throw castnet. I can text pics. It was also in an episode of reel gills they took it out for a demo.
I have an all carbon fiber werner corryvreckyn paddle, this is the biggest blade werner offers. Its a beast of a paddle and not really for a beginner or out of shape paddler.
I have a ton of both land based shark gear, offshore, and catfish gear. Really as most of us who have been doing this a while a ton of random stuff also.

Christian: You need a dose of "New Water"! I began kayaking in the Tx. Hill Country rivers. Nice, clear, spring-fed water, with trout and bass(3 varieties). Then I moved to the southern edge of the D/FW Metromess. The mudholes that they call lakes up there were depressing after the Hill Country rivers. I then moved to the Coastal Bend, 3 years ago. I can walk out of my abode(a 5th wheel RV), and I can't point a direction that doesn't have kayak-fishable saltwater marsh and flats! And, I can fish all twelve months. When the wind is too high for kayaking, there are places one can fish off of banks, jetties, piers and wade fish lots of places. Plus, a couple of times a year, when the red snapper are in close, I can go offshore and limit out(4), plus catch sand trout, Lane Snapper and other things. I just built a sail line(trotline) for an additional way to fish here.

If I had to live in North Texas, I might quit kayak fishing, too. I have an aluminum skiff I use here, but it wouldn't work well on the lakes up there. If you can re-locate to a better location, it would make your life more fun. I realize that life gets in the way of your desires. Family, jobs, and obligations are always there. I (finally) got out of college and joined "Corporate America", but always wanted to do more. I bought a 38-foot sailboat, sold my house, and sailed from Galveston to the Eastern Caribbean. And stayed 25 years. I was fortunate to have a wife that was agreeable, and no kids. But, kids adapt to the nomadic life better than adults. I hope you family enjoys your kayak passion.

Your Viking is what I would buy if it was in my budget. I also think about you when I hear of a stolen kayak. Best to you and your family. Visit the Coast or the Hill Country and it will revive your memories of why you kayak fish.

IslandJim, in what's left of Rockport

Man I hate to hear that... Maybe just step back for a bit rather than stepping away?

Burned out? Forget the fishing, perhaps just try paddling around some scenic spots and enjoying being out in nature?

The truth is, i just dont go anymore. Either i dont have time or dont have the energy.

Well if you don't have the energy, you won't go even if you have the time. I go through the same thing every summer thinking why put myself through this torture. Picked up my golf clubs last summer for a few months instead of kayaking. It was much easier to play golf in the heat than to kayak fish in the heat... and more fun to me. I didn't pick up the clubs at all this year but did join a gym to get my energy levels up. Anyway, you gotta do what you gotta do.

I haven't paddled in two years because of health issues.
I still can't get up the nerve to sell my kayak and gear simply because I enjoyed it so much, and in my mind I'm convinced that I can someday return.
Don't mean to sound harsh, but having the ability taken away from not physically being able is a lot different than not enough energy or time.
At least you can always get back into it.
I guess what I'm saying is interest change, but giving up a sport is a choice, and not a necessity as in your case.
Good luck in your future.

If I ever do it, give it up, it'd likely be owing to age-related health issues. I have none now, thankfully, at age 66.

I think what would be attractive to me at some point is a very sleek paddle kayak where I'd get as "minimalist" as possible. Two rods, two Plano 3600s, the general necessities.

And, I'd target beautiful rivers, small lakes. You wouldn't find me floating on Lake Arlington, I don't care how big the bass are in there and caught occasionally.

I could get on and off the water in minutes. That'd make it possible to schedule shorter trips without all the fuss, the planning. It is still my favorite way to fish.

Heck, it might not even be a kayak; I think I might just get a Meyers Sportspal S-13 canoe. It weighs 57 lbs. and would do the trick for me.

Brad

Prices?

Just got an offer on yak and paddle. Sold pending funds

Hey Brad, check out the RTM Disco. I still kick myself for selling mine and will get another one some day. For anyone at any experience level, you won't find a better combination of weight, efficiency of paddling, and fun. With a semi V hull and just enough rocker to excel in the rough stuff. Nothing like them in my opinion. If you put a couple of flush mounts in, you're good to go.

https://mastheadsailinggear.com/product/rtm-disco/



And the ladies love em!

https://ftlauderdaleyakfishingclub.org/RTM/rtmdisco.html

Another review from an old bud who paddled one of first ones to make it to U.S. market... Everyone hated the guy at the time because he was dissing all the barges made in U.S. but he was right on about this one, except for the size paddler it works best with.

No way.... so you have no kayaks now?