Hello.

I am new to the concept of kayak fishing as i have been a boat guy all my life, BUT I am interested in fishing rivers and standing more than sitting. What kayak would you all think best for that?

Thanks.

Jackson has a wide line of stable fishing kayaks. I'm not familiar with the Jackson names and specs like others that will likely chime in, but they have several stable platforms and are known for their quality.

My personal experience is with the Hobie PA and Outback.

The Hobie PA is very stable... I stand in mine all the time. Wind and slight current are no problem. However, I keep my butt planted if it's choppy.

The Hobie Outback is also stable. My son stands in his a lot. However, I personally don't like standing in it unless its near dead calm. This is partly because the center platform is relatively small. I may feel differently about the 2019 Outback models because they have a wider/flatter standing area.

Keep in mind that the most stable kayaks typically don't paddle very well and that the faster yaks are not typically "standing stable". In the kayak world, you typically get one or the other... standing type stability or speed/versatility

Interesting, thanks. Life is full of trade offs isn't i?.
i think i will lean towards stability as I am really more concerned with river access my boat cannot obtain. i appreciate your response!

If weight isnt much concern then its tough to beat nucanoe frontier.

The new Old Town Topwater series should be stable. The old standby Wilderness Systems Ride 115 is a solid yak. Jackson makes a few good river yaks, Cuda, Cuda HD, Liska, and a couple others.

The Diablo kayaks excel at floating down a river. Standing or sitting. They are wide and flat.

I had a Coosa HD that I used on many river trips in Arkansas and the Devils. I could stand on it even through light rapids without any issues. It was perfect. I recently went to the pedal drive Coosa FD but I think I�m gonna get another HD soon specifically for river usage.

When Jackson kayaks first came out with the Coosa, they claimed that it was specifically designed for fishing rivers and standing.
Can't go wrong there!

Also check out some paddle boards.

Have 10 foot new canoe and like it for both rivers and have modified it with a 9 inch raised seat for more comfort than standing.anyone interested it is your for 40.00. works real well until you get to 90 years.

I don't own one but a Native Slayer 12 XC would factor in to my thinking if I were fishing rivers and standing.

First, it has that sort of width to stand in easily.

And, adding to that, it has an adjustable seat height positioning, a retractable skeg, a built in chain anchor drop, just tons of stuff including horizontal rod storage.

It almost sounds like it is made for your circumstances.

Downside? It is fairly heavy.

Brad

OP you'll be wondering what took you so long to get into the sport. You'll love it.

Lots of really good options mentioned. Typically for a river kayak you want something that's light and easy to get from your vehicle to the river. One of the big benefits to having a kayak is accessibility to those hard to get to spots. I can completely understand wanting to lean towards stability for fear if flipping over in the river. Getting used to your kayak is part of the learning curve. Not sure what size you are but don't overlook the Wilderness Ride 115 as mentioned or even the Wilderness Tarpon 120. If you're wanting to stay below a grand a Perception Pescador is not a bad choice. These kayaks paddle well which means less time paddling and more time fishing. If you want peddles I agree the Native Slayer is a good choice but as mentioned it is heavy. I've heard from a number of people the Jackson Coosa is a great river kayak.

I recommend getting a cart of some type (not a scupper cart). It'll make life much easier.

I'll 2nd that.



Love mine. I've tried repeatedly to flip it and cannot.

The same kayaks I use for lakes, ponds, and the coast. The only thing I would focus on for fishing rivers is stay around the 12 foot range and no pedals. Lighter is better because rivers can get shallow and you have to portage at times.

I really appreciate all the input from everybody. This all has me pretty excited. If i get a kayak, then i guess i have to figure out how to rig it for fishing with issues like rods, tackle, cooler. Is a depth finder out of the question on a river or do you just measure depth with a pole the old fashioned way? It would definietly be cheaper with a pole.