Need some help with purchase of a kayak. Whats the best length and or kayak. Should i buy one with a trolling motor installed or purchase a linkage and mount one, what do need for one i can stand up and fish. New to this so need alot of help.

Hi and welcome! As far as length it depends on where you are going to fish and what you are going to haul it with. Shorter kayaks are easier to handle but don’t track as well or as fast as say a 14’ kayak but if you don’t have a way to transport the larger kayak that could be a problem

Trolling motors are one thing but you need to understand that once you put a motor on it you must register it with Texas and put a registration number on it. I’ve had wilderness systems kayaks (commander 140 and an atak140) and now I have a hobie and love it

Both of those kayaks are super stable and you can stand and fish out of them…do your research figure out your budget and it will be a wonderful time

Join the plastic navy!

Check out Old Town 120 and 136 auto pilots. Spot lock is the way to go if your wanting a trolling motor. Both are super stable.

If you would consider pedal drive, look at Hobie, Old Town or Native.

Come see me tomorrow at Angler Pro Tackle tomorrow afternoon and I can show you them.

I do not have much to add. . Most "standup" kayaks are bigger and heavier obviously. I cannot get one on top of my little car. But being a skinny person with decent balance I can stand up in my 10' and my 11' kayaks. Not super stable but I have not gone in the drink yet.

I have thought about adding a trolling motor to one of mine but want a pedal kayak instead. I rented a hobie peddle kayak in Florida to do some peacock bass fishing and fell in love with it.

Get one of these.

Ok thanks for the info. Yea cant decide between motorized or peddle. Definitely gonna do lot of standing. Use my truck to transport.

Iconn4; you are the best!! I like 12 and 13 because they track better. I currently have a tarpon T13 and a jackson cuda 12', and both are great kayaks. I've never attempted to stand on the jackson...I've never been a great dancer. As mentioned, the expensive, heavier, and wider kayaks are for standing but that takes the fun out of kayaking. When a go out on my kayak, it's a quick trip and who knows where I'm launching from; ramp or shoreline.

Based on your last post; I recommend a Hobie PA. Good luck on your decision.

OP: Aside from the items mentioned above (weight, stability, tracking, hauling method, registering, etc), your desired budget is a major factor. Meaning, there are a lot of good kayaks that are less expensive and there are a lot of very good kayaks that are very expensive. Saying this, all of the pedal kayaks will be relatively expensive.

Cost aside... If you are waning a pedal kayak, I would recommend a Hobie PA or Hobie Outback. If you are wanting a motorized Kayak, I would recommend an Old Town Autopilot. However, both of these options will be $3,500 to $5,000+ new. If you are patient, you might be able to find a one used (your chances will increase if you are willing to expand your search by a couple hundred miles)

Cost considered... The Lightning appears to be a very good alternative to the Hobie Outback (https://lightningkayaks.com/collections/kayaks/products/strike-hd-camo). I have never seen one in the flesh, but it was designed by an avid kayaker and it appears to be a very solid build that is $1,500 less than the Outback. Also, a few folks on here have spoken highly of the KI kayaks (http://www.kayakinstruct.com/). KI has private label pedal kayaks and also sells used Jacksons. KI is located in Rowlette. Personally, if I was choosing between these (Lighting and KI), I would go with Lightning.

I recommend heading down to a lake tomorrow mid day and wait for kayak guys to come back in from fishing and ask them if you can take it for a spin. Tell them you're looking to get a kayak. Most guys will be happy to help you out. This will go a long ways in narrowing down a big decision and help prevent you from buying something you won't be happy with.

Try before you buy!

I have an old town 106 pdl if you want to try it.

Hey Bud I have a Predator PDL you are welcome to take for spin. Its an older model but they have not changed much at all.

It seems to fit your needs if you decide to go pedal. I have been very happy with it. Stable, fast, well thought out. Good for a big guy; I am 6'4 230lbs. You would need to be a big guy or lift some to load it alone. IT IS HEAVY. But it can be done and it fits in a truck bed. Might need an extender depending on your truck but it works well with my truck without one.

Shoot me a PM if you would like... not sure your timeline but I should be fishing in the next week or two.