I've decided to get a kayak. With help from HOTKayaks, I'm interested in several to test drive. She has been very pleasant and helpful.

I'm hoping I can get some of your opinions, both good and bad. I haven't had a chance to test drive them yet, so everything is still up in the air as to a final decision. Thanks guys!

Here they are:

• Malibu Mini-X
• Redfish 10 and Redfish 12
• Tarpon 100 or Tarpon 120
• Ocean Kayak Scrambler
• Native Watercraft Manta Ray 12

I'm around 5'10" and 150 lbs. I fish for anything that swims. I'll be looking to fish mostly lakes, but do want to be able to take it down rivers like the Trinity and Brazos.

Thanks again!

Theres not one in the lot you listed that wouldn't suit you to a T. Colleen at HOTkayaks will definitely fix you up! My personal preferences would be in this order...
MR12
T120
RF12
RF10
A 12'er is EZer to paddle and offers more room so if you can swing it, go with the longer boat. Enjoy!

Any of those listed will be good for you.. The mini-x will not be nearly as fast as the others, but much more easy to navigate.

I remember 5'10" and 150...I think I was 13..

I by no means am a kayak expert. I've owned 3 and now have a cobra navigator, which is AWESOME. That said, all of my buddies have bought and sold several other yaks, perception casters, prisms, pelican castaways, etc... and pound for pound the best of all of them has been the Tarpon 120. If I were a little lighter that is what I would have bought, but the navigator is perfect for me. Heck it'll hold enough weight that I can even get a little bigger if I want!!

The guys at Mariner Sails used to carry the tarpon and they have demos all of the time out on whiterock lake, so you might give them a shout.

A rec kayak is what you need. I fish but love whitewater, my dagger 11.5 fits the bill, I get to do both. My boat can handle Class III, whitewater and perform well on lakes and pond, so look for something in this area. Make sure a skeg or rudder is part of the the package, you will need it more than never not knowing about it.
Lot's of places do demo, so do a google search, on yaking in your area, find the hot spot, show, play, then decided. Foremost, just don't buy on the spot, you will be a unhappy camper. Best of luck.

Just bought a Cobra Navigator and I am impressed with it. The only thing is the secondary stability can be a little bit trick. Other than that, it handles rivers, and surf pretty well. Also it is not slouch and tracks very well. Lots of cargo. A beauty!

From the ones you've listed, I'd choose exactly as AKFHermes1 has chosen.

Thanks for the help guys! That list is pretty much what I was thinking as well. I can't wait to have a chance to test drive them...

I bought my first kayak and after a lot of research I bought a 12' Redfish Angler.

The shorter boats are a lot easier to get on top of the car, but if you want an all purpose boat, you will find a 12' boat will travel much faster in the water and you can still get in very shallow water. Also, you can go bay fishing in a 12' boat (perhaps 14' would be ideal for bay fishing though), but I think you might be in for trouble with one < 10'.

Unless you have a really good reason and you want fishing kayak, I would stick to a 12' sit on top kayak.

I am very happy with my Redfish, as it has a good seat. You do need to be careful about the hull, which can dent. I left mine on top of the car for a week and there are indentions where it hits the rails. I don't think it is a big deal in terms of performance though. I am still happy with it and I would buy it again so far.

I bought mine from HotKayaks, and I was very happy with their customer service, which is fantastic.