I am thinking about getting into fishing with a kayak but have a limited budget. What do you guys think about the pelican getaway or castaway they sell at Academy? Are they ok for beginners? If you have a model to suggest under $500 let me know. Thanks

I'm new to the forum so this is my first post, having said that kayak fishing is why I'm here! I bought the Pelican castaway and I have to tell you man...it sucks! I felt like I was going to roll out of it every time I moved. If I were you then I would go with the Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 BUT you said your budget was 500 or less so I would go with the Ocean Kayak Scrambler they sell it Academy for $475 I think? It's awesome man I love it! Just my .02 hope it helps. steve

steven

I don't where you live or what kind of water you plan on fishing but I would try and ride one first along with other kayak brands. I have access to two of them if you are in the waco area. When I take people with me I usually put them in one of my boats; (mini X and redfish 12),and take out a friends pelican for me since I am used to being in a kayak. The key words are rental boats.

Kyle

Sorry steven I typed the wrong name.

Chaplain

Check out texaskayakfisherman.com All the info you need to know. Read up on some of the articles. They offer great advice and all those folks know exactly what they're talking about. Having said that, my first kayak was the Sit inside getaway. It was cheap, and it's not the greatest, but it gets me on the water. I mostly river fish so I don't need a whole lot, but size, weight, where you will fish, etc, all come into play.

There are so many factors that need to be accounted for before you get into it. Try your hardest not to just go out and buy one. Haha that's what I did, and luckily I still have my Getaway as a second yak.

But definitely check out TKF, and try to test out a few rather than straight away buying.

Good luck to you!

I read that and figured you typed the wrong name by accident....no big deal brother.

The prowler Trident 11 rocks but it's around $300 more than your budget. It has great stability to sit sideways in it and has good glide to boot. Better than 3 pelican's IMHO. Many years of great fishing out of a yak so make sure you get a good one. First crappy yak has turned many off to kayaking not knowing that a little more money can make a big difference. Steven is right. If you don't want to save for a higher end fishing yak the Ocean Kayak Scrambler $475 is sweet. Nothing wrong with a good used yak to save money also. Don't worry about light scratches on a used one. You will get plenty of those in short time on a new one. My new Prowler had several scratches on it from the showroom floor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPB-xZ6b2go

The heritage feather lite 9.5 they sell at Academy is also a good yak. It's a sit inside. It can be rigged alot of different ways. It's 30 inches wide and very stable. I have the 9.5 and the 12 foot.

I second that recommendation. $479 at Academy.

All great advice you've been given. I would definitely test drive any kayak that you're interested in, and I would also check at your local kayak dealer to see if they have any new or used kayaks for a steal. For instance, we have a Trident 11 right now that is a factory blem (it's a color they don't usually make) and it's $489. You never know what your local dealer will have...always worth asking.

look at the classifieds at texaskayakfisherman.com

seriously

it can save u some money soemtimes

Ive seen several malibu mini x's go for under your price range. Other kayak too. and sometimes they include the paddle with the sale.

gitusumbia is right. You will find with enough searching that anyone who has experience with kayaking will suggest you do not sacrifice quality and get a known good boat (would be happy to make suggestions). And show room prices are typically beat by people selling their seldom used boats or people looking to upgrades at reduced costs. Best place is as stated above is texaskayakfisherman.com. I see quality boats all the time in the sites classifieds, and from known people. Craigslist in your area would also be worth looking at as long as you know which boats are of good quality. Also suggest buying a trimmed down version (it will save you money), and enjoy rigging it out with a homemade effort, it's half the fun.

Had the same questions in mind a few years ago, I was fixin to buy a Pelican when I found a used Hobie Outback for a steal of 600 bucks, it was wider and longer than most of the others to support my Heavey frame, I call it the Fat Boy Kayak, it also has the peddal drive and rudder control that i have found to be priceless, as before mentioned ... do your homework. there are plenty of sites to check out if you do a search on line , see how others have out-fitted thier Yaks to get an idea how you might want to use yours.... good look and good fishin.

malibu mini x
is a good starter kayak. stable as can be and 9 foot. u can throw it in van or truck and be on your way. only 38 lbs also

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idIaoZYBxqk

http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/servlet/the-286/Malibu-Mini-dsh-X-Kayak/Detail

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpxcKoN367g&feature=related

I started out in a OK speck/Scrambler it was a good enery level yak and if you put some pool noodles in the scuppers it stays dry if you are mainly on flat water. TKF has some good deals I just bought a used big game from TG Canoes and Kayaks in Austin for 650. You might check there and get a deal.