My interest in learning the art of riverene yak fishing has taken me to several web sites, and more than a couple of dealers, to help decide on an appropriate kayak for river fishing. Amoung all the other details I seem to be stuck on the importance of the length of one's yak. 12 feet (at least), but I see pictures of those with 15 foot riggs and such. I'm 5'7" 257 lbs. and want to fish and camp out on the Brazos. I know the knowledgable and experienced folks here on this forum would know how to help me. So, what are the questions I should be concerned with when deciding on the length of my new kayak? I am considering an Ocean trident angler 13 foot yak

Wind, Tracking, Depth, Wait Max including all your gear. Good luck and there is a website forum dedicated to Kayak fishing www.texaskayakfisherman.com .

the trident is nice. I love my heritage redfish 12

You are right about length. I consider 12 feet a minimum.
With your stats you should be looking for a kayak with a little larger capacity. You should look for kayak with a capacity around 2 times what it will normally be carrying. Add the gear weight to your weight and look for a max load around 2 times that number.
The ocean Trident 13 would not be a bad choice for you with a max capacity of 475 lbs.

I have a hobie mirage outback that has worked perfectly for me in all kinds of fishing. It is 12 ft. and is 36" wide. It's pricey at about $1700 for a new one. I also considered an Ocean Kayak but also look at the Cobra Fish and Dive. Those can be bought for between $700-$800

Agree with RBR above. Factor in the gear you'll have with you on an average river trip, like fishing gear, cooler, ice, water, cast net, anchor, stake pole, bait tank (maybe). It adds up quickly.

Also keep in mind that the longer it is, the heavier and more difficult it will be to load on your vehicle, especially if you'll be transporting it on a car roof. I used to have to lift my Scrambler XT onto the roof of my car. It was do-able, but not fun.

I think with kayak length it's really about what you are going to be using it for, and you have to also look at your body weight and stature. You don't want something that is going to be hard for you to load and unload or haul.

There is no such thing as the perfect kayak. Really all you can do is get close, and that is on a personal level. What works for you may not work for anyone else.

What will make your choice easier is where are you going to fish? In the surf, or on the flats, or just in the lakes or rivers? You still have to try to look at how far you are going to be paddling on the water to your favorite fishing spot, and how you are going to carry the kayak to the water, via your vehicle, and once you are there, can you unload it and load it without breaking your back. One reason why a lot of guys have multiple kayaks that are used for specific needs.

Performance is another thing you have to consider. A short yak will not track as easy as a longer one, and a longer narrow yak will be faster than a short wide one, but you give up things like stability, and being able to turn faster.

Thanks forn all your input. I will take it all to haert!

The Wilderness Ride 135 is a big boy yak with lots of room for gear. 13ft long and 32 inches wide.

+1 - Ride, or the slick new 'yak from Wilderness the Commander . I like this boat quite a bit, took it on the Guad not long ago and liked it quite a bit. Capacity 400lbs and steady as a rock. I easily stood up and fly casted.

+1 - for the slick new 'yak from Wilderness the Commander . I have an Old Town loon 111 that has worked great for me @ 175lbs and I don't take much gear with me either. I saw the Commander and that is one nice ride. Only yak I know of where you can sit in, sit on or stand up! Open decks for easy access to gear that could be easily covered with velcro or strapped covers.. If I had a spare $1K there would be one on top of my SUV right now

It's a nice kayak alright. Little expensive and on the heavy side for a 12 footer at 64# so if you want to cartop it, you'd need a couple people.

Go to a demo days event and try them all out. Most of the kayak dealers have them in the spring. I bought my trident 13 last spring and have been very pleased.

Wow! So much information and very good advice. I almost purchased a yak on line but now after reading these responses I will slow down a bit and try a few out by renting. I will need one for an up comming Arkansas river trip first of May, and I want to surprise my buds with a savy new yak. However, the allure of the Brazos de Dios is everpresent on my mind. It will be this summers adventure de jours. I really want one of those stripers and I want to land one on my new kayak.

The "Commander " looks a lot like a canoe from the pictures. Wonder if it looses the feel of a kayak and rides more like a canoe? I am a skilled canoeist, but, but am anxious to try the new "toy," so anyone care to comment on this?

I really appreciate all the comments, and have learned much just from reading.

Thanks,

M.s

Generally speaking a longer kayak will be faster. A shorter kayak will maneuver a little better. Most of the places I fish are 6-8 miles one way, so I built a 16 ft boat. I would recommend you stick to the 14 foot range and hit a happy medium. As far as capacity it is always better to have more than not enough. Nothing like having a wet butt all day.
What part of the Brazos are you planning on paddling?