I've seen some of you with the diablo logo on your signature, i'm hoping that means you have one. I have finally decided to move into the kayak world when the float tube won't do. These are the two I have really been thinking about purely for the stand up capabilities. What are your thoughts (preffereably if you actually have one or tried one) I'll be using it for lakes, coast, maybe a big river like the Red. So give me your info please!

besides being able to stand up what do you want to get out the yak?
are you going to be paddling long distances?
do you need room for camping equipment for multiday trips?

I guess i'm looking for an all around type yak, 90% of the time will be hitting coves and small ponds, stalking carp in the shallows, bluegill on athens. The only long distance would possibly be the coast, but i've never done it, thats just what i've heard. And the need for camping type stuff is not necessary. thanks

have you seen the new jackson coosa yaks?

http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/kayak-fishing/coosa/

The Native Ultimate is hard to beat also

Yes, there's 2 of us here. Shannon (texasflycaster) has an Adios and I have a Chupa. I've played with the freedom hawk, but I really never have liked the "wings" out the back. It just seems too cumbersome to me. You don't drift at all while they're out, and you can't really move while you are standing, the main points for Diablo. Plus, you have virtually no storage on it.

Both models Diablo makes are extremely stable. SUP performance is great, but don't count out the yak parts, like the front hatch storage and behind the seat tankwell. The Chupa is 10 feet and 37 inches wide and the Adios is 36 inches wide and 12 feet long. If you want to get out sometime in one of our boats, we'll be at the kayak get together on Ray Roberts later this year, or set up a time with us and we'll bring them out for you to try somewhere.

Just get the goose-proof model (and don't call geese "dumb")

I also have the Diablo Adios and love it. The stability of it is amazing. I was a little scared about the ABS Plastic but it's a very sturdy yak. I do a lot of fly fishing in ponds and I also use it a lot out on Richland Chambers going after stripers and sand bass and it's great on the open water. In windy condiditions it's tough to paddle far but that's in every Kayak. I'm adding the bassyaks trolling motor to my Adios to help me in the open water when I'm caught in those windy condiditions. Plus the Diablo is made in our backyard right here in Texas which is a plus. The owner Thomas is very helpful. I highly recommend Diablo Paddlesports.

I think the Diablo is a very viable option, but don't discount the Native Ultimate. Its considerably lighter than the Diablo and still very stable. I can stand and cast all day long in my U12.

so what is the advantage / disadvantage of a smaller vs. longer yak? I'm totally new to this. I'm 6' but only 160lbs. if that matters. My thought is smaller is easier to deal with but do I sacrifice performance by losing 2 feet. Also are the diablos a viable option for saltwater, meaning maybe somewhat long paddles to find tails?

Longer typically track better and longer will be faster in most cases. Welcome to the plastic navy! I have said this before and will say it again. Standing in a 'yak has some geewizz factor, but I have not found I really needed to stand very often. It just was not worth sacrificing paddle-ability/handling for me.

The only time I have found it to be a true advantage is when sightfishing and scanning the flat for tailing fish. Being able to stand gives you critical extra vantage.

As to the diablo, she's a super stable boat, if a bit big for my taste. I'm no hater though - if I wanted a boat that I could stand on all day and pushpole around on the flats, it'd make a viable option. The option I use most often is either the Commander from wilderness systems or the Ultimate from native. I suggest that you find someplace that you can paddle the different boats that might fill the niche you're looking at, and then compare them side by side if possible.

In the end, it's all about the vibe you get from the boat by personally paddling it.

Something people don't think about when it comes to standing in a kayak. When you stand you just turned yourself into a sail. When I stand in my ultimate there is a very noticeable difference in the pace I drift compared to sitting. It easily doubles if not coming close to tripling my drift speed. Which may become a problem if you are drifting pass fishing spots to fast.

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