So I bought my first yak about a month ago and got it like 3 weeks ago. Since then I've had it out 2 times, got it completely rigged and ready to go. How long does it take to feel comfortable in one? I mean I saw how everyone loved em and for the few brief times I paddled and fished em I really thought it was the deal to have. But I've found myself illiterate on good launch spots, feeling like I'm gonna constantly tip in the high seating position, it's just not all I thought it would be. Like anything else I spared no expense on accessories or the yak. But I'm just having reservations. I'm having a hard time feeling good standing, and in the high seat, low is good but cuts out some of why I bought a coosa. I test paddled a bunch. No sinks but thinking I should have. Help me get back in track guys I'm kinda feeling like the wind is out of the sails here

I have had boats that it took me a while get comfortable in. I would say, being new to kayak fishing that it might take you a few trips to get in tune with the boat. I have not yet fished my Cuda in the high seat position. That is mainly due to the fact that the two times I've had it out it was extremely windy.
As far as launch spots, I would hook up with folks in your area and kinda follow their lead. You might also update your profile with your location. That way folks in your area will jump in and offer assistance.

Did you make the transition from a boat?

I can definitely see how the kayak could be disappointing for someone who is used to the comforts of a boat.

The kayak is a totally different game. Its a very physical sport that requires a great deal of planning and practice. It may take a little while for you to gain confidence.

Space and time management are important factors, and over time, you will intuitively solve these problems. The physical side will come along as well.

I had to completely reinvent my angling strategy, and over time, I have evolved into a completely new angler altogether, body and mind.

It gets better, but I will be the first one to say that it isn't for everyone. Some kayak anglers take the cons and completely turn them into pros. Some people will never get over the cons.

You should definitely try to attend the GTG next month. There will be a lot of good folks there that will gladly share stories, tips, techniques, and launch spots.

Take it out and tip it over. You are probably not familiar with the limits of its stability and feel like you are going to go over when you probably have a lot of leaning left in it. Figure out what it really takes to roll it over and then you will have more confidence in it. I've never been in a Coosa, but if you can stand in it, then it is way more stable than my Pescador.

Another option is our Friday Night Flips.
Go to: kayakinstruct.com
Check the clinic schedule and then click on FNF for details.
This is a good/safe way to learn the yak and better develop your yak skills.

I would agree with taking it out and trying to flip the kayak. It was very strange for me to stand (and sit so high) in a kayak at first too. I waited for a warm day, took out all my gear, and intentionally pushed the limits of the kayak. I leaned as far as I could from side to side, and even stood up and walked around. I think you will be surprised at how stable your boat actually is. This will also get you much more comfortable with the kayak, I know it did for me.

I am going to back up everybody on going out on the water and seeing what point it takes to get your kayak to flip. Within a week of buying my Outback I did this and the day my wife got her Sport, we took it out and she learned the tipping point of it and how to do deep water re-entry.

It took me about a month to get comfortable in my kayak from loading it properly, launch/recovery to the basics of fishing. It does take some time and patience to get familiar with yourself on the water in your kayak. Once you do though you will be estatic with your purchase and all the guys you get to meet and fish with.

When I was first going out I second guessed too. I didn't like reaching behind me to get stuff. I didn't give up and got more used to it but it still felt awkward. Not sure when it was but now I dont even think about it. I'm twist around and sliding up front to get stuff out the hatch. I can't even remember the last time I felt like I was going to tip. It becomes part of you. Give it a try for this year. Do go out as soon as you can and tip it in shallow water. It WILL be harder than you think. And learn re-entry too.

First off, give it some more time like others have mentioned. If it's really just that you don't feel stable in the coosa then maybe you should think about the few other boats that might feel more stable to you. Truth is, your coosa probably is as stable as anything out there, but it just might not feel that way to you. My commander 140 is mad stable. It's got the dual tunnel hull and the captains perch is awesome. It feels stable too. Wildy Ride, Cobra fish n dive, Malibu x factor and the Hobie Pro Angler are also options.

Also, understand that this time of year is actually one of the most difficult for kayak angling IMO. Lots of big wind. When it's blowing over 18 (which is like 5 out of 7 days this time of year it seems), kayak fishing is a full contact, sometimes grueling sport. Ive had to learn to embrace it as a challenge in the same way that say a technical climber looks at a rock face. Whats the best route in? Will i be able to fish this area? Or should i look elsewhere? What presentations will I want to throw? Of these, which will i be able to throw?Sometimes a successful trip is just one where i learned a new spot that has shelter from a certain wind direction or maybe I tried something new that helped me cope with the wind. That coosa is an awesome platform, but really probably the worst choice for windy conditions on a large Texas reservoir.

Planning is everything this time of year. When I hit the lake I am looking at wind forecasts and trying to find a balance between where the fish might be and where I won't get blown off the water. Sometimes it's really just best to find a place with the most shelter. That's usually somewhere on the south or east side of a lake... Windblown points, big open creeks on the north end of lakes are often times where lots of fish are concentrated this time of year, but you can't catch them if you can't make a decent presentation to them.

My advice is to find a river or large creek... Dont know where you're located but if its on the north or east side of the metromess next time i head into the hubbard river ill send you a pm. Can't imagine someone not loving a coosa in that environment.

What did you like about the coosa before u bought it. Kayaking angling isn't for everyone but is probably going to take a lil more practice than 2 times out. Go ahead & lower your seat if it makes you feel more stable for now. The higher I sit the less stable I feel too. Do u feel like u have good balance in general? How are your sea legs? I feel like practice might be it but being physically fit effects balance too. Are u normally comfy on and in the water even when u can't see or feel the bottom? I remember feeling like u do. But mine was a sit in touring kayak. Only turtled it once by mistake and a few times on purpose to learn its point of no return. keep your hips loose and try to relax. Might leave the rod at home and learn your yak 1st. its what i did.

FF,

I feel your pain brother. First time I got my Coosa on the water I thought I made a HUGE mistake. I thought that maybe I got caught up in the novelty of the idea of kayak fishing. That I should have been happy with getting access to a boat 5 or 6 times a year and that small water craft wasn't really the best fit for me.

Most of those feelings went away 30 min into my first paddle. Seat in the low position, just making a few loops in a small lake. What remained was the doubt that I could actually catch a fish in the thing.

I too questioned the stability, beaching, moving the seat to high and then starting back out again. It was noticeably different. It was obvious that I'd have to concentrate much more on keeping upright and my head along the center line. Then it happened. I hung the paddle some grass in 2 feet of water and I fell clean out of the seat. Didn't get my shirt wet, just slid right out and onto my feet.

Wait. What just happened?!? So I beached the boat, got back in it and did it again. I had to go over, WAY over to do it again. A guy on the shore said the opposite side of the hull was 30 degrees out of the water.

So I paddled out into 5 foot of water and stood up. Moved weight from one side of the boat to the other going back to rest at center each time. Sat back down and spent the rest of that day with a dry shirt.

Zombie's right, you need to feel at home before the rod goes in the boat with you. And that was the point I was getting at.

The other thing is you're going to have to come to terms with the wind. Some days the boat simply gets you to where you're going to fish and it's off to the bank you go. It was like that for park of my weekend in Broken Bow. Half of the day Saturday I simply couldn't manage to fish from the boat well. the wind was changing directions and sweeping down those big hills and beat us all over the place. But when we found protected water or structure we wanted to fish we did what it took, which half the time was bank'n it old school.

Other times there's no point in being on the water. When you have to struggle to get from point A to point B, then there's no fun in that. Better off polishing the boat with another coat of UV protectant and re-organizing your gear.

Stick with it and you'll find what works for you.

I appreciate all the advice. I'm in Austin area so it shouldn't be a prob to find places to go. But no one I kn

I appreciate all the advice. I'm in Austin area so it shouldn't be a prob to find places to go. But no one I know fishes kayaks. I did come from a bass boat and can do flips on that. I constantly feel like my legs are twitching and moving to keep me stable. But I'm sure it's cause I haven't tried to full extent yet. I bought it originally cause it was super easy to handle and felt good. I had narrowed the field down in my head and what I had tried to that pt. I look at that commander and the native ultimate and think I might feel better in that boat. I'm still uneasy though. Yeah my whole strategy has had to change and I'm sure it's paranoia, ignorance of the boat, etc that's giving me these feelings. I can stand pretty well. Just don't feel like doing any moving lol. If I were standing and had a bit of rough I'd prolly fall. Lol I bought also because of the options details etc it has. Just still trying to figure it out

I'm sure you've already visited this site but: www.austinkayakfishing.com. There are some amazing fishermen on that site. Personally, I think you're unbelievably lucky to have Ladybird and all the access to the Colorado down there. Tons of great spots to get your sea legs down that way...

Go the the ACK website and download there launch points app. It's a pretty nice little app.