I just recently purchased a float tube and was considering getting a kayak to fish some of the creeks and ponds around where I live.

but when I was at academy the guy in the fishing department told me I should go with a conoe (sp) over a kayak for fishing due to the stability of it. From what I have read there are alot of people who fish from yaks and have no problems. can someone tell me any draw backs that I might expect from fishing from a kayak.

thanks
Robert

Check out Texas Kayak Fishermen

It has been my experience that fishing in 10+ mph wind can be a big pain. The reason being is that I do mostly finesse bass presentations.

Stability is not an issue for me. 60+ trip -never even came close to tipping my Tarpon 100.

When fishing matted vegetation, I have lost several large fish because the kayak got stuck and the fish buried itself in the grass and I couldn't get over to free the fish.

Storage could be an issue.

Potty breaks can create a logistic nightmare.

Other than that it's great.

The wind will blow around a canoe worse than a sit-on-top kayak. A kayak will put you lower in relation to the surface of the water, but casting is still possible.

As far as stability, get a stable kayak. Some are stable enough where you can stand up in them. Just remember the more stable akayak is, the slower it is. An also the faster the kayak, the more unstable it is. Most kayaks are constructed some where in the middle of these two extemes.

I fish almost exclusively with my kayak these days.

I like to find a spot where I can anchor the kayak and wade. But if I can't wade, I can still fish from the seated position.

I have a lot to learn yet, so I signed up for one of Lefty Ray's Kayak4Redfish Seminars .

I'm confident that I'll learn a lot about what I'm doing wrong, a little about what I'm doing right, and plenty of new ideas that I've never thought of.

I always fished from a boat before. But since I moved to Corpus Christi, I can't tell where I can run my boat. I can paddle my kayak just about anywhere in the shallows. I can fish from it, or I can leave it and wadefish.

I love fishing out of my kayak. It is plenty stable and very manuverable. I have found that on a big lake I will consentrate alot more on one spot because you cant just run and gun. Also sight fishing is out of the question because of how low you sit, but that doesnt bother me. It is also perfect for small lakes like the ones in the Grasslands. It is not unusual for me to paddle 4-5 miles in a day of fishing and I am no athlete. Hope this helps and good luck.

robert0550,

I see you are in Cowtown. Instead of asking around at Academy which by the way carry the lower end Kayak's. Go over to a true paddle shop - Mariner Sails in Dallas. Ask for Chris and he will show you around the different options he has for Yak fishing. You will want to go with a Sit On Top model since they are the easiest to get in and out of. They carry both Wilderness Sytems (Models: Tarpon 100, Tarpon 120, Tarpon 140, Tarpon 160 and "The Ride") also they have the various Hobie Kayak's also.

Here is their web site for more info.

http://www.mariner-sails.com/

By the way you can save $ if you go with a standard Sit On Top kayak (one that is not pre-rigged for fishing). Just make sure you get a Rudder. That is the only option you will really need. Other rigging's such as rod holder etc. will come over time with how YOU want them placed and such. Just get a Milk Crate over at The Container Store and that will help you start your adventures.

By the way go and spend time reading as many post's as you can read over on Texas Kayak Fisherman (TKF). This will help you learn on the sport of Kayak Fishing.

thanks for the info flyintexas I will try and give chris a shout this weekend.

I just bought a Ocean Kayak Prowler 13. I like it better than the Wilderness Tarpon series but both are top notch fishing kayaks. Prowler 13 has a better front hatch and more room behind you for easy to reach gear. I agree with Flyintexas, you definately want a rudder and I would add a fishfinder which you can install later. I put a Eagle CUDA 240 with the GPS. It is a remarkable unit with a small footprint, important for a fishing kayak. I purchased it for under $200.00.

robert0550,

Your welcome! Anymore questions just post up!


meadowlarks,

Yes, I have heard of the Ocean Kayak Prowler 13. They came out later last year after I got the Tarpon 140. I was interested in looking at Ocean Kayak's. One of the problems up in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area's not alot of Kayaks to look at. Further South in Austin, Houston and the coastal area's seem to have more Yaks to see and try.

I am not sure I would like the Ridges that are in the floor of the Ocean Kayak's. I hear they cut into your leg's while paddling. I can't say for sure since I have never tried an OK. I do know that OK is a popular seller out in California.

I also hear that the Malibu X-Factor is a new yak on the market also. No Malibu dealers in the MetroMess.

I like the Eagle CUDA 240 with the GPS. I like the idea of getting a depth finder with GPS all in one. I believe the GPS also allows you to keep track on how many miles you have paddled out. Can the GPS be used for tracking miles?

yes it can, it will also track your speed. You can download the manual from the web site I think.
Display:
* Film SuperTwist LCD
* High-definition 240x160 resolution
* Backlit screen
* 16-level grayscale
* Overlay Data feature displays GPS data on sonar screens and sonar data on GPS screens

Sonar:

* Depth capability to 600 ft* (183 m) with 800 watts of peak-to-peak power
* High-performance, low-profile 200 kHz Skimmer� transducer with built-in temp delivers a wider, more effective fish detection area of up to 60� with high sensitivity settings - Operates at boat speeds up to 70 mph (61 kts)
* Advanced Signal Processing (ASP�) automatically adjusts your settings for the best sonar picture
* Patented GRAYLINE� separates fish from nearby structure and bottom
* Advanced Fish I.D.� shows underwater targets in different sizes of fish symbols
* FishTrack� displays target depth readings above fish symbols
* Surface water temperature readings come from a built-in temp sensor in the transducer
* Zoom with zoom bottom tracking and easy zoom-in/out control

GPS+WAAS:

* Full 12-parallel channel GPS and WAAS receiver with advanced internal satellite antenna
* Full-screen plotter, plotter with digital data, steer-to navigation screen, and GPS satellite status display choices
* Saves up to 1,000 waypoints, 1,000 event markers, and 100 routes (up to 100 waypoints/route)
* 100 savable plot trails with up to 10,000 points per trail
* 42 graphic icons to mark your favorite spots
* 40 plotter viewing ranges - from 0.02 to 4,000 miles - with easy zoom-in/out control
* Off course, arrival, and anchor GPS alarms

Performance:

* Internal back-up memory keeps stored GPS data and sonar settings safe and accessible for years
* Completely sealed and waterproof for use in the harshest environments
* Full one-year warranty; extended warranties available

pal,

Thanks for the info. Looks like I need one of these Eagle CUDA 240's. I have it down on my list of things to get!

I just need to research and determine my Battery options and mounting for the battery inside the hatch area. I am sure I can search around TKF.

1.) Are you securing the battery down at all in the hatch/hull area?
2.) Putting the battery in some sort of bag while in the hatch area?
3.) I guess you would leave the battery out when not fishing and also while transporting your yak to your fishing location and then putting the Battery into position once at the water's edge?

Just trying to visualize this whole process!

I put my battery in a rubbermaid container that has the blue seal top. I ran the wiring for the 240 thru a small hole in the top and epoxied it in. I attached the whole thing with industrial strength velcro (avail at Lowes) right in front of where I mounted the transducer. This keeps it from sliding around and protects the transducer from stuff in the front storage area from sliding into the transducer. The fuse is inside the container with all the connections. This keeps everthing watertight and secure.