Okay, Guys,
I�ve been lurking here for a while now, but never posted. I am a lifetime fisherman, but never been in a kayak. After looking into it, quite a bit, I am really wanting to get into kayak fishing. I am on a tight budget, so don�t want to make poor choices in what I purchase. I have read much on here and other sources about testing kayaks before purchase. That is really not an option for me, because I live out in a very rural area, and no one offers �demo days� anywhere around here. I am also limited to a $500 budget for first kayak, not counting a few extras.
I am a BIG man � 6� and 280 lbs. I am not the most coordinated person in the world, but not the clumsiest either. I will be fishing primarily lakes and slow flowing creeks/rivers. It will be a LONG time before I am comfortable enough to get into salt.
I have searched craigslist and local classifieds, and can�t find much. I have narrowed my search down to three kayaks within my budget, that look appealing to me. I know that everyone is going to say �go demo some yaks�, and I might be able to do that, but not sure. I am seeking the opinions of you guys about these 3 kayaks, and which you think would be best for me. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I hope to get my first kayak in the next couple of weeks, so I can get some practice time in before water gets cold this coming fall/winter. I plan on putting in A LOT of time paddling, and practicing various re-entry types in a controlled environment.
The 3 I am looking at are:
Perception Sport Pescador 12'
Heritage Angler 12' Sit-On-Top
Ascend� FS12T
They all have roughly the same specs, and are all the same price. What do y�all think?

Thanks,
Mike

I had the Perception Sport Pescador 12' and really liked it.

I'll vote for the FS12T. I started out with the FS10, then upgraded to the FS128T. Both were great yaks.

perception pescador. If the heritage was the older model I would say get that one but ever since they started selling them at academy the hatches and seat were down graded big time.

I am totally in love with my pescador but I'm a little guy. I would question whether or not it's big enough for you.
I'm a rookie and not a yak expert, but I think you might be a little tight in there. Great yak though.

I think in calm water you'll be ok but would either save up for a higher capacity kayak or buy used. With you and all of your gear you're pushing it in either of those. By buying used you won't lose much or any money if you decide you want a bigger kayak and can get on the water sooner than later.

Thanks for the input! I have also looked at the Heritage Angler 14. It is 2 foot longer, and has another 50 lbs of capacity, for $100 more. I have sat in the 14 (on the floor at academy, lol), and I had plenty of room, but would definitely need an upgraded seat.
From what I have gathered, reading here and elsewhere, it sounds like:

Heritage Angler 12 - most stable of three mentioned in OP
Perception Sport Pescador 12 - most efficient paddling of 3 in OP
Ascend FS12T - not the best reviews
Heritage Angler 14 - more weight capacity, but longer, heavier, and $100 more.

As said in OP, I have been searching craigslist and local classifieds, for months with no luck.

Would I be better off getting the Heritage Angler 14 - for $100 more, to get the extra weight capacity? $600, plus paddle, plus upgraded seat would absolutely be the top of my budget for now.

Is a 14 footer gonna be okay on creeks? Is the Heritage 14 gonna be a pain in the butt to paddle, with the flatter bottom?

I'm really excited, and want to get this going, but DO NOT want to drop $500 - $600 on a bad choice.

If I were to wait until I could afford something like the Malibu X-Factor (600 lb capacity), I wouldn't be able to buy that until sometime next year. Is it worth waiting?

where u live

The 3 yaks u r looking @ r not big boy yaks
u wont get much performance out of them & safety will B an issue.
U can fish out of em fine IF U TRAVEL LIGHT & STAY IN PROTECTED WATERS.


IMO, Yes. Mariner Sails should B getting some in soon. 4 you 2 touch n feel. MikePaddle might chime in to tell you more.
Till then you might consider an OK Drifter. Not the driest ride but neither are the pescador, fs12t nor heritage at your size.
drifter IS a big boy yak n might be right 4 u now

Put an ad in craigs list and TexasKayakFisherman that you are looking for a used big guy kayak. Let them know where you are located. It shouldn't take long to maybe come up with some folks looking to sell a older Widerness Ride, Perception Search 15, Malibu Stealth 14, Ocean Kayak Drifter, and others I can't think of. Lots of good ones out there if you take a proactive approach.

Ok! I never thought of putting up an "In Search Of" ad. I will do that. I have heard WONDERFUL things about the Malibu X-Factor.
So, here's another question:
Should I go with a Heritage angler 14 now, and save up for an upgrade to an X-factor? Or should I just wait? Is the Haritage angler 14 considered a Big Boy Yak, with it's 400# capacity?

I live in a little town called Grand Saline, about 2 hours east of Dallas

IMO, I would keep saving your money and get into a more stable kayak than what you posted up. I don't think your going to be happy with how it's going to fit you after you have been on the water for a while and trying to move around getting Gear from the back area. The more a kayak is pushed below water level the less performance your going to get. . Rule of thumb is to find a kayaks with a weight capacity of your weight plus a 100 pound and your good.. I'm not a small guy either and I had to learn the hard way. Hope it helps and welcome to the addiction.

Scrape up 8 and go to Marshall and get that cruise on TKF