you can buy a good SOT, paddle & life jacket at Academy for $600
dont over analyze it

I keep hearing the following: 1. Demo before you buy! Nearly every yak shop offers some sort of demo days throughout the year, while some offer them much more frequently (for instance, we offer demos every day we're open). You will instantly feel the difference between 2 similar yaks even if you've never paddled in your life. Ignorance may be bliss, but test driving boats keeps you from thinking "what if?".

My questions is where? Rentals or will shops selling allow you to demo them for more than a few minutes? I want to really fish out of several to make sure they are comfortable and I like the yak.

Where you are located will help answer that

Mariner Sails in DFW has demo days on Thursdays and the occasional Saturday at white rock lake, by reservation

Guess that would help! I am in North/West Ft Worth. Thanks!!

Anyone??

not absolutely sure but i think
both mariner sales of dallas
and mountain sports of arlington
will take a serious buyer down
to the water once theyve narrowed
it down. which ones r u interested
in?

We,will also take customers out for demos.

Interested in the Tarpon and the Cuda 12. Thanks for the response!

+1 on that. They did my family in Rockport right and I heard they went to Tech. Guns up baby

Just my 2 cents. I'm new to kayak fishing and wanted to get into it on a budget. I found the Field & Stream Talon at Dick's sporting goods on sale for 399.00. It was normally 549.00. With the 10% off for opening a Dick's account the grand total was 389.00 after taxes. I have been out a few times and could not be happier with the yak. Only and I mean only complaint is the seat needs to be swapped out but for 59.00 that problem was taken care of. Yak tracks well, has 400lbs rating, rod holders, anchor, paddle holders, lots of storage, and comes in yellow or camo. Oh and did I mention you it was on sale for 399.00. If money is no object a top end kayak is probably better but I can't see how it could be better than having 2 or even 3 of these. Sorry, just get excited when I find a good product at a good price.

I agree with most of the info below, just keep in mind the caveat was for an all-around kayak for fishing the varied inshore and offshore waters of se florida.

http://www.ftlauderdaleyakfishingclub.org/yakdesign101.html

The F&S Talon is a decent starter yak IMO so
Does sound like your decision to go with the talon was mostly $ based though.
i certainly understand that too having been there n done that with other things.

but when you get to paddle yaks side by side, you'll be thinkin more about stability, safety, comfort, quality, overall feel. then all the rigging possibilities!!!
custom rigging your yak is a big part of tha "yak angling experience" & when u get it right, it feels nice!. no so nice when it's wrong & youve swiss cheesed your new fishing vessel. if your looking to customize a new yak, start a thread asking for advise. some folks around here r actually well known for their innovative rigging abilities

TEST

Where is a honest web site for used kayaks? Thanks

there is a classified here in the kayak forum.

I bought mine off craigslist. You just need to know what to look for and make sure you test drive it