I enjoy the freedom of the kayak and being out on the water. Boats are like cars and airplanes, the best day of ownership are the days you buy them and the days you sell them - everything in between is just a lot of work and hassle and things breaking on you.

A kayak is simple, easy and fun and if i want to bring friends along i just get them hooked on kayaking too

I've fished out of tubes, had a BassTracker boat, and now have two kayaks. They are all different and let you do different things. I love the kayaks, going out alone or with a friend. But it's not faster getting up and getting out on the water compared to the BassTracker. Instead of hooking up a trailer and putting in batteries and a gas tank, I'm putting on a truck bed extender, carrying the kayak from the shed to the driveway, gathering up paddles and other gear, etc. And a kayak is still a boat, you'll alway be looking for things to buy for it.

You'd definitely want to be careful out in the middle of the lake during the winter.

You will learn real quick that you can't get up and go somewhere in seconds a Kayak takes time but a power boat over a Kayak I will take the Kayak!

I did have a Pontoon, Center console and a Kayak. I have sold the Center console and use the Pontoon when I have other people with me. I am using the Kayak more and more. Like many have said, it is just more fun to fish from a Kayak. I also agree the people are much nicer.

Not to mention that when the ramps and launches are closed you can slip a yak in anywhere!

The economics and simplicity of fishing from a kayak has allowed me to spend much more time on the water than I ever could have otherwise. It becomes more work the older you get but being that close to the water, the sights, the sounds, the smell of fishy waters, there's no better craft than the kayak for a great escape from the daily grind.

https://vimeo.com/72859045

Sooooo true. I sneak up on nature all the time. Such an amazing sport.

I bought my first fishing kayak four years ago and have steadily upgraded into a Native Mariner 12.5 Propel Drive, and a Wilderness Ride 135 as my paddler. Once I started kayaking I never used my Champion Bass boat. After it sat for two years without being used I sold it. I kayak sometimes daily but at least 2 times a week. The cost factor, the ease of use, and just the plan-o fun factor is just to overwhelming in favor of the kayaks. You can go top of the line Hobie PA and have nothing invested compared to just the maintenance and upkeep of a Bass Boat.

All the above reasons for me plus there's just something about the quietness and having a 4 or 5 lb bass jump and be eye to eye with you.
Also I bought a second yak which is a tandem for taking my dad fishing, the times we've had together is enough for me.

I've been out of mine for about three years or so now though.

A lot depends on the type of fishing you do. I love the kayaks because my preference is chasing reds in the marsh. I finally sold the bass boat because I kept it on Conroe, and I see that lake going down the tubes because of the politics on the lake and the age of the lake. It's sad; I've fished it since it was impounded, but the bride and I have just gotten to where we didn't enjoy ourselves out there any more.

I still enjoy bass fishing, but I prefer reds on the flyrod. So for me, the kayaks fit my preferred style of fishing better. I'd love to have a poling skiff, both to fish out of and to motherboat the kayaks to less crowded areas. Kayaks have gotten so popular that it's getting harder to find secluded areas to fish within paddling range. But since we're hauling an RV when we hit the coast, I can't pull a skiff also (I know it's doable, but I just don't want to deal with a tandem rig). So for me, it was the way to go. Only you can answer whether it's right for you. When I lived in Florida I wadefished the flats a lot; most of the marshes I fish here in Texas aren't wadeable. When I lived in Florida I fished offshore a lot; here that's just too far to go for daytrips. Fuel costs alone would make it prohibitive for me.

So, for me, it was a natural progression, since I've gotten back to the salt water. Look closely at the type of fishing you do and the conditions you do it under, then make up your mind. If you decide to dump the PB, just remember that you can't carry all that extra gear in a yak; you'll need to minimize the equipment you use. Good luck whichever way you go.

CDUB, all the posts in here are right on target and the I share many of the same reasons others have stated - cost and limited places to go. I don't own a bass boat but my friend does and I always buy all the gas when we go. But for me it really boils down to places to fish or expanded opportunities. In the bass boat we're limited to the bodies of water you can launch a big bass boat in. But with a kayak, if there's a puddle of water, you can just about fish it!! I have had more fun fishing since I got the kayak and I fish less and less in my friends bass boat. Unfortunately I haven't convinced him to make the switch yet and I don't think he likes me telling my kayak fishing success stories because they usually take place in a body of water he can't get to with his boat. You can still fish the big bodies of water but I've found I catch more fish hitting the small lakes - less pressure, higher concentrations maybe - and there are so many of those in North Texas you can never fish them all. It's like trying a new lure - if some one talks about it I gotta try it! And there's not a better brethren to be affiliated with. We share information, details, techniques, etc. and chastising is not tolerated. I don't worry about giving up a honey hole because I'm not good enough to ever "establish" one! Plus its more fun to fish together and I enjoy seeing others fight one in (watch TxWhitacre's videos and you'll see the joy of fishing together). I counted up the other day and I've fished over 20 different lakes this past year and only four or five are big boat accessible. And here's the other deal - you can get into places you can't even dream about in a bass boat. I can't tell you how many times I've caught nice one's in a spot inaccessible from a boat and had bass fisherman in a boat witness my catch. You know the thrill of having a big bucket mouth blow up on your lure - well have that happen right by your lap! Now that's fun! If you make the switch, we're sure you'll enjoy it. Let us know.

MY STORY IS: Last time I went salmon fishing in the river mouths of Lake Superior, we could see them biguns in the water couldn't quite cast to them, Had this really nice wooden canoe the on roof of truck for 10 days only put it in the water once. Rocky cliffs the reason. I told my Bro. When I get back to Dallas I am buying me an inflatable. which I did. A SEA EAGLE. It goes as luggage in airplane, can Back pack in the boonies. Can shove it in the trunk of car drive down the dryed up boat launch unload air up and have the whole lake to your/myself. I have been in 3 foot waves with it ->> NO PROBLEM. It has a 650 pound caring capacity, And my paid for aluminum boat motor and trailer just sits under the carport. Haven't had it in the water since I owned the yak. I am frequently in it 5-7 hours without getting out. and I am 62 years old/young, so go for the Yak. For a hard body yak The Diablo is my favorite. Butt the inflatables will get you where nothing else can get to.. That's my 2 cents on that.

Yep, reminded me of some places on Naconiche.

Had to sell my Skeeter once my son was born. He will be 3 in Jan. Had 2 kids in daycare and had to make some choices. I was kayaking fishing for about 9 months before I sold my boat. Lusca got me into it. So I went to kayak fishing 100% of the time. I have really enjoyed it but I do miss my boat. I miss it when I want to fish on the lake or its windy. I don't miss the expense and mechanical issues of a boat. They both have their place. There are alot of places I fish now that you can't get a boat into. It has gotten me back into multi species and and fly fishing and not focused on bass all the time. There are times though that I would like to fish a lake that a boat would make it easier. I hope to one day get another boat to take the kids out on but I don't ever plan to give up kayak fishing as long as my health allows it.