I've actually only fished once from a kayak, but had to sale my boat. Well, to get back in the water, a kayak is going to be my only option. Ascend� FS128T Sit-On-Top Angler Kayak from BPS seems to be the thing for me. I will be fishing lakes and ponds, and would really like to have something to stand up in. I know there are better kayaks available, but this one seems right for the budget.

So, I have a few questions.
1. can one really stand up in one of these things
2. how many rods should I carry. It's got spots for all sorts of rods, but I'm wondering if they just get in the way.
3. snakes. I hate them. I am painfully afraid of them. What do I do if one decides this floating log is a perfect place to rest?
4. how hard is to learn to fish that close to the water?

I can't stress #3 enough.

SOT is a good choice.
1. I can't stand, but it doesn't keep from catching fish. Lusca stands up in a OK Scrambler. Kinda what ever you are willing to get use to.
2. I usually carry 4. Can carry 6.
3. I have seen several snakes but I have never had one try to get close. They don't seem to like me either.
4. I like being close to the water. I like being able to reach out, grab a big ol hybrid and yank it on board.

1. some can. some can't. A demo would help affirm that for you.
2. personal preference really. I carry 4 typically.
3. see that paddle in your hand? Use it to steer him in a different direction. If he's persistent, play whack-a-mole.
4. it's more fun to me. it'll be harder learning to stand on your kayak than to fish from one.

Whack a mole...hahaha. snakes don't seem to bother too much. I stand in my yak all the time. Since your new to yaks it wouldn't be the first thing I focus on. Proper tecnique is waaaayyy more important. If you are in the dfw area come out with us sometime weather you have a yak or not.

Before you make a hasty purchase of limited products at a big box store you should slow down a bit and visit a REAL paddle sports store to see some of the very best fishing kayaks that are out there. I would suggest that you get in contact with either of our Mariner Sails kayak fishing specialists, Dave Potts or Shaun Russell. You will receive nothing but sound advice and personalized for you recommendations from two of the most knowledgeable, respected, and successful kayak fishermen in the Metroplex. Don't make a mistake of compromising with only two or three big box options when you can have exposure to a variety of kayaks from twelve different manufacturers. Mariner Sails has a stellar track record of making very successful personal fits while still staying within, or quite often below any realistic budget. We currently have some extremely good end-of-year prices on both previous year model new kayaks as well as demo and used boats. Todays store hours are 10-4 and 9-6 on weekdays. Sundays are reserved for our families.

LOL...swalker Of all the questions #3 concerned me the most when I got started too. I've paddled by them at 2' away and haven't been bothered by them. I've had them try to get in the kayak with me to check me out. But to be fair it seems like they are A LOT more afraid of me then the other way around.
Some can stand, and some can't. It depends on your balance and the physical shape your in.
I carry no more then 6 rods at a time, although at times I'll carry one for quick afternoon trips after work
It is a big change to be fishing close to the water. You will notice it when you start throwing rigs like a long C-rigs as you have with a big bass boat.
But let me warn you, the first time you catch a 8lb bass out of a kayak and that bass tail walks to you at eye level.... Yea, you'll be hooked for life. There is nothing more addicting to the bass fishermen then kayak fishing.

I give all the newbies the same advise..SLOW DOWN!! Before you buy do some research on the different kayaks. Go to a good kayak dealer and have them show you the differences between the kayaks and what benefits will be attractive for your style of kayak fishing.
If you are in the Dallas are please consider swinging by Mariner Sails and allowing us to help your first kayak purchase be the correct one.
Lastly but in my opinion MOST IMPORTANT is to Demo,Demo,and then go demo a kayak again...Take your time and demo the kayaks you are thinking about purchasing. Getting the right kayak is so important if you spend as much time on the water as I.
By the way, I have a couple extra kayaks. You are welcome to come fish with me if you are ever up around the Ray Roberts area and want to try before you buy.

I would be interested in doing some fishing from a yak before buying one if anyone is interested in taking me along. I thought of another question. How do you make sure your fishing rods don't find new homes at the bottom of the lake? When you tip over, everything that's not "nailed down" sinks to the bottom.

Pole floats IMO are the best thing to use. you can get them at Cabala's. I want to say you get 3 for like 10 bucks. I'm headed out to lake worth Saturday morning for a while to take a new person kayak fishing you can come along if you like I do have some extra yaks you can use.

PM me if your interested..Joe

Dern good dude is cudadude. Lake worth is a great lake also.

What Shaun said, and my biggest problem was learning to flip and pitch jigs while sitting in the yak. It's easy while standing and standing is easy if you get the right yak.
I usually carry 5 rods unless I'm fishing out of my tandem with Dad, then I'll carry up to 8.
Snakes only try to get in my yak a night and I think then it was just curious.
There's a lot of good guys on this forum that are happy to help get you going.

1. Yes

2. Four. All rigged differently.

3. Snake here, move over there.

4. It's easy. No one does it the same way.