12thManStanding

I ended up finding a used Bonafide RS117 for $725 and have really enjoyed it! Thanks all for your input, now to get out on the water and catch some fish.

Thank you all for the additional kayak recommendations! I already have a fish finder, and will definitely getting/building a crate and also cart for easy transporting. What are the other must-have accessories when kayak fishing?

Great feedback all, thanks for sharing. You’ve provided many perceptions that I haven’t thought about, since this is all new to me. Here are answers to the questions asked. 5’7” 180lbs I’d love the ability to stand, but I know I’ll only be car topping the kayak, so lighter the better. Well said, and great question! I was thinking of bringing along a fish finder, and the transducer is mounted to the bottom of the trolling motor. I could purchase a new transducer instead, assuming that I even need it with me. Overall I’m looking at a kayak to help me get on the water more with less effort, and to be able to do it on my own. Looks like I’ve over complicated things by assuming I need a trolling motor mounted. Sounds like I need to get out and take a couple poles with me while I demo a couple kayaks. With all that said, and hopefully a few thing cleared up would there be any other kayaks to consider? Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate it!

I'm in the market for my first kayak, and have spent a ton of time doing some research. I think I've narrowed it down to a couple different brands, but would love some insight and perspective from you guys. I currently have a 12' aluminum boat that my son and I put on top of our van, but when he's working or out with friends it makes it impossible for me to take the boat out. The boat has a transom mount trolling motor and a fish finder transducer connected to the trolling motor. I'd like to use that motor on my kayak, so that has narrowed down the list of kayaks. My budget is no more than $1200, which gets rid of all the pedal-type kayaks. I also don't plan on fishing rivers, or large lakes with choppy water, and will be primarily fishing smaller lakes (under 300 acres). Below are the list of kayaks that I've been researching. At first, I was all in and excited about the Jonny Boat 100 or Pelican Catch PWR 100, since they were basically made for motors. I really liked the stability that these provided and the option to be able to stand and fish. I wouldn't call these kayaks, but 1 person boats, so I decided to add some actual kayaks to the list. That's were I discovered a local shop that sells NuCanoe and Bonafide kayaks. I learned that both of these brands make it very easy to add a transom mount bracket and attach the trolling motor. The models I've been looking into have been the NuCanoe Flint and the Bonefide RS 117. The RS117 seems to be more stable than the Flint, but I've heard the Flint's tracking and speed is incredible. Are there any Jonny Boat, Catch PWR, Flint and RS 117 owners here that can chime in and tell me what the datasheets can't? I'm also planning to demo the Flint and RS 117 at the local dealer within the next week. Are there any other kayaks that I've missed that I should be considering at this point? I appreciate you staying with me during this long post, and I look forward to hearing what everyone has to say.

Looks great, and nice fish! I still haven't fished deep lake in a boat. I've been really pursuing a kayak instead of my 12' aluminum boat. Where did you pick up your kayak, I believe live in the same general area. Thanks!

I had 2 old tackle boxes that weren't being used, so I removed the trays which basically turned them into a storage box. In one I have all types of worms and in the other, everything that isn't a worm. I just started fishing last year, so I can imagine that those who have fished for years would have a bigger collection of plastics and might need more room.

I do need to pay more attention to the fish finder. I have a tendency to get excited to be out on the water, and end up trolling down the bank fishing around and under docks. I've got a 12' aluminum boat with only an electric trolling motor. There are many small lakes near me that don't allow gas engines. Most of the ones we've fished have been around 20-60 acres, but the one above is 150 acres. So max speed for me and my son in the boat is about 3 mph, so it does take us some time to get around the lake. This next trip out, I think I'll head to some possible spots and scan them first to see what around before I cast a line in.

Thanks Bluebasser86 and Bankc for the advice, and I'm anxious to get out there and see what I can find on the fish finder. I'll definitely start on the north end of the lake and work my way southeast and parallel to the drop off. It's my understanding that I should position the boat a bit off the steep banks, and cast over the drop off to higher ground and retrieving the lure down the steep embankment. I've found bass fishing a very unique hobby that scratches so many areas for me. I love the challenge it brings and the potential it has for landing that personal best fish! Appreciate the community here and how friendly everyone is and how willing people are to share advice to new bass fisherman like me. ?

I'm struggling to identify potential bass hang outs during winter at the lakes that surround me. I've watched many videos online that talk about what to look for when looking at bathymetric maps, but I'm struggling and could use some advice on what areas may best to try during the winter. These crater created lakes are much different than the lakes in the south, and unfortunately the videos I've found have been from people who live in the south/midwest. I've attached a map of one of my local lakes with spots I've highlighted green, where I think the bass may be during the winter. I just don't know how deep they may want to go. I'd like to do as much research as I can before going out on the boat, and would love some advise or counsel. Thanks!

Hello Bass Resource Community (BRC)! I've spent most of the evening on here reading through a ton of great posts that have answered a lot of my questions about bass fishing, since my son and I only started late last summer. Thank you! I grew up fishing for trout, and off the docks in the Puget Sound, but bass fishing is completely new to me. It's been great to learn how to fish for bass, but I can honestly say it's also been frustrating! However, I'm addicted and powering through the winter season eagerly awaiting spring and our first chance to fish pre and post spawn. If there's any active members in south king county, I'd love to chat. Here's to tight lines everyone. ?

13 years late to the party, but the content did not disappoint. This was my first summer bass fishing and I'm so glad I came across this forum and post. Bass fishing is unlike any other fishing I've done before and I love it, and am (un)fortunately addicted...