Buying A Kayak This Spring!

[J.Bass]

I been looking around. I want to get a kayak for when I fish small lakes. A lot of strip mines around by me. My Buddy said there's fishing kayaks. I can go up to 2000 grand but would like to stay around 1500 or less.

 

My question is what would be the best fishing kayak for around 1500? Looking to hold two rods and a med/large tackle bag. Also can you add a trolling motor to a kayak and a fish finder? Also my buddy said you can get a rubber rack for the kayak for my Chevy Sonic?

 

Sorry all I'm knew to a kayak, I only know about fishing boats lol. Thanks for the help all!

[Darren.]

Man, if I had around $2000 for a kayak, I'd seriously consider the Hobie Pro Angler 12 for $500 more. That close, it'd be hard to turn down the Pro Angler.

 

And as for trolling motors, fish finders, you bet you can add them.

 

I made a mount for my trolling motor on my Native Ultimate 12. I control steering with my feet, and rigged a switch box for FW/Reverse speeds.

 

And I also made a mount for my fish finder.

 

The Pro Angler doesn't really need a motor as your feet do all the work. But you can get a specially made trolling motor from Torqueedo http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaks/accessories/evolve/. It's a beast.

[HeavyDluxe]

Wow... big budget, and there's lots of good options.  The Pro Angler, mentioned above, is one heck of a boat... For my feelings, maybe even a little too much.  Lots of people use the < $1000 offerings from Wilderness (the Ride, Commander, Tarpon) and Jackson (Coosa, Cuda) among others.

 

Almost all kayak threads here or elsewhere boil down to telling you to get seat time in a boat to see what you like.  With the amount of funds in your budget, you'll be able to put yourself in a top-flight boat or completely trick out a more common model to suit your preferences.

 

Kayak fishing seems to be a bit of a trend, and so accessories of all kinds (transport, fish finders, trolling motors, and the like) are more available in the market than ever.

[J.Bass]

Man, if I had around $2000 for a kayak, I'd seriously consider the Hobie Pro Angler 12 for $500 more. That close, it'd be hard to turn down the Pro Angler.

 

And as for trolling motors, fish finders, you bet you can add them.

 

I made a mount for my trolling motor on my Native Ultimate 12. I control steering with my feet, and rigged a switch box for FW/Reverse speeds.

 

And I also made a mount for my fish finder.

 

The Pro Angler doesn't really need a motor as your feet do all the work. But you can get a specially made trolling motor from Torqueedo http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaks/accessories/evolve/. It's a beast.

Will look at website ty ^^

 

Wow... big budget, and there's lots of good options.  The Pro Angler, mentioned above, is one heck of a boat... For my feelings, maybe even a little too much.  Lots of people use the < $1000 offerings from Wilderness (the Ride, Commander, Tarpon) and Jackson (Coosa, Cuda) among others.

 

Almost all kayak threads here or elsewhere boil down to telling you to get seat time in a boat to see what you like.  With the amount of funds in your budget, you'll be able to put yourself in a top-flight boat or completely trick out a more common model to suit your preferences.

 

Kayak fishing seems to be a bit of a trend, and so accessories of all kinds (transport, fish finders, trolling motors, and the like) are more available in the market than ever.

Cool thanks guys I will look at pro angler. Ill have to keep searching, Not getting one till april anyways.

[alexstep88]

hey.. its the buzzbait guy i just replied to!  ha ha.  I just joined the site, and am searching Illinois stuff. I basically only use a kayak now. I have a 16' bass boat and a 14' jon boat, and I MUCH prefer a kayak. A big reason (and probably a reason for most people) I got into it because of gas prices, always charging batteries, hauling a boat around, just the typical hassles of a boat. But now I prefer a kayak for the many advantages it offers for fishing. Mainly, it is super stealthy. I've caught bass on beds in my yak 3' away in 2' water. I didn't mean to get that close, but when I saw I had drifted up on it and it was facing away I dangled a senko in front of its face. That is when yak fishing took over. It gets in your blood...bad. I have no desire to use my bass boat anymore, but a lot of that has to do with a comfortable yak. I have the 2013 Wilderness Systems Ride 115. It has a comfortable seat, and you can stand in it. Being able to stand and stretch your legs will make yak fishing a million times better. 

 

We share Emiquon as a favorite lake, so I'll use it as an example. I fish this lake now more than any since I can see it out my living room window and it produces soooo many fish. A kayak is the perfect choice for this lake. You wouldn't think so because it is so big, but it is not as bad as it seems. If you are only using one trolling motor and one battery (Since it is a trolling motor only lake) you are limited on how far you can go anyways. More often than not, I can go faster with a normal rate of paddling than most people can trolling. I've even towed people who ran out of power. 

 

Another reason a yak excels at Emiquon is the weeds. At a certain part of of the year many people will just stop fishing here. Trolling motor+weeds does not make for a fun day. With a yak, you can paddle right through or on top of it. It takes some muscle sometimes, but it's a lot better than pulling weeds all day. Plus when it gets really windy, you can pop up on some mats and stay in place. This is hollow frog paradise. My favorite thing in the world. There are many days in the summer where I can do this and catch 50 bass in 4 or less hours. I kid you not, last season I caught 9 bass in 9 casts, with the smallest being 16.5". The best part... jon boats cant get in this slop. The worst part is paddling back when you're bleeding from bass thumb, but it is worth it. 

 

Once I started using a yak at Emiquon, I started catching way more. I believe the biggest reason is stealth. The lake is shallow and they aren't used to loud noises (outboards) This causes them be pretty spooky. It gets breezy there pretty easily, and the splash off of an aluminium boat scares them as well. One time, I was nailing them bumping squarebills off of old concrete. A guy in a jon boat came close to see how I was catching them, and as soon as he did the bite turned off like a switch. 

 

Before you buy, do TONS of research. It is hard in central Illinois, because quality fishing yaks are not really available. If you want, we could meet some time and I'll let you try out some yaks. Along with the ride 115 I have a Wilderness Tarpon 100 and a Perception Sport Pescador 12, which is the 2008 model of the wilderness tarpon 120. I know someone who would also probably let you try some different ones as well. It would be really helpful in your decision making, especially if your gonna spend 1500-2000. Keep in mind you'll have to buy a paddle and a high back pfd. Account for $400-450 If you want nice stuff. 

 

Some trolling motors made for yaks:

http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/servlet/the-1170/BassYaks-Motor-Kits-dsh--Wilderness/Detail

 

http://kayakfishinggear.com/torqeedoultralight403kayakmotor.aspx

 

If you want to mount your own, I would think the wilderness commander would be good. It is a hybrid (canoe/kayak)

 

Yes, you can install a fish finder. There are many ways to rig them now.

 

Check out kayakbassfishing.com  You can learn anything you'll ever want to know here.  

 

Sorry for the long post, but I really would like to see more kayak fishers in central Illinois. Maybe get a group going. Let me know if you have any questions. I live for kayak bass fishing. 

[alexstep88]

here are some pics of my yaks. 

 

 

[J.Bass]

hey.. its the buzzbait guy i just replied to!  ha ha.  I just joined the site, and am searching Illinois stuff. I basically only use a kayak now. I have a 16' bass boat and a 14' jon boat, and I MUCH prefer a kayak. A big reason (and probably a reason for most people) I got into it because of gas prices, always charging batteries, hauling a boat around, just the typical hassles of a boat. But now I prefer a kayak for the many advantages it offers for fishing. Mainly, it is super stealthy. I've caught bass on beds in my yak 3' away in 2' water. I didn't mean to get that close, but when I saw I had drifted up on it and it was facing away I dangled a senko in front of its face. That is when yak fishing took over. It gets in your blood...bad. I have no desire to use my bass boat anymore, but a lot of that has to do with a comfortable yak. I have the 2013 Wilderness Systems Ride 115. It has a comfortable seat, and you can stand in it. Being able to stand and stretch your legs will make yak fishing a million times better. 

 

We share Emiquon as a favorite lake, so I'll use it as an example. I fish this lake now more than any since I can see it out my living room window and it produces soooo many fish. A kayak is the perfect choice for this lake. You wouldn't think so because it is so big, but it is not as bad as it seems. If you are only using one trolling motor and one battery (Since it is a trolling motor only lake) you are limited on how far you can go anyways. More often than not, I can go faster with a normal rate of paddling than most people can trolling. I've even towed people who ran out of power. 

 

Another reason a yak excels at Emiquon is the weeds. At a certain part of of the year many people will just stop fishing here. Trolling motor+weeds does not make for a fun day. With a yak, you can paddle right through or on top of it. It takes some muscle sometimes, but it's a lot better than pulling weeds all day. Plus when it gets really windy, you can pop up on some mats and stay in place. This is hollow frog paradise. My favorite thing in the world. There are many days in the summer where I can do this and catch 50 bass in 4 or less hours. I kid you not, last season I caught 9 bass in 9 casts, with the smallest being 16.5". The best part... jon boats cant get in this slop. The worst part is paddling back when you're bleeding from bass thumb, but it is worth it. 

 

Once I started using a yak at Emiquon, I started catching way more. I believe the biggest reason is stealth. The lake is shallow and they aren't used to loud noises (outboards) This causes them be pretty spooky. It gets breezy there pretty easily, and the splash off of an aluminium boat scares them as well. One time, I was nailing them bumping squarebills off of old concrete. A guy in a jon boat came close to see how I was catching them, and as soon as he did the bite turned off like a switch. 

 

Before you buy, do TONS of research. It is hard in central Illinois, because quality fishing yaks are not really available. If you want, we could meet some time and I'll let you try out some yaks. Along with the ride 115 I have a Wilderness Tarpon 100 and a Perception Sport Pescador 12, which is the 2008 model of the wilderness tarpon 120. I know someone who would also probably let you try some different ones as well. It would be really helpful in your decision making, especially if your gonna spend 1500-2000. Keep in mind you'll have to buy a paddle and a high back pfd. Account for $400-450 If you want nice stuff. 

 

Some trolling motors made for yaks:

http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/servlet/the-1170/BassYaks-Motor-Kits-dsh--Wilderness/Detail

 

http://kayakfishinggear.com/torqeedoultralight403kayakmotor.aspx

 

If you want to mount your own, I would think the wilderness commander would be good. It is a hybrid (canoe/kayak)

 

Yes, you can install a fish finder. There are many ways to rig them now.

 

Check out kayakbassfishing.com  You can learn anything you'll ever want to know here.  

 

Sorry for the long post, but I really would like to see more kayak fishers in central Illinois. Maybe get a group going. Let me know if you have any questions. I live for kayak bass fishing. 

Awesome that you live by me. In fact, so cool you live right next to Emiquon. My buddy was fishing it one day had a 10 lb Largemouth bass almost out of water at boat and lost it! I agree on the bass being in shallow as its really shallow but also fun to catch them there. Another reason I think they are more aggressive is they flooded a ravine and then the top of the ravine was shallow like a flat. All I know is since you cant keep a bass under 18 inches, theirs a lot of big bass in there. They also do scientific research with that lake with college scientists. Another lake they use in Florida called the Everglades. Oh yea, the only can use trolling motor dilemma is crazy. Alot of small lakes in Illinois and like you said GAS PRICES!  LOL Pretty cool to meet you by the way.

[J Francho]

He's not putting a PA12 on a Chevy Sonic, lol.  For that budget, you can REALLY rig out a Ride 115, Commander 120, Native Ultimate, and several others in this class.  Get some seat time in several models.  Check out Yakattak and Hook1 for rigging equipment and ideas.

[HeavyDluxe]

He's not putting a PA12 on a Chevy Sonic, lol. 

 

I completely missed that line in the OP's note.  my mistake.

[J.Bass]

He's not putting a PA12 on a Chevy Sonic, lol.  For that budget, you can REALLY rig out a Ride 115, Commander 120, Native Ultimate, and several others in this class.  Get some seat time in several models.  Check out Yakattak and Hook1 for rigging equipment and ideas.

Thanks Francho I will look at the higher ends. I want to be able to have a trolling on it. I have a depth/fish finder to install onto one. I want to be able to stand sometimes. I want it to be roomy and have space for fishing needs. I will also paddle with feet. I want the kayak to be balanced.

[flyfisher]

Seat time is key and make sure that when looking at prices you consider the additional price of paddles and a life jacket.

 

I would also caution against doing any rigging until you fish out of the boat for a while and learn what and where you want things mounted.

 

I personally have a WIldy Commander 120 for all my flatwater fishing and rigging is pretty easy since they have the slidetrax on the side and top of the boat.

[moguy1973]

Take a look at the Jackson Coosa also.  Its a very stable kayak to stand in and has a very comfy seat and is definitely built for fishing...

[Hanover_Yakker]

Be forewarned though......it can be addictive and you will slowly gravitate to your sinful desires.....

 

I started with this.......

 

Tried out a Tarpon 120 & 140, Commander 120, paddled an Ocean Kayak Trident 13, Native Manta Ray 12, Ultimate 12, thought about a Jackson Coosa but settled on a Hobie Revolution 13....

 

 

And now I have this

[J Francho]

That PA14 is sweet.  It's a vessel, not a kayak, LOL.  Congrats, Chuck!

[flyfisher]

Take a look at the Jackson Coosa also.  Its a very stable kayak to stand in and has a very comfy seat and is definitely built for fishing...

The Coosa is a good boat but i would not recommend it if you are primarliy fishing flatwater. I own one and love it for the higher seat position and for moving water but in lakes it is not the best suited option in my opinion.  It does not handle wind real well and if you are paddling long distances it can be a chore.

 

Now if you are lookign for a good river boat the coosa, slayer or ride 115 are all good options to consider. 

[Darren.]

Be forewarned though......it can be addictive and you will slowly gravitate to your sinful desires.....

 

I started with this.......

 

Tried out a Tarpon 120 & 140, Commander 120, paddled an Ocean Kayak Trident 13, Native Manta Ray 12, Ultimate 12, thought about a Jackson Coosa but settled on a Hobie Revolution 13....

 

 

And now I have this

 

Seriously jealous. Wish I could buy the PA 12. Tired of paddling (elbow pain) and tired of hoisting a trolling motor + battery around. Rather use foot power. Unfortunately it is way out of my price range, not to mention the fact my wife keeps reminding me what I spent on my U12 a couple years ago. No way in H-E-double hockey sticks she'd allow me to spend $2500-2700 unless we won the lottery.

[HeavyDluxe]

The Coosa is a good boat but i would not recommend it if you are primarliy fishing flatwater. I own one and love it for the higher seat position and for moving water but in lakes it is not the best suited option in my opinion.  It does not handle wind real well and if you are paddling long distances it can be a chore.

 

Hence why Jackson released the Cuda.

[J.Bass]

the PA12 is foot controlled? like a trolling motor? and can I put a bag with 370 boxes (5 of them) onto a kayak?

[Darren.]

the PA12 is foot controlled? like a trolling motor? and can I put a bag with 370 boxes (5 of them) onto a kayak?

 

Powered. You control steering on your right or left hand. Here's the link to the PA12.

 

http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaks/mirage/pro-angler-12/

 

And there's more storage than you can shake an Ugly Stik at.

[moguy1973]

The Coosa is a good boat but i would not recommend it if you are primarliy fishing flatwater. I own one and love it for the higher seat position and for moving water but in lakes it is not the best suited option in my opinion.  It does not handle wind real well and if you are paddling long distances it can be a chore.

 

Now if you are lookign for a good river boat the coosa, slayer or ride 115 are all good options to consider. 

 

 

Hence why Jackson released the Cuda.

 

Yeah, that's what I meant, the Cuda, not the Coosa.  I knew the Coosa is a great river kayak, and the Cuda is the lake one.

[J Francho]

Powered. You control steering on your right or left hand. Here's the link to the PA12.

 

http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaks/mirage/pro-angler-12/

 

And there's more storage than you can shake an Ugly Stik at.

 

It's called Mirage Drive.  It's "powered" by your feet, using strokes to activate flipper like fins below the hull.  Chuck could probably elaborate, as I've only had short seat time in one.

[Darren.]

It's called Mirage Drive.  It's "powered" by your feet, using strokes to activate flipper like fins below the hull.  Chuck could probably elaborate, as I've only had short seat time in one.

 

Right, I should have said pedaled, in response to his saying "foot controlled". I differentiated to say it is foot powered and steering is at your hands.

 

I've got enough drool on the Pro Angler from the web and Appomattox River Company that I could probably fill a small pond.

[flyfisher]

Look at the native Mariner too for a pedal driven boat.....great reviews and probably the one i would get if i went the pedal drive direction.

[J Francho]

I've pedaled an Ultimate.  It's not bad, slow though compared to Mirage Drive.

[flyfisher]

I've pedaled an Ultimate.  It's not bad, slow though compared to Mirage Drive.

I pedaled one of the older models and apaprently they changed the gearing and pitch of the propeller on the newer models to increase speed but i haven't tried one so i can't speak from experience.

 

I have heard that the mirage drive turbo fins are pretty fast.

 

The other thing to consider to is that the native uses more of a recumbent bike pedal stroke, circular, where the hobie uses more of a linear stroke which can put more pressure on your lower back but probably not enough to make a difference assuming you have your pedals adjusted properly.