Acend Fs128T Kayak

[rockchalk06]

I have narrowed it down to this kayak and one other but leaning more towards this model. There are some good you tube videos on it and had a guy even install a trolling motor too.

Lots of storage and it looks pretty soild. This will be my first kayak and I really dot want to spend over 7-800 dollars.

Anyone use this model? Opinions? Complaints?

[hookedahawg]

I don't own it but have spent some time on it, overall its a nice boat, my only complaint is when you stand on it anywhere near the hatches the top flexes, as I'm sure you saw in the YouTube video the Guy made a rib, and also reinstalled all the hatches with plumbers putty, I would suggest doing the same but without the putty. Use something else, the putty will crack over time. Good luck!

[Darren.]

Only oogled over it in-store. It looks like a very solid kayak aiming to compete against the big-brand models like the Wilderness Systems Ride, Native Slayer, etc.

 

Other than the weight of the 128T, it looks to be an excellent yak. Not had one on the water, but the couple reviews online seem to love it. That you can stand in it -- at that price range -- is a great deal.

[rockchalk06]

I don't own it but have spent some time on it, overall its a nice boat, my only complaint is when you stand on it anywhere near the hatches the top flexes, as I'm sure you saw in the YouTube video the Guy made a rib, and also reinstalled all the hatches with plumbers putty, I would suggest doing the same but without the putty. Use something else, the putty will crack over time. Good luck!

Thanks. Ill keep that in mind.

I probably won't be doing alot of standing for now. I am going to eventually build two side pontoons to extend making even more stable to pitch jigs, but for now, I'll just sit.

[hookedahawg]

Honestly the seat in it highest position there isn't really a need to stand all the time. I don't think you will regret it. Its a contender with the major brands for sure.

[rockchalk06]

Only oogled over it in-store. It looks like a very solid kayak aiming to compete against the big-brand models like the Wilderness Systems Ride, Native Slayer, etc.

 

Other than the weight of the 128T, it looks to be an excellent yak. Not had one on the water, but the couple reviews online seem to love it. That you can stand in it -- at that price range -- is a great deal.

Thanks. The positives are helping me decide.

[Teal]

Hey Rock, if you do get it, be sure to test it thoroghly and write up a review. Im am 6 months away from buying a yak, but i am looking and have looked hard at that one. (More or less to save money)

I cant spend but so much, i already have a bass boat and a jon boat, i only want to spend a small amount before at first. If i really like being a part time yakker, then i may buy a better yak in the future... thanks in advance.

[rockchalk06]

Hey Rock, if you do get it, be sure to test it thoroghly and write up a review. Im am 6 months away from buying a yak, but i am looking and have looked hard at that one. (More or less to save money)

I cant spend but so much, i already have a bass boat and a jon boat, i only want to spend a small amount before at first. If i really like being a part time yakker, then i may buy a better yak in the future... thanks in advance.

Will do. I want to make a killer video review on it.

I'm the exact opposite. I can't afford a boat right now nor do I have a place to store it. We only have a 2 car garage and storage fees are like 150-220 a month for indoor. This I can store in my garage above my truck.

I want to get on the water now lol so this may be the ticket. After my wedding next year, a bait may be in the works, but for now this is it.

[Mr_Scrogg]

Will do. I want to make a killer video review on it.

I'm the exact opposite. I can't afford a boat right now nor do I have a place to store it. We only have a 2 car garage and storage fees are like 150-220 a month for indoor. This I can store in my garage above my truck.

I want to get on the water now lol so this may be the ticket. After my wedding next year, a bait may be in the works, but for now this is it.

Im selling my Commander 120, rock. Pm me. When you come up this way, Ill even let ya try before you buy.

[martintheduck]

Just stopping in to give my 2 cents on fishing yak's.... 

 

 

I own a NuCanoe Frontier which, like this model, is pretty frigging stable. I had a similar mindset to yours - I am not going to do much standing and fishing. Well, I basically STRICTLY stand and fish nowadays. My style of fishing has become something the likes of - drop anchor, fan around the WHOLE yak to cover all possible areas, pick-up anchor and move to next spot. It's tough to cover all water from a seated position. Furthermore, I've missed a lo of hook-sets by being in the seated position. It's a steep learning curve for hook-sets on hidden-texas-rig setups, frogs, shallow cranks, and plugs. 

 

So why was any of what I just said relevant? Honestly, it might not be at all relevant to you!   What is relevant though is this: Sitting in a yak for extended periods of time can cause one to become a bit stir-crazy (or at least causes ME to become a bit stir crazy). The ability to stand and fish is CRUCIAL to me. NOW - You did talk about adding pontoons and on my yak, pontoons would just slow me down. These new "stable" yak's have a tendency to move pretty slow, so anything extra in the water is a big negative. 

 

This yak does look like a pretty d**n good vessel IMO. It looks like a good bet. I'm merely chiming in to say, you WILL WANT TO STAND AND FISH, YOU WON'T WANT TO ADD ANYTHING TO SLOW YOU DOWN, so if this kayak is stable enough to stand and fish WITHOUT pontoons, I'd say pull the trigger on it.

[rockchalk06]

Im selling my Commander 120, rock. Pm me. When you come up this way, Ill even let ya try before you buy.

That could work. It will be at least 1.5 months before I have the funds, babysitter killed me this monthnlol

[rockchalk06]

Just stopping in to give my 2 cents on fishing yak's.... 

 

 

I own a NuCanoe Frontier which, like this model, is pretty frigging stable. I had a similar mindset to yours - I am not going to do much standing and fishing. Well, I basically STRICTLY stand and fish nowadays. My style of fishing has become something the likes of - drop anchor, fan around the WHOLE yak to cover all possible areas, pick-up anchor and move to next spot. It's tough to cover all water from a seated position. Furthermore, I've missed a lo of hook-sets by being in the seated position. It's a steep learning curve for hook-sets on hidden-texas-rig setups, frogs, shallow cranks, and plugs. 

 

So why was any of what I just said relevant? Honestly, it might not be at all relevant to you!   What is relevant though is this: Sitting in a yak for extended periods of time can cause one to become a bit stir-crazy (or at least causes ME to become a bit stir crazy). The ability to stand and fish is CRUCIAL to me. NOW - You did talk about adding pontoons and on my yak, pontoons would just slow me down. These new "stable" yak's have a tendency to move pretty slow, so anything extra in the water is a big negative. 

 

This yak does look like a pretty d**n good vessel IMO. It looks like a good bet. I'm merely chiming in to say, you WILL WANT TO STAND AND FISH, YOU WON'T WANT TO ADD ANYTHING TO SLOW YOU DOWN, so if this kayak is stable enough to stand and fish WITHOUT pontoons, I'd say pull the trigger on it.

Thanks for the input! I'm sure standing will come in time. I am thinking I will want to make a secure rod rack before I stand though. I have a decent amount wrapped up in rods reels etc.

[martintheduck]

Thanks for the input! I'm sure standing will come in time. I am thinking I will want to make a secure rod rack before I stand though. I have a decent amount wrapped up in rods reels etc.

 

 

I use a milk crate (secured to deck of yak) with a PVC-type rod holder attached to milk crate, and a rubber bungee strap to secure rods into the holder. I'll tell ya man, it's not not really an issue of FLIPPING the kayak completely over.... it's more about falling out. 

[rockchalk06]

I've got an idear for 2 rods on either side of the seat flush with the kayak. But ya, that might work too.

Falling out worried me too lol

[Mr_Scrogg]

Rock, Many if the upper echelon of fishing kayaks are made for standing. If 230-240lb man can stand and fish in a C120, so can you. Lol

One good thing is the open area in front. I rarely used holders. Laying them in front kept them accessible and the nerf balls I used on the twart bar kept them untangled.

Dont forget a quality paddle is just as important as a quality yak.

[yaksushi]

The kayak offers alot of options for the price. There are a ton of reviews out there about it.

 

Here are a couple:

 

http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-FS128T-SitOnTop-Angler-Kayak-Camo/product/12102505321116/

 

http://www.yakangler.com/fishing-kayak-review/260-2013-ascend-fs128t

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

Rock, Many if the upper echelon of fishing kayaks are made for standing. If 230-240lb man can stand and fish in a C120, so can you. Lol

One good thing is the open area in front. I rarely used holders. Laying them in front kept them accessible and the nerf balls I used on the twart bar kept them untangled.

Dont forget a quality paddle is just as important as a quality yak.

Quality paddle X2

[dumfish]

There are other options you may want to consider, but more funding is required. An oldtown discovery sport 15 conoe, has a flat stern for an electric motor, add swivel seats. If I had a picture I'd post it, nice looking rig and can be carried on a 6' bed thruck.

[rockchalk06]

There are other options you may want to consider, but more funding is required. An oldtown discovery sport 15 conoe, has a flat stern for an electric motor, add swivel seats. If I had a picture I'd post it, nice looking rig and can be carried on a 6' bed thruck.

How much more Re we talking? I want to stay around the 700-800 dollar mark

[Darren.]

How much more Re we talking? I want to stay around the 700-800 dollar mark

 

If you want to consider a square-stern canoe for a trolling motor, DSG's has three options under $600, but the shortest is 14'.

 

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12634053&cp=4406646.4413993.4417832

 

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11439976&cp=4406646.4413993.4417832

 

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=21525986&cp=4406646.4413993.4417832

[Kyle Mahaffey]

I'm getting either the field and stream 12 footer or the ascend 12 something kayak. Then maybe get a GPS/fish finder

[Montanaro]

I'm really dead set on getting the 128t.  Mounting a trolling motor seems very easy which will make fishing easier (my rotator cuff can't handle rowing).  The ability to stand and the high seat are a huge positive for me as I did not enjoy sitting at water level in my friends inflatable kayak.

[DogBone_384]

I'm really dead set on getting the 128t.  Mounting a trolling motor seems very easy which will make fishing easier (my rotator cuff can't handle rowing).  The ability to stand and the high seat are a huge positive for me as I did not enjoy sitting at water level in my friends inflatable kayak.

I just bought a 128T and a Feelfree Lure 11.5. The 128T is a barge, much bigger than the 11.5' and has 3x the storage. I've only been out on both a couple of times. The 128T is more stable and a little slower than the 11.5; heavier too. Even though the 11.5 has a rail setup I think the 128T lends itself to customization better.

I'm going to add a fish finder to one, probably the 128T, because of it's large open hull.

Overall, I'd have to say the 128T is a great value, especially if you're public safety/military, just 60% of what the Feelfree cost.

[basshole8190]

I own the 128t i love it. i put a trolling motor.on mine similar to the bass yak system and installed a lowranc hdi unit. fishes big resevoirs and rivers like a champ. i can stand and fish all day. I can almost walk on the deck. it is a bit slower than other yaks but that's the tradeoff for the stabilty. love the seat on it also. super comfy. plenty of storage also. only thing i don't like about it is its weight. its a tank to handle by myself. so i bought an old jetski trailer for cheap on craigslist. makes it effortless to get on the water now.

[basshole8190]

Ill try and get some vids and pics of mine. up tommorro