Looking To Buy My First Kayak....please Help! Bps D10T Sot Kayak, Pelican Icon 100X, Etc

[Acgaithe]

I'm in the market for a new kayak. I would like to stay around $500. I'm 5'6" and 160 lbs and looking for a kayak that is stable enough to occasionally stand in. Has anybody fished the Ascend D10T? I was also wondering if the flush mount rod holders could be added to it. I fished a pelican tidewater 100 angler kayak but wasn't too impressed and I definitely don't think I could have stood, but with water being cold I wasn't too eager to try. I'm not opposed to a sit in kayak, just thought the newer SOT kayaks were more suitable for fishing. I have browsed bass pro shops, dicks sporting goods, academy sports, still don't know what to do. Anybody fished the Pelicon icon 100? Please help!

[martintheduck]

Haven't fished any of those. My buddy has some pelican boat, and frankly, I hate that d**n thing. We took it out for hunting once and it moves slow, tracks like crap, and doesn't have much space (I don't know what model it is). As I've said in other threads, sitting all day sucks pretty bad (in my opinion). One of my favorite things to do is "beach" (in a sense) the yak, and pick apart the surrounding area. It's hard to pick it apart from the sitting position. Also, it's a sonabitch to set hooks sitting in it. As for your question about rod holder mounting: Holders can be mounted to any yak. Based on what I've seen selection wise @ academy -vs- dicks -vs- BPS, I'd buy a yak from dick's or BPS.  

[Jim Mac]

Pelican kayaks are not very highly regarded from what I've read. You can do much better with a $500 budget. You should also look at the Perception kayaks. I would never stand in a kayak, so I can't help you there. 

[Hanover_Yakker]

Seat time seat time seat time.

 

If you can't sit in it and then paddle it for real on the water 'feedback' and 'sensory perception' then don't buy it.  Last thing you want to do when trying to get into kayak fishing is spend a lot of money on a kayak only to learn that you are uncomfortable or that the seat and foot peg arrangement cannot be adjusted to your body's overall frame and type.

 

Ask around your local area for anyone that has a kayak (regardless of brand and model) and see if you even like it.  Your overall budget also needs to account for other required items - a class III PFD and a decent paddle (both of which can be found for $50-100 each) but there are better models of both that can be found at good prices.  Good rule of thumb when buying these two items is get the best that you can afford.  You'll most likely need straps (ratcheting if possible) but the basic ones will work just fine.  If you are car topping the yak, you might need some protective supports to prevent damage to your car if it doesn't have a rack.  Go with pool noodles here.  Cheap and always available.  If you need a seat with better support, you can find options in the $75 range.

 

Remember - in kayaking and kayak fishing, the goal is always to be safe first, be comforatble and enjoy your time on the water second, try to catch some fish (bonus) third and return to shore to come back and do it again another day.

 

Regarding the Ascend line of kayaks, I can tell you one thing from firsthand experience - they are H-E-A-V-Y for what you get. There are several options out there under the $500 price point - Perception Sports, Native Redfish, Pompano (West Marine), etc..... Do your homework and don't rush to buy the first one you come across.  Keep a close watch on Craigslist as well - lots of people will sell an entire setup that include the PFD, paddle, some other accessories.

 

Regarding rod holders, never install a rod holder until you have figured out that the kayak is the right one for you.  Then and only then do you start to accessorize.  When choosing a location for them, take a fishing rod and a jar of vaseline.  You place a dab of vaseline on the butt of the rod and practice your turning and reaching motion to see where you can comfortably get to and set the tod butt down to mark your spot.  Now get some duct tape and a rod holder and head out on the water with it taped down in place and try it.  If it works comfortably and you can still maintain balance, then you are ready to install it.

 

Good rule of thumb to follow when installing accessories - measure twice, even three or four times - drill once!!!  Even though there are plastic welders out there, it is better to try and avoid that if at all possible!  When you are ready to talk about mounting accessories, consider looking at the YakAttack line of GearTracs, Mighty Mounts, and other accessories.  They are designed by a mechanical engineer who kayak fishes and is a good friend of mine whom I fish with each year.

[Team_Dougherty]

I do not know why people are giving pelican kayaks a bad rap. I have one and a friend of mine has one. Both are Apex 100s They are great little Kayaks. We go them at BJ's for $299 with a paddle and rod holders. They are very light, easy to carry, stable and paddle nice. We have caught many fish out of them. I will say the seat sucks because the one that came with ours was just a back.

 

I like my OK kayak because it is two feet longer and has a lot more storage. But it is 30LBs heavier than the pelican.

 

The pelican is nice because it it 30lbs lighter and 2 ft shorter and I can just toss in the back of the SUV for a quick trip after work. Once I put a hatch in the center it will have plenty of storage. I made the same mod to my OK and the kayak is much more usable.

 

Please do not take the pelican out of your selection process.

 

As others have said seat time will tell you a lot.

 

Take a look at this one also

 

http://www.pelicansport.com/index.php?language=en&category=kayaks&nauticalboat=KOA11P101

[basshead1]

Perception Sport Pescador is what I use and it is always going on sale at Amazon. Wait for the sale though, I got mine for $420.

 

[Acgaithe]

Perception Sport Pescador is what I use and it is always going on sale at Amazon. Wait for the sale though, I got mine for $420.

Is this kayak stable enough to stand in?

[basshead1]

That depends on the balance of the paddler.

 

[pabassr]

My brother has a pelican apex 100 and he loves it. He has not stood up in it. My son has a ascend D10T kayak and he loves it also. But he can stand in his. The only problem with the ascend is you have to have the seat adjusted right or the seat slides.