Bass Fishing On A Kayak?

[Shane_]

I have been strongly considering buying a kayak to fish on. I have heard both positive and negative things about them. The positive is that I wont be just shore fishing anymore and it is much cheaper then a bass boat (which i can't afford anyways). The negative is that if i get a big bass on the line it is much harder to fight the fish since i am at the same level as the fish and it could pull me around and possibly tip the kayak. Does anyone have any experience with kayak fishing and can give me some advice?

[Jrob78]

Fishing kayaks are a lot more stable than you might think. A big fish can pull you around a little bit but you aren't in any danger of it tipping you over. I've got a Wilderness Systems Ride 135 that I can stand up and fish out of without fear of tipping over. Kayaks are good exercise, a lot of fun and get you off the bank.

[AK-Jax86]

You could invest in a Jon boat, that's what in saving my pennies for. But when it's all said and done its cheaper to get a kayak but you have more comfort in a boat

[aceman387]

I am 52 and bought my first fishing kayak two years ago (ride 115) I can't think of one negative thing about fishing out of it.I take it out 2-3 times a week and prefer it over my pond prowler which i haven't used since i bought my kayak. I have never had a problem landing a fish or being dragged around a lake by a big bass. I am not an expert on kayaks since this is my first one but i venture to say most fishing kayaks are stable as heck (go to you tube and watch guys catching huge fish out of them in the ocean) I sit side saddle in mine all the time while fishing with my legs dangling in the water without fear of tipping over.If people can stand up and fish out of these thing you don't have to worry about being flipped out of it while sitting and fishing. Kayak fishing is a blast,even for us older guys.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Using a kayak has many advantages. The pullage of a big fish and the subsequent "sleigh ride" is the part I look forward to the most. The thing to remember though when fighting the fish is that you have the leverage advantage when the fish is on either side. When the fish is fore or aft of you, they have the leverage. Even if they get hung up, you can get to them easier thaan a boat could. Best part about a kayak is that you don't need a manufactured launch or boat ramp. The key is to find one that is both comfortable and fits your budget. That means real seat time on the water and try as many different ones as possible. Get yourself the best paddle you can afford and a class III pfd that is comfortable.

[scottiedawg66]

I fish for bass a several times a week and when the ocean conditions are rough on weekends out of a yak. I love it. I recommend demoing several before purchase. It's amazing how different they all are. That being said if you get a stable yak that is not just designed to haul butt they are all pretty d**n Hard to flip. People land 100lbs fish on yaks regularly!

If you can afford a hobie with the mirage drive that is the way to go. I recently upgraded to the hobie outback and it is a whole new level. It's nice because I can fish standing up or sitting down and it's super stable. I have landed fish in 9 foot swells and some wind chop with no problem.

[HeavyDluxe]

Fishing out of a kayak is its own, unique experience... and, having my first two kayak outings under my belt, I love every minute of it.

 

As has been mentioned, the 'sleigh ride' actually becomes something you look forward to, and I don't think there's a freshwater fish that would put you at risk of tipping a contemporary fishing kayak (esp if you have your reel's drag properly set).  

 

Buy a yak.  I don't think you'll regret it.

[hookedahawg]

Agreed with everything said above, another advantage is you don't lose nearly as much tackle when your able to get to it easier. Not to mention there is nothing like hitting the backwaters where big boats can't go. Its a great investment IMO.

[flyfisher]

A fish pulling your kayak is the best drag you will ever have and the most fun  

[BassAssassin726]

Ever seen the kayak fishing show on WFN? Those guys reel in huge blue marlin and other massive fish and never ever tip over. No bass of any size will tip you over. Theyre a lot more stable than you may think. Yea itll pull you around a bit but there is literally zero chance of a bass tipping you over.

[HeavyDluxe]

Kayaks are actually very stable. You will definitely not get tipped by a bass, unless you lean over too much. A big bass will only drag you about 5-10 feet depending on how It fights and how you pull him...

 

Not to pick nits, but just so everything is on the table.

 

This past week, fishing a local lake for smallmouth (and not huge ones at that) I'm sure I got pulled double that at least a time or two.  And, of course, they kayak can continue to 'coast' once you have the fish in the boat.

[moguy1973]

The trick is landing a fish from a kayak without flipping. I found a nice product called the Leverage Landing Net. They have a special small one made just for a Kayak. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3zVcAdRWi0

You can buy them online too. http://www.leveragelandingnet.com/products

$94 for a net. Yikes!

[fishking247]

I jut bought a wilderness systems tarpon 140 a few weeks ago. I love it! it is easy to transport (around 70lbs) and the thing moves quick! a lot easier than a jon boat for me. most of the lakes i fish are less than 100 acres and are no more than 8' deep.

[xyz]

II take it out 2-3 times a week and prefer it over my pond prowler which i haven't used since i bought my kayak. 

Why do you prefer to use the kayak over the pond prowler? What are the reasons?

[flyfisher]

Unless you are fishing toothy critters i have not found the need for a net.  To me it is one more thing to have to find a place for and get tangled up, because it will get tangled at one time or another.  

[Jim Mac]

I also love fishing out of my kayak. I have a 16' flat bottom jon, and I hardly use it anymore. It's a PITA to take it out compared to a kayak. 9 times out of 10 I use the kayak. In fact, yesterday I sold my 25 hp outboard because I barely use it. I slide the kayak in the back of my van and I'm gone. And I'm 56 years old with a screwed up back.

[Shane_]

Every kayak everyone has suggest is too far out of my price range i can only afford a few hundred dollars at the max.

[HeavyDluxe]

Unless you are fishing toothy critters i have not found the need for a net.  To me it is one more thing to have to find a place for and get tangled up, because it will get tangled at one time or another.  

 

+1.  A small set of fish grips that can be easily stowed until needed are, I think, a far better choice.

[aceman387]

Why do you prefer to use the kayak over the pond prowler? What are the reasons?

I prefer the simplicity and stealthiness of the kayak.I don't have to drag the trolling motor and battery with me.I fish ultra clear strip pits with spooky bass and i would see bass fleeing from a distance when i would turn on my trolling motor. The very first outing in my kayak which for me was the first time ever in a kayak i caught the biggest bass of my life (24" around 7#) in the middle of the day on a flat calm sunny afternoon,tough conditions in this super clear water.In my kayak i have bass and turtles and such swimming up to me trying to figure out what the heck i am,they think i am apart of the landscape like a floating log. Its hard to explain the high i get out of kayak fishing.I love the simplicity of having the basics with me and being miles away and being one with nature with very little distractions.

[Jim Mac]

Every kayak everyone has suggest is too far out of my price range i can only afford a few hundred dollars at the max.

If you don't mind the "sit in" type, Bass Pro Shop has the Ascend A10 for $299 on their website. Otherwise, you will have to find something used on Craigslist.

[stevec328]

Bass Pro, Dicks, Gander Mountain, and Academy Sports all have kayaks at a reasonable price. They are not bad kayaks. Do some research on the internet and ask around before buying. Demo if possible. I have a Caster 12.5 I got at Dicks ( about five years ago ) with the angler package for under $500. I've since upgraded to a different kayak, but I'm also beginning to figure out that none of them are perfect and you can fish out of all of them. 

[BigJim]

I love kayak fishing. I've got a lowe 17 foot aluminum bass boat and only take it out a few times a year now. The yak is just so easy to load up and head out. The only downside for me personally, is that I fish mainly Aquia Creek on the Potomac and in the summertime when the grass is thick, it can be a little difficult to see the holes in the cover to drop your bait in. Other than that i love it. Also, if you only have a few hundred bucks to spend, Craigslist is your best bet.

[HeavyDluxe]

Every kayak everyone has suggest is too far out of my price range i can only afford a few hundred dollars at the max.

 

Look at the Perception Sport Pescador - it's actually an old design of the Wilderness Systems Tarpon series hull.  A great boat and will save you coin.

 

If that is still too high, I would suggest going on Craigslist and looking for boats.

[Hanover_Yakker]

In all honesty, it sounds like you need to budget a little more than you want - $200-300 is not realistic.  You still need to budget for a decent class III pfd and a decent paddle.  Those two items alone can run you anywhere from $100 - 400 depending upon what your wallet can afford.  There are plenty of ways to cut costs by building (DIY) items like a stake out pole, an anchor, the anchor trolley, etc. etc.  You cannot sacrifice your safety.

 

You should probably start saving a little mor money and look at spending around $500-600 in total.  Not saying you can't find a good deal on C/L or another classifieds site.  Just be wary of anyone that will not allow you to test paddle the kayak you choose.  Last thing you need is to find out while half way out in the middle of a lake or a tidal bay is that your $200 steal of a kayak actually has a crack or hole in it!  Don't laugh - happened to a buddy of mine.

[pabassr]

The best thing you can do is demo any kayak you are thinking of purchasing. The worse thing is you buy a kayak and you hate it , and you have only been on the water for ten minutes. Check into used kayaks, check the web to find what is out there and what is available. Don`t be to hasty buying a kayak right away, because the wrong kayak is money lost.