Bummed

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Well, lost two things the other week that had to go bye bye. First, my John boat was sold because it had major damage (rivots coming out and also hull cracking) which were beyond marine epoxy and $$$ to fix. A guy bought it and the trailer and he was doing some stuff with it for parts.

Then, my SUV tool a dump. Sold it and bought a new car and so did my wife. Bought two cars for practicality and a good deal here so I didn't get another SUV.

So now I am out a boat, and a truck. Once I finish school in the next couple years I will get a truck, trailer, and a real bass boat, but until then I am stuck bank fishing. But I need to be on the water.

I don't want to spend the money on another John boat and trailer because I am saving $$$. However I did go to Dicks and I found a pretty nice angling kayak with a paddle and roof rack for $465 with everything included. I saw some shows on tv and the web about this stuff. I fished from a canoe before and had fun. This kayak has to supply holes and two rod holders. Only weighs 53 pounds.

Do you all think this will "hold me over" for a couple years and still be enjoyable?

Thanks!

Joe. :-)

[Texfisherman]

It would hold me over. They are also starting to make trolling motor mounts for everything these days. I know Bass Pro Shops sells trolling motor mounts for canoes now. May look into seeing if they make 'em for kayaks. Get one of those and a small trolling motor and you wont miss that boat much, I wouldn't think.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Yeah, it seems like it would. I fished yesterday from the bank and was looking out into the water thinking, "man, I could be out there again". It looks like a fun thing to do also. I can get into nooks and crannies easily also I would imagine.

[Fishes in trees]

Kayaks seem ok to me for summer fishing.  Wouldn't know - never owned one.  I wonder about spring & fall fishing out of a kayak because it seems like it would be easy to get wet.  Wet = Cold = No fun fishing.

 

A belly boat would solve your summer fishing issues for around $100.  Maybe a cheap canoe, you can car top those pretty easy and they probably would be dryer than a kayak.

 

Option B - maybe there is an older guy in your neighborhood who has a boat but doesn't get out as much as he would like.  Look around.  You could go the co-angler route for a while and help an old geezer out.

 

Me, I can still launch & load my boat by myself (as long as I choose a lake with a decent ramp and a decent dock.   I KNOW that day is coming when I can't.  Something else to consider.

[bluezed]

I think you will be fine.  I like fishing from canoes and kayaks... have no real interest in a bass boat at all.  I don't like being waked, though, so I prefer the trolling motor only lakes.  

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Cool!

[jimmykm21]

I find my self using my kayak more than my boat.

Unless I plan on an all day outing which  includes bringing my best fishing partner onboard  ( my german shepherd  ,     I'm in my kayak fishing for 3 or 4 hour trips.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

That's cool. 3-4 hours on the water like that. :-)

[Fishing Rhino]

For future reference, you can scratch a couple of more years of life out of a jon boat in the condition you describe.  Tighten up the loose rivets by placing a heavy piece of metal such as a heavy hammer on one side and beat on the other side with a hammer.  It may require an assistant unless you can reach the loose rivets on both sides.

 

Once the rivets are snug, roll a thick layer of foundation coat on the outside of the hull on the bottom up to the waterline.  You may need a second coat, depending on the viscosity of the material.

 

It's not a fix, only a patch.  It's not structural, but it should stem the leaks.

 

The old-time Yankees around here used that "trick" to get another year or two of life out of old wooden skiffs that were on their last legs.

[jimmykm21]

That's cool. 3-4 hours on the water like that. :-)

 

That's about it for me  sitting in a kayak ,    in that time I will paddle to shore once  to walk around a bit.

 

I never thought I would enjoy kayak fishing as much as I do  but found out it's a lot of fun .

[mikeg]

That's why I went with the canoe, I stiffen up if I sit in one position for too long. With the outriggers on I switch all day long from sitting to standing. I can also do stretches if I get tight. That was the solution that worked for me. YMMV

mikeg

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

I am really considering picking it up today.  Seems like a ton of fun.  :-)

[J Francho]

Hold you over? It will probably change your fishing forever.  For the better. I fish out of a kayak, as well as owning two bass boats.  For the most part, my biggest fish have come from the kayak.  The deliberate and planned fishing that a kayak demands has meda me a better boat fisherman as well.