Bass Pro Shops Ascend Kayak

[hoosierbass07]

  So I plan on buying my first fishing kayak this Christmas.  I'm thinking about getting a Bass Pro Shops Ascend sit-on-top kayak.  The only problem is that I have to order it online.  I don't have any Bass Pro Shops near me.  I like the price they are offering them.  

 

  Can anyone give me their opinions on this kayak?  I'm not sure which size I want to get - ten foot or twelve foot.  I would like to get one that is easy for one person to handle.  I want to be able to load it in the truck by myself and unload it by myself.  I will use mostly on ponds/small lakes for bass fishing.  

 

 Thanks!

[flyfisher]

I have only heard good things about that boat but i have never paddled one.  As far as 10 or 12 foot go with the 12.  It will be better on lakes and still plenty maneuverable on rivers if needed.  Ten foot boats won't track as well and will generally not have as high a weight capacity either.  Both boats will be plenty easy to move around by one person.

[KyakR]

There's a great review of the A10 by fishandsall  on the BP site. In my crazier moments I'd love to get one of the sit-on-top-stand- up- and- cast models and this price is great! Sounds like it's fairly stable but bogs down in the bow in really rough water though.

[Hookbender]

The Ascend kayaks are the best USA made product for the money you can buy!  The FS12T kayaks, which are on sale this week, are selling for $299.00 normally $399.00 .  This is a fantastic price for the quality.  There are rod holders installed with a dry storage area in the front.  The padded seat is very comfortable and allows for adjustment while fishing on the water.  There are some planned changes after the first of the year and a new product is in the works.  The most expensive kayak they have is called the FS12.8 T ( a sit on top design) and is priced at $699.00 with 5 rod holders and lots of storage.  The A10 kayak is a plain sit inside kayak priced at $299 and currently is offered in red and blue. All of these products can be viewed  on www.basspro.com.  Hope this helps.

Hookbender

[SCangler91]

The Ascend kayaks are the best USA made product for the money you can buy!  The FS12T kayaks, which are on sale this week, are selling for $299.00 normally $399.00 .  This is a fantastic price for the quality.  There are rod holders installed with a dry storage area in the front.  The padded seat is very comfortable and allows for adjustment while fishing on the water.  There are some planned changes after the first of the year and a new product is in the works.  The most expensive kayak they have is called the FS12.8 T ( a sit on top design) and is priced at $699.00 with 5 rod holders and lots of storage.  The A10 kayak is a plain sit inside kayak priced at $299 and currently is offered in red and blue. All of these products can be viewed  on www.basspro.com.  Hope this helps.

Hookbender

 

Its selling for $399 and is normally $499.  I just purchased mine Thursday and will pick it up in store probably at the end of this coming week.  

[DRH2O]

For what it's worth I have an A10 and I love it.

 

When I got it I was looking to get set up for my son and I to go out kayak fishing together so I was looking at the cost of a yak plus all of the additional required gear times two to get us out on the water. That being the case I had to do a lot of research to find economical, quality units.

 

I really wanted the FS12 but at $200.00 over the A10 that was an additional $400+ on my total expense. The D10 SOTs hadn't been introduced at that time and the next model up was the D10 sit-in-side and for the extra $100 for it the ONLY difference was a better paint job and a small section of mesh canvasing you could put over the back hatch. I couldn't justify the cost of the "upgrade" to the D10 so we ended up going with the A10s.

 

We got side-mount rod holders for less than $15 bucks a pair and they mounted and fit perfectly on the inside lip of the dash. We added some anchor trollies and we had full-on fishing yaks.

 

It turns out I really really like the open cockpit design. It sort of feels like a tiny little canoe. I got mine out every weekend during the summer. I can load it up and be ready to hit the road in 15 min if I stay focused, man-handle it, drag it anywhere, paddle around the lake and fish for 7-10 hours all with no issues whatsoever.

 

I would still like to get a SOT one day but that's really just becuase I've totally gotten the kayak fishing bug now and just one doesn't seem like quite enough, not becuase I have any sense that I need an upgrade of any sort to get the job done.

 

~DR

[SCangler91]

Just brought home my FS12T.  Only have the kayak so I'll have to wait to get the rest of my accessories for Christmas/Graduation before I can put it on the water.  A little heavier than I thought but looks sharp and really like new scotty rod holder position, which is a little closer than in older models.

[Felix77]

I am strongly considering the FS-10 kayak.  So far all the reviews had led me to believe that this is the best starting kayak for me.  I just have to wait til spring.  

[hoosierbass07]

I am strongly considering the FS-10 kayak.  So far all the reviews had led me to believe that this is the best starting kayak for me.  I just have to wait til spring.  

 

 

  I would have gotten the Ascend but they didn't drop their price after Thanksgiving.  I think for Thanksgiving week it was around $299 or $399 plus shipping.  I waiting after Thanksgiving to think about it more before I committed to buying and they did not drop their price.  I found the one I originally wanted - Ride 115, for $675 with free shipping off eBay.  I figured if I'm going to pay $400 for a kayak plus another $100 for shipping I might as well put out another hundred or so and get the Ride I want.  But I was definitely looking at that Ascend and may get one in the near future.  I already know I'm going to have to get a second kayak for my relative that I take fishing with me.  

[Felix77]

On 12/26/2013 at 10:33 PM, hoosierbass07 said:

  I would have gotten the Ascend but they didn't drop their price after Thanksgiving.  I think for Thanksgiving week it was around $299 or $399 plus shipping.  I waiting after Thanksgiving to think about it more before I committed to buying and they did not drop their price.  I found the one I originally wanted - Ride 115, for $675 with free shipping off eBay.  I figured if I'm going to pay $400 for a kayak plus another $100 for shipping I might as well put out another hundred or so and get the Ride I want.  But I was definitely looking at that Ascend and may get one in the near future.  I already know I'm going to have to get a second kayak for my relative that I take fishing with me.  

The Ride 115 is another one I am strongly considering.  The new 115 which is coming out looks amazing but I think the price goes up with the new model unfortunately.

 

[aceman387]

I bought the ride 115 a couple years ago and i love it.I hope you get one Felix,you will love kayak fishing. It sure is tough watching these type videos when you still have another 2-3 months of winter left ahead of you

[Felix77]

I bought the ride 115 a couple years ago and i love it.I hope you get one Felix,you will love kayak fishing. It sure is tough watching these type videos when you still have another 2-3 months of winter left ahead of you

I know ... I keep myself busy just doing my research, building jigs and anxiously watching the weather channel.  LOL

[Arv]

I just got the ride 115 a couple days before Christmas. I haven't gotten it out yet but it is already far more comfortable than my old kayak. Once I get it out I'll post a review if I have time.

[Yakin4bass]

I got the FS12T for me and me step son for Christmas and I love it, its a little heavy when your dealing with two of them. Had it out a few times already and it gets up and moves pretty easily.

[Darren.]

Bass Pro branded yaks are pretty decent for the money. Complaints have been that they're a thinner pour, hence denting and such. I considered one when I was in the market -- before I bought my Native Ultimate 12. And definitely try to sit in the yak (in-store) if you can't get it on the water to demo it. That said, the recent models are much thicker based on my hands-on, and better.

 

That paid a big part in me choosing the U12 over the Native Commander (darn fine boat, tho), and other models.

 

And if I were in the buying market today, I'd also take a long hard look at a Native Slayer, and anything Hobie (once I win the lottery).

 

But as for the BPS models, 12' is great. I started with a 10, and it was awesome. I bought the U12 as there wasn't a shorter model, and I've not been disappointed whatsoever. Obviously the 10 will be lighter, and will be easier to maneuver. And for fishing, it is my opinion that a sit on top is the way to go. For me, a hybrid (like my Native Ultimate) was the way to go, but that's not for everyone.