Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game Ii

[KenG85]

Looking for some insight into this boat. I know its new, but any opinions would be nice.

 

Also any information running down the Ocean Kayak line of angler kayak's would really be appreciated. I am limited to OK because a large discount I will get.

 

The nuts and bolts of my fishing is small flat water ranging from 6 to 30 acres. But I would like to also have the option to go out on bigger water.

 

 

For the past season I have been fishing out of a Perception Prodigy 10 that I've been renting. I get a phenomenal deal at about 10$/day, but even then I spent several hundreds last year.  I'm a bit big for this boat at 6'1 230lbs. It just makes more sense for me to buy my own rig that I can personalize and that will be more suitable for fishing.

 

I did notice that the small 10 foot boat was very easy to transport, especially up and down steeper paths. I know for sure with myself and the gear I was over the weight capacity. It seemed to create a lot of drag when I paddled.

[Darren.]

Looking for some insight into this boat. I know its new, but any opinions would be nice.

 

Also any information running down the Ocean Kayak line of angler kayak's would really be appreciated. I am limited to OK because a large discount I will get.

 

The nuts and bolts of my fishing is small flat water ranging from 6 to 30 acres. But I would like to also have the option to go out on bigger water.

 

 

For the past season I have been fishing out of a Perception Prodigy 10 that I've been renting. I get a phenomenal deal at about 10$/day, but even then I spent several hundreds last year.  I'm a bit big for this boat at 6'1 230lbs. It just makes more sense for me to buy my own rig that I can personalize and that will be more suitable for fishing.

 

I did notice that the small 10 foot boat was very easy to transport, especially up and down steeper paths. I know for sure with myself and the gear I was over the weight capacity. It seemed to create a lot of drag when I paddled.

 

Ken- I don't fish OKs, but they have a great reputation, and since you get a discount, it seems like a sound decision.

 

You just need to decide the length. What type of waters do you fish? Big water, small reservoirs, rivers, a combination of all? Reason I ask, the longer a yak, more likely the better paddling experience and speed. The shorter yaks are a lot more maneuverable. I fished with a 10' and loved it for that reason.

 

I now fish a 12' hybrid yak and love it even more, all around better experience. That's not to say there aren't fantastic short length fishing kayaks, because there are. And you mention portaging it up hills and such. If you get a longer/heavier yak, you can make (or buy) a trail-ready cart. One called Trailtrekker is available, and it floats. Costs a bit, but could work for you. I made my own.

[KenG85]

The nuts and bolts of my fishing is small flat water ranging from 6 to 30 acres. But I would like to also have the option to go out on bigger water. So I was thinking about the 11 to 13' range.

 

I don't mind the 10 footer, but it had quite a low weight capacity.I did like the maneuverability of the boat, but my load approaches 300lbs. 

[Darren.]

The nuts and bolts of my fishing is small flat water ranging from 6 to 30 acres. But I would like to also have the option to go out on bigger water. So I was thinking about the 11 to 13' range.

 

I don't mind the 10 footer, but it had quite a low weight capacity.I did like the maneuverability of the boat, but my load approaches 300lbs. 

 

Right, that's a big consideration. You can only take so much with you on smaller lighter capacity boats.

[flyfisher]

I think one of the mods on here JFrancho fished out of OKs so he will probably chime in at some point.

 

I have never heard a bad thing about them and given your use i think you are on the right track.  I personally don't like anything shorter than 12' for lake fishing as they seem to waggle a little to much when covering some water.  I prefer the shorter boats on moving water though where maneuverability is at more of a premium

[KenG85]

How about any insight in to the comfort of the seat type of the big game II. It has the hobie type canvas, adjustable seat. Are those comfortable?

[flipin4bass]

A short review. http://finstalker.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-big-game-ii_3.html

[flipin4bass]

Not many videos on the Big Game II since it just hit the market, but this one gives a good picture of it. I really like the hull design and those rigging plates will make adding Yak Attack, Ram, and Scotty mounts a breeze.

[clayton86]

I think one of the mods on here JFrancho fished out of OKs so he will probably chime in at some point.

I have never heard a bad thing about them and given your use i think you are on the right track. I personally don't like anything shorter than 12' for lake fishing as they seem to waggle a little to much when covering some water. I prefer the shorter boats on moving water though where maneuverability is at more of a premium

He had the prowler big game, I know because I bought it off him. I love it I have used it in dang near every condition Mother Nature could throw at me and in every type of water body.

[KenG85]

He had the prowler big game, I know because I bought it off him. I love it I have used it in dang near every condition Mother Nature could throw at me and in every type of water body.

Do you feel that it manuevers well? Or would be worries about how it handles in tight quarters?

[clayton86]

I think it maneuvers well I took it out in delta lake,NY last summer and took it threw some woods to say the least lol. I was putting it threw trails and holes I never thought I could put a kayak threw.

I've had it in some small fast creeks as well and it handled just fine.

[KenG85]

I think it maneuvers well I took it out in delta lake,NY last summer and took it threw some woods to say the least lol. I was putting it threw trails and holes I never thought I could put a kayak threw.

I've had it in some small fast creeks as well and it handled just fine.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the input!

[KenG85]

I'm pumped about the mounting boards. I certainly did not want to drill holes in my boat.

[c.rushing2010]

One of my kayaks is the OK Prowler Trident 13 and it is a very suitable fishing platform. I hate the seat on it, but other than that, it is great. The 13' length is perfect for the areas I fish, which are very similar to the ones you have mentioned (6-30 acres) and I also bring it to the marshes for some inshore fishing.

[MikeinFresno]

the original Big game was a slow, ill handling rig. Dont know anyone with the new one. I too have the T13 and love it. Just a good split on size n speed. My only two negatives would be not having a modern web style seat and it is getting heavy for my old self with bad shoulders and to load it up on my truck roof rack.

 

I would try n paddle a couple of models before you buy. The 12-13' are good all around sizes. Im considering the Old Town Predator. It is owned ny the same company as OK, Johnson. The hull bottom is gonna be the deciding factor in which one paddles better.

[KenG85]

the original Big game was a slow, ill handling rig. Dont know anyone with the new one. I too have the T13 and love it. Just a good split on size n speed. My only two negatives would be not having a modern web style seat and it is getting heavy for my old self with bad shoulders and to load it up on my truck roof rack.

 

I would try n paddle a couple of models before you buy. The 12-13' are good all around sizes. Im considering the Old Town Predator. It is owned ny the same company as OK, Johnson. The hull bottom is gonna be the deciding factor in which one paddles better.

 

I wish I could paddle some. I'm not sure how I could make that happen here in WV. 

 

The trident 13 angler is on my mind. As of now I'm between that and the Big game II.

[MikeinFresno]

here in CA you can get a used T13 for $600-700 but it will sell in a day at that price. The more modern fancier model by OK is the Ultra 4.3

[KenG85]

The ultra is a big longer at 14' and that deeper well in the back looks kind of nice. Is there anything else different about it?

 

I think I want to stay under 13'

[MikeinFresno]

lighter weight and sleeker in the water. The center hatch also rotates and has two sides to it. Little things that add up. BUT, I didnt swing the extra dough either. They are nice tho. About $1000-1200 used.

[faygo1979]

Are you looking at comfort and the ability to stand as a priority or speed of paddling?

 

the new big game is a lot like my predator kayak.  comfortable.  I am not going to be as fast as others but i will be paddling and fishing in comfort.

I still paddle a few miles on it but i don't think i would be trying to paddle across the great lakes on it, 

 

Almost all kayaks are getting heaver and heaver  you need to decided if that is going to be as factor with transporting it.

[clayton86]

My prowler is HEAVY but I leave my battery, milk crate loaded, duffle bag with soft plastics, and an anchor in 24/7 I carry it with it loaded like that sometimes even with all 8 rods laying in it if I'm going far. I have a dolly though which helps a little. My buddy has the ride 115 and he's got a fraction of what I have and only takes one rod he's not any faster then mine is.

It is a comfy paddle though I've have a few 8-10hr days in mine never sore other then sun burnt

[KenG85]

Are you looking at comfort and the ability to stand as a priority or speed of paddling?

 

the new big game is a lot like my predator kayak.  comfortable.  I am not going to be as fast as others but i will be paddling and fishing in comfort.

I still paddle a few miles on it but i don't think i would be trying to paddle across the great lakes on it, 

 

Almost all kayaks are getting heaver and heaver  you need to decided if that is going to be as factor with transporting it.

 

Well speed isn't that important. I fish smaller bodies of water.  Standing is a cool plus, but not absolutely necessary. Mainly i'm looking for comfort since I usually fish at least 8 hours. Maneuverability is probably more important than speed.

 

After thinking about it more I"m betweent Trident 11, 13 and the big game II.

[KenG85]

My prowler is HEAVY but I leave my battery, milk crate loaded, duffle bag with soft plastics, and an anchor in 24/7 I carry it with it loaded like that sometimes even with all 8 rods laying in it if I'm going far. I have a dolly though which helps a little. My buddy has the ride 115 and he's got a fraction of what I have and only takes one rod he's not any faster then mine is.

It is a comfy paddle though I've have a few 8-10hr days in mine never sore other then sun burnt

 

I saw the Ride 115 in store today. Its a cool boat and mounting options are awesome. I really liked how the rod holders are already raised. Very nice boat. Comparing the features to the new big game II, I think they are similar. But I haven't seen big game II up close.

[J Francho]

Clayton is a beast. I dented hood on my Maxima trying to load it on the roof rack with the battery and seat still in it, lol.

My old, and Clayton's current PBG has a steerable rudder option on it, and while it shouldn't be a must have on a good tracking hull, it is on the original PBG. The trade off is a massive capacity, stability of an aircraft carrier, and enough storage to being a bass boat worth of gear.

Hadn't had a chance to see the new boat, but a lot innovations in design have happened since the originals release. OK make a great boat, though.

[clayton86]

Clayton is a beast. I dented hood on my Maxima trying to load it on the roof rack with the battery and seat still in it, lol.

My old, and Clayton's current PBG has a steerable rudder option on it, and while it shouldn't be a must have on a good tracking hull, it is on the original PBG. The trade off is a massive capacity, stability of an aircraft carrier, and enough storage to being a bass boat worth of gear.

Hadn't had a chance to see the new boat, but a lot innovations in design have happened since the originals release. OK make a great boat, though.

The seat ain't nothing on that thing lol. I love that kayak it's my baby lol. I did fall out of it once though. Also towed a guy with it.... Yup towed a guy who rolled his old towne kayak and couldn't get all the water out and get back in it. I unloaded all my rods and tackle and paddled back out to him pulled his kayak on top of mine while standing in mine undid his drain dumped all the water and set it back in the lake for him. All this was well 200yards from shore in 25fow. He tried getting back in and rolled it again. I ended up unhooking my anchor and tying off to his while he hung on and I paddled my arse off with him and his yak in tow.