College Budget Kayak/boats/float Tubes? Do They Exist?

[John Hansen]

Howdy all, 

 

Im sort of kicking tires.  My search didn't return quite what I was wanting, maybe I searched wrong though, seems like every forums search has its own little quirks.

 

Anyways,  I have really been wanting to get a kayak or some other small personal watercraft.  Im in college and don't have a bunch of money available so I don't really know if I can get anything in my budget.  I also can't be hauling around too big of anything.  I drive an '03 Toyota Tundra (back when the Tundra was only a little bit bigger than the Tacoma) and have a tool box so what little bit of bed space I have is gone.  I could still haul a kayak but not a giant one.  I also need to be able to store what ever I get while I am at school.

 

My budget, I don't want to set a budget but lets say I had $500-$600 to spend could I get myself into some sort of watercraft?  Not just for bass fishing but it would be sweet to be able to use it for trout fishing.

 

I have been looking at:

 

A float tube, Fairly cheap, easily come in under budget, very easy to store, but it sucks sitting in the water all day, and there isn't much room for tackle..

 

Small Pontoon, Can be had for $500 ish, pontoons are easy to store, frame is harder to store, would be easier to haul tackle.  Not sure if one of the small ones would actually fit in my truck fully assembled.

 

Then I was looking at a Kayak like this, but that may be a bit long for my little pickup.  http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Canoes-Kayaks-Small-Boats/Canoes-Kayaks|/pc/104794380/c/104710680/sc/104252580/Old-Town-Vapor-10-Angler-Kayak/1342772.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fcanoes-kayaks%2F_%2FN-1100570%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104252580%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104794380%253Bcat104710680&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104794380%3Bcat104710680%3Bcat104252580

 

I open to thoughts.  Being in Idaho, and Montana I deffinately like the idea of not having to be in the water all the time with the toon and kayak but the float tube have a very attractive price tag.  

[buzzed bait]

from what you listed, i'd go with a kayak.  check craigslist, can often find some deals on there.  Also, from my own experience i would suggest a sit on top kayak vs the sit in version you posted.  i have a sit in right now and looking to get me a new sit on top soon.

[Brian6428]

Hmmm, that's a tough one. I suppose you could go with a smaller kayak, but I'll let somebody else chime in on that matter.

 

I have a bass raider 10e. To set one up new it is about $800-900, but they sell used for pretty cheap. I don't know whether or not this would fit in the bed of your truck, but it is a nice fishing platform. It is even light enough for two people to lift on top of a suburban (trailers are overrated lol).

 

I looked into a float tube when I was looking for a cheap watercraft and decided they weren't for me. If you live in a warmer climate they might work, but you still have to include the cost of waders and fins. I also wasn't crazy about being so low to the water, it looks hard to fish from. 

 

As someone who owns a "budget bass boat" along the lines of what you are looking for, here is my suggestion: Don't buy anything for the time being. There are so many unforeseen problems that are inherit in small watercraft. They are very prone to the wind and must be anchored unless a foot controlled trolling motor can be had. They can feel very cramped after 4-5 hours on the water. Oftentimes they can be more work to load and unload than a trailered boat, because of loading/unloading gear etc. You can't bring friends to fish with you (unless you go with a used Bass Raider, I can have one friend).

 

Atop of that, you are in college. I imagine long-term storage of this boat could become an issue. Wait till you graduate to buy a nicer boat that you can enjoy for years to come.

 

So what do you do until then, watch fishing videos on youtube? Not exactly. I would suggest trying to find a few good ponds in your area you could fish frequently. This is cheaper, easier, and the fishing can be just as good, or even better, once you find the right pond. 

 

I'm not trying to be a debbie downer and discourage you from getting a new boat, I'm just pointing a few key points of small boat ownership. 

 

Just my 2 cents.

 

Brian

 

Edit: after re-reading my post, I realized that a lot of this depends on where you want to fish. I fish a larger, windy lake that isn't ideal for my slow, wind-prone boat that spins like a top. If you are looking to fish smaller lakes/ponds that may not even have ramps, I would go for a kayak like you linked above.

[bartdude186]

if you go with a kayak, for 500ish you can get yourself a decent fishing kayak, but if i were you i would lean more towards a sit on top rather than a sit in. i drive a chevy colorado and have a 12 foot and 10 foot kayak as well as a 10ft bass raider and they all fit in the bed just fine, with the tool box i would get a 10ft sit on top fishing kayak. for around the 500 mark i would look at the pelican icon 100, that would leave room for taxes and a good paddle. i still have the first kayak i bought, it was a pelican icon 120 and i still like it and use it. On a totally opposite note, if you could get the 8ft version of the bass raider back there that would be my choice, i can load and unload my 10ft by myself with ease. If it don't fit....BUY MORE RATCHET STRAPS lol.

[John Hansen]

Thanks for the replys all!

 

So, ideally I am wanting something that will let me go anywhere.  Small ponds reservoirs that don't have ramps and/or don't allow motors.  But I would also like to be able to go to big lakes and reservoirs and cruise along shore, at least be able to get out past where most bank fisherman can't hit.  Idaho isn't bad about wind, it still gets windy but its nothing like Montana.  The wind where my parents live in Montana is terrible!  So I understand wind drift, but it does worry me that I will spend more time paddling around and fighting wind than fishing, unless I can get some sort of Kayak anchor system.

 

Im a pretty solo fisherman, I am joining the schools "bass club" Just found out about it today, so that may change but the majority of my fishing is alone.  Storage is not a major issue.  I live in a fraternity and could easily store 10' or less in the storage shed and then just chain it to the bike rack.  But easier storage is nice.

 

I already own a small aluminum row boat.  Bought it when I was 13 for 75 bucks.  Its from the 50's and took a little work but me and dad got it floating and water proof again.  I would bring it up but Its trailer needs a plate, then it needs new axels then ontop of that I still have to register it so I would rather just play around with something smaller.  It would work fine for what I need buts its too much work.

 

Fishing around me isn't great.  About 15 miles from me is a reservoir that is honestly no challenge to fish.  Its nothing for me to go there and have landed 20+ fish within an hour.  All bass and trout but its still annoying.  I only go there when I want to chase tiger musky.  But if I go an hour and a half north or an hour south there are two very big lakes/resevoirs and a lot of other smaller ones.  They are full of bass, sun fishes, etc but shore access is tough to find so a small kayak would be sweet because I could access more water easier..

 

My buddy has a small sport Kayak.  Maybe over the summer Ill have to borrow it and just play around with it and see what I think.

[B@ssCrzy]

If I were in your position the below links are what I would get if I had to buy new and was in your price range.  I would only go sit-on-top if it were me.  I like the sit-on-top because it is self-baling.  So if any water gets in the boat from catching fish, splash, etc you don't have to worry about it.  Also, if you ever fish out in a big lake and you flip a sit-in kayak it is going to be a heck of a time trying to get the water out and you back in it quickly.  Whereas a sit-on-top you just flip it over and climb back on. This is especially important if you are going to be fishing water that is 60 degrees or below (which is when some of the best fishing is).  That can be a life threatening situation.  If I could go used and find a better brand or deal for a higher end price at a discounted rate then I would do that.  I think for your situation and what you are wanting to do a kayak is definitely the way to go.  You can even buy a bed extender for your hitch to help with transporting the kayak for under $100.  Just my two cents....

 

http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-D10T-SitOnTop-Kayak-Red/Black/product/12102505321113/

 

or

 

http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-FS12T-SitOnTop-Angler-Kayak-Desert-Storm/product/13110707113412/

[HeavyDluxe]

I think the first priority would be to sort out exactly what kinda ride you want... Making the decision based solely on pricepoint (where mostly comparable) isn't wise, IMO.  I think you'd be better served to decide what platform best suits what you want in your angling experience and then target you searching to good deals in that category.

 

I personally have found an angling kayak to be the best fit for me, the kinds of water I fish, and the area in which I fish 'em. A good fishing yak will get me out in the early spring once ice is gone and keep me on the water 'til it all hardens (including rivers/streams).  Of course, that's just what works for me and may be worth exactly [*bleep*] to you.  

 

Two things, though, if you decide to go the kayak route (which is all I can speak to):

1) Our local shop always has clearance models around at the end of the season.  And, also they have had blemished stock of both past and current models from time to time.  I bought a then-brand-new cosmetic blem Ride 115 for a very aggressive price.  The blem (flecks of red in the sand color, and one Ride sticker all munged up) didn't bother me on a boat that's going to be bumped on rocks and have fish guts all over it. Craigslist is a GREAT place, along with the various kayak angling sites, to look for people selling off one boat to upgrade to another.  In short, buy once and buy what you like.

 

2) I wouldn't be too worried about hauling any of the standard angling kayaks.  If I can bolt my Ride to the roof of my compact Hyundai, I bet you'll be able to manage, too.

 

Good luck.

[Jay Ell Gee]

If I were in your position the below links are what I would get if I had to buy new and was in your price range.  I would only go sit-on-top if it were me.  I like the sit-on-top because it is self-baling.  So if any water gets in the boat from catching fish, splash, etc you don't have to worry about it.  Also, if you ever fish out in a big lake and you flip a sit-in kayak it is going to be a heck of a time trying to get the water out and you back in it quickly.  Whereas a sit-on-top you just flip it over and climb back on. This is especially important if you are going to be fishing water that is 60 degrees or below (which is when some of the best fishing is).  That can be a life threatening situation.  If I could go used and find a better brand or deal for a higher end price at a discounted rate then I would do that.  I think for your situation and what you are wanting to do a kayak is definitely the way to go.  You can even buy a bed extender for your hitch to help with transporting the kayak for under $100.  Just my two cents....

 

http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-D10T-SitOnTop-Kayak-Red/Black/product/12102505321113/

 

or

 

http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-FS12T-SitOnTop-Angler-Kayak-Desert-Storm/product/13110707113412/

I would look at both of those suggestions very hard. A SOT would be the only type of kayak I fished from, if given a choice. My girlfriend's first fishing kayak actually was the D10T and we loved it for her. However, on long hauls it tended to be a bit slower than most kayaks that we fished with. However, we regularly do 9+ mile trips in the marsh, exposed to heavy wind.

We took it for some float trips in streams and rivers and it did remarkably well.

The new FS12T is a very solid platform and will be more comfortable for a day's fishing with the elevated seat. I have circulation issues in one of my legs due to a previous injury so it's non negotiable for me. However, they are just more comfortable in general.

An anchor trolley system will be a MUST, as well as a shallow anchor. However, you could build both of these for under 30 dollars, then you just need an anchor.

If you have any kayak related questions, shoot me a PM.

Harbor freight also sells a very affordable bed extender that is worth a look. With a few ratchet straps, you could comfortably transport just about any 10-12 foot kayak with no problems.

http://m.harborfreight.com/truck-bed-extender-69650.html?utm_referrer=direct%2Fnot%20provided

Make sure to check their site and print their monthly coupon. I used it on the bed extender and got it for a good bit less.

[flyfisher]

All good advice on here.  I will also echo that looking for a used boat will get you more boat for the money.  The deals don't come up often and are gone pretty quick but if you are persistent in your searching something will come up and for a good price.

 

I bought my coosa for about 350 off retail a year after it was released and then was able to sell it for pretty much what i paid for it a year or so later.  That is the other advantage of getting a more name brand boat, the resale value is much higher.

 

Seems like tarpons come up for sale pretty often around here and they are a great all around boat that can perform well in rivers or lakes.  if you have a truck i would have no worries about transporting a boat.  You can get the extender like was already mentioned or havit on it's side and extend out past the tailgate with a red flag and strapped down.

[Master Bait'r]

Go to Ocean State Job Lot if you have them...  Big Lots too, I've seen some pretty decent kayaks going for a song in there.  They're usually Future Beach kayaks but who cares?  I think I saw their 13' SOT fishing kayak in there for $400?  Smaller ones going for 2-300.  Hope that helped!  Craigslist seems like just about the worst place to find one- everybody thinks their 20yo rot box kayak is still worth $500.  

[HeavyDluxe]

One note on the cheaper brand kayaks... Just caveat emptor.  Sure, they're kayaks.  But, sometimes they are not completely designed the same.

 

We bought one of the knockoffs for the kids from a Job Lots store.  It floats, but it tracks (travels in a straight line) terribly.  Lots of extra effort to paddle any given distance.

[Tugmaster]

X2 on looking on CL. To bad you weren't closer I have a Hobie Floatcat 60 with oars that I'm trying to get rid of.

Todd

[John Hansen]

Thanks for the replies all, its going to take me a bit to sift through everything and check everything out.

 

First, Im just not really sure what would suit me best, I really like the idea of the Kayak, that sit on top one at bass pros looks good! Even with the oversized shipping it looks like it would fit my budget just fine.  Hauling anything big isn't a major issue but its a consideration, with a Kayak I could still haul a cooler and camping gear.  With a Toon, probably not so much.  

 

If I went with the float tube style I already own chest waders, aren't insulated but its not hard to dress insulated, I had no issues in them steelhead fishing this winter, even waist deep in water.  But its a bit small and IMHO not ideal for bass fishing.  Fly fishing for trout its fine, bass fishing not so much.

 

Kayak seem great, only downsides I am potentially really seeing is cost, and just being too susceptible to wind drift.  But they seem like they would be the cats meow.

 

Pontoon, I like them, Ive used them, but they are big and bulky and tough to store.  Also tough to get in my price range.

I have looked at inflatable stuff before, but I hate relying on them holding air, it seems like anything like that now days won't hold air.  

 

What makes it all real tough is there is not a major supply of kayaks locally.  We see more white water style kayaks than anything.  Not many big cruisers like I am looking at.  They're around but they are hard to find.  Craigslist is also a joke around here.  People sell very old sit in style kayaks for $100 less than I can get a new one for.  I was looking for a mountain bike and people wanted $150 for bikes that 10+ years old.  I am still going to keep an eye out but I will probably end up going new if I get anything. 

 

But I do like the Bass pro shop link posted above!  Wish I was back east, it would be neat to get to meet up with some people that have different things and maybe fish from them for a few hours.  Just get a feel and see what I like best.

[carlm01]

The Seaeagle frameless pontoon boat that I have is few bucks more than your price point but inflates and is a great little toon...   Just my 2 cents worth ..   Good Luck 

[MidTNKayakAngler]

Lots of great advise here. I would go kayak also and go with a SOT, especially if you are going on big water and go with 12-13', it will be much better on bigger water, and it's not bad on small waters. If you need to get a tailgate extender.

 

In the past 5 years I've owned about 10 kayaks maybe more from Hobie's to Jacksons to Wilderness Systems. I get 2 new ones every year. This is the first year I haven't bought a new one because I'm happy with what I have a Ride 135. It's great for everything I've found even ran some class 3's last fall with no issues, paddled 6+ miles offshore to some wreks in Florida and did great. It's big enough to carry all my gear and myself.

 

Like I said I usually sell mine every year and sell them for about 35-40% off retail so a $1000 kayak I usually sell for around $625-$700. Mine are always stored indoors in a climate controlled boathouse, and well taken care of. I usually try to sell to people who have never had a kayak before and want to try to get into the sport.

 

I would look for a good used kayak at a great price.

[RipSomeLips]

Darn it, everyones advise is so good it will be hard for me to add to it. I recently did a full market reach project when trying to make a kayak decision similar to yours. Here is what I concluded: sit on top is a must have, 10ft min. For stability. I lucked out and bought a pelican 116 with paddle for $200 from craigslist. Now it is a basic kayak, doesn't track perfect, but has lots of storage, is stable, and easy to load and store. Also the real beauty of a yak is how u can go is shallow small water areas others cant, and that you can make your kayak as fancy as u want with lots of accessories. One accessory o would recommend is an anchor line system that is easily made and used for wind issues. You can get easy instructions and tips on how to modify your kayak eight here on BR or on youtube.

[Fishes in trees]

When I was in college ( the the first few years out of college) I had similar budgetary restrictions.  (Granted this was the 70's but the principles are the same).  I became an expert in fishing golf course ponds within walking/hitch hiking distance from campus.  Many colleges have one large pond off to the side of their golf courses that they use to pump water to all of the other water hazards.

I made a point of finding out which professors and other university personnel fished.   It didn't matter whether they were in my field of study or not.  Actually that is better, it expands your system of contacts, and these professors come to respect you more as a fisherman than as a kiss-ass student that they are responsible for.   I couldn't find a fishing club, so I started on through the university communiversity.  The club only lasted a few months, but I made enough acquaintances for the remainder of the years I lived in Columbia so I had lots of places to fish.

 

So my advice to you is to get creative.  If there are places to fish near where you're going to school, believe me when I tell you that someone at that university already has that figured out.  Your chore becomes finding out who those people are and find ways to go fishing with them.  You are young.

Be prepared to lift & tote & do yard work,  handy man stuff, whatever.

 

My very best fishing contact came from a friend of a friend of a friend.  Seems the woman who owned this fabulous lake front property needed some help for her annual summer BBQ (where she fed & hobnobbed with 200-300 people.  I showed up early and stayed late, and was butler, parking valet, BBQ helper (helped cook 500 chicken quarters) server, & clean up & storage helper.  12 hours of hot, sweaty work got me access to fish an ultra-private 90 acre lake, for the next several years.  Of course, over the years I had other chores I performed for this woman.   After a while I had friends of my professors friends call me up to take them fishing on this ultra private lake that I had access to and they didn't.

 

I found people around campus who had old jon boats/ v hulled row boats that were going bad.  A little bit of repair work, sanding & paint and they had a workable boat and I had a new boat to borrow from time to time.

 

Bottom line is to be aware of your surroundings, be creative and you can make fishing opportunities for yourself.

[John Hansen]

Thanks for the replies guys!  There isn't much for fishing right around me. I have to drive a little ways and I feel like it would be even more worth the drive if I had some sort of Water craft and was capable of getting the most fishing out of each trip.  Nearest fishing too me is a 15 mile drive.  

 

 

 I am keeping my eyes open for a good ol used jon boat or something but being in a college town you have to act quick or it gets bought up pretty quick.  Looking to join the schools bass club.  Don't plan on fishing any tourneys other than the little club ones but I figure if anything it lets me meet a few guys and I know 2 of them have very nice bass boats that I could probably tag along with them and fish with.  

 

My own floating device would be nice because then I can fish when I please.