New Kayak Help

[MichiganFishing1997]

So, im in the process of selling my boat, and switching over to kayak fishing. It will be easier on my wallet and just ease of transport between two houses. I was looking at the Ascend® FS128T Sit-On-Top Angler Kayak. It seems like a solid starting kayak for the money, and would leave me room to add accesories like a fish finder. A Hobie is out of my price range, and a old town predator 13 is pushing the limit too. Any help pr suggestions would be great!

[Darren.]

So, im in the process of selling my boat, and switching over to kayak fishing. It will be easier on my wallet and just ease of transport between two houses. I was looking at the Ascend® FS128T Sit-On-Top Angler Kayak. It seems like a solid starting kayak for the money, and would leave me room to add accesories like a fish finder. A Hobie is out of my price range, and a old town predator 13 is pushing the limit too. Any help pr suggestions would be great!

 

If your price range is around the FS128T, then that's a great starting point. It allows you to stand and fish with a stable platform. Doesn't break the bank. Downside is that it's a bit heavy, but then most yaks of that style have some heft.

 

Perhaps later on down the road you can upgrade to a Hobie, or other yak. But then you may find the FS128T fits the bill and allows you to invest in other gear!

[MichiganFishing1997]

Thanks for the help! I would like to stay around that price range, then I can buy a fish finder, car roof mounts, maybe a paddle, or shallow water anchor systems. Seems like it will give me some room to play. Any idea if there is still good castability with 7' rods in the flush mount rod holders?

Christian

[Darren.]

Thanks for the help! I would like to stay around that price range, then I can buy a fish finder, car roof mounts, maybe a paddle, or shallow water anchor systems. Seems like it will give me some room to play. Any idea if there is still good castability with 7' rods in the flush mount rod holders?

Christian

 

Well, rod mounts are an entirely different animal. I actually don't have any in my yak as of now. Too often I would catch a rod behind me when casting when I used to mount them vertically on my milk crate (which I no longer carry). So I now lay my rods in front of me. Every rod is horizontal.

 

That said, you can, with practice, adjust your casting so as not to catch rods behind you. With 7 foot rods it may actually be easier. I use short rods, like in the 6 foot range, so I'm probably more likely to catch stuff behind me than you would be. At least I think so.

 

And I think you'll have a lot of fun being able to add all the accessories you mentioned. You'll be armed for hogs, Christian. Good luck, man!

[Mr_Scrogg]

I broke the tip off a new GLoomis BSR852 Mossy with it vertical behind me. From then on, laid infront of me was how they was stored

But by that time I had a Commander 120. So it was easier

[MichiganFishing1997]

Well, rod mounts are an entirely different animal. I actually don't have any in my yak as of now. Too often I would catch a rod behind me when casting when I used to mount them vertically on my milk crate (which I no longer carry). So I now lay my rods in front of me. Every rod is horizontal.

That said, you can, with practice, adjust your casting so as not to catch rods behind you. With 7 foot rods it may actually be easier. I use short rods, like in the 6 foot range, so I'm probably more likely to catch stuff behind me than you would be. At least I think so.

And I think you'll have a lot of fun being able to add all the accessories you mentioned. You'll be armed for hogs, Christian. Good luck, man!

Youre a great guy Darren! Thanks for the help. Do you mind if I PM you to get a little more info?

Christian

[MichiganFishing1997]

I broke the tip off a new GLoomis BSR852 Mossy with it vertical behind me. From then on, laid infront of me was how they was stored

But by that time I had a Commander 120. So it was easier

Good to know. How do you keep them atatched to the yak? Or do you just lay them on there?

[Darren.]

Youre a great guy Darren! Thanks for the help. Do you mind if I PM you to get a little more info?

Christian

 

You bet, Christian! I'm quite happy to lend a hand. Glad you found some use from my comments!

[200racing]

good luck getting that hoss on the roof by yourself. my brother in law tried it a few times on his mazda 3 hatchback with a foam block kit. finally broke down and got a harbor freight trailer.

 

that aside it is a great calm water yak.

[OperationEagle]

Without seat this thing weighs in at 84lb.  With the seat 96lb.

 

If money truly is holding you back I suggest being patient and finding a nicely kept top tier kayak that is more manageable.  Just 2 examples: native ultimate (49 lbs), Jackson Cuda 12 (68 lbs w/o seat...76 w seat...but you just lift off the deck when transporting it).

 

Sorry...telling you this is a "great choice" puts you in a trap.  You will either...

 

a. not use it nearly as much as you'd hoped because the weight makes transporting and getting it to and from storage such a pain.

 

b. If you do stick with it, you realize that due to the weight you need to "upgrade" spending more money than you would have if you would have just bought the correct one in the first place.

 

 

[Mr_Scrogg]

C120 is a hybrid SOT/SINK.

Layed on the twart bar. Green nerf balls kept rods seperated

[HeavyFisher]

Lassy in the back of your boat? Winning. 

[B@ssCrzy]

Without seat this thing weighs in at 84lb.  With the seat 96lb.

 

If money truly is holding you back I suggest being patient and finding a nicely kept top tier kayak that is more manageable.  Just 2 examples: native ultimate (49 lbs), Jackson Cuda 12 (68 lbs w/o seat...76 w seat...but you just lift off the deck when transporting it).

 

Sorry...telling you this is a "great choice" puts you in a trap.  You will either...

 

a. not use it nearly as much as you'd hoped because the weight makes transporting and getting it to and from storage such a pain.

 

b. If you do stick with it, you realize that due to the weight you need to "upgrade" spending more money than you would have if you would have just bought the correct one in the first place.

 

This is some good information.  84lbs is a lot to car top.  You can do it, but you won't be happy with it.  I have a Jackson Cuda and car top it.  I am already tired of it and couldn't imagine doing it to an 84lb yak.  On top of that you are going to have to drag or use a kayak dolly to get to the water loaded with your gear.  On the flip side you can only afford so much and getting out on the water on anything beats staying on the bank.  The best deals will be in the fall.  If you can hang on another couple months you can get a great deal on a quality yak.  That is what I did and I am really glad I waited.  Good luck.

[MichiganFishing1997]

So I guess im kind of getting mixed reviews here. I may have to just go see how managable it is for myself.

Christian

[SlappinKraken]

If you are patient you might be able to find a good deal on the more expensive kayaks but it might take a while.  I was able to get a pescador 12 angler for $390 on amazon a couple years ago, but it isn't one that you can stand comfortably in.  I can easily load it by myself once I figured the technique on how to lift it. 

 

For customization I change things up every now and then based on my tastes, and it is hard to say what you will like until you try it.

 

For the anchor I just put a 5lb weight from my workout area tied to a floating rope and it works when I need it.  Most of the time I don't anchor, but I carry it anyway juts in case.

 

I have a milk crate with 3 rod holders made from PVC pipe and I keep all my stuff in there so it is easy to get to.  All of my plastics are kept in their original bags so I don't have to open a tackle box every time.  Pliers and scissors are kept in my life jacket.

 

I agree with Mr. Scrogg about the vertical poles getting in the way at times.  I tend to cast over my right shoulder so I keep that side of my rod holders empty, and put both of my non-used rods on the left side.  If i am switching between poles often I keep them in front of me like scrogg does and it's not bad at all.

 

I built the fish finder stuff on my own and use a triple scotty mount when i bring my fishfinder with me.  I can troll using the scotty mount as well, but I only use this setup with the fish finder.  Otherwise I leave all of that at home.

 

 

 

[flyfisher]

For flat water use i have yet to find a boat that surpasses the versatility of a hybrid boat.  I have a commander 120 myself and it is easy to get on top of my wrangler if you have the right technique, which is the same for every boat out there really.  I like hybrid style myself because the stability is better than any SOT and much easier to stand in to fish or stretch your legs.  The only way i am getting rid of the commander is if i move to a pedal kayak and even then, i still may keep it  

[MichiganFishing1997]

I heard there were molding issues with the ascend, so now im looking at a predator 13 or a ride 115. Any reviews on these? And whats a hybrid boat?

Chrisitian

[Mr_Scrogg]

Hybrid is like a Wilderness Systems Commander 120 or Native Ultimate. Stability of a SOT, but a open cockpit like s Sit In.

Very easy to stand. C120 has a captains perch as well as a removable seat.

 

 

[MichiganFishing1997]

Awesomensounds good. Thank you!

Christian

[OperationEagle]

I heard there were molding issues with the ascend, so now im looking at a predator 13 or a ride 115. Any reviews on these? And whats a hybrid boat?

Chrisitian

You will find tons of reviews, comments, perspectives on any kayak.  Just use your search bar or google.  I try not to be a fanboy of the kayak that I have chosen as each person has their own needs.  In fact I HATE it when someone just gushes about how great brand X is. 

 

You also need to know that there are many that are sponsored or on "pro staffs" who's purpose is to spread positive info on their products.  I am not saying they are not knowledgeable.  I am just saying they typically are biased or have a vested interest in saying what they are saying.

 

YOU have to be the judge as to what YOUR needs are.  Each boat design has its pros and cons.  Everything seems to be a tradeoff.  Stability, weight, comfort, etc.

 

In one keystroke I found a review I thought was informative and pretty fair for the Ride 115X.  I THINK much of it can be projected to the Ride 115 but to be fair I am not 100% sure.  http://www.yakangler.com/fishing-kayak-review/354-wilderness-systems-ride-115x  This is just an example of something that is well thought out giving pros and cons.

 

BTW, you did not mention what kinds of body of water you will be fishing, how you will be transporting ( I think car top ?), what is important to you (ie do you like to sight fish).

 

So much already written on many forums.  I suggest you take the time to inventory your needs and digest what hs been published.  We can help/provide perspective if there is something that you might think is unique to your situation.

[FrogFreak]

I have a Wavewalk kayak. Just to throw it into the mix. It's about 60 lbs and is easy to car top. I can stand up in it quite easily. The upside is it is very stable. The downside is that it takes a bit of practice to turn it on a dime. It does track very well without a rudder and it has ample storage room. You would think that not having a seat would be a bad thing but the way you sit in it, your back just doesn't hurt after a day of fishing. It is about $1200 so it's not cheap but so far I've been very happy with it. Just another option to consider if you're thinking about that price point.

 

 

[Predator130]

I'm a fan of the ride myself.  Lots of capacity but it is a bear to load it on the roof. I do it but I also have a beater jeep that I slide it up the hood and on the roof, not everyone is willing to do that.  I can set the hook standing and have had no issues with it so far.  Look around for a good deal.  I got mine out the door for 699 brand new, you should be able to find one used for less than that.

 

[Tim Kelly]

I recently bought a cuda 14. It's a bit of a handful to get on and off the roof of my van, but manageable. You only have to put it on and off twice a day after all. I got a cheap rubber backed door mat to lay on the back of the van when I'm sliding the yak on and off the roof just to protect the paint. As long as you can park withing a few yards of the water you can carry it, but I wouldn't want to go far without a set of wheels. Depends on your situation. The cuda 14 seems to be a pretty slow kayak to me, but them I have very little experience, so maybe they're all quite slow? Very easy to stand in and the high seat position is really good for fishing from, also saves you from a wet bum most of the time! Overall I'm happy with my buy, but a lighter faster hull with the same features would be even better!