Advice On Choosing A Kayak

[online yakfishin]

We run a small fleet of pescador12 fishing kayaks on the river.

We put tons of river miles in paddling up and down a remote 10 mile area of river were there is no take out or put in.

To me everyone should have a 12 foot kayak its the perfect size , there virtually unsinkable . Sit On is the way to go for yak fishing.

There are two different types of kayaks

 

Lake kayaks

1. Hobie kayaks

2. Wilderness Systems

3.Jackson Kayaks

4.KC kayaks

For lakes you want something wider and more stable. For rivers the pescador 12 is great , there only 28 inches wide and slice through the water .There is the Jackson cuda which was designed for rivers but it still is 31 inches wide .Its my preference in what I take out for the body of water im fishing.

 

River kayaks

1. Pescador12

2.Malibu kayaks

3.Heritage kayaks

 

 

 

[Nelson Wormefeller]

Which one has the most comfortable seat for 6+ hours of fishing ?

[J Francho]

I don't think you can really generalize based on make.  Every model has their pros and cons, and who designed it and how it behaves on the water is more important than what it was supposedly designed for.

[online yakfishin]

The kayaks with the raised seats , Jackson , hobie ect are more comfortable. And yes this is just my preference .I have tried most of them and im looking for lightweight narrow fishing kayaks for what I do . Im on a shallow non flowing river that requires alote of man powered paddling 30 hours a week. But if anyone else knows a kayak I can try , im willing to upgrade.The new proto drew Gregory is designing Jackson cuda12 LT is what im interested in . 20 lbs lighter then the orginal Cuda , sounds good .

[J Francho]

Which one has the most comfortable seat for 6+ hours of fishing ?

 

The one I stand in to fish.

[hoosierbass07]

 I have a Wilderness Systems Ride 115.  As much fun as it is in small ponds, I don't think it's a big lake kayak.  After using my new Vapor sit-inside kayak that slides across the water with ease, my Ride 115 sort of feels like a brick on water.  I'm not bashing the Ride 115, for what it is, it's a great sit-on top kayak and I'm glad I have it but I wouldn't consider it a big lake kayak.  Could it be paddled around a big lake?  Sure, and it would survive and be fine.  But I would hate to paddle that thing around a big lake.  

[flyfisher]

Picking out a kayak is all about deciding what features you want and ranking them in order of most to least important.  Then you can take a look at kayaks that meet as many of those features on paper, then go out and test paddle or pedal them and make a decision.  Each manufacturer has many boats and they are designed for different purposes or for different people so to generalize any specific brand as a lake brand or a river brand is not a fair assessment.

[buzzed bait]

We run a small fleet of pescador12 fishing kayaks on the river.

We put tons of river miles in paddling up and down a remote 10 mile area of river were there is no take out or put in.

To me everyone should have a 12 foot kayak its the perfect size , there virtually unsinkable . Sit On is the way to go for yak fishing.

There are two different types of kayaks

 

Lake kayaks

1. Hobie kayaks

2. Wilderness Systems

3.Jackson Kayaks

4.KC kayaks

For lakes you want something wider and more stable. For rivers the pescador 12 is great , there only 28 inches wide and slice through the water .There is the Jackson cuda which was designed for rivers but it still is 31 inches wide .Its my preference in what I take out for the body of water im fishing.

 

River kayaks

1. Pescador12

2.Malibu kayaks

3.Heritage kayaks

 

 

the jackson cuda is not the "river model", that's the coosa.  and flyfisher and jfrancho are right on point with their response.

[DogBone_384]

I have an Ascend 128T, FeelFree Lure 11.5, and a Native Watercraft Redfish 10 (my daughter's). Like J Franco says, each have their strengths & weaknesses.

My 128T is stable like an aircraft carrier, has tons of storage, and has an all day seat that swivels; its weaknesses are it really needs side handles and the fit & finish is sub par (especially for an American made product).

The Lure's fit & finish is excellent, has an all-day, height adjustable seat, a rail system, and a small integrated wheel that makes it a breeze to cart from my truck to the water. It's not terribly light, but is easy to hoist onto my truck's ladder rack by myself. It's only weakness, IMO, is the bottom's shape, which is flatter than the Ascend, making it very prone to drifting.

I don't fish from the Native. I paddled it once and found it toyish. I guess that's why it's my daughter's.

I live on the ocean and use the 128T & Lure in the bay. Both are equally sea worthy. I'll give the Lure +1 because it's faster in rougher water.

[online yakfishin]

Thanks for the insight . Ill have to try the wilderness systems kayaks . Im going to buy 3 different yaks for my fleet , so im seeing what my options are.Ok the coosa sounds good , I got it confused with the cuda. What other yaks would be good for a shallow river, with some dragging involved.

[Darren.]

I agree with fly and JFrancho, these days there are 

many different kayaks with excellent reputations for 

what you mention. 

 

The options available today are much more than when 

I bought my yak.

 

A couple other names to look at are Native Watercraft, 

FeelFree.

[J Francho]

The Coosa isn't a shabby lake boat. I have one. It really depends on how far you go on the lake. Lake boats aren't nearly as specific as river boats.

[buzzed bait]

The Coosa isn't a shabby lake boat. I have one. It really depends on how far you go on the lake. Lake boats aren't nearly as specific as river boats.

 

very much agree that the coosa is a nice unit for the lake.  my buddy has one and i've paddled it a couple times in the lake and really liked it.  i was looking at one hard until i found a deal on my ride 135.

[J Francho]

That's a better boat for lakes.

[paleus]

Can't forget Native Watercraft. I just picked up a Slayer 12. Super comfortable high/low seat. Stable enough to stand. Tracks great.

[kikstand454]

Thanks for the insight . Ill have to try the wilderness systems kayaks . Im going to buy 3 different yaks for my fleet , so im seeing what my options are.Ok the coosa sounds good , I got it confused with the cuda. What other yaks would be good for a shallow river, with some dragging involved.

You have already tried a wilderness system kayak. .... the pescador your in love with is a pre-'09 WS Tarpon120, rebadged by perception to sell in box stores.

I have the '09 Tarpon 140- its great in the ocean, rivers and lakes. Its fast. You will not be standing up in it to do anything.

That being said, most manufacturers have different models designed to be specific for a "type" of fishing. But it really comes down to ones personal preferences, physical abilities, skill set, and price/ perception of value.

I really, really want a Native Slayer140. Really really bad.

*shrug*

[online yakfishin]

I want one of each , lol.

That's a better boat for lakes.

I agree,

[Felix77]

 I have a Wilderness Systems Ride 115.  As much fun as it is in small ponds, I don't think it's a big lake kayak.  After using my new Vapor sit-inside kayak that slides across the water with ease, my Ride 115 sort of feels like a brick on water.  I'm not bashing the Ride 115, for what it is, it's a great sit-on top kayak and I'm glad I have it but I wouldn't consider it a big lake kayak.  Could it be paddled around a big lake?  Sure, and it would survive and be fine.  But I would hate to paddle that thing around a big lake.  

 

I own the 115x and I guess I disagree with this to some degree.  Is it the fastest kayak out there ... no ... and if that is what you are measuring the kayak against on a big lake then I would agree.  You cannot cover as much water in a big lake versus a small lake in this yak.

 

But in every other way I have found my 115x to be suitable on bigger lakes.  It seems to remain stable even in white caps and wind.

[J Francho]

Sure, you slide through the water in a little sit in.  Then you have to fish out of it.....no thanks.

[hoosierbass07]

Sure, you slide through the water in a little sit in.  Then you have to fish out of it.....no thanks.

 

 Don't bash my little $300 Vapor!  It's only 45 pounds or so and I can toss it into the back of the truck with ease!  And after loading the Ride 115 all summer long, it's sort of nice to load and unload the Vapor. And once I figure out how to get the best seating in it and rig up a fish finder, that little Vapor is going to be a cool little fishing kayak.    But if some one were going to buy a first kayak, I would recommend a sit-on-top.  They are  the ones that are fueling the fishing kayak craze right now.  No doubt, they are the most comfortable and most fun once you get them on the water.  

[online yakfishin]

I'm going to demo the 115 and that's what I might go with. Since several people have posted its fast . I'm a speed demon, like everything fast my cars ,my kayaks and my women. Lol , And I have the vapor10 as well and it does fly.

[kikstand454]

?

I wouldn't call the ride115 "fast". Awesome, stable fishing platform. ....yes. but fast?

If you want speed and hence the ability to extend your range. ... you need two things. A skinnier kayak (read: you're not standing up in it) and you need a longer one too. Longer kayaks track much better and come through rough water better as well.

Off the top of my head, I would say the fastest two sit on tops I can think of are the WS tarpon 140 or 160 and the OK trident 15. You can comfortably paddle these kayaks at about the same speed you can idle a powerboat.

For the type of thing you're talking about though. ... I think the ride115 would be great. Or the aforementioned coosa, the native ultimate12 or the native slayer12. Basically most companies 12ft offerings.

Keep in mind though. ... you're current pescador ( being a tarpon) is going to be the "fastest" of all these boats.

[online yakfishin]

Thanks kikstand awesome info.

[J Francho]

There's a company that is basically converting SOT surf skis to fishing boats.  They're a little wider than a racing boat, but the hull design is similar.  You probably won't be standing in one, though.  That woudl be the "fastest" boat around.  I can't remember the name, but they were pricey.