Possibly Looking For A Yak..

[Mccallister25]

I never really look at this section of the forum, so I'm sorry if these kind of threads pop up all the time.

Iv been tossin around the thought of buying a kayak for a while now. Not exactly sure if I want to commit. Looks very tough to me.

Two quick questions for you guys that fish from a yak:

Is it tough to get hooksets on jigs, etc? What about walking baits like a spook?

How easy are they to tip?

[Darren.]

I never really look at this section of the forum, so I'm sorry if these kind of threads pop up all the time.

Iv been tossin around the thought of buying a kayak for a while now. Not exactly sure if I want to commit. Looks very tough to me.

Two quick questions for you guys that fish from a yak:

Is it tough to get hooksets on jigs, etc? What about walking baits like a spook?

How easy are they to tip?

 

Tough to get hooksets with jigs, etc.? Nope! 

You adjust and learn how your yak will rock

when you set a hook, etc.

 

If you buy a yak that you can stand in, then

you can do most anything you could do standing

on the bow of a bass boat.

 

Even from your seat you can walk a spook or 

other top water, you just may have to adjust how

you do it.

 

Consider buying something stable enough to stand

in -- there are a lot of kayaks to consider these days

including the Native Watercraft Ultimates, Slayers, 

the Wilderness Systems Ride, ATAK, Commander

series, the Feel Free Lure series, are just a few.

 

Wide, stable. But you need to learn the intricacies like

secondary stability and such. Which isn't hard.

[Mccallister25]

I knew you'd have an input somewhere in here Darren!!

This may be in vain when talking about kayaks but I'm not wanting to spend a fortune. There are only a select few places I'd be able to take it to around me. Iv really been considering making the jump. It looks like its a blast.

I would just hate to get one and completely suck ya know? My favorite ways to fish are top water baits and jigs. More of my concern goes toward the jig hooksets than the top water baits.

Iv fished out of one of my uncles small Jon boats before, standing up and didn't really care for it. I doubt I'd like standing in a kayak. The kayaks that have a raised seat however, does that make things a little easier?

[Darren.]

I knew you'd have an input somewhere in here Darren!!

This may be in vain when talking about kayaks but I'm not wanting to spend a fortune. There are only a select few places I'd be able to take it to around me. Iv really been considering making the jump. It looks like its a blast.

I would just hate to get one and completely suck ya know? My favorite ways to fish are top water baits and jigs. More of my concern goes toward the jig hooksets than the top water baits.

Iv fished out of one of my uncles small Jon boats before, standing up and didn't really care for it. I doubt I'd like standing in a kayak. The kayaks that have a raised seat however, does that make things a little easier?

 

You know I'd have something to say!

 

Yes, yaks that let you sit higher definitely help.

 

In fact, my Native Ultimate 12 -- I sit on top of 

the gunnels with a simple two-1x4's platform

I made that allows me to sit up higher.

 

I fish from the high position most of the time, 

but do stand a bit as well.

[Mccallister25]

You know I'd have something to say!

Yes, yaks that let you sit higher definitely help.

In fact, my Native Ultimate 12 -- I sit on top of

the gunnels with a simple two-1x4's platform

I made that allows me to sit up higher.

I fish from the high position most of the time,

but do stand a bit as well.

Awesome! Imma do a little more research before I decide on anything. Maybe soon I'll get off these banks!!

[MIbassyaker]

Angling kayaks are a lot more stable than they look, and you get used to the motion quickly. I can stand on mine (I have a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120), but it's a little awkward to fish that way, so I don't bother since I typically don't have any need to. I don't use spooks much, but I've never had problems with hooksets on jigs, t-rigs, whatever while sitting. And I've never flipped except on purpose.

 

I can get places in a kayak I could never go on foot, and I can get to hidden, underfished backwaters through narrow/shallow channels that no bass boat can go. I can launch anywhere I can carry down or cart from my car. I can float smallmouth and trout streams too shallow for anything with a motor, and I can maneuver much better than in a canoe or jon boat or rowboat. And, of course, I can just go kayaking too if I want, without the fishing. What I can't do is carry every lure and rod I own, or cover a lot of water on a big lake. I tend to stay off really big water (I live 40 min. from Lake Michigan) because i'm not well-equipped for it, and I avoid busy recreational lakes because people on vacation and constant wakes are annoying (though not dangerous, really). 

 

If a kayak will open up a lot of water for you, it can be a great investment...the only really "tough" part is figuring out how you're going to pimp it out...

[yakingfisherman]

Never had any issues with hooksets on jigs or any other type of lure. I often fish spooks/lunkers/DWB for stripers and bass on my yak. No problems there.

[flyfisher]

Darren pretty much nailed it.  The only thing i will add is to look around for local places and see if they have demo days as then you will be able to try out a ton of boats from many different manufacturers.  Most times they will have some good deals on boats too.

 

I have a commander and stand all the time and also never even use the actual seat, unless i know i will be paddling a long distance, 5+ miles, i am always in the captain's perch.  the raised seat allows you to use walk the dog type baits with ease and i have never had an issue setting the hook on any type of technique.  The only time you probably really want to stand is when pitching or flipping as it is a little easier.

 

All in all, I love my kayak and have been very pleased.  Just make sure when you are thinking about budget you include a PFD and a paddle into the mixx as that will add additional cost other than the boat itself.

[Mccallister25]

All great info. Thanks guys! What do paddles normally run, cost wise?

[Choporoz]

I got my first kayak this past winter.  So, I don't have enough fishing experience to help with.  But, I will tell you that the decision to buy, even without confidence I'd like it was much easier knowing that the resale value is pretty solid with most kayaks.  Keep your eyes peeled for deals.  I got one on sale and talked the clerk into throwing in a paddle and rod holder w/mount.

[Subaqua Adinterim]

If you are going to use your kayak a lot do not cheap out on the paddle.  Get a good one that is light weight and comfortable.  One with an aluminum shaft and plastic at the ends works but is no where as enjoyable as one that slips togehter easily and is lightweight (graphite).   Spend the money well the first time and it is not wasted.  You can get a great paddle for $150 or so that will be good for the rest of your life - money well spent.  Also, make sure you get a paddle that fits you and the kayak you are using it on.

[flyfisher]

and keep in mind that resale value is really only solid on the top brand boats like Native, Wildy, Hobie, Jackson ETC....i haven't seen too many house brands sell for as high of a price.

[Matthew2000]

Hey where do you live? If you're within driving distance to Lake wylie make a trip to Hunt Fish Paddle. You can demo yaks there and they have everything you need to get started. They also have some good deals on packages like Yak, Paddle, PFD, and seat for cheaper.

[boostr]

If you want a good paddle check out Bending Branches, or Adventure Technology. The latter actually makes an adjustable paddle that extends an extra 10 inches or cm that would work great with a Kayak that has adjustable height seating. They both have good paddles in the 150 range. That's what I'm looking at once I get my Yak in a couple of weeks.

[J Francho]

Choosing a paddle depends on how you paddle. A lot of guys probably paddle too hard or too aggressively with a low angle, and a shaft with some flex and a less aggressive blare shape is a better choice. I prefer to let the paddle do the work, and save my energy for fishing so I prefer a full carbon fibre paddle with big blades. I don't hit too many rocky rivers, so keep that in mind. A composite blade might be more durable in that environment. A decent paddle can run around $80 on up to hundreds of dollars.

I wouldn't spend a ton on a paddle at first until you discover your style and/or learn your technique. If there's somewhere that gives basic paddling classes, take one. It's worth saving your joints.

[FrogFreak]

I have a Wavewalk kayak (wavewalk.com) and I fish standing up plenty. I know that there are a bunch of great yaks out there but I really enjoy mine because I have the ability to easily stand when I want to. I will say that you should be careful buying some "angling" yaks. Basically companies are putting rod holders in their yaks and calling them "angling" yaks. On the other hand, if you don't want to spend a bunch of money, go get a cheap one and see if you like yak fishing but I bet you will and I bet you'll get a more expensive one quicker than you think. If you want more info on the Wavewalk, PM me. And no, I don't work for them.

[the reel ess]

Hooksets are not a problem. I've had to bail out once, but my fault. I've been using it three years. Get one that's made for fishing and it should be stable enough to not turn over even if you have to slide out. Mine didn't turn over.

 

I have a Perception Sport Pescador. Academy has them for $500 reg price. It's not a top of the line, but not junk either. I don't think I'd go cheaper than this kayak, but you can probably find one used that cost a bit less.

 

I bought my daughter who's 10 one from Dick's for $240 or so. It would suffice for me if it had a couple rod holders built in-you can add them. It's lacking in storage space, no aft well. But for one rod, catch and release it would do. I may be making an assumption that you're on the cheap because you're young. Get the best you can afford. I highly recommend a sit on top for fishing. Much easier.

[kikstand454]

Beginner advice from me:

Go to your local kayak rental place and try as many kayaks as you can. Talk with the rep and get all the advice you can.

Then, ask them if they have any rentals they are selling from their fleet. This is a treasure trove of bargains. Most kayak places are dealers for certain companies, and those companies want their latest and greatest models for sale/rent- and so inventory liquidation is an almost yearly event. You could EASILY get a solid namebrand yak for half off this way.

Buy a quality pfd and wear it. Always.

A longer, skinnier boat is a faster, easier to paddle one. The opposite is true of short, stable ones. Keep that in mind for the environment you plan to use it.

Questions/ remarks for this thread:

The perception pescador is just a rebadged WS tarpon. It is a great, proven platform for an awesome price.

OP- have no worries, all techniques are do-able in the kayak. I punch mats in mine- sitting down.

The Carlisle day Tripper paddle is a cheap, solid aluminum paddle that is just as light as paddles twice its price. I highly recommend this paddle as a " first paddle". If you really get into it and decide to upgrade, store this paddle in your hull as a back up. If you decide kayaking is not for you, you're only out $50 for a paddle, and its not a turn off as a resell. It is at least a name brand.

Box store, cheap, new yak recommendations:

If you want to stand and fish in calm, smaller waters, or marsh/ estuaries in the salt : BPS ascend- 12ft

If you're fishing bigger waters, like to cover large areas, and are in deeper water with bigger waves-

Perception pescador 14.

Good luck. Once you fish from a yak, you will find yourself wanting to fire up the big boat less and less.