Tell Me About These Kayaks!

[Californiafisherman]

Hey everyone. I've been researching many kayaks, aluminum boats, inflatable boats. Kayak bass fishing has caught my attention. I've never been on a kayak before. I would prefer a SOT boat and my price range is around $400-650 for the boat (New or Used). I've been checking craigslist and found Ocean Tetra Anglers 10/12, tarpon 120/140, and the Ascend FS12T. How are these kayaks? Stability, weight, comfort. Please tell me the Pro's and Con's of these. Also which other kayaks should I look for? 

 

Standing while fishing is a plus but not that important. Stability is most important haha

[Californiafisherman]

Found this on CL. It's an older model. Owner used it for 4 years. Has anybody fished from this?

[Californiafisherman]

[MIbassyaker]

I fish out of an older model tarpon 120 and I like it quite a bit, especially for the slidetrax mounting rails. I can stand on it if I have to but it's awkward, so I don't bother. I don't usually feel like I need to. However, it's very stable; I've never flipped it except on purpose. Seat is very comfortable. I'm guessing the 140 is a little faster but a little less maneuverable, and I think it's a couple inches narrower. Ask if you can take it for a paddle and see if you like the stability. There are nicer SOT fishing kayaks but generally the Tarpon series is solid all-around value for price, and a 140 for $550 looks like a good deal if its in good shape.

[Subaqua Adinterim]

Had a 10'Tarpon for a few years and sold it last year with 2 Scotty rod holders for $450. Was o.k. for fishing but not that comfortable after a few hours. Please do not stand up in one of these, especially in rough waters as you will dump it.

Manufacturers are coming out with more stable and comfortable models these days with seats that rise up.

You may consider a Native used kayak as these are very comfortable and stable yet light weight.

Best of luck

[Caliyak]

Tarpon 120 would probably be your best boat. The 140 is for ocean and big water. The ascend you can stand but its heavy. I don't know the other brand. If you are looking for great boat without the name brand, perception pescador. Its a tarpon but with out the extras and good price. Dicks sporting carries them. I have a Tarpon 100 and love it.

[Californiafisherman]

Thank you for all the replies .. Looks like I'll keep searching Craigslist. Don't want to rush it and get something I don't really like. The tarpon is in good condition but It's old and I would rather have the newer models. Found a Ride 115 for 600 also.. Good condition but has scratches on bottom and sides from launching. Heard good things about these. Anybody own one? I'd like to hear what's good about them and what could be better. Thank you

[Fin Stalker]

$600 for a Ride 115 isn't a bad deal if it isn't beat up too bad. Some scratches are to be expected so as long as it doesn't look like they have been dragging it behind a pickup you should be ok. The 115 is kind of heavy but a solid boat from a good manufacturer. Of the other kayaks you listed I would look at the Tetra 12 or The Tarpon 120. Unless you are mainly a river fisherman there is no need for a kayak shorter than 12'. A 12' kayak is a good compromise  between speed and stability. The Tetra is kinda like the little brother to the Trident 13 just not quite as stable but competent enough to compete with the Tarpon 120 and definite a better quality kayak than the Ascend. The Ascend kayaks have had a history of mold halves not being lined up properly leaving an open hole in the scuppers causing the hulls to fill with water. BPS may have addressed that issue and if there is no signs of water in the hull on the boat you are looking at you should be good to go. The Ascends are decent kayaks for the money but for $500-$600 of my money I would be seriously looking at that Ride 115 or seeing if I could find a used Trident 13. 

[Californiafisherman]

Great reply Fin Stalker. Much appreciated. I've actually talked him down to $550 for the Ride 115. It's a 2012 model. No leaks and never had any repairs to it. The problem is that it comes with no extras .. Means I'll have to buy my own paddle. Still seems like a pretty good deal right? Also the drive is 3 hours away /: haha

[Fin Stalker]

^{$550 for a Ride 115 is a good price.}

^{The paddle is the best upgrade you can make to your experience on the water so having to buy a paddle isn't a bad deal at all. You need to get a paddle that is the right length based on your height and the width of the kayak. Seat height will also come into play. A quality paddle is a good investment, you should be able to find one for $100- $200.}

[MikeinFresno]

The older Tarpon 120 is a very unstable yak...make sure if you get one one of them it is no more than a few years old.

 

There are several of us in the central valley area and two kayak fishing forums I am on for the area...NCKA and CCCK. I just got a new Hobie Outback and have had several others. Still have my Ocean Kayak T13...maybe we can fish together and you can use my spare. PM if interested.

[massrob]

I just bought a ride 115 for 800 it is the best thing I've ever bought. It was only used for a season before I got it and was in good shape. It's a little heavy but not too bad. I can move it around with no help pretty easily. I paid 1100 for a Lowrance elite4 a nice pfd,bending branches paddle,anchor trolley and anchor. It was worth every penny just to get out on the water. It completely changed fishing for me. So many more places you can go. You can stand up in the ride 115 it takes a little getting used to but I can do it now pretty good. It took me awhile to get the hang of it but once you get your balance on it. Get it you won't regret it.

[WPCfishing]

Before you leap consider a canoe with 38-40" width. a shallow v bottom is best.

[kikstand454]

This is all good advice. ....but I'm confused about the advice against an older tarpon. I've been paddling my '09 tarpon - the model the pescador is based on- for 5 years now without the fist single issue. I run it aground on oyster bars, drag it through beach sand and strap it to the top of my Cherokee with two straps and drive 70mph. Its bulletproof. it has caught hundreds of fish. It looks like the bottom went through a woodchipper- yet I have NO thin spots still.

Wilderness systems makes solid, sturdy, lifetime kayaks. You can't go wrong with them.

Other kayaks manufacturers are amazing as well. ...but if your thinking of fishing on big water, that tarpon140 can not be beat. Its not even that old- as it has the slide trax and improved dry hatch cover. Mine has neither of those things. Lol.

At your pricepoint and fishing average ponds, lakes, rivers.... I would get a 12' pescador. Also, since you're new to it. .....don't throw down on a high end paddle just yet. Spend $50 on a Carlisle daytripper paddle. Best paddle for the money. Don't buy any add ones or anything else yet. Just a comfortable pfd that you will WEAR.

Take you're new yak out and fish. Take it 5-10 times. Spend a few hours each time. ....fishing and paddling and getting to know your ride. THEN you will know what YOU need to effeciently fish the way YOU want to. Alot of people go and dump a bunch of money, and drill holes in their yak, and mount things and add things. .....and find that its useless/inconveniently placed for how they fish.

[BassNut]

Nice deal.

Not a bad price at all, you'll always have scratches on used yaks.

 

I own 3 Wavewalk kayaks, 2 W500's one is set up to use my 2.2hp Merc, and a 1.2hp gamefisher outboard for long trips and fishing the Ct River.

The last is a W300, the first yak they designed, and now discontinued after the W500s were designed.

 

Love them love them love them, did I say I love them!!

 

 

And sometimes you don't want to skimp on prices, best money I ever spent.

Super stable and was the first true Stand up yak.

That's why I now own 3.

 

The one in my avatar, is the W300, it since has had a new paint job and looks pretty again.

The one I'm pictured in below is the W500 with my outboard motor on it for fishing Stripers

on the Ct River.