What Do I Need To Know Before Buying A Fishing Kayak?

[BuffaloBass716]

I'm a bank-beater, never fished off of a boat or kayak in my life, and just recently tried kayaking for the first time. I have to say I was a little nervous and stressed while doing it, mainly because it was a pretty busy weekend and it was getting a little wind toward the end. I am however interested in buying a kayak designed for fishing, to cruise around creeks and calm days on the river, but I know nothing about kayaks or fishing in one for that matter. Any advice or words of wisdom for this newbie? such as kayak stability? price rage? what happens if I tip over? is casting and paddling around easy in a kayak? 

Things like that...

Thanks for the help!!

[the reel ess]

Get a sit on top that's made for fishing and it probably will never dump you. They're more stable. I bailed out of mine once in 3 years-my fault-and the rods all stayed in and it never flipped. 

 

You get what you pay for. If you want to stand in it, I think the cheapest you'll find is about $600-700. 

 

Mine is a 10' Perception Sport Pescador, which is a decent little fishing kayak, but toward the cheaper end of the range. It's $500 every day at Academy. You get used to casting and hook sets from it. 

 

Try some out before you decide on a model. It would be good if you could fish for 3 hours in one before buying. They can hurt your butt after a while. A good seat is a great feature.

[flyfisher]

Wow, loaded question.  First i would say do a search on here as there are loads of posts that can help you along you journey to getting your first kayak.

 

Here are a few things to think about:

 

- budget and include in there money for both a paddle and PFD. Kayaks can run as little as $250 for a walmart job up to 3k plus for a top of the line pedal drive type

- sit on top or sit inside-most go sit on top for the ease of entry and self bailing capability

-seat comfort-this is key 

-features-is speed a concern or standing a higher priority-raised seats help to lessen the need for standing in my opinion

-transportation-are you car topping, have a trailer or a truck-carhopping may require the addition of a rack to your current vehicle

 

 

As far as your other questions go, fishing out of a kayak is different but easily learned.  I don't find myself at any disadvantage than someone in a boat with the exception of covering long distances and deep water boat positioning.

 

Best thing to do is find a local shop and go check them out and especially demo some boats and you will learn what you are wanting pretty quickly.

 

good luck and feel free to ask more questions as there are quite a few kayakers on this board.

[BuffaloBass716]

I would definitely be willing to pay around $500 and up to around $700.  My biggest concern is tipping over/stability even while wearing a PFD. Also being comfortable for hours at a time.

 

I would most likely transport it with a roof rack.

[flyfisher]

I have never tipped any of my kayaks but I have bailed off of two times.  both were my fault and could have been avoided.  I am not a fan of leashes on any of my gear as it is just another thing to get tangled up both while fishing and in an emergency situation.  A hybrid boat would also be a great choice for the situations you mentioned and they come up on the used market pretty often.  I sold my wilderness systems commander 120 a little over a month ago and sold it for an amount in your price range.

 

most of the boats i know of that have standing capability are near the top of your price range or slightly above.  Once you figure out a few boats you are interested in, keep your eyes peeled on craigslist because boats come up there often but they sell fast.

[atpns1234]

I fish a small lake with no gas powered motors. My westmarine cayman was $550 (I got it on sale $100 off) so $450. It is perfect for what I fish. I love the high/ low seating. I would recommend it. It is also called a perception striker. Check it out on YouTube.

[DogBone_384]

My advice to you when searching for your first kayak is go see the models your interested in personally. Paddle them if possible. This forum holds tons of articles and opinions that'll help you make a list of your top picks.

I started with an Ascend 128T. It's built in Missouri, has one of the best feature-$$ ratios in the market, is stable as an aircraft carrier and is reasonably priced.

I added a FeelFree Lure 11.5 after a few months. It's lighter than the 128T, and is built better. Both are stable enough to fish standing on. The Lure was about 40% more expensive than the Ascend.

Both kayaks have all-day comfortable seats. Something to consider, depending on how long you fish.

Good luck finding your kayak!

[Subaqua Adinterim]

One of the biggest kayak/canoe places is in Waterport between Rochester and Niagra Falls - it's called Oak Orchard. Go there and you can look at a huge variety of kayaks and ask questions and try them out.

[Caliyak]

Buff, my 2 cents; most, if not all, yaks are about a yard or so across so not stable like a boat. I've been on my tarpon 100 for 4 years, never flipped or taken a dip. I was worried but lost that feeling with time. I don't stand so no need for a big yak. My tarpon is light and easy to maneuver. My yak has the slide trax and easy to add electronics and accessories without making holes. Seat is important so pick a yak with a good seat. The most important advise, find the yak that will bring joy and happiness. Fishing is fun and not stressful. Don't buy just to. Take your time and get the right one. Welcome to the addiction.

[IndyGlockMan]

I just got my first Kayak a few weeks ago. 

bought it from a friend who was moving and needed to get rid of it for $250

14' Wilderness Systems (sit inside style).

It's not a "fishing Kayak", but it's green and he installed rod holders and it works pretty good.

Very stable and tracks straight when paddling being 14' long.

Fished out of it 3 times now and it's great.  I really love it.   Caught 4-6 LMB every time out.

Figured I would use it for the next year or so, then upgrade to a better quality yak