Super User flyfisher Posted September 22, 2015 Super User Posted September 22, 2015 I have owned at least 5 different kayaks and fished out of probably twice as many more. As of right now the most stable boat i have been in is the ATAK from wilderness systems. I was shocked at how it compared to the commander which up until this recent boat purchase, was my most favorite and stable boat. Bottom line is get out and try al the movements you will do in a normal day of fishing. Kayaks take a little bit of getting used to but the stability is there once you learn your boat and its initial and secondary stability. 1 Quote
Dye99 Posted September 23, 2015 Posted September 23, 2015 I have owned at least 5 different kayaks and fished out of probably twice as many more. As of right now the most stable boat i have been in is the ATAK from wilderness systems. I was shocked at how it compared to the commander which up until this recent boat purchase, was my most favorite and stable boat. Im with you 100% on the ATAK... Ive got a bass boat, a jon boat, two canoes, three kayaks and a float tube, And the ATAK is the only boat I take out anymore! And I also agree with the practice comment, any "stand able" kayak is going to work if a person just spends the time using it and seeing its limitations.. Quote
Dtree11 Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 I fish from Ascend's 128T and FeelFree's Lure 11.5. Both are very stable. The 128T is looks like an aircraft carrier, and acts like one. The Lure sits lower in the water and is 36" wide. I fished standing for roughly 6 hours on the Lure at Horseshoe Pond, ME, without a hitch. Like other members already said: it takes practice to get comfortable standing. It did for me. My two cents. Best of luck picking your kayak. I also have a Feel Free Lure 11.5 and feel that it is super stable without losing all of the streamline "kayak" features. I did sit in a Hobie once and found that it was really nice and stable. Any Kayak is going to feel unstable for your first time. But, as you gain experinece on balance, you will be a kayak pro in no time. I would stick with sit-on(s) and one that has a comfortable seat. 1 Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted September 25, 2015 Super User Posted September 25, 2015 i also feel like the standing thing is over rated. While i can stand in my boat and do to stretch my legs or take a leak, i don't fish that way too often. the raised seat position lessens the need for standing in my opinion. Now if i was predominantly a guy who flipped or punched mats or wanted super long casts for swimbaits etc...i might use it more often but for me, the raised seat position meets 99% of my fishing situations. 1 Quote
Super User Montanaro Posted September 26, 2015 Super User Posted September 26, 2015 Standing and controlling the kayak is also tricky. So in higher winds I tend to just sit and fish. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted September 26, 2015 Super User Posted September 26, 2015 yeah, wind in a kayak is probably the most difficult thing to manage with deep water positioning being a close second. 1 Quote
Dogmatic Posted September 26, 2015 Posted September 26, 2015 yeah, wind in a kayak is probably the most difficult thing to manage with deep water positioning being a close second. If wind is a problem in a yak, especially something like the ATAK, imagine what it's like in a personal pontoon, like was suggested earlier. That is my main problem not having a motor. Having gotten used to fishing standing up, I can't fish sitting, and if I'm standing I need to control my boat while doing so. So switching to a fishing kayak, which I really want to do, has created a dilemma, that I'm slowly figuring out, thanks to some FB kayak groups, that have been really helpful. Quote
Super User Montanaro Posted September 26, 2015 Super User Posted September 26, 2015 I had the same mindset until my desire to get out on the water overpowered it. Sitting to fish is better than standing on shore frustrated that you can't do anythinng 3 Quote
Dye99 Posted September 27, 2015 Posted September 27, 2015 I prefer to stand to fish. It helps with sight fishing for me, as well as just how I run jerk baits and crank baits with my rod down towards the water. Def tough fishing in the wind, days like that I have to switch up a little, but for the most part I usually fish 50% of the time in the standing position in my Atak. My other boats very little though. Like my OK prowler I like to sit sideways with my feet in the water during the warm season. Also having your legs in the water really helps with wind movement.. Quote
Caliyak Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 Anyone with a lot of kayak experience. What is the most stable kayak out there. Paddled a jackson big rig today and although nice I thought it would be more stable than it was. Was my first time in a kayak. It rocked pretty good when shifting weight around. I am 5'10" and around 210. You have a great yak so time on the water is all you need. So go fishing. Quote
Super User Felix77 Posted September 28, 2015 Super User Posted September 28, 2015 I own a Ride 115x. I bought it when I was over 320 lbs. It was very stable then let alone now. Quote
OperationEagle Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 Some of you are on your fourth or fifth boat...at close to if not over $1,000/boat I am blown away! Was thinking about what I would think about next and when to replace my kayak. I will probably fish my Jackson Cuda12 until I wear a hole in it! That Lure 11.5 looks interesting however. The hull design looks like it would be pretty stable. Does it take a lot of energy to paddle? How about to turn? One last question. Many boats have a rod holder recessed in the kayak near each side of the seat. How do you cast without catching the rods on the backswing? That has the potential for major backlashes on a baitcaster if and when you catch the stored rod...I have never figured that one out? I use a RAM mounted holder that I can angle the rod way down to remain of the way....and I STILL catch it on occasion. Quote
Dtree11 Posted September 29, 2015 Posted September 29, 2015 Some of you are on your fourth or fifth boat...at close to if not over $1,000/boat I am blown away! Was thinking about what I would think about next and when to replace my kayak. I will probably fish my Jackson Cuda12 until I wear a hole in it! That Lure 11.5 looks interesting however. The hull design looks like it would be pretty stable. Does it take a lot of energy to paddle? How about to turn? One last question. Many boats have a rod holder recessed in the kayak near each side of the seat. How do you cast without catching the rods on the backswing? That has the potential for major backlashes on a baitcaster if and when you catch the stored rod...I have never figured that one out? I use a RAM mounted holder that I can angle the rod way down to remain of the way....and I STILL catch it on occasion. I have a lure 11.5 and I feel for its size (width and weight) that it cuts the water fine. I can make 300 yards in a couple mins. When it comes to these stable yaks like the larger Hobies, jacksons, and Feelfrees they all track the same. I think the jackson might edge out on tracking. I fish more than I travel, so stability is more important to me than speed and tracking. But, I felt that I did not have to sacrifce too much with the 11.5. I havent installed the rudder I purchased, I imagine that it will be nice once I have it on. When it comes to the rod holders, I know that most of the hobie guys around here rig up a milk carton as larger rod holder waaaayyyy in the back. On the Lure, the intergrated rod holders are angled towards the back keeping the rods out of the way of any cast. Quote
Super User Montanaro Posted September 29, 2015 Super User Posted September 29, 2015 I've smacked my rods a couple times on my lure. Not usually a problem unless I'm overhead casting. Quote
boostr Posted September 29, 2015 Posted September 29, 2015 Standing and controlling the kayak is also tricky. So in higher winds I tend to just sit and fish. I use the anchor and trolly, keeps pretty much on the spot. Quote
YourBassIsGrass Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 If you are looking for something really stable and are already looking at over $1k price tag...I really recommend a sportspal canoe. Not only is it lighter than the big rig (30lbs+ lighter) but it can hold two people very well and standing to fish is done with ease. I have a 15' square stern but you could get away with a 14' double ender with two people and still stand. For one person it would be more than enough stability and you can stow and go by yourself (im 5'10" 155lb and can load mine alone). Your profile says you are in Bedford, there is a dealer (also sells kayaks including the Lure) in New Stanton. Rocky Mountain Kayaks. He has a demo pond and will let you test out whatever you want. Great guy and good pricing. Quote
FrogFreak Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 Check out the wave walk kayak at wavewalk.com. It's very stable. I love mine! Pics are before and after my talented wife camo'ed it up. I use it duck hunting as well. Makes it easy to go get ducks on the water and pick up the deeks. Quote
WPCfishing Posted November 23, 2015 Posted November 23, 2015 Me Too A-Jay A-Jay, The Predator looks like a Gheenoe. Nice craft. 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.