Beginner fishing kayak

[Lunker Chunker 88]

I'm sure this isn't the first time this question has been asked. But I am thinking about getting a kayak for the upcoming fishing season and it will be my very first one. I would fish smaller rivers and smaller lakes and maybe even some ponds. So I was wondering if anyone had some input on any beginner kayaks. I would want to stay around $500 price wise give or take, and I would also want to stay around 10 ft for the kayak itself. 

[Landis Carrier]

If you have a Dicks near you check them out. I bought a 12ft Sit on top Future Beach Angler 144 from them last year for under $400. I upgraded the seat. But otherwise it's a nice yak and I used it a ton last year! I up graded this year to a Jackson but my son will use the 144 this year.  

[flyfisher]

keep in mind with your budget that you will need a paddle and a PFD as well.  In that price range i would either save up a little longer and/or look for used boats on craigslist, just be quick and have money in hand cause the good deals go fast.

There are a lot of good boats out there and in the new price range jackson cruise is a great boat.  I would also say go for a 12' length as it gives the best compromise between stability, tracking and speed.

 

 

[Dye99]

Flyfisher is correct...Save up a little bit.. Buy once cry once as they say..

 

One of the guys that works for me is getting into yak fishing and has been borrowing one of my back up boats while he finds something nice for himself, we have found the Vibe 

or the  Lure

https://www.austinkayak.com/products/18193/Feelfree-Lure-115-Kayak-2016.html

 

Both are a little bit higher than you wanted to spend. But you know you get a quality product Again, the jackson Cruise is another awesome boat as well...

But its Tuesday, so Im loading up my yak and getting on the water for the day...Work can wait!

[Caliyak]

I have a Wilderness System Tarpon, 10 foot. I love my yak. I fish small ponds and reservoirs. If you can, go to Dicks, BPS or any kayak store and sit on them or test them in the water. At Dicks, Perception Pescador is the same as the Tarpon but cheaper. My son has the Emotion brand from REI (west coast shop). Emotion has nice kayaks. 

[Shaggie]

3 hours ago, Caliyak said:

 REI (west coast shop). Emotion has nice kayaks. 

REI is everywhere.

[BrianSnat]

Definitely go with a sit on top if you are a beginner. For $500 you aren't going to get much of a kayak buying new, but if you look for a used one you can get a lot of kayak for that money if you shop wisely. For about what you pay for a bare bones low end new kayak, you can pick up a used, fully  loaded top end kayak.

You are better off getting a higher end right from the start, because you aren't saving anything if you outgrow the boat in a year or two  and find yourself looking to upgrade.

It's hard to recommend specific kayak because there are so many.  Just consider all of the features you might want, Depth finder?  Anchor? Rod holder configuration? Dry storage? Live well? There are so many features and you can probably find something used with nearly everything you want.

[HeavyTwenty]

You can get used kayaks off of craigslist at 50% retail and avoid tax. I spent weeks waiting for mine though (good deals will close in literally minutes). $550 for 2013 Tarpon 120 (perfect condition) with cart + $120 carbon fiber paddle included. 9 months later I want to upgrade it to something I can stand in.

[stk44]

I agree with what everyone else is saying. Buy a good fishing kayak. I have used a 400 dollar Sit in kayak. The last year has really limited me and I have bought a predator mx. I haven't tried it yet... But it is a much better set-up. You don't want to be crammed in a sit in kayak with 3 rods, a fish finder and tackle bag crammed into the cockpit- YOU WILL NOT ENJOY IT. 

I bought my predator for around $1100. If you want, I can keep you updated on how it performs. 

[Darren.]

Have to agree that you'll want to go used, or look for 
end-of-season sales, previous year models, etc.

I started out with a $300 fishing kayak bundle from 
BJ's Wholesale Club. It worked, but quickly showed me
what I wanted in a yak -- and most importantly what I
didn't want.

It was a 10' yak (sons still use it) and was easy to 
maneuver, easy to transport, etc.

What I discovered was that I wanted, no, needed to
stand often to fish. It's what I like to do, so staying 
seated 100% of the time was tough on me.

Anyhow, I don't regret it as a starter kayak at all. But 
I'm 100% happier with my 12' Native Ultimate. Far 
more customizable, stable, and a hybrid between a 
kayak and canoe - it meets my needs. I might change
up if I had money to spend - something like a Hobie
Pro Angler....

[scatterbrains]

Look into the perception pescador pro 10. I just put a deposit on one it meets all my needs. It won over a lure just due to river usage.

[Preytorien]

I just got a Vibe Skipjack 90 for $499. Nice size for me and at a great price. I'm sure there are better kayaks out there, but in the $500 price range there weren't any I saw with as many stock features. Give em' a look.

[GLK]

Just purchased the Perception Striker 11.5 for 450.00 hope to get it out this weekend

[Choporoz]

On 2/22/2016 at 3:53 PM, Caliyak said:

I have a Wilderness System Tarpon, 10 foot. I love my yak. I fish small ponds and reservoirs. If you can, go to Dicks, BPS or any kayak store and sit on them or test them in the water. At Dicks, Perception Pescador is the same as the Tarpon but cheaper. My son has the Emotion brand from REI (west coast shop). Emotion has nice kayaks. 

I have the same kayak.  I love it.  It handles bigger water quite well, too.  I'm not taking it on the ocean any time soon, but large bays on the Potomac are fine even with reckless waterski and jet ski craft swarming all around.  I got it new with paddle and 'extras' (rod holder, light/flag, tracks and screw balls) for under $500 at an off-season sale.   In addition to PFD, consider near term costs of car top rackage, anchor and trolley, crate, rod holders, fish finder, etc.....  Not all required immediately, but you'll be considering some or all after your first trip on the water.    It can add up...BUT....it will always be cheaper than a boat   Well, almost always...I do know some Hobie 'enthusiasts' who could probably sell their yaks and buy a small island.

[buzzed bait]

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

I have the same kayak.  I love it.  It handles bigger water quite well, too.  I'm not taking it on the ocean any time soon, but large bays on the Potomac are fine even with reckless waterski and jet ski craft swarming all around.  I got it new with paddle and 'extras' (rod holder, light/flag, tracks and screw balls) for under $500 at an off-season sale.   In addition to PFD, consider near term costs of car top rackage, anchor and trolley, crate, rod holders, fish finder, etc.....  Not all required immediately, but you'll be considering some or all after your first trip on the water.    It can add up...BUT....it will always be cheaper than a boat   Well, almost always...I do know some Hobie 'enthusiasts' who could probably sell their yaks and buy a small island.

Dave, sometimes i wonder if i couldn't have bought a decent boat for all the work i've done on the 2 kayaks i've fished out of (neither of which were a hobie)!!!  That said, I love fishing from the kayak!