prjavelin Posted March 4, 2016 Posted March 4, 2016 Hi, its been a little while since ive last posted. I Sold my boat around 8 months ago and have been suffering the downs of not fishing since(went twice from shore but sucked). I moved to a house that has no garage and its not safe to leave a boat in the driveway so ive gone the kayak way. I bought a Wilderness system Tarpon 120 yesterday. Ive kayaked before a couple times but not alot like a total of 3 times. What tips can you guys give me about fishing from it? the yak has an anchor and a rod holder which should make it a little easier for me. should i drop de anchor and use it to move slower considering the reservoirs I fish from are alittle windy at times? is there a technique or something to mount and dismount the kayak from the suv by myself? I want a trolling motor on it, is it a great idea like having a mini boat or should i stick with the paddling? how different is casting that close to the water than casting from a boat? how about the hookset, fighting fish? Quote
Tracker22 Posted March 5, 2016 Posted March 5, 2016 An anchor trolley will help you position the boat. The low profile will actually help with the wind. Ive had the most problems working a jerk bait unless your standing. Crank baits tend to pull the boat. A motor is nice, but not necessary. It adds a lot of weight to carry around. Good luck with your endeavors! Quote
Dye99 Posted March 5, 2016 Posted March 5, 2016 Fish it. Throw it in the water every chance you get. That way you figure out what you need for your style of fishing. You will get the loading aspect down just takes a few times. The more time you spend in the water the more you will understand how you want to rig it. Welcome to the fun, be safe, and catch some fish!! 1 Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted March 8, 2016 Super User Posted March 8, 2016 you'll have to try, try and try again until you figure out the best way to load it. and that may change depending on the slope where you try to load it... i have a motor on mine and it's nice, but i wouldn't do it again. it's a lot of extra weight and no faster than i can paddle, but helps tremendously with holding position in wind. paddle, paddle, fish, fish and then worry about adding stuff. fish it a lot and then start to rig it so that you don't do something you may regret later on. Quote
Neil McCauley Posted March 8, 2016 Posted March 8, 2016 Why not get a canoe? You are significantly limiting yourself choosing a kayak imo. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted March 9, 2016 Global Moderator Posted March 9, 2016 9 hours ago, Neil McCauley said: Why not get a canoe? You are significantly limiting yourself choosing a kayak imo. I would think it would be the other way around? 4 Quote
trick worms Posted March 9, 2016 Posted March 9, 2016 4 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said: I would think it would be the other way around? Why do you think you can do more with a kayak? Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted March 9, 2016 Global Moderator Posted March 9, 2016 1 hour ago, trick worms said: Why do you think you can do more with a kayak? It's more stable is one of the main reasons. I've never been in a canoe I didn't constantly feel like I was about to tip over, and I've spent a pretty fair amount of time in them. I really couldn't imagine trying to stand up in a canoe like I can my kayak. Lots of modification options out there for kayaks. Smaller and easier to transport, I can pick mine up and carry it on top of my shoulders. They sit lower to the water so it doesn't catch the wind as bad. Controlling one with one person is easier. Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted March 9, 2016 Super User Posted March 9, 2016 having had a canoe my entire childhood and having fished from a kayak for the last 5 years, THEY ARE NIGHT AND DAY. but they both have their uses. if you think you're limiting yourself somehow in a kayak, it's evident you've never been in one. 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 9, 2016 Super User Posted March 9, 2016 4 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said: It's more stable is one of the main reasons. I've never been in a canoe I didn't constantly feel like I was about to tip over, and I've spent a pretty fair amount of time in them. I really couldn't imagine trying to stand up in a canoe like I can my kayak. Lots of modification options out there for kayaks. Smaller and easier to transport, I can pick mine up and carry it on top of my shoulders. They sit lower to the water so it doesn't catch the wind as bad. Controlling one with one person is easier. Stability is a function of design ~ some are better than others. This one's pretty good. A-Jay 1 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted March 9, 2016 Global Moderator Posted March 9, 2016 1 hour ago, A-Jay said: Stability is a function of design ~ some are better than others. This one's pretty good. A-Jay I have no doubt that the canoes I've been in weren't built for stability and some out there are, just like some kayaks are and some aren't. 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 9, 2016 Super User Posted March 9, 2016 Just now, Bluebasser86 said: I have no doubt that the canoes I've been in weren't built for stability and some out there are, just like some kayaks are and some aren't. Agreed ~ A-Jay Quote
stk Posted March 9, 2016 Posted March 9, 2016 @prjavelin I'm not sure of the vehicle you are using for your trips, but I car top my wilderness systems ride 135 on my Honda CRV. I place the front end of the kayak on the back of the car and then push it up and forward. My kayak weighs about 88lbs, I can lift and carry it by myself, but the 13.5ft length makes it awkward. I've found this is the best way to car top it. I put a little rug on the back of the car to help protect the car. They make rollers (you can probably make your own) to help guide the kayak on top of the car. Once in position I use Malone saddle up pro to hold the kayak onto my roof rack. To answer your other questions, you just have to adjust to the seated position. I use mostly 7ft rods and I can do most presentations fine. Hooksets are mainly side sweeps for moving baits like spinner baits, swim jigs. Upward for jigs and t rigs. Just have to figure out what works best for you. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted March 9, 2016 Super User Posted March 9, 2016 11 hours ago, trick worms said: Why do you think you can do more with a kayak? well the biggest thing for me or at least way high up on the list is self draining ability. There are zero places i can't take my kayak that a canoe can go but there are plenty of places that a kayak can go that a canoe can't. 2 Quote
Super User Darren. Posted March 9, 2016 Super User Posted March 9, 2016 On 3/8/2016 at 6:15 PM, Neil McCauley said: Why not get a canoe? You are significantly limiting yourself choosing a kayak imo. 11 hours ago, trick worms said: Why do you think you can do more with a kayak? My personal take on this is different than the others in that I bought a kayak after a long time with a canoe, and loved the kayak...except for the things I missed with the canoe, like a dry interior, though scupper holes are indeed a great reason to get a kayak...among other reasons... So when I set out to upgrade my kayak I decided to look at hybrids like the Wilderness Systems Commander and the Native Watercraft Ultimate series. They're "like" a canoe, but also built like, and lower to the water like a kayak. I bought the Native Ultimate 12 because I liked it better than the WS Commander - though that's a fine yak. The argument of WS vs Native is similar to Shimano vs. Daiwa, and so on. I picked the one that "fit ME" better. The U12 is unbelievably customizable, and I've even outfitted mine with a trolling motor I control with a box next to my left hand, and steer with my foot pedals. A truly awesome fishing machine it is. And stable. I could stand all day if I had to. My .02 1 Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted March 10, 2016 Super User Posted March 10, 2016 i like hybrid kayaks too but the scuppers for my yearly treks in the salt were needed. I will say though that i never thought i would have a more stable kayak than my commander for standing until i got the atak.... The other added plus is there are a ton of great kayaks out there, canoes, not so much. 1 Quote
sully99 Posted March 10, 2016 Posted March 10, 2016 It's all about what works for you, one is not better that the other. There are some very well built canoes out there, you are not going to find any kayaks with scuppers under 40 pounds. Quote
trick worms Posted March 10, 2016 Posted March 10, 2016 Can you get pontoons or anything to stabilize a canoe? Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted March 10, 2016 Super User Posted March 10, 2016 12 minutes ago, trick worms said: Can you get pontoons or anything to stabilize a canoe? people put pontoons on anything that floats lol I have seen them on kayaks and canoes. Quote
prjavelin Posted March 10, 2016 Author Posted March 10, 2016 thanks for all the info guys. I went to the lake on tuesday and caught 2 bass. I worked the alabama rig for a while. if i can cast that I can cast anything. f Im hooked im going tomorrow again!! the kayak moved abit at first but within the first 15 min I had great control and felt very comfortable. The kayak Is very good!! 1 Quote
paleus Posted March 10, 2016 Posted March 10, 2016 On 3/8/2016 at 5:15 PM, Neil McCauley said: Why not get a canoe? You are significantly limiting yourself choosing a kayak imo. What? Just the opposite in my opinion. Kayaks are self draining, can't get swamped by a wave. Kayaks are usually more stable, the ones designed for fishing anyways. Kayaks usually have a more comfortable seat. Can't take a canoe out in the ocean beyond the breakers. Kayaks have a shallower draft so don't get hung up on rocks like a canoe. Kayaks have a lower profile so are less affected by wind. The list goes on... Quote
Murrica Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 I am a little biased and I have fished out of both. Canoes can be very stable depending on how they are setup. Kayaks can go anywhere a canoe can and can get there faster. I wouldn't do a lot of stuff on a canoe that I would do on a kayak though. I am glad you are hooked now @prjavelin soon enough you will be very comfortable in your kayak. It would be tough to do this in a canoe. Quote
Dye99 Posted March 12, 2016 Posted March 12, 2016 This thread reminds me of the 1911/glock argument. Fact is, poster got a yak, so telling him to get a canoe since its better is crazy. If it floats, fish it! 3 Quote
Super User Darren. Posted March 12, 2016 Super User Posted March 12, 2016 On 3/10/2016 at 10:08 PM, trick worms said: Can you get pontoons or anything to stabilize a canoe? Absolutely. There are people out there who put pontoons on the same kayak I have even though I say there's absolutely no need for them. I did use pontoons (homemade) on my old canoe. Helped immensely. Quote
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