First fishing kayak

[FishingMcD]

I'm planning on buying my first fishing kayak this weekend. I'm only 16 so I'm on a small budget and I came across the Sun Dolphin journey 10ss fishing kayak for $260. I thought that was a great deal. I thought I'd check with someone who knows a bit more about fishing kayaks than me so I came here. Have you heard anything good or bad about these?

Thanks!

[Subaqua Adinterim]

Don't know about this particular kayak, however, I think it's fantastic that you saved up for something to get out on the water.  Enjoy and be safe, make sure you budget for a PFD.  Wear one at all times.  These are always important, but more so when in a small boat.

[FishingMcD]

2 hours ago, cutbait said:

Don't know about this particular kayak, however, I think it's fantastic that you saved up for something to get out on the water.  Enjoy and be safe, make sure you budget for a PFD.  Wear one at all times.  These are always important, but more so when in a small boat.

Thanks for the reply! I take safety seriously and I will definitely be wearing my pfd at all times. 

[buzzed bait]

No experience with that kayak buddy, but just getting off the bank is awesome! I was just going to echo you need to budget for the paddle and PFD. Have fun and be careful and find some pigs out there!!

[Turtle135]

Welcome to the wonderful world of kayak bass fishing! I have no personal experience with this particular kayak but I do understand being 16 with a limited budget. Have you been able to sit in the kayak?

 

[J Francho]

A 10 footer is tight quarters, but if you keep it simple, you should be fine.  Start saving for a better seat.  Nicer seats are $60-80.  Is a fully decked out ATAK 140?  Not quite, but like BB said, getting off the banks will totally change your fishing.

 

Wear a PFD, and good luck!

[Dye99]

I had a friend last year who bought the same yak as a back up. Its a barge, can't stand in it, but its a pretty good little boat!

Trick would be to go through it and inspect the seams. In that boat they had a little bit of a quality control issue..If there is an issue you can seal them up yourself and you should have a perfect starter boat!

Be safe, have fun!

[FishingMcD]

1 hour ago, Turtle135 said:

Welcome to the wonderful world of kayak bass fishing! I have no personal experience with this particular kayak but I do understand being 16 with a limited budget. Have you been able to sit in the kayak?

 

I haven't had the chance to sit in it but I will this weekend. I'm excited to get out on the water!

[atcoha]

10' and any wind will have you "workin'" more than fishing. Check craigslist for a used 12', you will be better off.

[Allen Der]

your butt is gonna be wet in that thing.  you can get some much better kayaks used if you wait and look around

[BrianSnat]

Sun Dolphin is basically junk. You get what you pay for. Your hull will be terribly warped within a year.  Look online for a used boat (Craigslist, Ebay, etc). You will get a much better fishing kayak for a  bit more than  you will pay for a new Sun Dolphin and often it will already be rigged for fishing  with depth finders, after market rod holders, and include paddle, PFD, etc.in the price. It may cost a bit more but you will get a lot more.

[bralexander]

Along with everyone else, I think you should keep looking, there are better deals out there. Definitely look on craigslist for a used kayak. If there are not any in your area, you should check out the larger sporting goods stores. They have sales all the time on kayaks in the same price range that are much better all around. I have been through a few kayaks in the last few years and have come to accept that  12' is my sweet spot, but  10' is workable (as long as you don't weigh 230+). When I have wanted a kayak in the past, I look on craigslist first and anything in my price range I research any reviews I can find. Then if it still seems good, go check it out in person. Many times you get a much better deal buying used and I have never had any problems. Also, buying used, you can sometimes barter if you do not necessarily have enough cash. I have personally sold  a kayak to someone for cash, plus some car audio gear and it worked out great for both of us.

Good luck,

Bruce

[bralexander]

Just to give you an example- I paid $250 for this older Ascent 12' on craigslist a few months ago. I ended up selling it after using it for a few months(my 4 yr old really wanted to start going fishing with daddy and I needed something bigger) and broke even. This was a great handling kayak and was excellent to fish from.

[FishingMcD]

I was also looking at the eMotion Camo stealth angler (10 ft) and it was on sale for $379. Should I keep looking or is this a decent kayak? The reviews I found were good. 

[bralexander]

That emotion is exactly the kind of kayak I posted about. It has a good "name" brand, better construction, and proven design. Way better than the dolphin you first posted. I would have no problem recommending the emotion for a first kayak. If you get this from a local store then you can always return it if you absolutely hate it. 

Bruce

[FishingMcD]

20 minutes ago, bralexander said:

That emotion is exactly the kind of kayak I posted about. It has a good "name" brand, better construction, and proven design. Way better than the dolphin you first posted. I would have no problem recommending the emotion for a first kayak. If you get this from a local store then you can always return it if you absolutely hate it. 

Bruce

Thanks for the reply!

[Allen Der]

the Emotion would be light years better than that sundolphin.  you might also consider a sit inside.  old town makes some good models in your price range

[Caliyak]

8 hours ago, FishingMcD said:

I was also looking at the eMotion Camo stealth angler (10 ft) and it was on sale for $379. Should I keep looking or is this a decent kayak? The reviews I found were good. 

My son has an emotion. I recommend this yak. Only advise, get a seat. Go to emotion and get their seat or create a seat. I bought a chest/seat life preserver, Walmart, and clipped it to the back rest. Dry back end and pretty comfortable. Just remember, have fun, you are not on the shore and fish could careless about the brand of kayak you have. Go get'em. 

[Vlad Val Yevdash]

if i were you i would get the fs10 for $550. jsut save up some more money and buy one. they are made here in usa and ive heard nothing but good reviews on them. Here is the link http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-FS10-SitIn-Angler-Kayak-Titanium/product/14072306364310/ you can read the reviews yourself. when i have the money im planning on buying one

[Allen Der]

1 hour ago, Vlad Val Yevdash said:

if i were you i would get the fs10 for $550. jsut save up some more money and buy one. they are made here in usa and ive heard nothing but good reviews on them. Here is the link http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-FS10-SitIn-Angler-Kayak-Titanium/product/14072306364310/ you can read the reviews yourself. when i have the money im planning on buying one

I disagree.  I've heard many negative things about Ascend kayaks and there are better options out there for $550

[Vlad Val Yevdash]

12 hours ago, Allen Der said:

I disagree.  I've heard many negative things about Ascend kayaks and there are better options out there for $550

Lol what have you heard, and what are some better options for $550

[Allen Der]

6 hours ago, Vlad Val Yevdash said:

Lol what have you heard, and what are some better options for $550

leaky hatches, broken seats, and warped hulls.  Bass Pro even updated the listings on most of the Ascend kayaks so they could remove all the old negative reviews.  Perception, Old town, and Emotion just to name a few manufacturers who make a solid product in the sub $600 price range

[BrianSnat]

What some people don't realize when they are considering an inexpensive new kayak is that in addition to the kayak, they will likely have to shell out around $100 for a halfway decent paddle and another $40-$60  for a PFD that is actually comfortable enough to wear. Then they may pay another $25 to $50 or so to outfit it with rod holders. So you can usually tack on $200 or so to the list price of that budget kayak.

These are usually included in the price of a used kayak. I understand the excitement of putting that brand new kayak in your driveway, but the moment you take it on the water, you have yourself a used kayak.  You can get so much more boat for your money if you shop wisely for a used kayak in the first place

[thomas15]

My wife has a  Sun Dolphin not sure of the model sit inside and my son has an Old Town. Neither are used for fishing. We store the two in a rack inside our shed and the two compared side by side is quite a contrast.  The Old Town is just so much nicer but more expensive. But my wife is a casual user and my son uses his on class 3 whitewater. I'm saying this assuming that you are moving past the  Sun Dolphin but just to reassure you that time and patience Is, in the long run, a virtue.  Save your money up and get more pleasure on the water.

[FishingMcD]

It's so hard to wait but that's what I'm going to do. I'll see if anything pops ups locally on Craigslist and I'll keep my eye on sales at local stores. Thanks for the help everyone! I appreciate it.