First Kayak Bass

[NYWayfarer]

My family and I are on vacation this week at Lake Harmony Pennsylvania. I rented a Old Town Vapor kayak for an hour.

 

I took my Kastking Sharky II 1500 reel on a 6' Daiwa Crossfire rod. I rigged a 3" Yum Dinger green pumpkin with purple flake wacky style. I did this in order to appeal to the most species this lake offers. Bluegill, Crappie, Bass and Pickerel.

 

I concentrated on casting at the numerous docks along the lake and landed this Largemouth Bass.

 

I can see while people love kayaking so much. The Old Town Vapor was very stable. I never felt like I was going to tip. It glided through the water with little effort. The fight with the fish was exciting as I felt closer to  the action than I ever have. 

 

I will definitely be purchasing a kayak when I return home as I really loved the experience 

[J Francho]

You'll like a SOT much better for fishing.  Get some seat time in a bunch of boats.

 

Congrats on your first kayak bass!

[jbw252]

WTG.  There's lots of kayaks to choose from.  Research & try them out.  You'll find that a "sit on top" style kayak will probably be better for fishing. Enjoy.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

@Finesse Wayfarer:  Because of a very specific set of requirements, I purchased an Old Town Trip 10 DLX a couple of years ago. I've had no issues with it and have caught a lot of bass floating around in it. (It's the "fishing" version of the Vapor.) I love it, but I think you may want to take the advice of @jbw252 and consider a SOT before you make a decision. Rather than tie up this thread, PM me if you want to discuss. I'm no expert, but may be able to help.

 

Art

[JustJames]

Now you are hooked not that fish, hahaha

[NYWayfarer]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will definitely try a SOT kayak when I get the chance. 

 

I have done done some research and I am leaning towards the sit inside kind since I can get one of those spray guards and fish deep into October here in the North country. 

 

@GrumpyOlPhartte the Trip 10 angler is the exact Kayak I had in mind. It is a Dick's exclusive kayak and like you said it is basically a Vapor with some rod holders

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

@Finesse Wayfarer: Well, the Trip 10 definitely meets my needs. Have added full anchor trolleys on both sides and a couple of other mods; at the price I couldn't find anything better. Good luck!

[Dorado]

Great post! Smart lure choice first of all. I need to try that approach next time I take my yak out. I'm addicted to fishing in general from my yak. I feel like every game fish fights differently and being so intimately close to the action puts it all in closer perspective. A nice striper vs  bulldog channel cat to an acrobatic cutthroat trout -  I swear that I remember every fish I catch from my yak vividly because there's nothing more exciting   The fun is only beginning for you............

[jbw252]

And remember to always wear your PFD.

[NYWayfarer]

Thanks guys! I did get a chance to sit in a SOT Kayak and I see the difference. Stability is the same which was my biggest concern. 

 

My BJ's Wholesale Club has a Pelican SOT kayak deal, kayak paddle and car carrier kit for $300 that I have my eye on. 

[the reel ess]

On 7/11/2017 at 10:53 PM, GrumpyOlPhartte said:

Never mind. I replied to the wrong post.

[fishnkamp]

Since kayak fishing has gotten really popular there are some guides now offering kayak fishing trips. I recommend looking into some of these opportunities. You can learn not only how to fish out of one better, but by fishing out of their yak you can see how they prefer to rig them and use them.  This will give you experience so you will know if something was put in a bad spot for you, and know what YOU like before you plunk down any money. Here in MD there are two guides I have seen that rent kayaks, do guided fishing trips and sell kayaks, both new and their last season boats. Just might be worth a trip or teo.  The other thing is many kayak outfitters and chain stores will frequently have a demo day on the water to test out some different models. That to can be handy. 

Funny thing for me is I have been boating for 40 years,and I have owned 11 canoes, jons, aluminum bass boats and 2 big fast fiberglass rocket ships.  I would have to do some demo and guide trips before I would plunk down big money to purchase and rig a kayak.