fishing from a kayak?

[mike90]

hey im 17 and i have been fishing out of my buddies boat forever now. but i got a lot of new lakes that i can fish but there is no way for me to haul his boat to the places its just to big. i was thinking of buying something like a 2 man kayak or a canoe. here are the two main problems though.

1. until i save up enough for a small truck ill be driving my parents van this summer

2. i dont have much money to spend maybe $500 tops

has anyone on here ever fished from a kayak? was it easy to fish from or more of a pain? and where would you look for a cheap good kayak?

sorry for all the questions guys but it would be great if you can give me some ideas  

[mike90]

oh and the van is just the reg. 4 door 3 rows of seating but i thought maybe if i took the back seats out i could maybe fit a small jon boat in there but im not sure?

[SimonSays]

Fishing from a kayak is fun, i'm a college student so my budget and space are both limited. I'm currently fishing from a cheap inflatable kayak that was about 60 dollars, it's fun but the only problem is the wind and current which makes it hard to stop and stay in 1 place to fish.  I'm also currently looking into inflatable morot mount boats, like the SeaEagle 8 or 9 or one of the Fish Hunter series of boats (i'm leaning toward Seaeagle) which are right around our budgets!

[MarVaBC]

YES!  Kayak fishing is very fun, challenging, and rewarding!  I got one in April last year and love it in rivers and lakes.  I have a 12 foot sit on top (SOT) that works well in both envoirnments.  A $500 budget should be able to get you outfitted w./ yak, paddle and vest, or pertty close.  Got mine on sale for $400 paddle $50 or so, and vests vary in price.  It takes a little while to get used to paddling and fishing, boat position, etc...especially in rivers, but its great.  You will be able to fish anywhere there is water, and in places big boats can't go.  I would recommend a sit on top vs. a sit in kayak.  If you are going to be lake fishing only...a 14ft may be better and more stable.  But wieght is still a factor. As far as trasnport...if the van has a roof rack you can put it there.  If not, you may have to get a smaller yak and put it inside, but I'd go for the roof.  I would also suggest getting a single and not getting a tandem kayak.  Fishing out of a tandem w./ someone seems miserable.  You need your own space and casting room, not to mention the balancing issue with 2 people.  Good luck, if you get one you will love it.

Ben

[mike90]

nice! thanks guys, the can dose have roof racks so throwing a kayak up there wouldnt be a big issue.

SimonSays- you're using a inflatable kayak? how well dose that work? do you feel safe in it? i am afriad i would pop a hole in a infatable on my first cast  :-/  or is the rubber thick enough that the hooks wont poke through?

[SimonSays]

yep it's pretty stable and i feel totally safe, the only problem is the wind and current...i'm usually pretty careful with my hooks around it, but the plastic is pretty heavy duty, nothing like an outdoor kiddie pool kinda thing

[Guest avid]

get spring creek stabilizers - see cabela's

[bigfishbert]

I fish from a kayak all the time. I have a cobra explorer, It's just under 12ft. I've had it a little over a year and have added mods over time and outings. I have rod holders a depth finder a place to hold the paddle tackle storage. I feel safe and have not have rolled it yet (knock on wood). Although I do plan on buying the real deal the yak has it's advantages, storage, easy to maintain, if you know of any larger farm ponds that's when I've had the most fun. Mine was $750 new, I've put in about another $400 with all the add ons, my depth finder was a littler over the top for what I need but is sure is cool having one. I bet you can find a used one already rigged in your budget or not far .

Have fun and good luck.

[Chode2235]

Go to KayakFishingStuff.com and check it out.  You will find a lot of information about fishing from kayaks.

I am actually looking to get one myself this spring, and have been reading up a lot on them.  I too recommend a SOT kayak, it will give you a lot more room to fish.  Depending on your size I would think about a small 9' boat, that should be plenty of boat for fishing small lakes and rivers, even larger lakes.  Its more manueverable.

[mike90]

thanks a lot for the info its helping me narrow my search down! i just dont think i would feel comfy in a inflatable kayak but i've never really seen one so i guess i need to get out there and do some shopping!

[striperone]

[MattStrykul]

Striperone, ID feel a little unsafe with that!  ;D

[Chode2235]

If that makes you feel unsafe check this one out.  Here is where I found it:

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/sharkkayak.asp

[Water Dog]

I know your dilemma..  It is hard to find a boat that will fit all situations.  I have a jon boat but I don't like to pull it long distances so I got a Sea Eagle Nine which will fit in the trunk of my old 93 Mazda 626.  It will support 1250 # and take a small gas and electric motor.  They have an inflatable Yak that will fold smaller.  Go to their website for info.

Other options are one or two man pontoons.  Cabela's has a page that describes all of the makes, weights, and prices.  They look pretty nice, cheap to more expensive like everything else.  They even have a 'backpacker' model.  I like the way that you sit and fish from them, up high, just like a lawn chair.

Do a search on this site since this has been discussed before.

[USA-Retired]

Check this out as an option.

http://www.porta-bote.com/

I am considering one strictly for fishing canals and selected areas of larger lakes.  Folds flat for storage and transport (was going to carry mine in a Saturn Ion with a red flag on the extending portion from the trunk).

Cheers

[RockvilleMDAngler]

I have a Sea Eagle SE-9 and it rocks.  I have a fish finder, trolling motor, wooden floors and seats, rod holders, cup holders and it EASILY sits 2 people with 6 rods and a lot of gear and of course my dog.  It is very stable and VERY hard to puncture, I have treble hooks galore smacking the material and it does not pop.  Even if it sprung a hole it has 5 different air compartments so you won't sink and will be able to get to the ramp.  The only bummer with it is wind, without an anchor you will get pushed around like crazy if it is windy.  I have an anchor so it isn't a big deal but I have to anchor while guys with real bass boats are able to troll along and cast.  

I tried fishing out of a kayak and I wasn't a fan since I couldn't flip or pitch, didn't have room for a cooler full of beer and food, and couldn't bring any buddies but there are a lot of people who love it.

[Long Mike]

Rockville, I'm with you 100%.  I have a SeaEagle 9 equipped almost exactly the same way as yours.  The only difference is that I have a drift anchor, which greatly reduces the need to drop the metal one.

BTW  I built the floor and seating boards my self for about $40.  SeaEagle wanted $250.  Because always fish alone, I also replaced the trolling motor board with one of my own design.  It has a set of wheels on it which make launching and retrieving the fully loaded raft MUCH easier.  Let me know if you want me to post a few photos.

[yakbasser]

Yak fishing is addicting.  I know a lot of guys who have sold their big bass boats after going out on a kayak.  

[Peter E.]

I really love my yak I just wish there were tournaments for them.

[Chode2235]

There are tournaments for them.

They're usually catch and release.  You take a picutre of the fish on your ruler, and then submit your digital photos at the endo the day.  There aren't too many bass tournaments, as the kayak is primarily popular with salt water fisherman, but theyre catching on.  You could always enter a regualar tournament as well.  That would really show them, yout little plastic boat can outfish the big ones.

[NTRotty]

Wife and I won Malibu x-faxctor and extreme yaks.  Outfitted correctly, they are comfortable and can take you where other fishermen only dream about.  Especially in low water areas, which are commonon htis year in Texas.  Where the fish are spawning most boats can't get to.

These models are stable but a little heavy. They are designed for fishing and are also popular for coastal fishing.

[Peter E.]

You know Chode I may just do that. It would be an awsome eye opener for all of those guys running around stirring up wakes;)

[SimonSays]

Rockville, I'm with you 100%.  I have a SeaEagle 9 equipped almost exactly the same way as yours.  The only difference is that I have a drift anchor, which greatly reduces the need to drop the metal one.

BTW  I built the floor and seating boards my self for about $40.  SeaEagle wanted $250.  Because always fish alone, I also replaced the trolling motor board with one of my own design.  It has a set of wheels on it which make launching and retrieving the fully loaded raft MUCH easier.  Let me know if you want me to post a few photos.

Heya Longmike, I was looking into the Sea Eagle 8 or 9's Fisherman package but I also thought 250+ for a couple pieces of wood was a little too much , do you think you could post a few pics of the motor mount you built? and the floor board? thanks!

[RockvilleMDAngler]

Unless you are a master with pipe bending I would just buy the Sea Eagle mount and make your own floorboards.  The tubes that attach to the boat have to fit very precisely in order to support the motor without damaging the boat.  I agree though that making your own floorboards would be the best option.

BTW: Get the Sea Eagle 9 if you can, the extra size is definitely worth it.  JMHO.

[0119]

If size and money are a factor check out some of the small rec type kayaks like the Heritage Featherlight or the Emotion rec yak.  I caught loads of bass out of mine before getting a bigger s.o.t.  If your up north, the rec. kayak style is popular because it'll keep you warm in times a s.o.t. wont.  At 38lbs. I carried my featherlight over one shoulder intowaters nobody dreamed about getting into and slayed them.