Kayak Advice

[MIbassin]

Hello Bassresource,

 

I am looking into buying a high end fishing kayak for next years season (Salt and Freshwater since I recently moved to Long Island). I have considered the hobie outback, Slayer propel, and a few others. Anyone who is an experienced kayak angler I would appreciate your 2 cents on any tips you can offer on the perks of kayak fishing, which models you like the best, and really any tips you think anyone about to buy their first fishing kayak should know. I am pretty set on buying one, I just have to make sure its the right one.

 

Thanks!

[Montanaro]

Dont rule out feelfree.  I love my lure 11.5.  Will add more later.  Busy atm.

[Can't Catch Bass]

I own a Native SP10 and I'm very satisfied with it. The biggest reason I chose this kayak was weight.

 

I use it for fishing small lakes, which it is perfect for.

[BrianSnat]

I would check out the Jackson Kayaks Big Rig before pulling the trigger on any high end fishing kayak.  It's a sweet boat. Or the Jackson Kraken if you want something that will be perhaps a little less stable, but way faster, in case you want to cover a lot of water on a larger lake

[Jim Mac]

What do you consider a high end kayak ?

[WestBranch]

IMO the biggest question when deciding is what's more important. Stability or weight. You give up one for the other. I have both the old town predator 13 &  the predator MK (with motor). Both are very stable. You almost have to want to flip them, leaning over to pull up a big fish won't do it. But they are 85 - 90 pounds empty. You're not going to toss these onto a car top carrier by yourself.

 

Next would be gadgets they come with. Old town has a paddleclip, storage area with bungee cords, rod holders and a tray shelf under the seat for 2 3600 tackle boxes, other makers probably have similar features.

 

Finally I'd consider either a pedal version or built in trolling motor version. Either one allows hands free operation while your bringing the fish in or maneuvering without putting down your pole. Though the motor version will require you to register it as a motor boat in most states, the pedal version won't.

 

As for the 2 predators I have, MSRP is between $1300 - $3000 depending on widgets you want. My MK has a fish finder,  AGM battery and a 40W solar panel to keep a constant charge on the battery, if the suns out I'm charging the battery, even when I'm fishing from it.

[fishnkamp]

Do a little research. Kayak fishing is getting very popular and some fishing guides are now specializing in it.

You may find a guide that offers kayak trips and if so they supply the fishing kayaks. Here in MD we have several and they not only provide the kayak but rent and sell them. You may or may not love their choice but a day with them will give you a chance to try out a "fishing kayak" and also see how he likes to set up his storeage and rig his crafts.  All very valuable info.  Also check with some kayak retailers and see if they will or do have some on the water test days. I know our local REI has on water demos periodically.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

What @WestBranch said.  At my age, stability and weight were primary factors ... plus ease of access and kayak storage over the winter. Three years ago I purchased my first kayak and, based on the above criteria (and budget), I was limited to a ten-foot (storage issue), sit-in with large cockpit (lightest with fairly easy access) which has served me well; HOWEVER,  now as I get older, that sit-in is getting to be tough, but options are limited.

 

Now I'm not sure where to go from here. I guess my point is that it sounds as though you are really thinking this through, but consider your future requirements as well. Just a thought from an old geezer. Oh, and most of the lakes I fish would choke a pedal- or motor-powered kayak, especially in late summer and fall.

[J Francho]

My advice : tons of seat time.

[3crows]

Frankly, I prefer a paddle. 

[Montanaro]

Sorry i never replied again.

 

Some things I looked at was stability and storage....two things that are very difficult to improve on if you dont have it!  Comfort was a huge player too!  Customizability isnt a big deal as most kayaks have that covered.

 

I went with the lure 11.5 for the adjustable super comfortable seat, built in wheel, multiple pockets and tie downs, and the cushioned standing platform.  I fish out of it all day up to 16 hours sometimes.  Standing helps a lot especially as sitting for long periods hurts my jacked up hip...but even then the seat minimizes discomfort.

 

I suggest you put as much money into a product that you feel comfortable spending and also make a realistic list of must haves. 

 

Ive done some thinking on pedal drives and while they can be nice there are times where they would have been a hindrance to me where a paddle allows you far more mobility/agility.  The pedal drives were created mainly for saltwater fishing.  Paddling while fighting surf AND a 100 pound fish would be highly intense.

[Darren.]

Can't agree more with @J Francho about seat time.

 

Best if you can get that on the water, but if not, get it

in the store (which is what I did).

 

I tried many different yaks and it came down to the 

Wilderness Systems Commander and the Native Ultimate

12. I ended up with the Ultimate simply because it was a

better feeling sit/stand for me than the Commander.

 

Both are fine kayaks.

 

If you are looking for propulsion, Hobie and Native are the

earliest adopters, but major players are releasing models

every year.

 

Again, sit in. You may like the Propel system better than the

Mirage Drive...or vice versa. Or you may decide you'd rather

put an electric motor on (like I did).

[Turkey sandwich]

Lots of good advice.  Almost all major manufacturers now have great kayaks, but it comes down to the individual.  Storage, transport, paddle/pedal, weight rating, speed, and stability can all be really important.  For me, the biggest factor was the seat and level of comfort moving around in the boat.  I had a major neck and back injury that makes a lot of boats very uncomfortable very quickly.  I settled on a Feelfree Lure 13.5.  My thoughts on the Lure: Super stable, can pack a ton of gear/weight, the best seat available, and makes fitting a sonar very easy. If only it were a little faster, it would be an absolute dream river kayak for me and it's big enough to load out with A TON of fishing and camping gear.  It also has tie downs and a very helpful wheel in the keel built in. Also, there is an electric motor/pedal drive that should be available early 2018... only 2 years after after it's "introduction".  The negatives - it's very big, difficult to car top for any distance and is straight up dangerous vertical car topping in the wind/at speed.  It is not fast, nor is it particularly maneuverable (expect this out of all large/wide kayaks). To keep it tracking straight and moving efficiently, a rudder kit is suggested for another $200-300.  I can't comment on it's helpfulness because I've been trying to get one installed since the spring and their customer service has been a mixed bag and they went so far as to block me from their owner's group on Facebook for complaining about it.  This left a very sour taste in my mouth.  I'm hoping to install the new rudder kit (hopefully without half the pieces missing) this weekend.  

 

Without an electric motor of pedal drive, it would not be my first choice for most salt water (nor would any other 34-38" wide boat), but it is a solid boat for rivers, medium sized lakes where you won't be paddling 10 miles a day, and fishing/camping trips that do not require portage.  

 

I also really, really like what I see in the new Bonafide kayaks.  

 

Also, if you're looking for an electric drive for a yak that doesn't currently provide one, the Torqueedo looks fantastic. 

[68camaro]

I bought my first kayak this summer, a Hobie Pro Angler 12. It has really opened possibilities and can't wait to use it when stripers run on the tidal James River in March/april.

 

The pedal drive is great, you can cruise and cast all day, or stand and cast with no problems. 

 

The boat is crazy stable, allows all sorts of customization. One down side is weight, but I transport mine in back of Jeep Grand Cherokee with hitch extender, works PERFECT, no problem loading/unloading and I am 54 yo, 165lbs.