Best low budget kayak

[Gilly Gals]

I'm a 15 year old boy who lives on a golf course that has a lot of really good ponds I love too fish. I would like to buy a kayak under 450 that I could use in these small ponds. Any reccomendations? 

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

There are a number of choices for you, but a key question

is -- is standing to fish a priority for you? Or will you be 

content to sit and fish?

[PECo]

A used one.

 

Look on Craigslist.

[bholtzinger14]

A pescador pro would be perfect. Used ones pop up around here for $450-550 pretty often.

Whatever you get make sure it has a raised seat. You will be much happier.

[Fir3hawk]

Used Ascend. My first kayak was a Future Beach 126 10' kayak and it did a great job of getting me on the water but I'd definitely suggest holding out for an Ascend or similar used on craigslist. The seat is light years better than the plastic molded ones.

[J Francho]

Get some seat time in several brands, if you can.  Same advice I always give, regardless of price range.  Pay close attention to max capacity ratings.

[SummertimeCarl]

I've been kayak fishing for about 3 years in a cheap $200 pelican from Academy.  It wasn't stable at all but did the job and was super light.

 

Recently I bought the Tamarack Angler 120 from Walmart (I know) and I really love it.  It was $215 WITH a paddle.  I bought that, use my upgraded paddle, and bought a stadium seat from Amazon that I put on it.  The thing is super cheap and I really can't imagine a more expensive kayak being worth the extra money.  I can't stand in it but it is plenty stable for long casts and hard hooksets.  At $215 I don't mind dragging it across gravel etc.  Still light enough to easily throw in the back of my truck and carry down to water access.  

 

[J Francho]

Not being able to stand is a deal breaker for me.  Be careful dragging that across the gravel.  These budget boats usually do not have a reinforced keel or sacrificial drag strip at the stern.

[SummertimeCarl]

26 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Not being able to stand is a deal breaker for me.  Be careful dragging that across the gravel.  These budget boats usually do not have a reinforced keel or sacrificial drag strip at the stern.

Yea, I wasn't attesting to the durability of the kayak but more implying if the kayak gets damaged it is easily replaceable.  A FeelFree Lure 10 for instance may very well be more durable but it costs over 4 times as much so I'd feel less comfortable abusing it.

 

That cheap pelican sit-in kayak I had was super lightweight and had really thin plastic.  Much thinner than the Tamarac, and I really abused the thing.  I mean really abused it - dragging it across gravel (wet gravel when creeks became too shallow to float in) for long periods of time, not being careful.  It's still running strong; I just wanted a sit-on-top for the stability and easy in/out access.

 

I just know usually when people post "what's the best budget kayak/boat etc" on forums people usually reply "here's an option about 25% over your actual budget" or "wait a year and a half until you find a super rare craigslist deal."  Figured it would be nice to suggest a cheaper option that still does the job instead.  

[RB 77]

7 hours ago, SummertimeCarl said:

I've been kayak fishing for about 3 years in a cheap $200 pelican from Academy.  It wasn't stable at all but did the job and was super light.

 

Recently I bought the Tamarack Angler 120 from Walmart (I know) and I really love it.  It was $215 WITH a paddle.  I bought that, use my upgraded paddle, and bought a stadium seat from Amazon that I put on it.  The thing is super cheap and I really can't imagine a more expensive kayak being worth the extra money.  I can't stand in it but it is plenty stable for long casts and hard hooksets.  At $215 I don't mind dragging it across gravel etc.  Still light enough to easily throw in the back of my truck and carry down to water access.  

 

I have the same kayak and the same truck! haha

BTW, I agree with the people that have recommended and entry level model or a used one on Craigslist.

[J Francho]

19 hours ago, SummertimeCarl said:

A FeelFree Lure 10 for instance may very well be more durable but it costs over 4 times as much so I'd feel less comfortable abusing it.

That boat has a wheel in the keel, and is built like a tank.  I rep'd for Feel Free and would definitely recommend them if they were in the budget. 

[Swamp Rat]

I second the Ascend D10T. It was my kayak of choice from BPS as I was recently on Staff with them, and had my choice of any of their kayaks, but for small waters, and ability to stand, this was the best choice. New they are $450. Unfortunately, the GM locally said I had to switch to saltwater only or lose my Staff position, so looking for a new kayak company as we speak.

[J Francho]

13 hours ago, Swamp Rat said:

I second the Ascend D10T.

This is a really nice boat for the money.

[GoneFishingLTN]

On 9/29/2017 at 7:56 AM, J Francho said:

This is a really nice boat for the money.

Are these the ones you can stand in?

[DogBone_384]

On 9/26/2017 at 3:20 PM, PECo said:

A used one.

 

Look on Craigslist.

X2 ... If not, Bass Pro's Ascend brand is a nice kayak.

[3crows]

Try to avoid the two piece types (Pelican for example) as they often split apart at the seam. A fully rotomolded hull is a better choice.

[Gilly Gals]

Thanks for all the help everyone! Now I just gotta find a nice 400 dollar baitcasting combo to fish off of it! Tatula sv curado k. Then I gotta figure out a rod to go with it.

[Hawkeye21]

On 9/26/2017 at 12:58 PM, Gilly Gals said:

I'm a 15 year old boy who lives on a golf course that has a lot of really good ponds I love too fish. I would like to buy a kayak under 450 that I could use in these small ponds. Any reccomendations? 

 

If you can wait you can keep searching for sales on kayaks.  I was able to get my Pelican Catch 120 on sale for $599 over a year ago.  The Catch 120 is a great bang for your buck fishing kayak and I recommend it if you can find it in your price range.

 

Like others have said, keep searching on Craigslist or join some Facebook groups that people sell items on.

[fishnkamp]

Forget the nice $400 baitcaster.  Go with a nice Daiwa Tatula CT on a matching Daiwa Tatula rod. If you would rather you could choose one from these options: a Dobyns Fury, Powell MAX 3D or Inferno (on sale right now at Tackle Warehouse), or Irod Genesis II or Fiber.  All of these are affordable and would match well. In fact you could have 2 combos for that $400.

[Deleted account]

15 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

Forget the nice $400 baitcaster.  Go with a nice Daiwa Tatula CT on a matching Daiwa Tatula rod. If you would rather you could choose one from these options: a Dobyns Fury, Powell MAX 3D or Inferno (on sale right now at Tackle Warehouse), or Irod Genesis II or Fiber.  All of these are affordable and would match well. In fact you could have 2 combos for that $400.

And can use one to fish out the other...

[NYWayfarer]

On ‎9‎/‎27‎/‎2017 at 3:34 PM, SummertimeCarl said:

Yea, I wasn't attesting to the durability of the kayak but more implying if the kayak gets damaged it is easily replaceable.  A FeelFree Lure 10 for instance may very well be more durable but it costs over 4 times as much so I'd feel less comfortable abusing it.

 

That cheap pelican sit-in kayak I had was super lightweight and had really thin plastic.  Much thinner than the Tamarac, and I really abused the thing.  I mean really abused it - dragging it across gravel (wet gravel when creeks became too shallow to float in) for long periods of time, not being careful.  It's still running strong; I just wanted a sit-on-top for the stability and easy in/out access.

 

I just know usually when people post "what's the best budget kayak/boat etc" on forums people usually reply "here's an option about 25% over your actual budget" or "wait a year and a half until you find a super rare craigslist deal."  Figured it would be nice to suggest a cheaper option that still does the job instead.  

I have one of those cheap Pelican sit-in's and I love it. It is super lightweight at 38lbs and is pretty durable. I have dragged it up boat ramps and have had collisions with docks that have only scratched it.

 

Tracks pretty good and it is fast. On sale you can get it for $220 at Dicks.

[JustJames]

Man I must've read something wrong, you only have budget of 450 for kayak but you willing to spend 400 for rod and reel. Don't tell me you don't have budget for PFD neither.

[Gilly Gals]

On 1/17/2018 at 9:41 PM, fishnkamp said:

Forget the nice $400 baitcaster.  Go with a nice Daiwa Tatula CT on a matching Daiwa Tatula rod. If you would rather you could choose one from these options: a Dobyns Fury, Powell MAX 3D or Inferno (on sale right now at Tackle Warehouse), or Irod Genesis II or Fiber.  All of these are affordable and would match well. In fact you could have 2 combos for that $400.

I’ve been looking at the tatulas and they look sweet, but I think the curado k is looking a little nicer. That and a Shimano zodias or a MEGAbass levante. 

5 hours ago, JustJames said:

Man I must've read something wrong, you only have budget of 450 for kayak but you willing to spend 400 for rod and reel. Don't tell me you don't have budget for PFD neither.

I don’t have the budget for either at the moment? I’ll be working for my dad though this summer and those are two items I would like to purchase.

5 hours ago, JustJames said:

 

[LadiMopar]

My vote for your baitcaster is definitely the Tatula or if you want essentially the same reel at a little less money see if you can get the Arachnid from Cabelas. It's made by Daiwa ( as are most of their reels) and has one more ball bearing than the Tatula. I have one and it casts like a dream...plus had a little extra cash for other tackle.

 

Wishing you all the best young angler...Keep us updated on your progress.

LM

[Gilly Gals]

On 1/19/2018 at 6:04 PM, LadiMopar said:

My vote for your baitcaster is definitely the Tatula or if you want essentially the same reel at a little less money see if you can get the Arachnid from Cabelas. It's made by Daiwa ( as are most of their reels) and has one more ball bearing than the Tatula. I have one and it casts like a dream...plus had a little extra cash for other tackle.

 

Wishing you all the best young angler...Keep us updated on your progress.

LM

Thanks for all the information! I will do! Very cool about Diawa making some of the cabeleas reels that’s very interesting thanks!