First Fishing Kayak

[Jerryj33]

I recently sold my little 1232 jon boat for space reasons when I moved cross country. Now that we're settled in, it's time to get back on the water because bank fishing is about as frustrating as it gets. I'm considering buying a kayak instead of another jon. My main concern is that I like to carry a decent amount of gear, and I would like to be able to stand up while fishing. I'm not trying to break the bank, but I know that you get what you pay for. I've been checking out the Feel Free Moken online, but I'm not sure which size to go for. I'm decently sized guy at 6'1" 200 lbs. The 10 foot seems like it would be easier to maneuver and access my gear, but I'm worried it would be cramped for a guy my size. It's also wider and has higher payload, which both seem like they would be more conducive to standing? Not too sure about that one though. Any advice, or input on these boats would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Darren.]

Excellent choice, but in order to get the right feel, you definitely

want to get sit-in time either in a yak store, even better is to

demo one on the water.

 

At 5'7" I started with a 10 footer, but when I bought my main

yak I went with 12'. You may find 10 to be a tad cramped with

all your gear - if you take a lot. It is going to be easier to 

maneuver than the 12, but the 12 will probably track a bit 

better.

 

Get some time in one if you can.

[JustinJ]

Pelican catch 120.

[Jerryj33]

3 hours ago, Darren. said:

Excellent choice, but in order to get the right feel, you definitely

want to get sit-in time either in a yak store, even better is to

demo one on the water.

 

At 5'7" I started with a 10 footer, but when I bought my main

yak I went with 12'. You may find 10 to be a tad cramped with

all your gear - if you take a lot. It is going to be easier to 

maneuver than the 12, but the 12 will probably track a bit 

better.

 

Get some time in one if you can.

Checked out the 10 footer at the local shop today. Seemed pretty comfy to me, but he didn't have the 12. They did however have the Perception Pescador pro 120, which was also pretty nice for the price...

[Darren.]

Never sat in one of those, but they get great reviews and

are priced well. I've sat in the Lure 12 and it was really 

nice. I love the wheel in the keel design.

[Jerryj33]

1 minute ago, Darren. said:

Never sat in one of those, but they get great reviews and

are priced well. I've sat in the Lure 12 and it was really 

nice. I love the wheel in the keel design.

That seat in the Lure looks absolutely amazing. Not to mention that center console setup for fishfinders. I have a hook4 I'm going to rig up. 

[Darren.]

Just now, Jerryj33 said:

That seat in the Lure looks absolutely amazing. Not to mention that center console setup for fishfinders. I have a hook4 I'm going to rig up. 

Would be pretty high on my list, no doubt. I'd also look

at a Native Slayer, WS ride, of those in a similar price

range. I would be electrifying it, so want one easy to 

make that happen. Would also consider (if I had the $)

a pedal driven yak...

[Jerryj33]

2 minutes ago, Darren. said:

Would be pretty high on my list, no doubt. I'd also look

at a Native Slayer, WS ride, of those in a similar price

range. I would be electrifying it, so want one easy to 

make that happen. Would also consider (if I had the $)

a pedal driven yak...

I think those pedal drives are getting a little out of my budget, especially once you add in all the accessories

[Darren.]

Just now, Jerryj33 said:

I think those pedal drives are getting a little out of my budget, especially once you add in all the accessories

 

Indeed.

[Jerryj33]

Just now, Darren. said:

 

Indeed.

Apparently FeelFree is supposed to be coming out with an awesome one pretty soon though

[Darren.]

3 minutes ago, Jerryj33 said:

Apparently FeelFree is supposed to be coming out with an awesome one pretty soon though

Every kayak maker will probably join the party.

Someone will make the killer leg-powered yak

one of these days. Some think Hobie or Native

already has...but there's gotta be something

better out there. Competition brings it out!!  

[Jerryj33]

5 minutes ago, Darren. said:

Every kayak maker will probably join the party.

Someone will make the killer leg-powered yak

one of these days. Some think Hobie or Native

already has...but there's gotta be something

better out there. Competition brings it out!!  

Pretty soon they'll have foot controlled trolling motors, livewells and power poles 

[Darren.]

12 minutes ago, Jerryj33 said:

Pretty soon they'll have foot controlled trolling motors, livewells and power poles 

My TM is foot controlled! LOL... well except for the fwd / rev.

Steering is foot controlled.

[Jerryj33]

 

16 minutes ago, Darren. said:

My TM is foot controlled! LOL... well except for the fwd / rev.

Steering is foot controlled.

that's awesome. custom made?

[Darren.]

Just now, Jerryj33 said:

 

that's awesome. custom made?

Yep. You can buy one from bassyaks.com, though.

Mine was coddled and tweaked with parts from local

stores and so forth. It is actually pretty decent, but

not as thorough as a BassYaks unit.

[Jerryj33]

12 minutes ago, Darren. said:

Yep. You can buy one from bassyaks.com, though.

Mine was coddled and tweaked with parts from local

stores and so forth. It is actually pretty decent, but

not as thorough as a BassYaks unit.

Whoa those are cool. I still have a pretty new 40lb minnkota and batteries, maybe I can rig something up!

[Darren.]

6 minutes ago, Jerryj33 said:

Whoa those are cool. I still have a pretty new 40lb minnkota and batteries, maybe I can rig something up!

Absolutely! Mine is a 30 minnkota. It works like a champ.

[Crimson81]

I cannot comment on the Moken, but i do have the Lure 11.5. I have had it for about 6 months now and have used it a ton. Since you mentioned wanting to stand and fish I would highly recommend going with the Lure vs the Moken, if you decide to go with a Feel Free Kayak, due to the adjustable seat on the Lure. When I am on the water I have the seat up as high as it'll go, and it is awesome being able to easily stand or sit back down. Speaking of standing, the Lure is extremely stable and there is a pretty good video on YouTube showing the Lure's stability. I am 6'1 245# and I stand constantly, I will even paddle while standing and never feel concerned about flipping the yak. I believe Feel Free either partnered with someone or started a new line under the name 3 Waters, and their kayak is pretty close to an exact replica to the Lure, but I believe it is cheaper than the Lure, so that may be worth checking out as well.

[LadiMopar]

I have a Feelfree Lure 10 which I have been super happy with this year. It's my first kayak ever so I can't really comment from tons of experience, but, I'm just shy of 6 ft tall and maybe half your weight, and was incredibly comfortable with the ten foot.

 

The lure is 36 inches wide, plenty of room to stand up, and more than ample room for gear. I keep a crate with a bag/cover behind the seat so all my tools are easy to reach with outer pockets, and I keep my anchor, 3 Plano water proof tackle boxes and my Ram mounts inside the crate. The bag came with 2 rod holders so I can have 4 rods within easy reach. The center console is ample space for the cell phone and an extra battery pack for my tablet, which I use to run my Deeper Sonar. (Another great piece of gear imho)

 

As for the paddling part I found the Lure 10 to be pretty easy to maneuver even in fairly heavy cover (Lilly pads etc.) and given that I am dealing with some physical limitations this is a positive in my book.

 

What really sort of surprised me was how fast this yak moves in the wind given that it's 70 lbs. before me and my gear are in it. There was more than one occasion when I found myself spinning around, or blowing across the water in a stiff breeze. The little 3 lb. anchor isn't quite enough to hold you in place when that happens. ? Weeeeeee!!!!!! ----------

 

But, seriously I looked at a lot of other yaks before I decided on the Lure 10. Researched for close to a year, but still went and looked at my short list models before finally committing. The wheel in the keel and the gravity seat (which is super comfy and highly adjustable) were the biggest selling points for me.

 

I hope some of this helps you, I know you are looking at the Moken, and I did too, but the Lure was the better choice for me. They are both extremely well made, so it comes down to a matter of personal preference.

 

Keep us posted and if there is anything else I can share about the Lure just give a holler.

 

LM

[bholtzinger14]

I think the 12 ft Pescador pro is a great little yak. I think for very little more money you could get a Vibe Seaghost 130 which comes with a rudder and paddle (not a great one). I have a Vibe and like it very much. I am not one to push them, but I think they are a nice bang for your buck yak. The new SeaGhost 110 might be up your alley and save you $100.

If you have a little more money the Nucanoe Flint is about to come out. It looks really nice and only $999.

I have heard great things about Feel Free. I think I would choose the Lure over the Moken b/c of the seat. 

 

I preach this over and over. I dont care what yak you get, but make sure it has a raised (comfortable) seat. If you start hurting in it after an hour you wont want to use it.

 

I started off carrying a ton of gear. I realized I did not need 2 dozen packs of the same senko. I still carry a variety of baits, but just not as many of each one. It make things much more simple.