Fishing Kayaks

[kreed]

I don't have one but was wondering if anyone here used kayaks for fishing. If I knew anyone that did it I'd love to try it! From looking at this one: http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/ri_fishing_kayak_view.asp?Fishing_Kayaks=25

it seems that they are adequately equipped for the type of fishing that I enjoy most.

Kevin

[btcprince]

looks nice, and the pedal powered prop is sweet, but with the kayaks and canoes(which i am currently using), i dont like being down that close to the water. to me, it feels like its limiting how i cast, but thats just my opinion.

[DancesWithSquirrels]

I've got a 10 foot Pelican recreational kayak that I am working on to setup for fishing.  I've added rod holders, anchor line and will be mounting a sonar as soon as I decide which model.  I will be fishing mostly small lakes and ponds and quiet backwaters with it.  It does take a little getting used to casting from such a low position but it is not too difficult.

DWS

[Popeye]

Well, I bought and used once a 10' Malibu Mini-X kayak and I didn't like it too much so I sold it and bought a 10' NuCanoe. The NuCanoe is "heads and tails above" the Mini-X, in MY OPINION! In the NuCanoe there is TONS of room and the seating position is more upright like a regular canoe or jon boat and WAY more comfortable and DRY!! After I built and added the outriggers/stabilizers in the picture, the NuCanoe became much more stable and quite EASY to stand up in and cast/fish. It is much wider than most kayaks at 42" and thus is SLOWER when paddling and you really need a LONG kayak paddle to use OR you can paddle it like a canoe with a canoe paddle. I really liked it MUCH MUCH more than the Mini-X BUT my wife "talked me into" buying a real bass boat so I'm going to sell the NuCanoe or keep it to take back to Indiana when I go to use on the small ponds/lakes back there. One other GREAT thing about the NuCanoe is that you CAN easily put a small trolling motor on the back. I actually put one on mine with a small garden tractor battery BUT never used it the one time I went fishing in it. There are a LOT of folks fishing in kayaks. I see them ALL the time on Otay where I normally fish. When the NuCanoe "catches on" and becomes more "known" around the country, I think many will convert over to them. Here's the picture:

NOTE: I just laid the deluxe seat in the boat for the picture. I never even used it the one time I went out. It can be secured to provide back support. The pic also doesn't show the trolling motor mounted or the battery. I was able to stand in the recessed area that you see running down the center of the boat, no problem. The stabilizers I made have Noodles for floatation but you can buy Lobster Bouys that look much nicer and provide even more floatation, even though it's not really needed. The Ram Mounts I used allow the stabilizers to be easily removed for transport and they also allow easy positioning of the stabilizers once you get to your fishing spot. My Okeechobee small red bag sat nicely in front of me in the recessed area too and was much easier to access. I didn't have time to make PVC rod holders, so I just laid my three rods on the side of the boat and in back of me when fishing. Something to consider.

[DancesWithSquirrels]

That NuCanoe looks like a nice rig and is no doubt more convenient than my Pelican which is a sit in kayak with a cockpit rather than a sit on top.  But my Pelican weighs less than 40 pounds and is a lot easier to handle for loading and launching especially when there is any carrying from car to water.  I've also got a 17' Old Town Discovery for when I want a bigger and more open platform for fishing.  That thing is almost a barge.  I've managed to use that for fishing with 3 people if they are careful and pay attention to each other.

DWS

[armesjr]

I have a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Angler.  I mounted a humminbird pirahanmax 240 on there.  Its great for lakes, ponds, and the river.  You also get a little exercise.

[fooman]

I have an OT Otter that I use for shallow river smallie fishing...Only thing I have on it are rod holders..With the type of water I'm on I dont need a depthfinder or anchor system..

That NuCanoe looks pretty tempting tho

[Chode2235]

I have been looking at getting Hobie outback for quite a while now.  I am going between that, and one of those Wenonah Wee Lassies (weighs 25 lbs).

I have fished out of a kayak quite a bit, and you do have a harder time casting to s docks, and fishin types of lures (like walking the dog) as you have to keep your rod pointed up higher than you would normally like.

I find myself doing a lot of drop shotting, drifting a jigging etc.  You can actually be, I feel, more productive in a kayak.  But your favorite methods will likely change.

They kayak is great, but utilize it strenghts rather than fight its weaknesses.

[kreed]

wow, I've never heard of Nucanoe. If it had the peddle prop on it it would be perfect! I like the peddler type because it would be so much easier to stay a little more upstream if ya wanted to. The lake I usually fish is much to deep to anchor. Only 600 something acres but well over 150' throughout most of the main body and into some coves it's still 50+ feet. Seems like that would be good exercise though. I'm up for exercising when it means FISHING!

[Yakfish]

I have an Old Town Dirigo 140 which is pretty vanilla so far but as you've seen on KFS you can rig a kayak to no end. When it comes to choosing a boat it really comes down to where you'll be fishing more than anything else IMO. SOT users swear by them and SIK owners do the same but SOT seems to be the choice of most fishermen. It's a debate with no right answer. A lot of kayak fishermen also seem to prefer shorter boats but I like the added length for better tracking which equals less paddling/correcting on bigger water and on windy days. It's never been a hindrance or limited me as to where I can fish and has in fact made it easier for me to cover more water and find more secluded spots. Looking at the launch 1000 yards away at the end of a 8 hour outing with the wind in my face was what really convinced me that I made the right decision by going with a longer boat. I could go on about how I made my choice but I'll spare you. I would recommend doing a bit of research and paddling different styles and lengths if you can before buying. You can modify it how you like once you've got the platform you're comfortable in. Good luck and I would definitely spend some more time reading up on your options at KFS. Great site with tons of info and good people who are more than happy to give you their .02

[DancesWithSquirrels]

Yakfish,  

You make a lot of good points.  I'm a SIK fan myself, probably for no good reason other than personal preference.  Occasionally I wish I had bought something a little longer but I use my yak on smaller, quiet waters.  And I have the 17' Old Town Discovery barge of a canoe for when I go out on bigger lakes.

DWS

[Brad70]

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2010452&cp=2157988&sr=1&origkw=Fishing+Kayak&kw=fishing+kayak&parentPage=search&searchId=26216479143

What's everyones opinion on that kayak? It will be used for a small river i fish in the summer. Very slow and lazy river with some good fishing.

[roadwarrior]

I have an Ocean Kayak. It's uncomfortable, hard to manuever

inside, blows too easily with the wind taking you out of position

or at an awkward angle and is definitely not designed for

big men!

I don't like mine and plan to sell it soon.

[fooman]

here are some reviews for that kayak

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=1519'>http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=1519

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/  has user reviews on most kayaks