First fishing Kayak

[MrSpotswood]

Hello all,

I'm looking to get my first kayak. Up until now I've fished out of a 16' aluminum boat with a 40hp motor and casting decks all around. This is a big change!

So, about myself, I'm 6' and 180lbs, I like to fish everything from small rivers to medium size lakes here in Canada. The kayak I'm looking for would be most used on small rivers, ponds and small lakes.

My budget would be about $750 ($1000 CAD). Comfort and the ability to stand and fish are highest on my list of priorities. Next would be weight, followed by speed and tracking. 

Right now it seems like the kayak that best fits these is the Pelican Catch 100/120. Anyone have any experience with these, or recommendations for a different kayak? I will likely need to buy new, as there are basically no used kayaks for sale in this area.

Thanks!

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

Lots of kayak discussion here on the boards. Have you looked at the

boats subforum?

 

That said, your budget will limit you the most. However, you've got

a solid option already. Bass Pro's Ascend models (some) can be stood

in and are within your budget.

 

Other option is to look at used kayaks online and in-store, assuming

you are near any kayak dealers. Craigslist is great, as well. Good

deals on good yaks can be found. Native, Wilderness Systems, Feel Free,

NuCanoe, among options to look for in used.

 

EDIT: Added forum links

 

 

 

 

 

[EGbassing]

Have you considered the Big Fish 105 kayak? I don't have one but I'm planning on getting one soon and they look really nice. 

[wasabi_VA]

I bought a Pelican Catch 100 about a month ago. I bought it to fish small rivers, streams and ponds and it has worked great. I like that it is smaller and lighter than my prior kayak, a Wilderness Systems Ride 135. Great seat in the Pelican.

 

Others have commented it is easy to stand and fish out of, but the water is still too cold here for me to attempt that yet . I am appreciating the noticeably lighter weight in terms of loading, unloading and transporting to/from the water. I have already spent several days fishing in it and everything seems well made and designed. It has just the right amount of deck and storage space for me - not too big, not too small.

 

It paddles easily and tracks straight while paddling, in fact better than I was expecting being so short (it is 10'). It does start to veer off course somewhat if you stop paddling so I may eventually add a DIY skeg. It hasn't been bad enough yet to rush off and do it.

 

For the price (I paid $585 for mine) I think it is a great small kayak for small waters. I would try to sit in both a 100 and 120 before making a decision. Either one is going to be well constructed.

 

 

[MrSpotswood]

Thank you all for your input!

[J Francho]

"Looks good" means nothing compared to seat time.  You need to find a demo day, or a shop that let's you float before you buy.  The $750-1000 budget really limits your choices.  You still have to get a PDF and a paddle, plus accessories. 

[MrSpotswood]

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

"Looks good" means nothing compared to seat time.  You need to find a demo day, or a shop that let's you float before you buy.  The $750-1000 budget really limits your choices.  You still have to get a PDF and a paddle, plus accessories. 

Yeah I'm accounting some extra for that. Total budget is about $1500 CAD (roughly $1200 US), hence why I'm wanting to keep the kayak itself $750-1000. Got a PFD already, so don't need to account for that.

In the looking around I've done, none of the shops in this area do float days, I'd really prefer to do that though if I could.