Help me decide my first Kayak

[ElijahH]

I'm going to get my first Kayak this summer, after doing some fishing in a friends and getting hooked! So I've been doing a lot of research about the best kayak to fit my needs and I've narrowed it down to 5... Now I do not care about speed,tracking Etc.. I only want extreme stand up stability. Cast, set the hook and land the fish without sitting down, and do so without being terrified of flipping. I'll be fishing small lakes 98% of the time, with a few large ponds thrown in occasionally. My narrowed down choices are... 

 

Jackson Big Rig 

Wilderness Systems ATAK 140 

Diablo Amigo 

Old Town Predator 13 

FeelFree Lure 11.5 

 

Please share any personal experience you've had with any of these or any suggestions for other kayaks that may be better.. Thanks!!

[CountryboyinDC]

20 minutes ago, ElijahH said:

I'm going to get my first Kayak this summer, after doing some fishing in a friends and getting hooked! So I've been doing a lot of research about the best kayak to fit my needs and I've narrowed it down to 5... Now I do not care about speed,tracking Etc.. I only want extreme stand up stability. Cast, set the hook and land the fish without setting down, and do so without being terrified of flipping. I'll be fishing small lakes 98% of the time, with a few large ponds thrown in occasionally. My narrowed down choices are... 

 

Jackson Big Rig 

Wilderness Systems ATAK 140 

Diablo Amigo 

Old Town Predator 13 

FeelFree Lure 11.5 

 

Please share any personal experience you've had with any of these or any suggestions for other kayaks that may be better.. Thanks!!

Of those with stability being the principle concern, definitely the Big Rig.  It's a good thing you don't care about speed, because there isn't much of that with the Big Rig.  I've never seen the Diablo Amigo in person, but I understand it's like the Native SUP/kayak thing.  I don't think you can find a kayak with Big Rig stability unless it's a peddle drive like the big Pro Anglers or Native Titans.  I think from what you said was important that's the best choice.

[FishinBuck07]

Look at the Bonafide kayaks also, they are really nice.  In fact I am saving up for one right now!

[mhtranger]

I was in the same position just last weekend. I was looking at the Vibe, 3waters Big Fish 120 and the Lure 11.5. I tested all but the vibe as there were none available in my area. The Big Fish was the most stable of the bunch. The lack of storage and the hard plastic floor was also a factor.  In the end I chose the Lure11.5 because of the front storage compartment, the rubberized flooring and the availability to put the drive system in it. I gave up a little stability but I’m guessing not much. 

[Dens228]

I have the Atak 120 and love it.  You may not think you want speed and tracking now but I believe that will change when you don't have it.......lol.

 

I can stand in mine without any problem at all, very stable, AND it tracks and paddles well. 

 

If you're fishing small lakes and ponds the 140 may be bigger than you need.  Look at the 120.

[HTNFSH]

I'm a fan of Old Town myself. My first kayak was a predator mx and now old a predator pdl. Backpedaling out of a hole or positioning a spot is soooo easy with pedal drive. The mx was very stable, but the pdl is even more so because there is another 10lbs below the hull witht the pedal drive in the water.

 

My buddy had a Topwater PDL and loves it. Lots of great options out there.

[Harold Scoggins]

I'd have to flip a coin on the ATAK and Old Town.

[mrstangblb]

I have a Vibe Sea Ghost 110 and have been very pleased with it (all except the design of the foot pedals with clips - clips often work their ways out). I’m 6’-6” and about 240, so I’m just not comfortable in any kayaks, but the Vibe is great in its price range. I’m selling my blue camo only because I bought a Sun Dolphin Sportsman a couple of weeks ago - it’s much more comfortable sitting higher and I can still go anywhere my kayak can.

[flyfisher]

Another thing to consider is length of boat also means shallower draft in most cases.  My ATAK 140 drafts shallower than the 120 which may or may not be a factor in your decision based on the lakes you fish, for me it is a plus to have a few inches shallower draft.

[GTN-NY]

I bought a Jackson Liska in May and moved up to a big rig in Sept. I wanted stability while standing and got it with the big rig but it’s also a big pig when paddling into the wind. I’ve taken waves over the front and never felt unsafe.

 

edit- I forgot to mention I bought both used  $700 for the Liska and $1000 for the Big Rig. Liska came with paddle, PFD, Lowrance Hook 5.

I sold the Liska for $700 and kept all the accs for the BR

[Run2jeepn]

The Ascend 128T isn't on that list? For The price of the Jackson Big Rig. Which I know is nice but over twice as much. You can get the 128T, Trolling Motor, Fish Finder, tackle, upgraded paddle, vest, Reels etc... and still be under the price tag for the Big Rig.

 

here is a screenshot of a BassPro Cart. With Kayak, trolling Motor, Fish Finder with SI, Softbaits, Crankbaits, Jigs, Frogs, baitcastercombo, Braided Line, Tackle bag, Plano Boxes etc.... And still enough money to buy a used jet Ski Trailer. I'm sure if you shopped around for a used Kayak, Motor and FF. You could really load up on the Gear. IMO

 

For me I have to go with best bang for the buck.

 

[Hook2Jaw]

Since it's your first fishing kayak, I'm going to go out on a limb and say you do care about tracking and speed in addition to stability.  I think the Jackson Big Rig is the most stable boat out of that list, but I would personally recommend the Old Town Predator 13 or the Feelfree Lure 11.5.

[the reel ess]

I have the Feelfree Lure 13.5. It's stable enough to stand in. I have and I understand a lot of people do. But I still don't feel confident enough in it to stand and set the hook and fight fish. For a kayak it's stable, but don't think that's the same kind of stability you get in even a jonboat.

[Caliyak]

On 5/20/2019 at 7:02 PM, ElijahH said:

I'm going to get my first Kayak this summer, after doing some fishing in a friends and getting hooked! So I've been doing a lot of research about the best kayak to fit my needs and I've narrowed it down to 5... Now I do not care about speed,tracking Etc.. I only want extreme stand up stability. Cast, set the hook and land the fish without sitting down, and do so without being terrified of flipping. I'll be fishing small lakes 98% of the time, with a few large ponds thrown in occasionally. My narrowed down choices are... 

 

Jackson Big Rig 

Wilderness Systems ATAK 140 

Diablo Amigo 

Old Town Predator 13 

FeelFree Lure 11.5 

 

Please share any personal experience you've had with any of these or any suggestions for other kayaks that may be better.. Thanks!!

I have a 10 foot WS Tarpon for small lakes, ponds and reservoirs. I don’t stand. You need a medium boat like 115 or 12 foot boat. 14 foot is too big. There are some 105 boats that you Can stand. Greg Blanchard on YouTube has one.