12ft vs 13ft Kayak

[Krux5506]

I have my eye on a used Old Town Predator 13 that has other stuff included for a good price. Originally I was looking into another 12 ft, but then I found this. My question is is a 13ft overkill for fishing small waters? I'm mostly going to be fishing good sized ponds, local canal, etc. I save the big water + Lake Ontario fishing for my boat. 

 

I could still buy an Old Town Top Water 12' for 1k, but to add a fish finder and the other stuff included with this 13' Predator deal I'll end up spending more. I'm not worried about transporting it as I have a truck and either way a 12 or 13' will be hanging out of the back. But how much extra kayak is just "too much" when fishing smaller waters?

[Darren.]

Unless the dimensions are really different, 1 foot increase in

length shouldn't be much of a deal breaker. I fish smaller 

waters with a 12' yak, my sons fish out of 10' yaks, but I 

have seen plenty of longer ones out there, as well. So really

a flip of the coin for you based on what you want.

[Krux5506]

Yeah I'm just going from an Eagle Talon 12' sit on top to hopefully this Predator 13. It's a good deal heavier than the Talon but the guy is including a kayak dolly with it too. I think I'm just slightly apprehensive of getting too much 'yak for what I typically need it for. I've never paddled a 13 footer either but I'm basically a novice on a kayak so I hardly have preferences as far as length, handling, speed etc. I'm not looking for the fastest kayak I just want something with adequate storage space and a seat comfortable enough to be in for 8+ hrs. 

[kjfishman]

My old kayak was 13 8 inches and mostly used on smaller water size was never a problem. The 13' Predator is a nice boat.

 

[Dens228]

I just purchased a Sea Ghost 130, moving on from an Atak 120.  I'm still setting it up but I don't think it will make a difference in a bad way. 

 

[Krux5506]

I think I've settled on buying it. I just looked at a new one tonight, the regular Predator 13. Really like the layout of it and amount of storage space and ease of access to it all (unlike my eagle talon) but since the seller is dragging his feet a bit, any other recommendations to check out within that 1000-1200 price range in case he drops the ball on this one? Part of me thinks he doesn't actually want to sell it. 

[Dens228]

I just bought the Sea Ghost 130.  I like the layout and plan on getting it on the water Saturday.  I also have a Bixby Jet on the way to install on the rudder.  

 

The Sea Ghost was $999.  I think it's on sale direct from Vibe even cheaper this weekend. 

[HookInMouth]

1 hour ago, Krux5506 said:

I think I've settled on buying it. I just looked at a new one tonight, the regular Predator 13. Really like the layout of it and amount of storage space and ease of access to it all (unlike my eagle talon) but since the seller is dragging his feet a bit, any other recommendations to check out within that 1000-1200 price range in case he drops the ball on this one? Part of me thinks he doesn't actually want to sell it. 

I'm always recommending Kaku Kayak. I have two Voodoo which is a hybrid kayak/SUP with an amazing seat. Very stable and pretty quick with good tracking. For something more conventional they have the Wahoo 12.5 which is known for it's speed (something rare with stable fishing kayaks). The Voodoo runs $1199 and the Wahoo $999. 

[Bass Junke]

11 hours ago, Dens228 said:

I just purchased a Sea Ghost 130, moving on from an Atak 120.  I'm still setting it up but I don't think it will make a difference in a bad way. 

 

Wow! A lot of people might consider that step down. I think it is a great move. I am moving into a 2019 Seaghost next year. I have been trying to find a boat that I like better. Feel Free- unique rail system, nope. Wilderness- no flush mounts?. Jackson- seems as nice as a Vibe only way more money. Three Waters- Tempting but too heavy. Bonafide- tempting but also too heavy. Old Town Pred- looks like a great boat, lot of people like it. 

 

In the end I keep coming back to the Seaghost, even with the new Shear Water coming out. 

I don't like the fish finder pods all the new kayaks are coming out with. For my needs,Vibe's current system seems better. It probably is not the best kayak for standing and fishing, but that is not a high priority for me. 

 

I currently fish out of the Vibe Skip jack. Weight was the deciding factor, 46lbs. It is only 9' long and really has everything I need except a comfortable seat. The skip jack is the only Vibe without a framed seat. 

 

I still believe you get the most bang for the buck with Vibe and there are a lot of new under 1000 fishing kayaks out there. 

 

Krux, stability and trackabillity are advantages of length. The disadvantage is carrying it around. 

[Dens228]

I was looking into purchasing a pedal drive and quickly realized a Sea Ghost and a Bixby was less expensive and lighter.

I'm setting up the Sea Ghost right now and the only negative aspect I can find is I'm not a fan of the big space right behind the seat for the hatch.  I'd rather have an easier reach into the rear tank well.

[Krux5506]

Predator layout is pretty appealing to me, but the weight is definitely a con. I believe it's 86 lbs without the seat. I'm capable of moving it and luckily just transport in the back of my truck vs on a roof top rack. 

 

 I've never stood and fished from a kayak since I'm not nimble enough to do that on my Eagle Talon though I don't know if anyone really is. Everyone says its very easy to do with the Pred 13. Unfortunately the only people I know who kayak fish are my own friends who either have cheap yaks or use my spare ultra cheap, not-meant-for-fishing Pelican. In other words, I've never fished out of a good quality kayak. 

[markedman]

2 hours ago, Bass Junke said:

Wow! A lot of people might consider that step down. I think it is a great move. I am moving into a 2019 Seaghost next year. I have been trying to find a boat that I like better. Feel Free- unique rail system, nope. Wilderness- no flush mounts?. Jackson- seems as nice as a Vibe only way more money. Three Waters- Tempting but too heavy. Bonafide- tempting but also too heavy. Old Town Pred- looks like a great boat, lot of people like it. 

 

In the end I keep coming back to the Seaghost, even with the new Shear Water coming out. 

I don't like the fish finder pods all the new kayaks are coming out with. For my needs,Vibe's current system seems better. It probably is not the best kayak for standing and fishing, but that is not a high priority for me. 

 

I currently fish out of the Vibe Skip jack. Weight was the deciding factor, 46lbs. It is only 9' long and really has everything I need except a comfortable seat. The skip jack is the only Vibe without a framed seat. 

 

I still believe you get the most bang for the buck with Vibe and there are a lot of new under 1000 fishing kayaks out there. 

 

Krux, stability and trackabillity are advantages of length. The disadvantage is carrying it around. 

I have a Feelfree Lure 11.5 and the proprietary track isn't a big deal. A 6 pack of Yak Attack adapters runs $25. In the big picture, that $25 is a drop in the bucket.

 

Vibe makes nice kayaks. The plastic seems a bit thinner than Old Town and Feelfree.

[Bass Junke]

1 hour ago, markedman said:

I have a Feelfree Lure 11.5 and the proprietary track isn't a big deal. A 6 pack of Yak Attack adapters runs $25. In the big picture, that $25 is a drop in the bucket.

 

Vibe makes nice kayaks. The plastic seems a bit thinner than Old Town and Feelfree.

Agreed. Feel Free Lure 11.5 priced great, quality looks top notch, IMO without sitting in it best seat in the game. The real reason I almost bought one was the seat. 

 

I also agree the plastic does seem better, thicker on the lure. In the end I just prefer the Vibe. I don't like sonar pods, don't plan on being on waters I would need pedals, and although most people think the center console is in the way, I like it and is a big reason why I am buying it. 

[CountryboyinDC]

If the seller stops dragging his feet, I'd go with the Predator.  Outfitting-wise, the Predator has the edge.  I've never paddled the Topwater, but looking at the hull, I can imagine what the experience would be like.  There's a guy that fishes in a group with me out of a Predator, and he uses it in the open as well as on small slow-moving rivers with no problem.  It may not be great for creeks, but neither is a 12 footer.  When you're in really skinny water, a 10 foot kayak like a Tarpon or something becomes the best tool for the job.  I used to use a 13 foot kayak (Ride 135) for everything, and it's a good overall length.

[Smalls]

Sportsman’s Warehouse has the Predator for $1300, in case your deal falls through. 

[Krux5506]

8 hours ago, Smalls said:

Sportsman’s Warehouse has the Predator for $1300, in case your deal falls through. 

Can't help but think when a seller is far less than eager to make cash and get back to a buyer (but still read the buyer's messages) then the deal is likely to fall through. Pretty frustrating but if i have to suck it up and spend a few hundred more on a brand new one then so be it...Or wait for another used one to pop up for sale. 

[J Francho]

You learn to work with the boat you have.  I used fish creeks by my house with a 14 footer without too much issue.

 

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[Krux5506]

Well as predicted the seller totally bailed on the deal. I've never dealt with a worse deal maker than this kid. Anyway, keeping more options open now though I really am just drawn to the Predator. In the off chance anyone on this board has one they want to sell that are within a couple hours of Rochester, let me know!

[Choporoz]

Not too familiar with Old Town, but they certainly have some fans.

 

I seem to frequently see 1-2 year old Vibes for sale...maybe my imagination...but seems a lot of people want to move from them in a year or two.

 

If it were me....shopping for a new fishing yak sub $1200.....  I would get a paddle yak that is pedal-ready -- or somewhat TM ready.  I went for some time without thinking too much about getting pedals or motor -- however, one season in and there's no way I'd go back.  If you can get something like a Slayer or Predator or Radar in your price range now....and have the option for easy propulsion upgrade in the future....seems that would be the way to go.

[Krux5506]

Never been in a pedal yak but one question i have is how do you deal with shallow, weedy water? Much of the water I'm kayak fishing is smaller ponds and stuff. I was out once this year and there was an older guy with a new kayak out doing a whole lot of fussing around, and as I was pulling mine outta the water he started complaining to me about all the weeds getting hung up in his pedals. 

[Choporoz]

Each system is different....and all are getting better each year.  I have a Hobie and was fishing heavy emergent hydrilla Sunday and didn't use a paddle once.  The fins can easily be pedaled close to the hull with minimal grass interference.  The prop pedal systems have improved greatly, in that most can be lifted much easier than in the past -- some, I believe can now be pedaled even when lifted up close to the hull, minimizing the grass problems.