Bass Boat --> Kayak

[dickenscpa]

Well I took the day off and spent all day at three different kayak shops. Two of them were next to water and let me demo. 

 

I paddled everything but a bathtub. I went to Hook1 in Hendersonville, TN which was very patient and helpful. I think they had every kayak made available for demo as well it seemed. 10’ from their back door was Old Hickory Lake. 

 

I fell in in love with a Feelfree Lure 10. I thought I wanted the 11.5 or a Moken 12.5 but they were both cumbersome loading and I knew I’d be in the same funk not wanting to fool with it. Plus the seat on the Moken did not agree with me. 

 

So im glad I went to multiple shops that carried different brands to get a taste of many. I’m happy with my decision and very thankful for all you guys advice and patience as well. 

[jaimeastin]

Glad you got test or and get want you want and need.  Worse choice to get one you can load easily...  You don't need any excuse not to go fishing, lol!  Very nice to be able to demo on the spot, some of us have to wait for demo days.

 

Congrats!  Now keep us informed for any rigging you do to it.  That might be my most fun part.  I have some new items for my kayak in the garage.  I will get them on later this month, I think 

[Bird]

I have 2 Feelfree boats.

They build good stuff and stand behind them.

Good fishing.

[DogBone_384]

4 hours ago, Bird said:

 

I have 2 Feelfree boats.

They build good stuff and stand behind them

 

X2

[dickenscpa]

I was in the kayak from 6:35-1:55 and all went well. Very stable, I could easily stand but I hate fishing standing up and one of the reasons I wanted to try kayak fishing. Seat was wonderful. 

 

No worries getting into my cooler behind me. Everything actually went perfect save one thing - the top of my legs and feet are COOKED. 

 

I caught 7 fish in these two areas I always wanted to try but couldn’t get a boat back there. So I guess she’s been slimed. I can’t even count how many dink’s had the back of my soft plastic all the way to me before letting go. 

 

Definitely have to find something to cover my legs and feet that’s not hot and ok to get wet my feet are miserable. LOL

[LadiMopar]

1 hour ago, dickenscpa said:

I was in the kayak from 6:35-1:55 and all went well. Very stable, I could easily stand but I hate fishing standing up and one of the reasons I wanted to try kayak fishing. Seat was wonderful. 

 

No worries getting into my cooler behind me. Everything actually went perfect save one thing - the top of my legs and feet are COOKED. 

 

I caught 7 fish in these two areas I always wanted to try but couldn’t get a boat back there. So I guess she’s been slimed. I can’t even count how many dink’s had the back of my soft plastic all the way to me before letting go. 

 

Definitely have to find something to cover my legs and feet that’s not hot and ok to get wet my feet are miserable. LOL

So sorry to hear about cooked limbs/feet. I wear jeans no matter what, and the toes are covered too...got seriously sun burned way back in the day and since then...well I'd rather be a little warm in the short run than fried for the long haul.

 

Anyway, so happy to know you are enjoying the new yak. I have a Lure 10 which I paddled for a couple seasons, it's now the "loaner" yak for my daughter and grandkids. I loved that thing, but due to physical limitations I upgraded this season to the FF Dorado....which I also love, but there are days when it would be nice to be back in the Lure.

 

May it bring you many, many years of fishing happiness!

[Jleebesaw]

I have both. There is no way anybody who says they would rather fish from a kayak than a bass boat is being honest. They have either never done both or are just trying to maintain the kayak elitist mentality that has overtaken that community! The yak has its uses. It has its moments, but it is very obvious that it's not as good as a bass boat. I mean c'mon guys.

[dickenscpa]

3 hours ago, Jleebesaw said:

I have both. There is no way anybody who says they would rather fish from a kayak than a bass boat is being honest. They have either never done both or are just trying to maintain the kayak elitist mentality that has overtaken that community! The yak has its uses. It has its moments, but it is very obvious that it's not as good as a bass boat. I mean c'mon guys.

For me I’m just literally burnt out on the hassle of pulling, launching and loading my boat. I love fishing but it got to the point that dreading dealing with my boat trumped my love of fishing. 

 

In the last last five years I’m 3/4 into my second tank of gas. I still have my boat so if I want to fish out of it I can. I paid cash for it when I bought it, it’s not costing much in gas that’s for sure and the ramp is 7.1 miles from my house so not much truck gas either. 

 

We’ll see I guess. If I miss it I’ll keep it and have both. If I see it’s not being used it’s gone. 

[kayl.]

8 hours ago, Jleebesaw said:

I have both. There is no way anybody who says they would rather fish from a kayak than a bass boat is being honest. They have either never done both or are just trying to maintain the kayak elitist mentality that has overtaken that community! The yak has its uses. It has its moments, but it is very obvious that it's not as good as a bass boat. I mean c'mon guys.

I would 100% rather fish out of my kayak than a bass boat. No, I don't own a bass boat, but I use friends' boats and still prefer my kayak. There's something about being in a kayak on the lake that you just don't get in a boat. It's more peaceful and you tend to see more nature ime.

 

And when salmon fishing Lake Michigan I would 100000% rather be in my kayak. There's nothing quite like being 2 miles off shore and hooking with a salmon for a sleigh ride!

[WRB]

A stable boat is easy to get in and out of for physically challenged or older anglers, kayaks are no longer feasible for me. What's difficult about launching a bass boat alone?

Launching a kayak requires more physical effort.

Fishing isn't a sport enjoyed under the pressure of time constraints unless you like tournament fishing.

Remember you are only here a limited time, enjoy it with your family now, later may never come.

Tom

 

 

[jaimeastin]

22 hours ago, Jleebesaw said:

I have both. There is no way anybody who says they would rather fish from a kayak than a bass boat is being honest. They have either never done both or are just trying to maintain the kayak elitist mentality that has overtaken that community! The yak has its uses. It has its moments, but it is very obvious that it's not as good as a bass boat. I mean c'mon guys.

I have both as well and taking my kayak to this honey hole is just more fun than going to the lake full of people.  There is more prep time with the boat..  I can't go into spots that I would like to go if I were in my kayak... And for me, I love the exercise.  I never felt more lazy than fishing out of my bass boat.  But this is coming from a guy who would rather hike or bike than ride an to go hunting, a guy who likes the float tube most of all.

 

I love my boat and I am so happy I have the options of choice.  The boat is good for taking others, covering more and bigger waters, has the most technology outfitted (livescope), which is more fun these days... But i am considering getting another one for my kayak. 

 

I am just glad I have a choice.  The boat is great, but it is just more of a hassle to drag out.  The kayak is not as comfortable all the time, but they have trade offs.  

[dickenscpa]

20 hours ago, WRB said:

A stable boat is easy to get in and out of for physically challenged or older anglers, kayaks are no longer feasible for me. What's difficult about launching a bass boat alone?

Launching a kayak requires more physical effort.

Fishing isn't a sport enjoyed under the pressure of time constraints unless you like tournament fishing.

Remember you are only here a limited time, enjoy it with your family now, later may never come.

Tom

 

 

To me it's not difficult, I just hated doing it. I have it down to a science but just hated fooling with it. To me it was like when I'm driving home from the office in rush hour traffic and I get that text from my wife. "We're out of toilet paper stop and get some please!" No it's not physically difficult to get off the interstate and pull into a grocery store and pick it up and then get back on and finish driving home - but I HATE doing it.

 

I've pulled trailers all my life and can back one up faster than some people can drive forward with nothing on the hitch. I know it's me and in my head but I'm a nervous wreck pulling my boat or my ATV on a trailer. I bought ramps that go into my hitch and pull my ATV in the bed of my truck. My kayak is in the back of my truck right now and I'm going to hit a spot I'd never pull my boat to on the way home.

 

The biggest kicker for me is my wife, son and daughter don't give a care about fishing, I know breaks my heart too. My wife has never stepped foot on my boat, my daughter once and my son maybe three times. We rented kayaks and they fell in love with the sport. So I bought mine on Friday and went back and bought three more on Saturday.

 

I fished most all Saturday morning, bought 3 more kayaks and we all went back Saturday afternoon. Went out again Sunday after church. If I miss my boat I'll keep it. If I sell it and regret it I'll buy another, it was time for an upgrade anyway.

[YaknBassn]

I sold my boat in favor of a kayak.   I miss the boat on occasion, but I don't regret my decision.  Most of my annoyances with kayak fishing revolves around my inability to learn that I dont have the storage capacity of a boat.  I spend more time unloading my kayak than I ever did launching my boat.  

 

And I like the kayak tournament community so much more.  Most of them are just guys that like fishing and might when some money doing it.  

 

And if you dont already have one, please invest in a good quality PFD. 

 

 

[gim]

I say get rid of the kids and keep both the bass boat and kayak!!

[dickenscpa]

23 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I say get rid of the kids and keep both the bass boat and kayak!!

My wife costs me way more than the kids! I can handle the kids but my wife....whew! She’s high dollar. 

 

I haven’t listed my boat. Im gonna keep it thru the next spring. If I don’t use it I’m selling it. Unless someone just makes me a heckuva offer between now and then. 

 

Ive already had this yak on the water more since I bought it Friday than the last three years on the boat BUT I’m not stupid I understand the yak is a new toy right now so we’ll let the goody wear off before I make a knee jerk decision. 

 

I made a big snafu today. Took the yak to the office today and stopped at a place I always wanted to fish on the way home. I parked sideways on a hill. Set the nose of the kayak on the ground and tail end slid off tailgate. I tried to catch it but my crocs twisted on me and me and the yak rolled down the hill into the water. Luckily no rods in the holders so no breakage but I picked stuff up for a while. My wife bought me a new waterproof case for my phone - it works. 

 

Nothing broke or hurt but some young bucks bucks jet skiing got a good laugh. When I climbed out of the water I had somebody’s nice crank bait stuck in my arm so I had that going for me. So I got a free lure outta the deal. 

[OperationEagle]

Had a kayak. Loved it and do miss it.  Sounds like you have a pickup truck which can make all the difference in the world from a load and unload standpoint.

 

When I fish I fish for a min of 6 hours at a time. At the end of the day I would get out of my kayak and be unable to stand up straight. Followed by lifting it onto the roof of my car.  Then off the car when getting home.  Then lifting again to store it. A 70lb piece of plastic starts to take its toll...real fast. 

 

Went to to see my orthopedic surgeon for a separate issue and spoke to him about my experience with the kayak.  He said the kayak related issues are becoming common among patients of the orthopedic and physical therapist community.  His advice to me. If I wanted to fish long term, get a boat. I now have a boat. 

 

That being said, I understand the allure of the kayak.  The exercise, being one w the water, sneaking into areas where boats can’t. 

 

What I don’t miss...of course the pain of 70 lbs, controlling the kayak in wind, not being able to fish when winds reached 12 mph, getting swamped by other watercraft, being limited to small waters or smaller areas of large water, among others.

 

Each has its benefits and limitations.  Just some become bigger considerations as you age.  

 

Enjoy your kayak. And always wear your pfd.  Always. 

[HookInMouth]

On 9/7/2019 at 6:49 PM, Jleebesaw said:

I have both. There is no way anybody who says they would rather fish from a kayak than a bass boat is being honest. They have either never done both or are just trying to maintain the kayak elitist mentality that has overtaken that community! The yak has its uses. It has its moments, but it is very obvious that it's not as good as a bass boat. I mean c'mon guys.

So you think my preference for kayak fishing isn't because I enjoy it more but rather I am trying to maintain an elitist mentality?

 

I think overall, depending on the body of water, a bass boat is certainly a more efficient tool. It's better equipment for most jobs. Where it fails is getting into some places and maybe stealth. I fish shallow rivers almost exclusively now that my boat would never have been capable of.

 

Enjoying fishing from a kayak more than a bass boat is a semi-common sentiment even if it's not the most efficient tool for the job. Maybe it's like that old "you drive a car but you RIDE a motorcycle" type deal? I'm not sure. And I don't think maintaining an elitist mentality (by using a cheaper and limited option?) has anything at all to do with it.  

 

[Hawkeye21]

Having a fishing kayak and having friends with boats is the best way to go.  Let them worry about all the costs and responsibility.  The kayak allows you to go fishing whenever you want and you can fish with a buddy on their boat so you can get your fix in if needed.  Perfect.

[TnRiver46]

On 9/7/2019 at 5:32 PM, dickenscpa said:

I was in the kayak from 6:35-1:55 and all went well. Very stable, I could easily stand but I hate fishing standing up and one of the reasons I wanted to try kayak fishing. Seat was wonderful. 

 

No worries getting into my cooler behind me. Everything actually went perfect save one thing - the top of my legs and feet are COOKED. 

 

I caught 7 fish in these two areas I always wanted to try but couldn’t get a boat back there. So I guess she’s been slimed. I can’t even count how many dink’s had the back of my soft plastic all the way to me before letting go. 

 

Definitely have to find something to cover my legs and feet that’s not hot and ok to get wet my feet are miserable. LOL

Sunscreen my friend! Glad you had fun out there 

On 9/8/2019 at 2:56 AM, kayl. said:

I would 100% rather fish out of my kayak than a bass boat. No, I don't own a bass boat, but I use friends' boats and still prefer my kayak. There's something about being in a kayak on the lake that you just don't get in a boat. It's more peaceful and you tend to see more nature ime.

 

And when salmon fishing Lake Michigan I would 100000% rather be in my kayak. There's nothing quite like being 2 miles off shore and hooking with a salmon for a sleigh ride!

2 miles into lake Michigan in a kayak??? That takes some brass ones! I don't even want to take my 18 ft center console boat onto great lakes after seeing Michigan and Erie in person 

[J Francho]

12 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

That takes some brass ones!

Not really, actually pretty common to see kayakers out on the Great Lakes.  Most of the time, you get rollers, not the hellacious waves you see in pictures.  Some days it can be like glass.

[TnRiver46]

7 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Not really, actually pretty common to see kayakers out on the Great Lakes.  Most of the time, you get rollers, not the hellacious waves you see in pictures.  Some days it can be like glass.

I saw it live and in color two weeks ago on Erie, not just a picture. I'm sure people do it, just not me. We had huge waves blasting over the front of a two story ferry full of cars and people. Seems like the storms are pretty bad up that way too, I imagine that it goes from slick to scary pretty quick on some days. I don't even paddle far from shore on my never windy reservoirs at home, I just don't like the idea of capsizing way out in the middle. I also don't sky dive or ride roller coasters so these opinions are coming from a bit of a chicken..... unfortunately people around here drown while kayaking quite often and our waters are tiny by comparison 

[J Francho]

We're about a mile from the launch:

Lake O.

 

[TnRiver46]

39 minutes ago, J Francho said:

We're about a mile from the launch:

Lake O.

 

Purty!! I have paddled 15+ miles in a day many times but never terribly far from dry land. There's an island 200 yards from my dock and swimming out there and back is exhausting so I use that as somewhat of a rule of thumb, I don't venture out further than I can swim back 

[dickenscpa]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

Sunscreen my friend! Glad you had fun out there 

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

I saw it live and in color two weeks ago on Erie, not just a picture. I'm sure people do it, just not me. We had huge waves blasting over the front of a two story ferry full of cars and people. Seems like the storms are pretty bad up that way too, I imagine that it goes from slick to scary pretty quick on some days. I don't even paddle far from shore on my never windy reservoirs at home, I just don't like the idea of capsizing way out in the middle. I also don't sky dive or ride roller coasters so these opinions are coming from a bit of a chicken..... unfortunately people around here drown while kayaking quite often and our waters are tiny by comparison 

 

TNRiver, I bought some "fishing" pants at Academy that the legs zip off into shorts if I need to and they're SPF 50.

 

Talk about a chicken - I know why boats scare me so bad at speed because I was involved in an accident that nearly killed me when I tried to co-angle ONE time.

 

My heart attack in 2017 didn't help. There's something about being healthy as a horse and having a heart attack out of the blue 6 days after your checkup that gives you a big mortality check.

[gim]

If I didn’t have a bass boat I’d for sure have a really nice fishing kayak.