New Kayak!

[Jonas Staggs]

Finally got a great deal on a kayak with a nice paddle for a great price. I had to go with a SIS 12' due to the regulations at the lakes I plan to fish. Aint no use in buying a kayak I cant take to the lake. Any advice or pointers anyone cares to give me on fishing from the kayak? Also what length and type of rods do you guys use from your yak? I got a 6' Medium action spinning rod I think should do the job fine. I have a very nice 8 ft rod, but i think its gonna be too big to fish from in the yak. 

[Hook2Jaw]

Wear your PFD.

[flyfisher]

I use the same thing in my kayak as I would anywhere else.  The boat doesn't change the gear for me and this includes up to 9' fly rods.

I am curious though, what regulations are in place to say what type of kayak you can or can't have?  thant is a new one for me.

[Jonas Staggs]

14 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

Wear your PFD.

definitely, at first i was thinking to just have it in my boat, but thats foolish...im just gonna drop the cash for one of those higher quality thinner ones so its comfortable......has all kinds of pockets, can function like a fishermens vest

8 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

I use the same thing in my kayak as I would anywhere else.  The boat doesn't change the gear for me and this includes up to 9' fly rods.

I am curious though, what regulations are in place to say what type of kayak you can or can't have?  thant is a new one for me.

 

The 2 lakes i plant to hit the most are skinner reservoir and diamond valley lake.....their website says kayaks must be SIS and a minimum of 10 feet long. It sounds lame but what are you gonna do. So perhaps my beast of a 8 foot basspro spinning rod can come along on the yak than....that will be sick.

[Hammer 4]

I've thrown 5 oz baits with a 8' swimbait rod from a float tube. A yak can't be anymore difficult.. 

[Jonas Staggs]

Just now, Hammer 4 said:

I've thrown 5 oz baits with a 8' swimbait rod from a float tube. A yak can't be anymore difficult.. 

awesome as thats my best rod but i was thinking it was gonna be over kill. now that im mobile the casting distance wont be too much of a concern, but if I can still huck'em, thatll be great.

[Hook2Jaw]

Those lake regulations annoy me.  I don't understand why sit on top kayaks are prohibited, they're a much safer option than sit inside.  Perhaps they're worried you might be able to recover your boat should you turtle.

 

Anyway, don't let your craft limit you as everyone else has said.  Use whatever rod you like, everyone who says a kayaker should use short rods is, in my often not humble option, wrong.

[Jonas Staggs]

1 minute ago, Hook2Jaw said:

Those lake regulations annoy me.  I don't understand why sit on top kayaks are prohibited, they're a much safer option than sit inside.  Perhaps they're worried you might be able to recover your boat should you turtle.

 

Anyway, don't let your craft limit you as everyone else has said.  Use whatever rod you like, everyone who says a kayaker should use short rods is, in my often not humble option, wrong.

 

I was literally a day away from buying a SOT as thats what everyone has suggested as not only the better fishing vessel, but also the safest option. Then i read the website, glad I did. I gotta get some float bags I think they are called as well. Via my youtube searches, i have also heard its better to use a spinning rod from a yak than a baitcaster. I dont onw a baitcaster yet so not a problem, but I personally was thinking my 8ft rod would be too big. Since its not....ill be using it for sure now. Its a heavier rod and I really enjoy fishing crankbaits, so it will be nice to have.

[kayaking_kev]

If you're on a lake and have plenty of area to cast, it's fine to use as long as a rod as you want. It's when you're fishing tight quarters like a skinny river or creek that you need a shorter rod, where accuracy is more important than distance. For me personally, it's the handle length that bothers me the most. While wearing a PFD it can be harder to hold the rod in a comfortable position and tougher when going to set the hook, especially in a SIS without hitting the side of the kayak.

[Jonas Staggs]

1 minute ago, kayaking_kev said:

If you're on a lake and have plenty of area to cast, it's fine to use as long as a rod as you want. It's when you're fishing tight quarters like a skinny river or creek that you need a shorter rod, where accuracy is more important than distance. For me personally, it's the handle length that bothers me the most. While wearing a PFD it can be harder to hold the rod in a comfortable position and tougher when going to set the hook, especially in a SIS without hitting the side of the kayak.

thanks for your input bro

[moguy1973]

2 hours ago, Jonas Staggs said:

definitely, at first i was thinking to just have it in my boat, but thats foolish...im just gonna drop the cash for one of those higher quality thinner ones so its comfortable......has all kinds of pockets, can function like a fishermens vest

 

 

I have the Stohlquist Fisherman PFD and it's a great kayaking PFD.  High back pad that clears the seatback, lots of storage in the pockets and they even flip down to to serve as a little "table" to hold baits as you tie on or whatever.  Has places to hold your forceps and small pliers too.

[Crankin4Bass]

Congrats on the Kayak! What did you get?
 

Definitely get a PFD and wear it. It could save your life.  I have the NRS Chinook and have been happy with it. The pockets are great for storing gear and your phone. Phone goes in a ziplock. Sometimes I put a pack of senkos and a pack of hooks in a pocket and take one rod for a quick trip to the local pond.  
 

I am in the camp that likes shorter rods from a kayak. I like a 6’ to 6’6” rods, but you should use whatever is comfortable for you. I wouldn’t be in a rush to buy new rods just yet. Try what you have now and you’ll quickly find out what works for best you. I totally agree with the comment about about shorter handles working better with a pfd in a kayak

 

Enjoy! 

[Jonas Staggs]

12 hours ago, moguy1973 said:

I have the Stohlquist Fisherman PFD and it's a great kayaking PFD.  High back pad that clears the seatback, lots of storage in the pockets and they even flip down to to serve as a little "table" to hold baits as you tie on or whatever.  Has places to hold your forceps and small pliers too.

awesome, i havent begun searching for fishng PFD yet, but am definitely open to recomendations of good ones. just searched em, they seem around 100 bucks which is money well spent! THe table sounds cool, but am wondering how often you actually use it?

12 hours ago, Crankin4Bass said:

Congrats on the Kayak! What did you get?
 

Definitely get a PFD and wear it. It could save your life.  I have the NRS Chinook and have been happy with it. The pockets are great for storing gear and your phone. Phone goes in a ziplock. Sometimes I put a pack of senkos and a pack of hooks in a pocket and take one rod for a quick trip to the local pond.  
 

I am in the camp that likes shorter rods from a kayak. I like a 6’ to 6’6” rods, but you should use whatever is comfortable for you. I wouldn’t be in a rush to buy new rods just yet. Try what you have now and you’ll quickly find out what works for best you. I totally agree with the comment about about shorter handles working better with a pfd in a kayak

 

Enjoy! 

 

I am not sure of the brand, there is actually no brand on it. its just a big kayak....the plastic material is quite thick and strong, it seems to be high quality....higher quality than the pelicans and lifetimes which is what I was primarily looking at.......i just stumbled on a great deal. $100 bucks for a 12 foot kayak, adjustable foot pegs, foldable seat, high quality paddle, its also brand new basically, only used twice. Person just wanted to get rid of it, right place right time I suppose.

[JustJames]

PFD, This should be pretty good and reasonable price. I have the exact same one. I care wear for a long period of time. 

https://www.sportsmans.com/fishing-gear-supplies/life-jackets/stohlquist-ebb-life-jacket/p/1486105?channel=shopping&gclid=CjwKCAiA-P7xBRAvEiwAow-VaYPKwuK_JpVspMmZQ-Si-rX8WWXeq1LbuydwZCgQrwz_qFpo2HU37xoCDgwQAvD_BwE

 

 

 

[Jonas Staggs]

7 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

PFD, This should be pretty good and reasonable price. I have the exact same one. I care wear for a long period of time. 

https://www.sportsmans.com/fishing-gear-supplies/life-jackets/stohlquist-ebb-life-jacket/p/1486105?channel=shopping&gclid=CjwKCAiA-P7xBRAvEiwAow-VaYPKwuK_JpVspMmZQ-Si-rX8WWXeq1LbuydwZCgQrwz_qFpo2HU37xoCDgwQAvD_BwE

 

 

 

 

thanks for the advice, i was just reading the top 10 kayak fishing vests, and this one is on there. Are the one size fits all? I am not a big guy. I may need one that runs small.

 

https://bdolan.net/best-kayak-fishing-life-vest/

[SuperDuty]

Congrats on the new yak. 

 

Something has got to be wrong with the regulation that the kayak must be a SIS. Maybe it's just an old regulation that's not been updated yet. It just makes no sense whatsoever why it must be a SIS over a SOT yak since the SOTs are much safer.  My guess is you could have gotten a SOT and nothing would have ever been said about it. 

 

At any rate, enjoy the fishing!

[crankbait2009]

I have a Perception Pescador Pro 100.  I haven't changed any of my gear for the kayak.  I have always used 6'-6" to 7'-0" rods.  I certainly haven't had any issues.

 

I have used this PFD over the past year, and actually enjoy it.  It's very comfortable.  It certainly doesn't restrict my movement while paddling.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M62DHNQ/ref=twister_B07M62DRXT?_encoding=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

 

[Crankin4Bass]

2 hours ago, SuperDuty said:

Congrats on the new yak. 

 

Something has got to be wrong with the regulation that the kayak must be a SIS. Maybe it's just an old regulation that's not been updated yet. It just makes no sense whatsoever why it must be a SIS over a SOT yak since the SOTs are much safer.  My guess is you could have gotten a SOT and nothing would have ever been said about it. 

 

At any rate, enjoy the fishing!

It's a reservoir that supplies drinking water for the locals. That's why they don't allow swimming or sit on top kayaks. That's actually pretty common.

[SuperDuty]

10 minutes ago, Crankin4Bass said:

It's a reservoir that supplies drinking water for the locals. That's why they don't allow swimming or sit on top kayaks. That's actually pretty common.

Explain to me how it would make a difference between a SIS or SOT? 

 

Might be common in your area but it certainly isn't here. Both of the reservoirs in my area that supply towns with water allow swimming and boating. The water doesn't go straight from the lake to the faucet. That's just plain silly...

 

[Harold Scoggins]

Welcome to the tribe!

[kjfishman]

Bass Pro has the auto/manual inflating life vest on sale $79.  So comfortable you forget you have it on.

[Crankin4Bass]

1 hour ago, SuperDuty said:

Explain to me how it would make a difference between a SIS or SOT? 

 

Might be common in your area but it certainly isn't here. Both of the reservoirs in my area that supply towns with water allow swimming and boating. The water doesn't go straight from the lake to the faucet. That's just plain silly...

 

I don't know. I didn't make the rules. Every town is different. My town doesn't allow any kayaking in our reservoir. I drive by it everyday and it's a major bummer! The town next door lets you fish in a SIS but only if you are a resident and have a sticker on your kayak. I don't know why it's different. At least the OP can fish his local reservoirs from a SIS. 

 

 

[JustJames]

46 minutes ago, Crankin4Bass said:

I don't know. I didn't make the rules. Every town is different. My town doesn't allow any kayaking in our reservoir. I drive by it everyday and it's a major bummer! The town next door lets you fish in a SIS but only if you are a resident and have a sticker on your kayak. I don't know why it's different. At least the OP can fish his local reservoirs from a SIS. 

 

 

Some politicians are not so smart especially in California.

9 hours ago, Jonas Staggs said:

 

thanks for the advice, i was just reading the top 10 kayak fishing vests, and this one is on there. Are the one size fits all? I am not a big guy. I may need one that runs small.

 

https://bdolan.net/best-kayak-fishing-life-vest/

You can slide for option of small/medium, large/XL and XXL. I’m 5’6 150lb and size small/medium fit me perfectly.

[Jonas Staggs]

5 hours ago, SuperDuty said:

Congrats on the new yak. 

 

Something has got to be wrong with the regulation that the kayak must be a SIS. Maybe it's just an old regulation that's not been updated yet. It just makes no sense whatsoever why it must be a SIS over a SOT yak since the SOTs are much safer.  My guess is you could have gotten a SOT and nothing would have ever been said about it. 

 

At any rate, enjoy the fishing!

 

welcome to california! the land of fruits and nuts! lol. Bass fishing in socal sucks for the most part. Most places the fishing is very poor, and highly pressured. Wait in line to toss your lure in the same spot 50 people did before you, and 50 will after you. I can compare it to a crowded event with 1 porta potty. The majority of reservoirs here are entirely closed to the public. Irvine lake was closed for a long time, its grand re-opening, our supposed savior.......gives us.....open 3 days a week fri-sun 7am-4pm.....no live or dead bait......no boats kayaks or what not....no body contact with water.....shore fishing only........but its limited shore access....maybe access to about 25% of the lakes shore...pay to get in........highly pressured, over crowded......elbow to elbow fishing.....not uncommon to catch nothing......went once and am not in a hurry to go back.  Went on a bit of rant there but, to me, that type of fishing, is not fishing. I enjoy being out there a lone. Its like deer hunting, you sneak through the woods by yourself, not drive down the road with 20 cars behind you, everyone waiting to take a shot from their car at the first deer they see thats 1 mile away. Lake perris sucks now too ever since the re-opened the back side. It was closed off for years, locals would hike in, the park didnt care as long as you walked in, still not many people would use it as it was a long walk. It was great, i had pretty much the entire other half to myself back in the day for the most part. I used to swim in the water with my dogs, fish, bbq......none of that is happening anymore. 

 

 

55 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

Some politicians are not so smart especially in California.

You can slide for option of small/medium, large/XL and XXL. I’m 5’6 150lb and size small/medium fit me perfectly.

great, i think ill get a medium than.

[SuperDuty]

1 hour ago, Jonas Staggs said:

 

welcome to california! the land of fruits and nuts! lol. Bass fishing in socal sucks for the most part. Most places the fishing is very poor, and highly pressured. Wait in line to toss your lure in the same spot 50 people did before you, and 50 will after you. I can compare it to a crowded event with 1 porta potty. The majority of reservoirs here are entirely closed to the public. Irvine lake was closed for a long time, its grand re-opening, our supposed savior.......gives us.....open 3 days a week fri-sun 7am-4pm.....no live or dead bait......no boats kayaks or what not....no body contact with water.....shore fishing only........but its limited shore access....maybe access to about 25% of the lakes shore...pay to get in........highly pressured, over crowded......elbow to elbow fishing.....not uncommon to catch nothing......went once and am not in a hurry to go back.  Went on a bit of rant there but, to me, that type of fishing, is not fishing. I enjoy being out there a lone. Its like deer hunting, you sneak through the woods by yourself, not drive down the road with 20 cars behind you, everyone waiting to take a shot from their car at the first deer they see thats 1 mile away. Lake perris sucks now too ever since the re-opened the back side. It was closed off for years, locals would hike in, the park didnt care as long as you walked in, still not many people would use it as it was a long walk. It was great, i had pretty much the entire other half to myself back in the day for the most part. I used to swim in the water with my dogs, fish, bbq......none of that is happening anymore. 

 

 

great, i think ill get a medium than.

Man, that must really suck! The only restrictions I've ever seen on some lakes around my area would be no gasoline engines. That's about it. If there is one thing we don't lack, it's outstanding fishing.