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  • Super User
Posted

I had a very similar rowboat to that as a teen.  You have fancier seats - I used lawn chairs, lol.  I think if you wanted to take a rod and make some casts while in the kayak, you could easily add a rod holder, and keep it simple.  Since you have a boat to fish, I think you'd have to develop a real passion for kayak fishing to warrant a fishing specific kayak.  Seems like you have all the toys you need to enjoy the water.

  • Like 1
Posted

I had a bass boat, but I could only use it on larger waters, limiting my fishing.  We have a massive amount of small lakes around here (no gas motors) and wanted to access them.  I settled on a Old Town 106 Top Water PDL peddle kayak and could not be happier.  It allows to me access to large and small lakes and I can carry pretty much what I need for the day.  Very comfortable, I can stand, maneuver easily, little to no maintenance, no licensing, and it is pretty fast.

 

I also have a 12 foot Smokercraft for the largest waters.

 

PDL.jpg

  • Super User
Posted

I wanted a bass boat for years - nothing too special, just a 18' aluminum, maybe a Ranger RT188 or a Lund Renegade or something like that. However I ran into a few speedbumps along the way and my bass boat was depleted after paying off medical bills in 2018 and several expensive home repairs. So I saved up some money and this year I bought myself and the kids a kayak and a trailer to haul them all and rigged each of them out pretty well for fishing.

 

At the end of the day I'm very happy with my kayak and I get some exercise in rowing as well which is a plus. I can also take it on smaller, motor-less lakes and where I couldn't take a bass boat on and many of these lakes I find are incredibly quiet and peaceful and still have some good sized bass as well.

 

Something else to consider is you can buy a decent sit on top kayak in the $1000-2000 range, spend another $1000 or so on a fish finder and another $500 on a paddle, blackpak or similar, rod holders, anchor and anchor trolley and still come out under $3000 and maybe add a trolling motor for another $600 or so (I opted not to, I could use the exercise of paddling) or another $1000 for a pedal drive (look at the Lightning Strikes, they are $1800 and seem very nice and well equipped). You can still get a bass boat later on and you'll still have your kayak which you can take out on smaller water bodies and it's easier to buy a kayak without a boat payment.

 

My kayak is a Bonafide SS127 and my 300lb fat ass can stand in it and fish no problem - even in the roughest water I've been in although that does get a little rickety so I prefer to sit on rougher waters. My youngest son has a Old Town Topwater 120 (renamed the Sportsman for 2020) and they run around $1000 for the non pedal drive models and I can also stand fine on that and it comes very well equipped out of the box - all we did is add a YakAttack Blackpak, Anchor Wizard and Anchor Trolley and he can carry 5 rods (3 built in rod holders but you can't paddle with the one in front) and a small ice bag and he usually places his net over his blackpak when carrying a full arsenal of rods.

Posted

My son uses a kayak and fishes with it, I went the cheapest way with a gas powered boat I could and bought the least expensive 14' V bottom tin boat available with a motor and trailer package, a 1467 so its roomy with a removable flat floor and alternator equipped electric start gas engine. Spent that winter putting casting deck with foot controlled trolling motor. Some carpet, an anchor mate with anchor and plenty of rod holders and rod storage. Several light weight swivel seats and portable running lights complete the pic. Upkeep is a scrub off each fall with an enterior clean and vacuum, change the oil and lower end lube myself and a shot or two of grease in the hubs. That total upkeep is a day once a year, its stable, fishes in wind or rough water, fits two fisherman perfect ( a partner makes the day more fun and safe) and goes in where there are no ramps in shallow water. Four cylinder tacoma don't usually know its back there and we can lift it and move it if necessary. Its not a big flashy bass boat (been there done that) and its not fast, but its a fishing boat and it does the job for my son and I. On its fifth year and still looks new.........I'm sure I could sell it but it gets us around those back in the woods lakes and rivers this state is known for.  Dave

  • Like 1
  • Super User
Posted

For those of you with both a bass boat AND a kayak, if you had to choose one, which one would you take?

 

If you do not have both, please do not provide a response.  I would like to know which one a guy would prefer to have if they had the option to have one or the other.

 

Thanks

  • Like 1
Posted
11 hours ago, Boomstick said:

I wanted a bass boat for years - nothing too special, just a 18' aluminum, maybe a Ranger RT188 or a Lund Renegade or something like that. However I ran into a few speedbumps along the way and my bass boat was depleted after paying off medical bills in 2018 and several expensive home repairs. So I saved up some money and this year I bought myself and the kids a kayak and a trailer to haul them all and rigged each of them out pretty well for fishing.

 

At the end of the day I'm very happy with my kayak and I get some exercise in rowing as well which is a plus. I can also take it on smaller, motor-less lakes and where I couldn't take a bass boat on and many of these lakes I find are incredibly quiet and peaceful and still have some good sized bass as well.

 

Something else to consider is you can buy a decent sit on top kayak in the $1000-2000 range, spend another $1000 or so on a fish finder and another $500 on a paddle, blackpak or similar, rod holders, anchor and anchor trolley and still come out under $3000 and maybe add a trolling motor for another $600 or so (I opted not to, I could use the exercise of paddling) or another $1000 for a pedal drive (look at the Lightning Strikes, they are $1800 and seem very nice and well equipped). You can still get a bass boat later on and you'll still have your kayak which you can take out on smaller water bodies and it's easier to buy a kayak without a boat payment.

 

My kayak is a Bonafide SS127 and my 300lb fat ass can stand in it and fish no problem - even in the roughest water I've been in although that does get a little rickety so I prefer to sit on rougher waters. My youngest son has a Old Town Topwater 120 (renamed the Sportsman for 2020) and they run around $1000 for the non pedal drive models and I can also stand fine on that and it comes very well equipped out of the box - all we did is add a YakAttack Blackpak, Anchor Wizard and Anchor Trolley and he can carry 5 rods (3 built in rod holders but you can't paddle with the one in front) and a small ice bag and he usually places his net over his blackpak when carrying a full arsenal of rods.

This is my first year in my SS127 and my 4th fishing kayak.  I wish I had bought this when they first came out.  It would have saved my some time and money......lol   

I do have a Bixby motor on it but have no issues at all paddling it. 

  • Like 1
  • Super User
Posted
On 8/27/2020 at 6:58 AM, Dens228 said:

This is my first year in my SS127 and my 4th fishing kayak.  I wish I had bought this when they first came out.  It would have saved my some time and money......lol   

I do have a Bixby motor on it but have no issues at all paddling it. 

It's actually my first kayak. I saw one for sale, equipped with a fish finder and all for like $1500 a couple years ago but didn't have the money or a vehicle to tow it at the time so then I got online and looked up some builds and did some research. They can be customized very well as well, but mine's fairly simple. The design of mounting the fish finder on the dry pod makes for one of the best fish finder kayak mounts I've seen.

 

I have the rudder on mine and it completely solves the problem of the back just blowing everywhere, and I can use it to steer myself along shorelines too.

  • Super User
Posted
2 hours ago, gimruis said:

For those of you with both a bass boat AND a kayak, if you had to choose one, which one would you take?

 

If you do not have both, please do not provide a response.  I would like to know which one a guy would prefer to have if they had the option to have one or the other.

 

Thanks

That it a great question! I had two bass boats and three kayaks at once. I was fishing traditional club tournaments and opens, so obviously I went bass boat there. I also did some online kayak tournaments, so kayak there. For recreational trips, it really came down to the water I wanted to fish. I would not want to try and fish out of Buffalo Harbor with a kayak, though many do. There are times when it was easier to dump a kayak in Ontario for a quick trip, since it is dive minutes away. I honestly don’t have a preference, though I’d rather have a kayak than nothing. I’ll probably always have a few, even if I own a boat. In fact, I’m looking for a new boat in the next year or so, but it won’t be a bass boat. More likely a larger bay boat. I’ll still have the kayaks, especially going to a bigger boat. Hope that helps give you some insight. I bet @Bluebasser86 would have a good take on this too. 

  • Like 1
Posted
1 hour ago, Boomstick said:

It's actually my first kayak. I saw one for sale, equipped with a fish finder and all for like $1500 a couple years ago but didn't have the money or a vehicle to tow it at the time so then I got online and looked up some builds and did some research. They can be customized very well as well, but mine's fairly simple (I largely set it up like flukemaster set his up). The design of mounting the fish finder on the dry pod makes for one of the best fish finder kayak mounts I've seen.

 

I have the rudder on mine and it completely solves the problem of the back just blowing everywhere, and I can use it to steer myself along shorelines too.

I should do a video on my build.  It's pretty customized at this point.  Always thinking of little things to add, remove, what works for me, what doesn't.  That's half the fun. Magnets here, cup holders there (both aren't to hold cups), net placement and security, rod holders....on and on............  And when the season is over the two batteries come in the house and the entire setup goes on a rack on the garage wall out of the way. 

  • Like 1
  • Super User
Posted
32 minutes ago, J Francho said:

That it a great question!

A lot of people (including myself) have responded with one or the other because they only have one or the other.  Of course you're going to respond that you'd rather have a kayak than a bass boat if you only have a kayak, and vice versa.

  • Like 1
  • Super User
Posted

Honestly, it’s d want more than one kayak, a larger boat, and a tin can tiller. Forgot to mention, I also have a pontoon. I only go out with the in-laws with it, lol. 

  • Haha 1
Posted
4 hours ago, gimruis said:

For those of you with both a bass boat AND a kayak, if you had to choose one, which one would you take?

 

If you do not have both, please do not provide a response.  I would like to know which one a guy would prefer to have if they had the option to have one or the other.

 

Thanks

Boat, 100%.  I haven't had my kayak long (purchased it in April) but I can't imagine doing the type of fishing I like to do out of it.  I like carrying a lot of gear as I like to try a bunch of stuff when I go out.  My favorite techniques require solid hooksets so I NEED a super stable place to stand and move around.  Also...paddling is just not for me.  Yes, you can get peddle drives and Ultrex drives now but for that kind of money...I'd rather just put it down on a nice boat.

 

That being said, there are obvious perks with a kayak (portability, low maintenance, easier storage, etc).  I like the idea of accessing places you can't get a big boat in (I've caught some of my biggest bass in places like this).  In an ideal world, I'd have'em all: a kayak, small jon boat, 18' Tin bass boat, and 20' Fiberglass.  If I find a way to leave the city and move back home to upstate NY; I can combine my yak and tinny with my dad's jon and glass and be set!;) 

  • Like 2
  • Super User
Posted

I don't have a boat.

My first few years of kayak fishing was in a 10 ft Wildy Tarpon.  Loved it.  But as great as it was, I never thought it was anything more than a placeholder.  I was always looking towards getting a boat.  Since I got a larger, pedal kayak 20 months ago, I haven't even considered getting a boat.  Having more stability,  comfort and mobility has made this kayak a much different experience. 

  • Super User
Posted
6 hours ago, Dens228 said:

I should do a video on my build.  It's pretty customized at this point.  Always thinking of little things to add, remove, what works for me, what doesn't.  That's half the fun. Magnets here, cup holders there (both aren't to hold cups), net placement and security, rod holders....on and on............  And when the season is over the two batteries come in the house and the entire setup goes on a rack on the garage wall out of the way. 

The only thing I haven't added is cup holders (yet). At some point I'm sure I'll give and add some, but in the meantime I carry drinks I can put a cap on.

Posted

There is no question that I prefer to fish out of my boat over my kayak.  Like others have said, cost of boat ownership is substantially more than owning a kayak.  Hell, I spend nearly $500 a year on insurance and trailer registration alone.  But kayak fishing for me is just playing around at the local lake while fishing out of my boat is what I daydream about.  Unless money is the issue, I would definitely get a bassboat over a kayak.  

  • Like 1
  • Super User
Posted
On 8/4/2020 at 11:33 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

If I was going to pick one, it would depend a lot on where and how I was fishing. I'm not good at making those decisions though, which is why I have a bass boat, 16' johnboat, and as soon as it's delivered, a peddle kayak.

It’s not a bad thing to have such weapons in your arsenal.  I’ve been on this site for years now but as a shorebound angler, I am not sure why I didn’t realize there was a water vessel (boat) ? monkey ?.

  • Haha 1
Posted

I just traded my 14 ft tin boat for a 17 ft Lund type boat.  I needed a bigger boat to fish bigger bodies of water and to be more versatile.  However, I’m going to miss my 14 footer with 9.8 2-stroke merc on it.  You have to pick your days but, I could get into a lot places that bigger boat couldn’t.  Eventually I will buy another tin boat to go along with the bigger boat.

 

I had a kayak I think they are great for small rustic lakes and small to medium sized rivers.  They scare me on anything but, that.  Bad weather moves in at least you have a chance of making it in a 12 footer with 5 hp motor on it.  Kayak not so much.  
 

You can get a tin boat, motor, trailer for less than what fully out fitted fishing kayak is gonna cost 

  • Like 1
Posted

Since my son uses a kayak for fishing and is part owner and co fishing partner on the boat with me when we go out, I asked him. His answer was the boat has room and allows you to stand when fighting and landing fish - boat is way more stable and able to deal with wakes and wind whipped water - boat is easier to carry rods and plenty of gear with - boat beats the kayak when going against wind and current - boat is way faster moving to different fishing spots - and lastly the boat offers livewell and comfort of being able to move around and lean out of to unhook weed or tree limb hooked lures. . Only two advantages he could think of was the kayak he can throw in the back of the truck instead of tow and the boat costs us $50 to sticker and register while his kayak is free. There you have it from a dual owner and user.    Dave

Posted

I have a Nucanoe and a Lowe 1467 with a 20 HP Merc.  For fishing with my son and sometimes my wife, which is all I do anymore, it is easier and faster to hook up and take the boat than load the yak and seats and everything else in the 4Runner, then unloading and rigging at the lake. The boat simplifies it and puts me out on days I wouldnt be out in my kayak with my son. We fished solely out of the yak or a canoe for 10 years prior to the boat. Boat and everything with it cost me $4500, which is less than some high end kayaks. YMMV

  • Super User
Posted
On 8/5/2020 at 10:34 AM, Bankc said:

Boats are crazy expensive.  And they don't hold their value well.

Maybe if you buy new.

I buy used and have never lost a dime on a boat.

  • Global Moderator
Posted

If I had to choose 1 it would be a boat no doubt about it. Kayak is great for what I do with it, but I wouldn't be able to go a lot of days I go in my boat if I was in just a kayak, too much wind here.

Posted

As I get older the boat is definitely my favorite. My kayak has been hanging in the basement for 1.5 years. Considering selling it.

  • Super User
Posted
19 hours ago, Further North said:

Maybe if you buy new.

I buy used and have never lost a dime on a boat.

“Get rid of your kids and the money flows like water.” - Slonezp

  • Haha 2
  • Super User
Posted

It really depends on where you fish, bottom line.

Gotta be honest here, I fished and casted much more accurately from the big stable platform of my previous bass boat but had to drive to far to bigger waters to warrant the ownership of such.

 

Exclusively fishing out of a bigger kayak with trolling motor for convenience and enjoying fishing the smaller local lakes and ease of access. 

 

If I had bigger water in proximity of my home.....bass boat hands down. 

  • Like 2

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