Cheap ways to get on the water?

[Baseball 'n Bassin]

I live by a reservoir, and I really want to get out on the water, but there isn't much bank access. I have a very limited budget of $150. What should I get?

 

[BrianMDTX]

For $150 I’d say you will need to look for someone selling a used fishing yak. You’re not going to find much geared towards fishing for $150 or less. 

[A-Jay]

A-Jay

[MN Fisher]

For $150 - not much. My canoe cost almost $500, and it was a basic one. I've put another $200 into it setting it up as a fishing machine...and that's without the trailer.

 

Like @A-Jaypictured...start saving and beat the banks until you can afford something more than a float-tube.

[Stasher1]

Your options are pretty limited in that price range. In warmer weather, a float tube or "belly boat" might be an option...but you'd still need stocking foot waders and flippers.

 

A used kayak is probably going to be your best option, but make sure you budget for a quality PFD to go with it.

 

Pelican makes a handful of sit-inside kayaks that retail for $200-$250, and can be picked up from most sporting goods stores or Walmart. 

[Terran Elam]

Maybe a docked up paddle board?

[Dens228]

You aren't getting on the water safely for $150.   Like stated above.....have it be the start of your savings towards getting on the water safely and comfortably. 

 

[FishTank]

Plan, work, save, use patience, spend. > Enjoy.... but know this, a kayak or canoe is only the beginning.  You will need all sorts of stuff to put in it to use it safely, such as a life vest and a quality paddle and a back up incase yours is lost on the water. 

[Jaderose]

Yeah...150 bucks?  You can't.  Forget a used yak or anything.  You won't find anything decent for that even used.  Save your money and wait

[BigAngus752]

Make a friend!  I work with a guy (I've worked with him for over 20 years and he is a great friend so I can say this without guilt) who is an excellent fisherman and has fished his entire life but he refuses to buy a boat.  He can afford a brand new boat but he won't spend the money.  Why?  Because he has two good work friends (one is me) and a neighbor who all have boats.  He goes out on the water almost as much as I do and I own a boat.  Your $150 will go a LONG way buying gas and snacks for your boater.  

[mcipinkie]

Not inclined to share 100% in the negativity.  You aren't going to find anything nice and pretty for that much, but keep an eye on Craig's list especially during the winter.

 

I bought a 8' plastic pond boat, with a trolling motor and a little battery and a little depth finder for $200 a couple years ago.  Yes, it was beat up and had a lot silicone holding it together, but it floated, didn't leak, and caught a lot of fish.

 

Met the seller at Wal-Mart.  He backed his truck up to mine, we drug it from one bed to another, I handed him the money, and we were done. 

 

No bill of sale, no title, none of that legal garbage.  Fished on farm ponds only so no registration needed.  You may not be that lucky, especially in Ohio if you want to fish public waters.  Would have been a problem in MO, but not an issue to me.  I did sneak it in a couple little municipal reservoirs where registration was required, but didn't get caught.

[A-Jay]

24 minutes ago, mcipinkie said:

Not inclined to share 100% in the negativity.  You aren't going to find anything nice and pretty for that much, but keep an eye on Craig's list especially during the winter.

 

I bought a 8' plastic pond boat, with a trolling motor and a little battery and a little depth finder for $200 a couple years ago.  Yes, it was beat up and had a lot silicone holding it together, but it floated, didn't leak, and caught a lot of fish.

 

Met the seller at Wal-Mart.  He backed his truck up to mine, we drug it from one bed to another, I handed him the money, and we were done. 

 

No bill of sale, no title, none of that legal garbage.  Fished on farm ponds only so no registration needed.  You may not be that lucky, especially in Ohio if you want to fish public waters.  Would have been a problem in MO, but not an issue to me.  I did sneak it in a couple little municipal reservoirs where registration was required, but didn't get caught.

This 'advice'  should never be shared and more importantly,  Ever Followed. 

A-Jay

 

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

This 'advice'  should never be shared and more importantly,  Ever Followed. 

A-Jay

 

Ditto.

[GaryH]

Should have enough left for a life jacket.

[mcipinkie]

You rich Yankee boys don't understand having to scrounge to go fishing. 

 

A little judgement about where you go and the weather and it's a perfectly sound fishing machine. 

 

Still have the boat.  Still pond fish with it.  I'll get my $200 back when I can't.

 

Having lived in both MIchigan and Minnesota, I'll promise you there are a lot of boats like mine being used every day, except when you're fishing in tar paper houses.

 

MIght not be a good idea for a first time boater, but I built boats out of scrap wood when I was a kid just to go fishing in ponds.  Never felt uncomfortable in the pond skimmer.

 

 

[haggard]

Used fishing kayak. Keep your eyes out. They're out there.

 

Sit-on-top style, if possible. Sundolphin makes some very usable cheaper ones.

 

 

 

[DitchPanda]

53 minutes ago, mcipinkie said:

You rich Yankee boys don't understand having to scrounge to go fishing. 

 

A little judgement about where you go and the weather and it's a perfectly sound fishing machine. 

 

Still have the boat.  Still pond fish with it.  I'll get my $200 back when I can't.

 

Having lived in both MIchigan and Minnesota, I'll promise you there are a lot of boats like mine being used every day, except when you're fishing in tar paper houses.

 

MIght not be a good idea for a first time boater, but I built boats out of scrap wood when I was a kid just to go fishing in ponds.  Never felt uncomfortable in the pond skimmer.

 

 

They aren't talking about the boat being cheap..they are talking about breaking the law. That's the advice that shouldn't be followed. If you can afford a boat you afford to register it. 

[Charlie43]

B&B, 

 

$150 bucks is plenty of money to get you on the water in a decent, 8'-9' pram. The catch, of course, is you're going to have to build it yourself, and getting marine-grade plywood might be difficult. But there a dozens of free plans available, and building a boat that rows decently and is stable enough to stand and cast from doesn't require more tools than most home-owners already have. Also, you're going to have to build oars, because what is sold is heavy, unbalanced junk. 

 

If this is a first-time build, figure on at least 100 hours of work, from start to finish, and 150 hours is more realistic.  If 1/4" ply is used and you don't go crazy with the framing, figure on a finished weight of about 5.5 pounds per foot, or a boat you can pick up and carry. 

 

Here's one more hassle, though manageable. You'll need a way to transport the boat and a way to store it, so that sun and weather don't trash it.  Therefore, when all is said and done, trying to find a cheap, used kayak might be your best path, as others have said. But if you want something that offers a bit more leg room and the chance to stand to cast, a simple, flat-bottomed, single-chine pram is the way to go. And, no, you can't be hanging an outboard or electric motor on such a boat. Those need a different and beefier design. 

 

And, yeah, I've built a lot of them for my own use, and well as given a pair of such prams to a kids summer camp.  So I know my cost estimates are realistic. 

 

Charlie

 

 

[kdubracing]

If you are willing to save your money a bit longer, you can pick up a Lifetime Tamarack Angler from Walmart for around $300. Great entry level kayak. You'll obviously need a life jacket, but you can get one that is legal and will save you if needed for about $10-20. That kayak comes with a paddle. It's cheap, but works ok, especially on a budget. Built in rod holders work ok. On a tight budget, this is a good option. We have 2 of them along with a more expensive Bass Pro kayak, and I like this one better. Pretty stable, but don't stand. So, again, if you're willing to save a bit more, you can get on the water safely and legally for less than $350. I wouldn't recommend taking it on a large lake with a lot of boat traffic. But you can have a blast at ponds, quarry lakes, electric only lakes, etc. 

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, mcipinkie said:

You rich Yankee boys don't understand having to scrounge to go fishing. 

 

A little judgement about where you go and the weather and it's a perfectly sound fishing machine. 

 

Still have the boat.  Still pond fish with it.  I'll get my $200 back when I can't.

 

Having lived in both MIchigan and Minnesota, I'll promise you there are a lot of boats like mine being used every day, except when you're fishing in tar paper houses.

 

MIght not be a good idea for a first time boater, but I built boats out of scrap wood when I was a kid just to go fishing in ponds.  Never felt uncomfortable in the pond skimmer.

 

 

My response revolved directly around your admitted tresspassing and undocumented boat purchasing practice.

Nothing more.

Also, as a retired enlisted man, I risked my life for a long time for the little I have. 

A-Jay

[Stasher1]

16 minutes ago, kdubracing said:

If you are willing to save your money a bit longer, you can pick up a Lifetime Tamarack Angler from Walmart for around $300. Great entry level kayak. You'll obviously need a life jacket, but you can get one that is legal and will save you if needed for about $10-20. That kayak comes with a paddle. It's cheap, but works ok, especially on a budget. Built in rod holders work ok. On a tight budget, this is a good option. We have 2 of them along with a more expensive Bass Pro kayak, and I like this one better. Pretty stable, but don't stand. So, again, if you're willing to save a bit more, you can get on the water safely and legally for less than $350. I wouldn't recommend taking it on a large lake with a lot of boat traffic. But you can have a blast at ponds, quarry lakes, electric only lakes, etc. 

 

OP could pick up a Pelican Argo 100, PFD, and cheap paddle for about $250.

 

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/pelican-argo-100-10-ft-kayak#repChildCatid=5250511

 

Light, cheap, easy to carry, and (according to everything I've read/seen) they're not bad handling little boats.

[kdubracing]

17 minutes ago, Stasher1 said:

 

OP could pick up a Pelican Argo 100, PFD, and cheap paddle for about $250.

 

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/pelican-argo-100-10-ft-kayak#repChildCatid=5250511

 

Light, cheap, easy to carry, and (according to everything I've read/seen) they're not bad handling little boats.

That's an option as well. Most of the people I have heard about that bought a sit in kayak for fishing immediately want a sit on top. But OP can decide what would be best for him.

[bulldog1935]

the way kayaks sold in 2020, look for good craigslist buys in 2021.  

 

My very smart buddy Josh put this spreadsheet together for pretty much all the kayaks out there

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1H3POyxp2QTpH8YNZQ3OQUMrt43Oaup9hLa4CF-UUQd8/edit#gid=0

if you check the spreadsheet filter views, they include the following choices:  

 

Pedal Driven
Self explanatory, these are kayaks which either come with or have the option to add a pedal drive.

Lakes
Length is between 11' 06" and 14' 01". Capacity is greater than 325 lbs (based on a 200 lbs paddler). It either has a rudder or has the option to add one.

Coast
Length is greater than or equal to 13' 00". Width is less than or equal to 30". Capacity is greater than or equal to 325 lbs (based on 200 lbs paddler). It either has a rudder or has the option to add one.

Rivers - Large
Kayaks for fishing the Brazos or Lower Colorado for example. Length between 11'02" and 14' 01". Width less than or equal to 38". Weight less than or equal to 105 lbs. Capacity is greater than or equal to 325 lbs (based on 200 lbs paddler).

Rivers - Small
Kayaks for the Upper Guadalupe, Frio, etc. Length between 10' 00" and 13' 00". Width less than or equal to 38". Kayak weight less than or equal to 90 lbs (easier for portaging). Capacity is greater than or equal to 325 lbs (based on 200 lbs paddler).

Camping
These are kayaks which offer higher weight capacities for carrying gear for over night camping trips. Length between 10' 06" and 14' 01". Capacity greater than or equal to 425 lbs (based on 200 lbs paddler).

All Purpose
These kayaks are ones which should be considered if you can only own one kayak and plan on fishing the coast, rivers, and doing overnight camping trips. Length Length between 11' 06" and 14' 01". Width less than or equal to 36". Capacity greater than or equal to 425 lbs (based on 200 lbs paddler). It either has a rudder or has the option to add one.

< $1,000
Self explanatory, these are kayaks with MSRP's equal to or less than $1,000.

< $750

 

[Michigander]

I got my kayak for $110 at Menards during a sale, so it's possible. Keep an eye on Craigslist, a lot of people bought kayaks this year and some of them might be selling them.

I got my kayak for $110 at Menards during a sale, so it's possible. Keep an eye on Craigslist, a lot of people bought kayaks this year and some of them might be selling them.

 

Looks like Walmart has an 8 footer for $148. I'm sure that's nothing special but it will get you out there. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lifetime-Pacer-8-ft-Kayak-w-Paddle-91032/636556087

[@reelChris]

The lower your budget, the more time and energy you'll have to spend looking.  But, as long as you are open to basically anything that floats, you'll eventually find something that gets you on the water.  There are plenty of old kayaks and small plastic or aluminum rowboats out there for a couple of hundred dollars.  Obviously, you'll have better luck as it gets closer to spring, but there's probably something out there now.  Start asking around and searching on facebook marketplace, Craigslist, let go and similar sites.