Thinking about a first kayak

[Luke Barnes]

I have ZERO knowledge or experience with kayaks besides renting one on a float trip one time. Looked at academy at the $250 ones and they seem nice, but no clue if they are. The Pelican Argo and I dont remember the other. 

 

I'm 5'11 and 230lbs so I know that will play a part in choosing. Bone stock I imagine they need rod holders but what does everyone else add? I know the more I spend the more I get amd the better quality. I'm just dipping my toe in the water for the first time and in no rush. 

 

One caveat, I'm a combo junkie and rarely bank fish with less than four combos and a tackle backpack. I'm guessing ill have to carry less on a smaller kayak. 

[Stasher1]

Kayak fishing will teach to you to leave the unnecessary crap at home. 

 

My advice, don't get hung up on accessories and rigging. Find something safe and stable that you can afford, and will carry your weight. In general, you want to be no more than 70% to 80% of the kayak's rated max weight, and that's including you and all of your gear.

 

Too heavy in a sit-on and it will become sluggish and tippy, and you'll have standing water in the bottom because it's riding too low to drain the water out the scupper holes.

 

Too heavy in a sit-inside and it will draught low in the water, drastically increasing the chances of it swamping and sinking when/if you encounter waves and/or choppy water. Sometjing as simple as the wake from a passing boat can have you swimming.

 

Buy a comfortable PFD and wear it, every time. It doesn't have to be expensive, but generally speaking, the more you spend, the more comfortable it will be.

 

I'm sure some others will be along shortly to cover anything I've missed.

[Bluebasser86]

Find somewhere that does demos so you can go sit in some kayaks before buying one. See what you like and don't like in a kayak.

 

I got a great deal on a nice kayak for my first one, about 1/4 of new price because my friend was moving across country and didn't want to haul it. I hated it. Hated the layout, I couldn't stand in it and fish, wind blew it like a kite, it was just not at all what I was hoping for. This past year I did a lot of research and actually figured out what I liked and wanted. I spent more than I wanted to but I love the kayak I have now. No point in having one if you don't enjoy fishing out of it.

[Dens228]

I'd also suggest you get a kayak that is comfortable to sit in. I have a buddy that's about 6-3 225 who saw the great fishing fun I was having in my kayak.  He bought some tiny little thing with an uncomfortable seat.   The first time he took it out I looked at him in it and told him he wouldn't like it.

One month later he bought a bigger, nicer, more comfortable kayak.

You didn't say what your budget is but I'd also look for used.  Once stock in new kayaks catches up with demand the prices of used will drop.

[Choporoz]

I agree with the advice to demo and/or buy used.  Unfortunately,  most recent demo events were canceled.  If a kayak dealer is close enough (and open), check them out before buying.   They may not deal in the sub $400 models you are interested in, but you might learn from the staff, and as important,  you can sit in them right there in the shop.  Admittedly,  I felt a bit funny at first, but I learned a surprising amount about differences that way.  

[DogBone_384]

The most important items have already been covered:

• Try before you buy, if possible.
• If your primary use is fishing, a SIT ON TOP is your best choice.
• The seat is a top consideration.  
• Don't skimp on a paddle.  Get one that doesn't flex.
• Don't skimp on a PFD.
• Don't sweat the accessories until you've been on the water a few times.

I started in 2014 with an Ascend 128T and upgraded to a FeelFree Lure 11.5 and a second Lure 11.5 with the Overdrive.

 

IMO, the Lure's strong points are:

1. Stability.
2. All day comfortable seat.
3. Company/customer service.
4. Wheel in keel for transport.
5. Ability to buy Overdrive and/or Motordrive 'a la carte'.

Don't rush to buy a kayak, whether used or new.  Best of luck.  It'll open a whole new world for you.

[kjfishman]

To add what others have said. Length is important. 10 foot kayaks are easier to transport but generally don't track as well as a 12 footer. 

[Stasher1]

To each his own and all that, but I have both a sit-on and a sit-in, and if I could only keep one, it would be the sit-in.

 

The sit-on is fine for warmer weather and flat water, but the sit-in is a much better river boat and allows for a cockpit splash guard which keeps the wind off the legs during colder weather. It's also quite a bit lighter and easier to throw on a shoulder for portaging around obstacles.

 

Two flush rod holders on the rear deck, a short Scotty track on the dash for a Gear Head, and plenty of room for a tackle bag between my legs. I have a YakGear/Yakattack hybrid anchor trolley to install when I have a few minutes, but otherwise it's good to go as-is.

[Bankc]

Oklahoma is pretty windy.  I'd recommend something a bit bigger and wider than what $250 will get you.  You'll want something with some stability so you can fish in the wind without worrying about being flipped.  You don't need a giant ocean going kayak, but something around 12 ft with a weight capacity of around 350 lbs would be a lot more useful, as you could still safely take it out on those days when the wind is blowing in the 10-15 mph range, which seems to be most days around here.  If your kayak is small and inheritably unstable, I don't think you'll find too many days on which you can take it out, unless you plan to stick to the wind protected coves, assuming you can safely get to one.  

[Luke Barnes]

I am in no rush so gathering info.

 

I like the idea of demoing them. BPS is a mile away, have two Academy's real close and three DSG close, so I have options as far as stores go. I just saw the $200-$250 ones and it peeked my interest but i agree for my size and all day comfort I'll need bigger and better. I wont settle just to get one. I am considering selling my jon boat and that would fund a much better yak. Oklahoma does suck for the wind so stability is forefront to me. 

 

I will most definitely invest in a good pfd and wear it when on the water. 

[Choporoz]

I was thinking someplace more like Tulsa Kayak, than BPS or DSG. I don't know anything about their staff or reputation,  but 2 min on their web page leads me to think that it would probably be one of my first stops.

[Bankc]

3 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I was thinking someplace more like Tulsa Kayak, than BPS or DSG. I don't know anything about their staff or reputation,  but 2 min on their web page leads me to think that it would probably be one of my first stops.

They're owned by the same people as OKC Kayak, I believe, which is near me.  Good, knowledgeable staff.  Prices weren't the cheapest, but were competitive.  Definitely worth stopping by.  But they didn't have much in the way of lower priced options.  The last time I went in, the cheapest fishing kayak I saw was $1k.  I might get my second kayak there, but I wasn't prepared to spend that much on my first kayak.  Though, they do sell some used kayaks sometimes, and have very large selection.  So you never know.  

[Luke Barnes]

8 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I was thinking someplace more like Tulsa Kayak, than BPS or DSG. I don't know anything about their staff or reputation,  but 2 min on their web page leads me to think that it would probably be one of my first stops.

I didnt know we had a dedicated kayak shop. I'll go on their web page and check them out. 

[David 7]

On 1/4/2021 at 11:27 AM, Stasher1 said:

To each his own and all that, but I have both a sit-on and a sit-in, and if I could only keep one, it would be the sit-in.

 

The sit-on is fine for warmer weather and flat water, but the sit-in is a much better river boat and allows for a cockpit splash guard which keeps the wind off the legs during colder weather. It's also quite a bit lighter and easier to throw on a shoulder for portaging around obstacles.

 

Two flush rod holders on the rear deck, a short Scotty track on the dash for a Gear Head, and plenty of room for a tackle bag between my legs. I have a YakGear/Yakattack hybrid anchor trolley to install when I have a few minutes, but otherwise it's good to go as-is.

I know this is an old thread but I couldn’t agree with you more. I’m in upstate New York and the idea of a sit on top for fishing is a no go up here; way too cold in early spring and late fall for all that. Plus, you’ll stay dry in a sit in. Also all you need to add to a basic sit in is a clamp on Scotty rod holder and clamp on paddle clip and voila, fishing kayak.

 

Sit ins seem to be out of fashion for kayak fishing right now for whatever reason, but as far as I’m concerned, they are the real kayaks. To each their own though of course. 

[the reel ess]

I hate getting tricked by these old threads.

[Darth-Baiter]

4 hours ago, David 7 said:

I know this is an old thread but I couldn’t agree with you more. I’m in upstate New York and the idea of a sit on top for fishing is a no go up here; way too cold in early spring and late fall for all that. Plus, you’ll stay dry in a sit in. Also all you need to add to a basic sit in is a clamp on Scotty rod holder and clamp on paddle clip and voila, fishing kayak.

 

Sit ins seem to be out of fashion for kayak fishing right now for whatever reason, but as far as I’m concerned, they are the real kayaks. To each their own though of course. 

I wear a dry suit when it gets dangerously cold. 
 

sit on tops allow you to stand up and fish.  

[David 7]

25 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I wear a dry suit when it gets dangerously cold. 
 

sit on tops allow you to stand up and fish.  

There are definitely advantages to it, I shouldn’t criticize it. I guess I just think that a lot of what I see in the KBF tournaments are unnecessary but it’s not my place to put it down. I’m seeing kayak fishing change before my eyes and sometimes I complain about it, but to each their own. 

[Darth-Baiter]

^^
truth!   It used to just be about getting out on the water.  But it’s long past that. It’s downright exploded. I’d argue kayak bass fishing is the faster growing sport at this time.  
 

im relatively simple in my setup.  d**n near archaic compared to most kayaks I see out there. 

[David 7]

19 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

^^
truth!   It used to just be about getting out on the water.  But it’s long past that. It’s downright exploded. I’d argue kayak bass fishing is the faster growing sport at this time.  
 

im relatively simple in my setup.  d**n near archaic compared to most kayaks I see out there. 

Same! My rig consists of a 10ft Pelican Trailblazer (sit in), clamp on Scotty rod holder and paddle clip, my Ugly Stick combo, tackle box, paddle, a bottle of water and a coffee can for when nature calls ?

 

I do like watching the KBF guys, but my style is just super relaxed, slow, and non competitive. As you put it, just about being on the water. 

[Fishingmickey]

Luke did ya ever get that kayak?

FM

[Luke Barnes]

No I had promises of my job boat getting fixed up but seeing this thread again made me wish i got rid of it and bought a kayak again!!!!!!!