What's to like about a kayak?

[livemusic]

My first boat was 53 years ago. Holy cow, time flies. My dad bought me a homemade pirogue (actually what I would call a kayak) from his cousin who was a carpenter and he built it. It was really well made, painted gray. It was built shaped like a kayak and the opening in the top was a large rectangle. I wonder if I have a pic somewhere; probably not, didn't have cameras handy in those days. His cousin had made a one-piece seat with a backrest; it sat pretty low in the opening. After using a paddle awhile (not an oar... didn't know about those, lol), I bought a trolling motor and a battery and I was fixed up! I did a lot of fishing with it until some jerk stole it. I was heartbroken.

 

Lately, with my 17 ft Tracker boat, I have been fishing the same lake (80 acres) I used to fish with that little gray boat. There is a public ramp good enough to launch, say, a 17 ft bassboat. Usually, I am the only boat on the lake (big pond!). A busy day is three boats. Yesterday, a fellow showed up in an unpowered kayak. Got me to wondering about the modern kayaks and me thinking of yesteryear. Some of you have really nice rigs, very cool setups. It sure has grown popular. I see pics and threads about you guys really outfitted with lots of gear and rods and I find it quite amazing. What do you like about a kayak? I considered getting one lately when a friend was trying to make a trade with me for the 17 ft Tracker. His has a built-in powered trolling motor.

 

A couple years ago, I also looked at buying a Hobie cat with the foot pedals. Really cool. Not sure how that works in places like we fish here with lots of stumps.

 

I used to fish a bayou (uber slow moving stream) locally when I was young. Me and a buddy would take a 14 ft jon boat and paddle (scull). I also sometimes took a trolling motor and battery. The bayou is full of logs and overhanging trees. We caught a lot and it was rather 'out there' fishing in some beautiful big woods. It is the only place I know of that we would catch what somebody told us was a hybrid largemouth-kentucky bass. Whatever they are, they fight like crazy, very strong and fun to catch. We'd sometimes come up to a logjam and have to maneuver the boat over a blocking log. That would be a bit tougher these days as I am not as nimble as I used to be. A kayak could do well there in some ways but there is no way you could go vertical with the rod storage; there are too many overhanging trees. The bayou probably is, oh, 40-80 ft wide. As for rods, since you can't go vertical, I don't know if it's practical to have more than one rod. If so, that's ok, would just have to retie. Or forget that and fish only a plastic worm. Or a super fluke. For years, that's about all I fished, a black plastic worm. The past few years, it's a super fluke, watermelon red. Sometimes I think, heck, if they're biting, they will bite this. Super Fluke is the deadliest lure ever made, seems to me. I also think a plastic crawfish would be deadly on that bayou.

 

I also fish farm ponds. The bayou is the only water body where going vertical would not work. Hope to get some comments about why you like a kayak.

[GTN-NY]

Biggest thing I like about my kayak is I can afford it at this time in my life. I had a Ranger bassboat and it’s a lot of money to maintain, gas bills, big enough vehicle to tow it. I just can’t justify that anymore. But I do miss the thrill of 60 mph down a lake (only had 150hp back then). 
 

[bulldog1935]

Pirogues are perfect for the bayou, that's why they built them.  There are some pirogue style kayaks out there, like NuCanoe.  Kysek builds a fiberglass pirogue that weighs 43 lbs.  

 

On our coast flats, you'd sail away to the next bay system, and have to hitch home.  

Speed and distance (read as efficient and wind-slippery) are why we choose our kayaks.  

 

 

[Dens228]

Not in any particular order.

 

I can get on water only a small  jon boat could get on but my kayak is more efficient and comfy

On water other boats can get to I can get to water within the water they can't.

Example to the above I fish a quarry you can't fish from shore and can't get a boat in, I regularly catch 20 to 30 decent bass there every single time I'm there, and usually have the entire place to myself.

Pull into the parking lot and be fishing in 10 minutes

Get back to the ramp and be on the road home in 10 minutes

It's already purchased.........won't cost me another penny.

During the summer it sits on my garage floor

During the winter it sits on a rack on the back wall of my garage out of the way

Is just plain fun

 

[Deleted account]

3 hours ago, GTN-NY said:

Biggest thing I like about my kayak is I can afford it at this time in my life. 
 

Finally a guy that is honest about his pointy wading pool...

[GTN-NY]

36 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

Finally a guy that is honest about his pointy wading pool...

lol I’m not sure if this was a compliment or a dig!?!

[livemusic]

4 hours ago, GTN-NY said:

Biggest thing I like about my kayak is I can afford it at this time in my life. I had a Ranger bassboat and it’s a lot of money to maintain, gas bills, big enough vehicle to tow it. I just can’t justify that anymore. But I do miss the thrill of 60 mph down a lake (only had 150hp back then). 
 

 

Could you really go 60 with a 150? I have a 150hp on a 19ft ProGator and it'll do 53 with me, alone, in it. Was that with GPS or an old speedometer? How big was your boat? FWIW, I often I am left thinking that 53mph on water is plenty fast for me, lol. And I used to race motorcycles. In fact, I don't even need to do 53, I can do 40, even less, and that's plenty. But that's just me. I'm not in much a hurry these days, lol. Some of these boats will do 70, 80mph I assume and I really don't get that but to each his own!

[Choporoz]

I live in a town house with no garage.  A boat would have to be stored miles away at not insignificant cost. (Average storage within 5 miles of home with electrical access runs $115).

Kayak can be stored in my back yard easy enough....but in actuality,  it is on top of my car almost year round.  From the moment I decide to go fishing until I am driving to the lake is as little as 5 minutes. 

Upfront cost for my yak was similar to a used small fishing boat with tiller.  Sustainment cost annually is close to zero.  Time spent cleaning/maintaining is minimal.

No gas, no oil, no kill switch to forget...smaller launch fees, no trailering, no drain plug; launch and recover alone in minutes; I don't ever have to feel guilty about blowing off that neighbor who wants to go along on my boat; I can go fishing with my wife and if she wants to head in early...she goes...I don't....

I float rocky rivers, access small ponds, or fish Chesapeake Bay in same craft....10HP lake...cool....electric only?  perfect...I smoke my cigars all day without having to worry if my carpet will burn or stain, or if it bothers my fishing partner....I don't worry much about stumps or rocks...and I never found myself stranded in the Potomac waiting for the tide to come in.....I can easily paddle or pedal deep into thick pad fields to introduce myself to bass that have never seen a boat

[michaelb]

This.

 

[gim]

While I don't own a kayak, its easy to see the advantages it offers for some.  Minimal maintenance, lower up front cost, much smaller storage area, and ability to access smaller, shallower waters are all valid.  I have the ability, finances, space, and time to maintain a bass boat at this time so I'm going to do that, but I can foresee a kayak in my future at some point too.  Their popularity over the years has exploded so they must be doing something right.

[HookInMouth]

I had a boat and was considering buying another one. I might not be able to afford a $75,000 machine but I could afford a modest one if I wanted it. Talked to some dealers and even started the process. But what held me back was two things:

 

1. The waters I want to fish and enjoy the most you can't take a bass boat on. A jet boat maybe. 

2. Simplicity. I LOVE throwing the SS127 in the back of the pickup and heading out. Two rods, a small tackle bag, a PFD, a paddle, and nothing else.

 

Snarky people like to say that kayaks are boats for people who can't afford boats. Meh. I'm sure for some that's true. And that's cool. Whatever gets you on the water. That's not the case with me though and I kind of find it insulting because of how much I love the sport. I intended to buy the kayaks and still add a boat. And I still might. But I haven't yet because I've been so happy with what's been working for me. And what's been working for me is a kayak. 

[Choporoz]

I got my first fishing kayak when I didn't think a boat was a very good option...cost (and storage).  I paddled a 10 footer for a number of years and always thought how nice it will be when I get a boat.  2 1/2 years ago, I upgraded to larger yak with pedals.....I honestly have not thought about replacing it with a boat since...I will probably get a boat when i.move to a lake in a few years....but I will still use the kayak 

[dickenscpa]

I'm a bit different. From 16 yrs old until about 3 mos ago I've had a bass boat (I'm 49 now). Now from 16 until maybe 25-27 I had fiberglass bass boats but they were used and I might've been 3rd-4th owner they were so used. LOL!

 

I am the absolute opposite of claustrophobic. I like being in my little cocoon and having everything at hands reach. I'm a shallow water guy, terrified of speed on the water and HATED fooling with my boat. The cost, maintenance, gas, etc of a boat never bothered me. I just hated fooling with it.

 

I LOVE to fish but in the last 6-7 years with a boat I'd go out once, twice and one year none. With a kayak I go 2-3 times a week and started tournaments.

 

I have limited time running a firm and the owner of the firm, especially Jan-Apr and Jul-Oct. My office is 41 miles from home. I tried pulling my boat thru rush hour traffic ONCE to fish an afternoon. Never again. I have a kayak trailer but there have been many times I throw it in the truck, carry it to the office and fish on the way home.

 

When I get to the water I literally take the sleeves off my rods and get in the water. I don't wait in line at the ramp, I don't even use the ramp and I don't wait in line to pull out. With pedals I cover WAY more water. I had a two month old brand new bass boat leave me stranded in 2008 4-5 miles from the ramp and I guess that affected my psyche because I would not venture out very far in my boat even when they were new each year.

 

I kept my boat a little over a year after buying my first kayak and in that time it never got wet so I sold it.

[GTN-NY]

4 hours ago, livemusic said:

 

Could you really go 60 with a 150? I have a 150hp on a 19ft ProGator and it'll do 53 with me, alone, in it. Was that with GPS or an old speedometer? How big was your boat? FWIW, I often I am left thinking that 53mph on water is plenty fast for me, lol. And I used to race motorcycles. In fact, I don't even need to do 53, I can do 40, even less, and that's plenty. But that's just me. I'm not in much a hurry these days, lol. Some of these boats will do 70, 80mph I assume and I really don't get that but to each his own!

Yep 60 on the nose with gps and speedo. Even with two people. Ranger 374 18’

[Boomstick]

I ended up going the kayak route because it was what I could afford. I would also have to pay to store a boat so factor that into the total cost. I have been adding to my setup, and the kids as well a little more each year. Now we all have fish finders and can all carry at least 5 rods, an anchor trolley with an anchor wizard and now each kid has their own tackle selection as well. I have to add flags with LED lights so if we stay out late in the day, boats can see us.

 

It's not quite as functional as a bass boat, I can't carry as much tackle, as many rods and can't get place to place nearly as fast, but with a solid game plan, it can still provide a solid day of fishing. And to be honest, I enjoy the smaller, quiet motorless lakes that I can't take a bass boat on which is probably the best part. One of the things I like about fishing is the quiet, so it suits me very well.

[gim]

3 hours ago, HookInMouth said:

Snarky people like to say that kayaks are boats for people who can't afford boats. Meh. I'm sure for some that's true

I’ve never heard anyone say that and if they did that would be a complete jack ass remark. While it may be true for some, I’m sure a lot of people simply don’t have the space for a boat but would like to get off the bank. This accomplishes that.

[michaelb]

I have a boat but it is mostly a money pit that i keep running for my family and relatives. I would much rather fish off one of my kayaks. I have thought about rigging a rack so we could use the boat to haul the kayaks to places to fish. 
 

it is more fun and more challenging to fish on the kayak. You are right at the water level. You are alone on the boat. You have to figure out how to catch fish where you are or paddle/peddle yourself to somewhere else. You can haul the kayak to water that doesn’t have a trailer launch and also go to wild lakes that don’t have any motors. 

[Junk Fisherman]

If you are used to fishing out of a bassboat there is a good chance you don't like fishing out a kayak compared to your boat.  While I enjoy fishing out of my kayak, it doesn't compare to fishing out of my boat.   I view fishing out of my kayak as just messing around, enjoying being out in nature, and enjoying the day.  Kayak fishing is more intimate with the water and nature- if that makes sense.  Catching fish is more enjoyable since it is more of a challenge.  Boat control, mobility, the ability to pitch baits and pick apart cover are all more difficult in a kayak compared to a bassboat.  I had a pretty steep learning curve but the more I did it, the more I enjoyed it.  I have to fish a lot different than in my boat.   I'll never choose to fish out of my kayak over my boat when I am looking to do some serious fishing but kayak fishing is a nice change-up and a good way to spend a few hours if you are looking for something different to do.  

[livemusic]

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

I’ve never heard anyone say that and if they did that would be a complete jack ass remark. While it may be true for some, I’m sure a lot of people simply don’t have the space for a boat but would like to get off the bank. This accomplishes that.

 

It also might have to do with how expensive bassboats are. Like pickup trucks, it's gotten pretty crazy. I suppose many or most pay a note, though, instead of forking over total payment.

[livemusic]

What about fishing lakes with lots of stumps/snags. Kayaks that you use an oar or those you have pedals. Can you always get unstuck?

[Boomstick]

29 minutes ago, livemusic said:

What about fishing lakes with lots of stumps/snags. Kayaks that you use an oar or those you have pedals. Can you always get unstuck?

I don't have a pedal kayak, but in some cases you can an oar to quickly veer one way or get yourself unstuck even if you have one.

 

There is always a cluster of stumps close together to the point where you can't get by, but so far I have been able to get myself unstuck almost every time. The one time I couldn't, I snagged a bush on the shore and my kid was able to get it for me because that bush had me pinned down pretty good.

[Dens228]

48 minutes ago, livemusic said:

What about fishing lakes with lots of stumps/snags. Kayaks that you use an oar or those you have pedals. Can you always get unstuck?

I have a motor and have been caught up on stumps more times than I'd like.  I've always been able to shake myself off of them.  To be honest what I hate is hitting one towards one side of the yak without seeing it and getting the surprise, "I'm going over" feeling.  It's never happened though. Nor have I really come close. It's just that shock. 

[MIbassyaker]

Easy transportability.

Easy storage.

Launch anywhere  -- no ramp needed.

Affordability.

Low maintenance/usage cost.

Opens up water that's inaccessible by boat.

[928JLH]

Easy to load up and travel. 

Super low cost to fish anywhere. It's a challenge in adverse weather conditions.

 

The ladies appreciate the stamina of a guy that can paddle sun up to sundown too ?

[Darth-Baiter]

I love the kayak. No $80+ visits to the gas station. 
 

but seriously, it’s exercise. I don’t know about you, but I could use more exercise.  Today I brutalized myself. I really challenge myself with kayak launches. Today I had to trudge 200 yards from the boat ramp to get to the receded water. I got decent fish.  Pulling my boat back up the hill and subsequent dried up boat ramp was like a CrosSFit drill.  I was working!   I burned some calories. 
 

and if you get a bigger bass, it will move the kayak. It’s tremendously exciting. 
 

I can get where boats cannot go. I fish all the time now. 3x a week normally. 
 

fishing from a kayak is much more difficult than a bass boat. It’s a bigger challenge in that respect.  It’s more “dangerous “ too :  so there that added element of excitement.