Why a Kayak?

[TnRiver46]

5 hours ago, schplurg said:

 

 What can a kayaker even do to a bass boat or another kayak for that matter

 

 

 

 

Block the boat ramp for half an hour 

[PourMyOwn]

43 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Block the boat ramp for half an hour 

Don't forget park their Subarus on the ramp and leave them there. 

[DaubsNU1]

15 hours ago, schplurg said:

 

I've also run into very cool bass boaters. Generally speaking: the bigger the toy the bigger the a-hole [runs for cover]  I made that up, it may not be true!

 

 

Coincidence.... I fished by two guys in a 20' skeeter today, complete with 250HP and power poles...they just glared at me and kept right on moving. I even waved, and the one guy pretended like he didn't see me   : ( 

 

Another guy in a Ranger was very nice. Two guys in Yaks were nice as well, and gave me some suggested places to fish (first time for me on this particular lake).

 

 

[flyfisher]

On 8/9/2022 at 9:09 PM, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve done a 15 mile float on the Holston river many many times in an aluminum canoe. I’ve also done an 18 mile float in it 3-4 times, you need 4 bologna sandwiches and some

beer for that one. No motor, no pedals

 

You can do 5.2 out and back no problem! 

river aided trips don't count for mileage lol

10 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Block the boat ramp for half an hour 

and that they do....kayakers are the absolute worst on ramps both recreational and fishing.

[DaubsNU1]

2 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

 

and that they do....kayakers are the absolute worst on ramps both recreational and fishing.

 

 

I think largely it is a "don't know what they don't know..." situation with blocking ramps. 

 

First time wife and I took our kayaks out, I had to explain it to her...she simply did not know. 

 

Kind of like blocking the diesel pump...people just don't know. 

 

[flyfisher]

4 minutes ago, DaubsNU1 said:

 

I think largely it is a "don't know what they don't know..." situation with blocking ramps. 

 

First time wife and I took our kayaks out, I had to explain it to her...she simply did not know. 

 

Kind of like blocking the diesel pump...people just don't know. 

 

This is true but it is also kind of common sense to me if there is a line of people to go as fast as possible.  Now the people who decide to take their kids and swim and play on the boat ramp are always even more mind boggling to me but that isn't kayakers lol

[Darth-Baiter]

On 8/13/2022 at 4:10 PM, DaubsNU1 said:

 

 

 

Kind of like blocking the diesel pump...people just don't know. 

 

some gritty s-kicker educated my young self this very thing.  hahhaha.. he was a D about it all so i took my time.  but ever since then i am very cognizant of NOT doing that ever again. 

[Boomstick]

On 8/13/2022 at 7:05 PM, flyfisher said:

and that they do....kayakers are the absolute worst on ramps both recreational and fishing.

I'm not 100% innocent with this myself, as I have to unload my kayak then put all of my gear on it all my gear and that can take a while. If it's just me, since my kayak sits flat, I can set it up on the trailer, and take it down the hill and be gone in a few minutes. If I have the kids with me, they have to use J-racks so it takes a while. Most of the time however we can find a space next to the boat ramp that I can launch from so we're not in anybody's way.

[Darth-Baiter]

kayaks are inherently slow at the ramps.  no doubt.

 

but i absolutely hustle.  i get it done pretty quickly, but it does kinda suck.  most boaters know i am hauling buttey.  i hope it is appreciated. 

 

all of our boatramps are fairly wide.  i always scooch way to one side.  boats have no issues squeezing in next to me.  its cool watching a talented trailer backer anyways.  

[Fishingmickey]

I'm in and out of the ramp pretty dang fast.  Like 2-3 minutes fast. I trailer my PA14. I rig & load everything up in the parking lot before I get in the launch line ( if there is one ). I have my tie down straps and bow strap off. I have a 30' rope tied to the front handle and to the winch post. I back my trailer down the ramp and float it off. Get out, take the rope off the winch post. move the kayak out of the way for the next person and either beach it or tie it off to the dock. Go park the car and then jump in the kayak and go fish. I'm faster at launching my kayak then the majority of power boaters.

[A-Jay]

I launch & recover a boat & a canoe, both are trailered.

The canoe does take longer to recover as most of the gear needs to come out of it first.

However I do not turn it into a race.  

If there are humans behind me that are getting impatient,

they should have gotten to the ramp earlier.

And I have no problem telling them that.

Take a breath man.  

A-Jay

[Zcoker]

These newer yaks are game changers, as far as I'm concerned. I like boats, too. Regular kayaks are fine. I have an Ocean Frenzy. They can open up some serious doors in some serious fisheries. But these newer powered yaks are step above, imho. I have one of the newer OT powered fishing kayaks and fish it deep in the Everglades, thousands of square miles where no boat could even dream of going. I can go miles and miles on power without the least worry. I can launch the thing in a matter of minutes in some of the craziest make-shift launch sites imaginable, weed or rock or alligators, no problem. Craziest thing of all, I do most all of this in the deep, dark night! 

 

 

 

During the day, I can take the thing in some of the thickest cover imaginable, few feet of water or even less! And I'm talkin some thick stuff! 

 

 

Rounding it all out, I catch a load of nice fish every single outing ... boom! It's all good.

Pick your posing. Boat or yak, simple decision. Make it, live it, and enjoy it, whatever it be. 

 

[Darth-Baiter]

19 minutes ago, Zcoker said:

These newer yaks are game changers, as far as I'm concerned. I like boats, too. Regular kayaks are fine. I have an Ocean Frenzy. They can open up some serious doors in some serious fisheries. But these newer powered yaks are step above, imho. I have one of the newer OT powered fishing kayaks and fish it deep in the Everglades, thousands of square miles where no boat could even dream of going. I can go miles and miles on power without the least worry. I can launch the thing in a matter of minutes in some of the craziest make-shift launch sites imaginable, weed or rock or alligators, no problem. Craziest thing of all, I do most all of this in the deep, dark night! 

 

 

 

During the day, I can take the thing in some of the thickest cover imaginable, few feet of water or even less! And I'm talkin some thick stuff! 

 

 

Rounding it all out, I catch a load of nice fish every single outing ... boom! It's all good.

Pick your posing. Boat or yak, simple decision. Make it, live it, and enjoy it, whatever it be. 

 

that boat comes with everything but the battery?  what battery are you running if you had to buy your own?  how long can you motor?

[Zcoker]

10 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

that boat comes with everything but the battery?  what battery are you running if you had to buy your own?  how long can you motor?

 

It doesn’t come with a battery, you have to purchase one. I have a Renogy 100amp/hr with blue tooth. This is how much juice I had left after all day fishing miles and miles out in the stick marsh. Incredible mileage in that boat! 

 

 

[FryDog62]

17 hours ago, Zcoker said:

These newer yaks are game changers, as far as I'm concerned. I like boats, too. Regular kayaks are fine. I have an Ocean Frenzy. They can open up some serious doors in some serious fisheries. But these newer powered yaks are step above, imho. I have one of the newer OT powered fishing kayaks and fish it deep in the Everglades, thousands of square miles where no boat could even dream of going. I can go miles and miles on power without the least worry. I can launch the thing in a matter of minutes in some of the craziest make-shift launch sites imaginable, weed or rock or alligators, no problem. Craziest thing of all, I do most all of this in the deep, dark night! 

 

 

 

During the day, I can take the thing in some of the thickest cover imaginable, few feet of water or even less! And I'm talkin some thick stuff! 

 

 

Rounding it all out, I catch a load of nice fish every single outing ... boom! It's all good.

Pick your posing. Boat or yak, simple decision. Make it, live it, and enjoy it, whatever it be. 

 

I kayak fish in FLA too... but not sure I'd go at night if there were gators present... especially in the spring/summer nesting season.  Assuming you have some tactics if you find yourself in a close encounter??

 

Guy was just attacked near Tampa during the day. He was swimming, but I'm not sure a kayak would offer much protection: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/video-alligator-attacking-florida-man-lake_n_62ff02cae4b071ea958e4f55

[Zcoker]

18 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I kayak fish in FLA too... but not sure I'd go at night if there were gators present... especially in the spring/summer nesting season.  Assuming you have some tactics if you find yourself in a close encounter??

 

Guy was just attacked near Tampa during the day. He was swimming, but I'm not sure a kayak would offer much protection: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/video-alligator-attacking-florida-man-lake_n_62ff02cae4b071ea958e4f55

 

Gators are everywhere at night. Loaded. And I haven’t had a single issue. They’re actually easier to see at night because their eyes glow. Just shine light and will know instantly where they are. I’ve had some issues with my lures getting jacked. Aside from that, smooth sailing. 

 

[FryDog62]

15 minutes ago, Zcoker said:

 

Gators are everywhere at night. Loaded. And I haven’t had a single issue. They’re actually easier to see at night because their eyes glow. Just shine light and will know instantly where they are. I’ve had some issues with my lures getting jacked. Aside from that, smooth sailing. 

 

You sir win the Big Kahonies award hands down!! 

[schplurg]

On 8/17/2022 at 9:43 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

kayaks are inherently slow at the ramps.  no doubt.

 

but i absolutely hustle.  i get it done pretty quickly, but it does kinda suck.  most boaters know i am hauling buttey.  i hope it is appreciated. 

 

all of our boatramps are fairly wide.  i always scooch way to one side.  boats have no issues squeezing in next to me.  its cool watching a talented trailer backer anyways.  

 

Me too. And I've seen guys paddle up, pop their wheels on and walk right up the ramp, not using a vehicle at all.

 

I do all my stuff in the dirt next to the ramp, or on a dock out of the way. I don't sit on the ramp and do any of it. And I invite boats to come down next to me if they can. I told one guy "Go on ahead of me" and he took both lanes of the ramp...moron! But he was quick.

 

I've been boating my whole life and boaters, yakkers, whoever, can all be stupid on the ramp. 

[BustedSwimbait]

Got my kayak for free (Lifetime Tamarack) from a coworker and absolutely love it. Admittedly, first few trips I hated it, but It took a few trips out to work out the kinks and figure out how to fight the wind. Now that I've been out numerous times, I love the ability to get to basically any water I want. For me, the pros far outweigh the cons. My main problem is now that I got this 'yak, I just want to get an bigger, better, more stable kayak.

 

[Susky River Rat]

Unless you have to get out of your kayak to get over an obstruction 9 chances out of 10 I can get to that same place with my boat. 

[Darth-Baiter]

On 12/2/2022 at 1:31 PM, Darnold335 said:

Unless you have to get out of your kayak to get over an obstruction 9 chances out of 10 I can get to that same place with my boat. 

lately around here, the water is so low you can't even launch a boat at some ramps.  my kayak, skates hard earth headed to deeper water at my favorite launch at Clearlake.  you would have to push-pole a bass boat out of the channel.  

 

and then there are the juicy no-boat lakes.  

[Darth-Baiter]

I like what B-Lat said about Kayak fishing.  "It's hard!"

 

hahahha...yea, its hard.  I would say way harder than from a boat.

[Alex from GA]

He'd be hard pressed to fish where I fish also.  Usually small rivers and creeks where I have to drag the kayak some of the time.  That's why they're full of fish, mostly what I'm after are bass.

[Susky River Rat]

6 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

lately around here, the water is so low you can't even launch a boat at some ramps.  my kayak, skates hard earth headed to deeper water at my favorite launch at Clearlake.  you would have to push-pole a bass boat out of the channel.  

 

and then there are the juicy no-boat lakes.  

My boat drafts about a foot. About half a foot on my sonar I can run my motor  so 16-18” but once I am on plane I can run in 3-4” of water.  Here is a video for reference of water we run here.
 

 

[gim]

Did you put together that video @Darnold335?  That is an awesome video with the drone footage.  That is seriously shallow, treacherous water.  Love those swift river smallmouths though, they are bulldogs.