Fishing kayak

[Bankc]

At $500, you're going to be looking at a used one.  And that means you're going to be at the mercy of your local market.  And even then, it's going to be hard to find one in your budget that will do what you want.  You'll just have to make a list of needs and keep a look out for when one pops up that checks all of your boxes.  

 

Definitely find a sit on top.  You get more storage space, stability, and they're self draining.  A sit in is faster on the water and much lighter, but you'll immediately regret ever hooking a striper in one.  

 

Fishing in a bay, you'll probably want a minimum of a 12 foot kayak.  And keep in mind that a fishing kayak will require a lot more energy to paddle than a sit in.  You sacrifice speed for stability.  Also, the weight of a fishing kayak will be dramatically higher, so make sure your car roof can support it.  The bigger and heavier the kayak, the safer it will be and the tougher conditions it can safely navigate.

 

You'll also want a longer paddle in a fishing kayak, due to the wider kayak.  You don't paddle the same way in a fishing kayak.  Your angle of entry is much more horizontal.  You'll probably want a fiberglass handle, as metal ones get too hot and cold.  Carbon fiber is best, but also very expensive.  You can find a cheap PDF pretty easily.  They may not be as comfortable, but if you're young and don't weigh much, it probably won't bother you that much.  I've been using a cheap Onyx for years, and it doesn't bother me in the least.  

[Gregorym38]

Assuming i up my budget to 1000, 1300 max, what could i get? I want something that can handle the bay and some decent waves, but bd good in freshwater lakes as well

[Koz]

5 hours ago, Gregorym38 said:

Assuming i up my budget to 1000, 1300 max, what could i get? I want something that can handle the bay and some decent waves, but bd good in freshwater lakes as well

I have a Seastream Angler 120 PD. Waterways USA usually has the best prices on it, and right now that's $1,299. But on top of that, at a minimum you have to add money for shipping, a paddle, and a PFD. You'll probably want a cart as well.

 

The costs do add up quickly, but for me it's worth it. I added some accessories to it including a Humminbird Helix 7 DI SI and this winter I bought a trolling motor as well. However, I haven't tried out the motor yet as I pack my kayak in for the winter when the water gets too cold.

 

I posted two reviews about it here on BR - my initial impressions and a one year follow up.

[Bankc]

19 hours ago, Gregorym38 said:

Assuming i up my budget to 1000, 1300 max, what could i get? I want something that can handle the bay and some decent waves, but bd good in freshwater lakes as well

I'd probably still stick to the used market.  But at that price, you might actually be able to find a peddle kayak.  

 

The cheapest new kayak I would recommend is a Lifetime Yukon (or Teton Pro, same thing but sold at different locations).  At 11.5' long, it's about as small as you'd want to go.  I have one, and I like mine a lot.  They're slow and heavy, but stable enough to stand in in calm water, and will handle bigger waves well enough to get you home.  

[Darth-Baiter]

21 hours ago, Bankc said:

I'd probably still stick to the used market.  But at that price, you might actually be able to find a peddle kayak.  

 

The cheapest new kayak I would recommend is a Lifetime Yukon (or Teton Pro, same thing but sold at different locations).  At 11.5' long, it's about as small as you'd want to go.  I have one, and I like mine a lot.  They're slow and heavy, but stable enough to stand in in calm water, and will handle bigger waves well enough to get you home.  

i agree.  i sold my Hobie Compass for $1500.  it sold like in 10 minutes..so i realized it might have been underpriced.  i wasnt mad about it at all. 

[JimN]

 I love my Old Town Sportsman PDL 106    Best money I have spent on fishing.   But new PDLs are all north of 2G.   Most except for Hobie are all relatively new so there likely isn't going to be much on the used market.  

 

Mostly I wanted to comment on your use of ratcheting tie down straps.  Those will warp a kayak hull in no time.  Use the simpler lashing straps.  

[Sasquatch]

Shoot for a rotomolded kayak if at all possible, which simply means the entire hull is one piece. A lot of your cheaper entry level hosts will be 2 pieces and joined in a seam. Shoot for something with a raised seat, not as good for paddling but much more comfortable to fish long days in. I bought my first kayak years ago for 500 bucks and it came with a trailer. It was a Jackson big rig and I’ve never looked back.