Best Beginner's Kayak

[kevinmyfsu]

Hey everyone, I'm hoping to get some advice. I've been bank fishing for quite a while and had some really solid success, but hitting the same few yards of bank week after week is getting a bit old. I'm looking to buy my first kayak, preferably something relatively inexpensive (happy to buy pre-owned). I'm not looking to put anything fancy on it, no motor or pedal system for now. Just want something I can throw two or three rods into and take to one of the boat launches in my area (we have many productive lakes, ponds and rivers in my area, but most are accessible only via watercraft of some type). I'm in North Florida, so it needs to be able to survive at least a glancing blow by a gator or two. Anyone have any ideas or can point me towards a model in particular? The other thing I need advice on is how to adapt my arsenal for a kayak. All of my rods are over 7', so I'm thinking that will require some adjustments. Any other info is welcome!

[Darth-Baiter]

all my rods are 7' plus.  i like the length in case i have to work the fish around the nose of my kayak.  plus it helps when i try to high-stick it to net the beasts.  

 

my first kayak was a Hobie Compass.  it was out standing.  key word "Standing".  just popping up onto my feet was the biggest challengs as a newb.  so a stable boat was a must.   i would search for a used Compass.  but i am highly bias to Hobie.  

[casts_by_fly]

welcome to the collective.  You say you don't want pedals or motors but....  Next think you'll say is that you don't want a 9" fish finder.  Or lights.  Or a bespoke tackle storage system.

 

In all seriousness, you can get as serious as you like into it, limited only by budget and space.  I would suggest that whatever boat you end up in, you think about getting the best platform you can so that when you start modifying later you're not throwing good money after bad.  I'm in an old town sportsman series and the paddle 120 is practically an identical boat.  Good layout, comfy seat, super stable to stand up in (I don't fish sitting down).  Its a wider boat and won't be as fast in the water to paddle as a skinnier tapered boat, but you get it back in stability.  If I were going to paddle, I would take a hard look at one.  the 106 length would be similar.

 

I fish rods from 6'6" to 7'6" in the kayak.  I stand to fish, so maybe that's part of it but I wouldn't worry about the rods at this stage.  Since you're coming from the bank, you're not trying to pare down the 10 you take every trip to a kayak load either.  You're probably carrying 1 or 2 on the bank so will start there on the kayak.

 

Lots of good info here.  I'd start by looking on facebook marketplace in your area.  Usually some decent deals to be found.

 

 

[Darth-Baiter]

9 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

welcome to the collective.  You say you don't want pedals or motors but....  Next think you'll say is that you don't want a 9" fish finder.  Or lights.  Or a bespoke tackle storage system.

 

In all seriousness, you can get as serious as you like into it, limited only by budget and space.  I would suggest that whatever boat you end up in, you think about getting the best platform you can so that when you start modifying later you're not throwing good money after bad.  I'm in an old town sportsman series and the paddle 120 is practically an identical boat.  Good layout, comfy seat, super stable to stand up in (I don't fish sitting down).  Its a wider boat and won't be as fast in the water to paddle as a skinnier tapered boat, but you get it back in stability.  If I were going to paddle, I would take a hard look at one.  the 106 length would be similar.

 

I fish rods from 6'6" to 7'6" in the kayak.  I stand to fish, so maybe that's part of it but I wouldn't worry about the rods at this stage.  Since you're coming from the bank, you're not trying to pare down the 10 you take every trip to a kayak load either.  You're probably carrying 1 or 2 on the bank so will start there on the kayak.

 

Lots of good info here.  I'd start by looking on facebook marketplace in your area.  Usually some decent deals to be found.

 

 

i agree with this.  i couldnt define a "Beginners" kayak if i needed to.  i think beginners need the most stability to begin with.   a 12 footer is almost perfect in my opinion.  i think it sucks and is money wasted to buy a lesser boat only to realized it isnt even near the canvas required to fish effectively from.  trust me, i you are not comfy, fishing sucks.  

[TnRiver46]

I sat in this little thing Thursday evening and most of yesterday , pelican 100. I can pick it up and throw it 10-15 feet if need be haha

[Bankc]

Buying used is your best option.  I'd forget the idea of looking for a true beginner's kayak.  All they'll do is waste your money and leave you looking for an upgrade quickly, or hating the experience so much you abandon the idea all together. Beginning kayaks are also going to be less stable, and especially with alligators around, you don't want that.  Look for something at least 12' long with a stadium style seat.  Preferably 32" or more in width.  Something with a flat floor that was made to stand up in.  Even if you never stand up in it, you'll appreciate how less likely they are to roll over on you, should you hook a big fish.  Also, the molded seats aren't comfortable, and you'll hate spending more than an hour in your kayak if you do.  

 

Take your time and search CL and FB for locals putting their old ones up for sale.  That'll be your best value, as they'll often come with some upgrades that you would have probably gotten around to anyway, and they'll still be cheaper up front.  

[Fishingmickey]

Best thing I can suggest. Look at the seat in the kayak. Cheap kayak's have lousy seats. Your tailbone will be telling you in usually under a hour that it isn't happy.  So go to a kayak dealer and see which models you like best. Ask to see if you can sit in the ones you like. Then when you feel like you've found a good one. Go hunt the used market. Seriously the seat can make or break you from kayak fishing.

 

FM

 

p.s. If your a larger sized human you need a larger sized kayak. The smaller narrow beam kayaks will dump you as soon as you get your center of gravity off center. It happens very quickly. It will be like bar of soap and squirt right out from under you.

 

[Standard]

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

welcome to the collective.  You say you don't want pedals or motors but....  Next think you'll say is that you don't want a 9" fish finder.  Or lights.  Or a bespoke tackle storage system.

 

 

Yup.. I started out with an Ascend 12T and it was just ok.  Before a full season with the 12T, I upgraded to a Jackson Bite FD.  Pedal drive is a game changer, and the Jackson is so much more stable.  I'm sticking with my 7" finder, though.

[casts_by_fly]

58 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I sat in this little thing Thursday evening and most of yesterday , pelican 100. I can pick it up and throw it 10-15 feet if need be haha

 

You could do that.  Or you could thank yourself later for getting something just a bit more comfortable.  I fished out of one of those when we went to the bahamas.  I had grabbed a fly rod to get across the flats we were staying near and to go up through the mangroves.  It was decent to paddle and cut the water just fine.  But the seat is a semi reclined position and pushes your hips up in the front which hurts my back after not terribly long.  It was also tippy.  After a bit I got my bearings on it and I was standing to use it like a paddleboard with my feet on the flatter bit next to the seat back.  That helped on the flats, but you better know what you're doing and where you are.  

[TnRiver46]

Just now, casts_by_fly said:

 

You could do that.  Or you could thank yourself later for getting something just a bit more comfortable.  I fished out of one of those when we went to the bahamas.  I had grabbed a fly rod to get across the flats we were staying near and to go up through the mangroves.  It was decent to paddle and cut the water just fine.  But the seat is a semi reclined position and pushes your hips up in the front which hurts my back after not terribly long.  It was also tippy.  After a bit I got my bearings on it and I was standing to use it like a paddleboard with my feet on the flatter bit next to the seat back.  That helped on the flats, but you better know what you're doing and where you are.  

People always tell me it won’t work, I just keep fishing 

[casts_by_fly]

1 minute ago, TnRiver46 said:

People always tell me it won’t work, I just keep fishing 

 

I'm not saying it won't work.  It drafts shallow and tracks skinny.  It should cut right through any water for you no problem.  If the seat and seat back work for you then great.  You're a more flexible man than I.  No way I could sit in that seat for more than an hour.

[TnRiver46]

18 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

I'm not saying it won't work.  It drafts shallow and tracks skinny.  It should cut right through any water for you no problem.  If the seat and seat back work for you then great.  You're a more flexible man than I.  No way I could sit in that seat for more than an hour.

If it gets uncomfortable I just get out and walk around, sure beats climbing 40 ft ladders at work 

[Junger]

Lifetime Tamarack Angler, it's $400 new at Dicks Sporting Goods, though I've seen it go on sale cheaper once in a while. Lots of YT videos on upgrades for it such as the seat, track rails, etc.

 

Check craigslist, FB marketplace...it may be half the price for a used one.

[Koz]

Get the best kayak you can afford because no matter what you purchase, one of two things is going to happen:

 

1. You'll hate it and you'll sell it.
2. You'll love it and want to pour money into it.

If you don't have a big budget, read reviews and prioritize the following in this order:

1. Stability
2. Seat comfort
3. Tracking

Some people will put seat comfort first, but in my opinion stability comes first - you can always add a stadium cushion to the seat.

 

I love my kayak, but when I bought it I did not realize how much I would enjoy fishing out of a kayak. I also didn't take into account my aging process. So while I have no regrets, if I had realized those things I would have spent more money and bought a kayak with a built-in spot lock trolling motor or a kayak that could be EASILY modified to equip one.

[Hook2Jaw]

I've paddled, pedaled, motored, and I now do a combination of motoring and paddling kayaks.  I've fished from Hobies, Old Towns, Nucanoes, Vibe, and Feelfrees, and I'm running two Crescent kayaks right now.  If you don't want to spend a lot of money, you're going to be paddling.  Nothing makes for a worse experience than a kayak that doesn't paddle well, and Crescent does that better than anyone in the business.

 

I stand pretty comfortably in the Crescent CK1, and it paddles like a dream.  I stand easily in the Crescent Crew, and it also paddles very well.

 

My recommendation is a Crescent CK1, LT2, or Shoalie.

[kevinmyfsu]

Wow guys, thank you so much for the info!! Lots to consider.

[TnRiver46]

8 hours ago, Hook2Jaw said:

I've paddled, pedaled, motored, and I now do a combination of motoring and paddling kayaks.  I've fished from Hobies, Old Towns, Nucanoes, Vibe, and Feelfrees, and I'm running two Crescent kayaks right now.  If you don't want to spend a lot of money, you're going to be paddling.  Nothing makes for a worse experience than a kayak that doesn't paddle well, and Crescent does that better than anyone in the business.

 

I stand pretty comfortably in the Crescent CK1, and it paddles like a dream.  I stand easily in the Crescent Crew, and it also paddles very well.

 

My recommendation is a Crescent CK1, LT2, or Shoalie.

Is the shoalie the one with the 360 degree chair? I saw that on YouTube and 

 

[thomas15]

If someone literally gave you the boat, there is still a number of expenses to factor in, all the stuff you will need for comfort, convenience and to be in compliance with the law. 

 

So, having said this, my advice is to set a budget amount and place that cash aside. Then look for the items as they come available, purchase them and build your boat over a time period rather than get the hull first then realize you need a bunch of other stuff to actually pull this off.

 

I don't personally fish out of a kayak but my wife has one, it is an inexpensive boat that is technically a kayak but is really uncomfortable and unstable in a lake compared to my son's kayak which is not an entry level boat. Good luck!

[Functional]

having progressively gotten more expensive kayaks trying to "level up" I'd advise against it. If you HAVE to try something cheap I'd say get the cheapest kayak with a padded seat you can on the used market because you will either hate it and want nothing to do with kayaks or youll want to sell it to upgrade. If you have the money and are serious about a kayak, get a decent one.

 

If I had to give myself advise all over again it would be to absolutely get into a peddle kayak and one stable enough to stand/stretch/fish. 

 

Also, something to consider is how you can lay out your rods you arent fishing. I prefer kayaks that you can lay them flat on either side of the chair (crescent, wilderness recon, hobie to name a few) vs verticle in a crate or rod holders. I've almost sent a rod over too many times smacking them on a back cast. 

 

Paddle works until you fight a fish and she drags you into where you are trying to fish or there is more than a gentle breeze and you have to fight a paddle one handed and the fish with the other. 

 

not saying its the best BUT, the Wilderness Recon can be bought with or without the peddle drive and upgraded later. Also has a very comfortable chair, huge hatch, horizontal rod storage, paddle storage and is incredibly stable. So if you have to save some money for budget reasons this might be a way to not limit yourself. I enjoyed mine before I sold it for unrelated reasons. 

[volzfan59]

My first kayak was a used 12' Ocean Kayak. First new kayak was a 12' Field and Stream from Dick's Sporting Goods. Then I bought a new Ascend 128. Kayak fishing was okay, but not for me. Sold or gave them all away and bought a boat.

[flyfisher]

I caution heavily against getting the  most expensive kayak you can afford sentiment shared here.  There are a ton of kayaks out there that are far from the most expensive and will more than do the job.  There are great kayaks under $1500 after getting a paddle that are great and also offer flexibility of adding pedals or motors later on.  For pond hopping, which it sounds like you will primarily be doing, a good paddling kayak will make a huge difference.  A lot of the super stable boats are designed with a motor or pedals in mind so the suck to paddle.  If someone says the first thing you need is a rudder I'd question two things, why is the boat designed to need a rudder and if it is a paddler issue.  A well designed fishing kayak should provide stability and tracking without use of a rudder.

 

As far as gear goes, you can use whatever you use now with no modifications.  You may have to pare down what you take if you take a lot but even then it is plenty manageable.  When I am fly fishing I take up to 4 fly rods and conventional I will take up to 6.  It is more about what you want it to be,

Best thing to do is see if any shops have a demo days or rental.  Many shops have rentals and then if you buy the rental cost is put in to the boat.  This is truly the only way to know if a boat works for you and leads me to the next piece. Once you get a kayak don't rig it based on what you have seen on youtube.  Fish your kayak with your style then rig it accordingly.  Many people solve problems they don't have and overcomplicate things to death.  Track mounts make things much easier to mount and move things. 

 

I have been kayak fishing 20 years and I just got a new warranty boat last year, a 2' shorter version of a boat i had for  years, and I still went out 5 times before mounting anything.  I currently run an ATAK120 (had the 140) and it is a fantastic paddling boat and I added a motor (NK180s) to my equipment stash 2 years ago and it is great tool for self supported river shuttles and on larger lakes.  

 

[FishTank]

I use to fish in Florida (Bradenton area). My parents had a place there. The alligators are no joke. I am not sure how it would be on a kayak. I would recommend visiting a local shop that sells fishing kayaks and get their opinion as to what is the safest option for the  lakes and ponds you intend to fish. Once you get a recommendation, start looking for a used one in whatever they suggested.  I am sure Florida has a ton of used kayaks.

 

As far as a beginner goes, I would look at something stable first. One brand that has some good ones is Bonafide. I have not fished one but I have seen some on the water in bad, windy weather and they held their own. I would also invest in a good paddle and a good life jacket (NRS maybe). 

[TnRiver46]

Maybe @Koz could sell you his 

[casts_by_fly]

12 hours ago, FishTank said:

I use to fish in Florida (Bradenton area). My parents had a place there. The alligators are no joke. I am not sure how it would be on a kayak. I would recommend visiting a local shop that sells fishing kayaks and get their opinion as to what is the safest option for the  lakes and ponds you intend to fish. Once you get a recommendation, start looking for a used one in whatever they suggested.  I am sure Florida has a ton of used kayaks.

 

As far as a beginner goes, I would look at something stable first. One brand that has some good ones is Bonafide. I have not fished one but I have seen some on the water in bad, windy weather and they held their own. I would also invest in a good paddle and a good life jacket (NRS maybe). 

 

I'm pretty sure that @Zcoker fishes the everglades in a kayak and can inform on gators.

[FishTank]

2 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

I'm pretty sure that @Zcoker fishes the everglades in a kayak and can inform on gators.

I've fished down there before. I can't remember the exact time of day but there are a few hours around sun set where everything goes quiet except the gators. It's creepy but the fishing is great pretty much any other time.