Kayak Test drives in SoCal or maybe near Clear Lake?

[bloodkitty]

I'm thinking of getting a Old Town Auto Pilot 120 or 136, but I've never even been in a fishing kayak. Does anyone know of a place around Southern CA (LA or SD) that rents or allows test drives? Or maybe even NorCal? I could take a weekend trip up. 

 

Thanks,

 

Sam

[Jmilburn76]

I would suggest just calling the dealers in those areas and ask them if they do demos. Most of the dealers around me are close to water and offer demos. 

[bloodkitty]

7 hours ago, Jmilburn76 said:

I would suggest just calling the dealers in those areas and ask them if they do demos. Most of the dealers around me are close to water and offer demos. 

Thanks, yeah I'm doing that. Figured I'd ask on here too. 

[JayMac89]

Do you currently fish from a boat? If you do, then this may not be good advice. If you fish from the shore, then this is what i did. Disclaimer. I couldn't test drive any kayaks in my area. If you can test, that's obviously the best option. 

 

My situation was that i had/have a jon boat that needed work before i could get out into the water. The boat was in OK shape but the trailer and paperwork and yada yada yada. Anyway, i needed to get off the shore. Didn't know if I'd like kayak fishing but it seemed like my fastest and easiest route of the bank. I bought a cheap fishing kayak from a local sporting goods store. 500 bucks. Just a a test run, to see if I'd like it. If i did i would upgrade. If i didn't, i could sell it. Fell in love with kayak fishing. Bought the kayak around September last year, just got an old town pdl about 2 weeks ago and sold the cheap one. Only lost 150 bucks on it. 

 

Kayak fishing is different. I love it, but don't think it's for everyone. Even though i had a cheap kayak i knew that some of the little annoyances could be remedied with a more purpose built better kayak. 

 

Again, I'm not saying don't test them out. Definitely do that. I'm just offering another solution if you can't test. Not only that, but my first day on the kayak was not great. It took a few days and upgrades(anchor trolley) to get used to it and see the potential and fun in it. Point being, if you never fished from a yak you might need a few days on it actually fishing to decide if it's for you. I'd much rather take a gamble on a cheap yak then an expensive one. Just realize thier are limitations to the cheaper yaks, so don't let those deter you. 

[bloodkitty]

Thanks for all the info. Definitely not a bad way to do it.

 

I do have a boat. An old 16' Lund and I love it. But I live in an apartment(East Hollywood) and have to store my boat out by the lake(Castaic) about 45 minutes away(depending on traffic).

 

My main reason for wanting to get a kayak is simply because I want to be more mobile. I had a canoe for a while and I was able to store it close and get around to different local lakes much easier. And it was easier to travel with as well. I'd just throw it on top of my SUV. Or let it hang out the back with the hatch open, but tied down. 

[JayMac89]

The reason i asked about a boat is this... perspective. 

 

If you went the route i did, getting a cheap yak first to see if its your thing, there is limitations. Coming from shore those limitations are overshadowed by the benefits of getting onto the water. From a boat, those limitations might be more apparent since your already used to being on the water. Could possibly paint yak fishing in a negative light unfairly. 

 

I have an old town pdl 105. I throw it in the back of my silverado. That's one of the things i love about kayak fishing. Just get up and go. Even the pdl 105 is fairly cumbersome/heavy. Kayak cart is a must. With the cart its extremely light. Once it's resting on the bed of the truck, again it's easy. I don't have experience with the auto pilot or the 120s. If your storing it nearby like you did the canoe, no problem. If your storing it in an apartment, just food for thought. I got to imagine those are a pain to move around without a cart.

[bloodkitty]

Thank you for all the info on this.