What kind of boats do you guys use? I’ve been kayaking in a beginners boat, Perception Swifty, for a couple of years but find it hard to fish from. There’s no room for anything and the paddle and my rod get in the way of each other. I know space and conveniences will be limited, but there has to be a better design out there. If you could go get a new boat for fishing, which one would you buy? Where could I find it? If you could design you ideal boat, what would you have in it? What characteristics would you want in it?
I have recently purchased a Heitage Redfish. I do alot of fly fishing from the boat which requires a good bit of stability. This boat is 14ft, 32inch at widest point. It is very stable. I have done a considerable amont of flat water kayaking in boats designed for such activities. I was amazed at how well the redfish tracked and its ease of movement across the water. It is a sit on top so it offers a wet ride that would need to be compensated for in the winter. No problem for me since I own a dry suit from my expedition days. I am 6’8" and 240lb. This boat is quite roomy. The only drawback for me is the in hull rod holders are not well suited to fly rods. The rear deck compartment has a easily configuable bundgie system and is preformed to except a 5 gallon bucket. I would highly recommend this boat to anyone.
I hear the redfish is great. I am 5’11 and 188lbs, do you have any problems transporting the yak? I hear the Redfish is fairly heavy?
I fish from a Wilderness Systems Pungo. It is a sit-in that I have rigged for fishing. Anchor with ability to drop from bow to stern. Bow mounted rod holder as well as flush mounted behind me. I am 6’1" 190 lbs. Large cockpit with room for me to carry everything I need. Soft cooler and 2 1/2 gallon bucket with castnet fit behind the seat.
Can find Wilderness Systems lots of places. Best deal I found was Mad Paddler out of Tampa Florida. Even after the shipping, it was $250 less than any of the shops around here. Had it for 3 yrs.
Best of all, it is only 45-50 lbs and I can easily load/unload and transport without assistance.
fishskip,
you heard anything good or bad on the Wilderness Systems tarpon 12 or 14? I am in the process of finding out which one to buy and cant make up my mind between the Wilderness Systems Tarpon series or the Heritage Redfish?
Have any of you looked at the Cobra Fish & Dive? It is advertised to be some wider than most. It has a casting platform so if you can stand up in it it must be stable, I saw a guy standing in a Cobra last weekend but do not know which one of their boats it was, has room for dive tanks and trolling motor bracked as an option. They advertise being able to carry a battery. This may defeat the purpose of using a kayak for fishing but it does speak to carrying capacity.
The OK Drifter has a large weight capacity. It also has the widest seat size of any kayak. I love mine.
Hunter Bunter
I’m fishing a Wilderness Systems Pamlico. I’m loving it. It is like the Pungo but more stable. The thing is a load hog with plenty of room for me, my gear, and sometimes my 4yo son. It’s 12 ft, so it’s easy to haul and carry. Weighs about 50 lbs. Nice 4 season boat. May even be able to take up duck hunting with this boat.
I had been fishing Necky dolphin, which is faster, but not as stable. It’s more suited to surf and ocean than the quiet waters and rivers that I paddle. The Necky is a SOT rather than the sit-in so it is a little bit of a wet ride as well. I’ve never been on a better surf boat, though. Things a blast on the waves.
I’ve heard great things about the WS Tarpon 14, a good bud of mine test paddled one and loved it, I’ve got a touring boat I fish out of but it’s less than ideal. I’d like to get a second boat for the wife… I’d start by looking into the 14’ tarpon.
Yankee sand flea on a Southern beach.
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I think I am going with either the Tarpon 12 or the Tarpon 14. Like the storage and layout of the boat.
I use a Perception Bimini SOT down here in MS and love it. It tracks great and with the rudder down, and the wind at your back, i found it hits the perfect trolling speed for specks. It is a little pricy and a little heavy(75#), but so far those are my only complaints. The farthest I have been out is 4 or 5 miles in a 1 ft chop. I put 2 flush-mount rod holders behind the seat, and usually carry a sm. Igloo cooler for fish, GPS, collapsable anchor, landing net, tackle bag, and of course an air horn, flares, and VHF. I regularly stand up while fishing and being a narrower kayak, it took some getting used to. As far as speed and tracking, I couldn’t ask for a better 'yak.
Also, I’m moving up there in a few months, and would love to get together for some paddle fishing with some of yall. Abe