Until I can scrape enough scratch to get a flats boat too, I have been thinking about adding a kayak to the fleet to fish the flats and short day trips. There are a ton on models and makers out there. WHat do you guys find is the most fishable/versatile. In other words, most bang for my buck? I’m 6’2" +, 215, so comfort is a major concern. Thanks.
21’ Sea-Pro CC
Yamaha 150
“Aquaholic”
2008 Dodge Ram Mega-Cab 4x4 6.7 Cummins
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Ernest Hemingway
I’m 6’2, 250, and have a Hobie Quest. Doesn’t have Mirage drive. Only set me back about 850. I really like the boat. Pretty stable until you put water in the livewell. Wasn’t anticipating that December bath after getting the well for Christmas.
I have a Ride 135 and use it in the rivers to the surf. It is very stable and roomy. One problem I have found with some of the narrower yaks is that my hips begin to ache after a while. Not the case in the Ride, I have room to spare.
I’m 6’ 275 and use the Hobie Revolution and Pro Angler. Would recomend trying them all out, if your close to Beaufort and would like to give one a try let me know. The Pro Angler is great for fishing the flats, I like being able to stand and cast my fly rod and there is plenty of space for me and gear.
Hobie Pro Angler
Hobie Revo
Hobie Outback
Eagles may soar, but weasels never get sucked into jet air intakes
If you want tride a bike while you fish go Hobie if you want a REAL kayak go for the Ride 135 
just teasin ya 1stpilot The hobies are a lot heavier and more expensive than the regular paddle kayaks but the Hobies fill a niche for some people. Yes hands free against the current and all that is what some people want/need but I like paddling my boat. I don’t have to worry about the fins on the bottom of my boat scraping oyster beds or getting fouled in the grass… The regular kayaks are less expensive, well some of them are and they are generally lighter. If you like being able to go faster and keep youself stationary in the current and all the other stuff the peddle boats do that the paddle boats don’t then look hard at the Hobie or even the Native boats that have the drive system… although Native baots let you go in reverse… if you’re looking for a boat to paddle and be comfotable the Ride 135 is a great boat and the Native Ultimates are VERY comfortable. Their seats are like lawn chairs… It all comes down to personal choice. There are guys who love Ocean Kayak boats and everything else is crap, same with Wildy/Hobie/Dagger/every other kayak manufacturer… the best advice is to go and paddle/pedal all the boats you can and see what YOU like and is comfortable for YOU… There are a lot of boats out there for us bigger guys to enjoy kayak fishin and still be comfortable.
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
for price and versatility the ocean kayaks are pretty good. I have a malibu two and fish with another person in it relatively comfortably. When solo its alot roomier. fits on top of a car or out the back of a truck. 60 lbs so you car toss it around pretty easily. Plus its a blank slate so you can trick it out however you want. Gret for surf or calm water. i highly reccomend that you get the good seats and paddles though. Your back and shoulders will thank you for it.
RW
Thanks for the suggestions fellas. There’s a green one on craigslist for 500 that I’m thinking about for a starter to see if I use it much.
21’ Sea-Pro CC
Yamaha 150
“Aquaholic”
2008 Dodge Ram Mega-Cab 4x4 6.7 Cummins
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Ernest Hemingway
Hobie Revo or Wilderness System Ride 135
“Plan like you will live forever but live like you will die tomorrow.”
I have a tarpon 140 and the wife has a tarpon 120; they do pretty well for us.
I recommend the Tarpon 140 as well.
1720CC Key West 90HP Zuki
Tarpon 140 2AP
I dropped about $900 for my setup, but I got enough for two. How does that compare?
RW
I think by the time I set it up for me it cost around a grand. But I will admit that WS, Perception and a few others are made right here in SC, so that persuaded me a little, too.
1720CC Key West 90HP Zuki
Tarpon 140 2AP
didn’t know that. I’ll have to check out their website. I have seen a couple of good used deals in the paper lately, but to any new buyers I reccomend sitting in it first and see how it fits.
RW
I would look for a used one myself. After a year or two a brand new one will have as many scratches on it as a used one, unless you really baby your stuff. I take good care of my things but don’t baby them by any means. I bought two brand new kayaks last year–a Native Ultimate 12 and a Native Manta Ray 12. They both get use extensively and it shows.
I like both models but would probably be just as happy with any of the other ones mentioned here. I have also noticed that the Pelican brands, which used to be much heavier than the more well-known players have dropped in weight quite a bit. I saw a brand new Pelican Castaway Angler DLX 11-6 with built in rod holders for $499 at my local ACE Hardware the other day. Weight was 56 pounds.
Native Manta Ray treats me well at 6’ 250lbs
I have a castaway by pelican… my first kayak… Love it. I paddle a Tarpon 160 now but I still have the pelican for a spare for friends… good beginner boats. They are about $460 at Sport Authroity.
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os