Hi all, I am looking to get a kayak to access back creeks in the marsh for my flyrod. What kayak would be a good selection for this use? There are so many options out there I am just looking for a push in the right direction. I would like to have a sit on top model as long as thats not a terrible option.
mbflyfisher,
Talk to the guys that have paddled a lot of yaks, and do not listen to the local sales reps for what ever company. Depends on where you fish and conditions. I personally have 2 Wilderness Systems Ride 135’s. The new '12 Ride’s are very nice. Great all around SOT yaks. Not an endorsement, just my opinion.
I would recommend talking Too Busy (SCKayakFish.com) and Dolphin D (Time Out Sports in Mt P). Both guys are very, very knowledgeable and will give very unbiased opinions on what’s available.
Good Luck with your search.
TB2
TimBuck2
Wilderness Systems Ride 135
Yes - consider the 12 or 14FT 2011 Stealth Malibu Kayaks
Very stable and set up for fishing
great to stan up on + fly fish
See all info at: malibukayaks.com
When our new shippment comes in we can set up a demo time
Somthing you need to paddle yourself before you make a decision
Capt Dave
SC Malibu Dealer
fishingkayakssc@homesc.com
I think nikonjedi does some fly fishing…he can suggest a good boat - drop him a PM if he doesn’t respond to the post.
–elgeebee–
WS Ride 135
Plenty of choices out there. It really depends on how / where you want to use the boat. For protected waters and working flats and creeks you can’t go wrong with a hybrid. The Commander or Ultimate would be my first choices. For more open waters and all around use I’d pick a sit on top. There are a few good choices of standup platforms in the SOT class. Ride 135 or 115, OK Prowler Big Game, Jackson Coosa, and the Malibus Capt Dave mentioned above. Not every boat is right for every situation, so think about how and where, then spend some time in different boats to get a feel for them.
I’m a Wildy guy, so you’ll see me out there in a Tarpon, Ride or Commander.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
ride 135 is a great stable platform for fly casting… with some practice you can even cast easily sitting down. It’s got my vote. I have also fished commander 120s and native ultimate 12’s… I really like the ultimate 12s seat over all of them. With my big topheavy butt it’s hard to really find a good stand up yak… I have also fished the freedomhawk 12… stable boat, paddles nice, good sight fishing platform but the seat SUCKSVERYMUCHBAD, its a very thin pad, not bad support aroudn the sides but no cushion for your butt so sitting a long time will make your butt hurt and your legs fall asleep… Other than the seat I like the FH12. if you don’t plan on sitting down very long in it you’ll be fine… I also echo what TimBuck2 said, put YOUR butt in a kayak and see how YOU like it. There is NO such thing as THE perfect kayak… there is only the perfect kayak for YOU. What I like/need in a yak may be very different form what you need.
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
mbflyfisher,
I’d be happy to let you have a test paddle on an '09 and '12 WS Ride if you get down Mt Pleasant way. Test paddle as many yaks as you can. Most guys i know will let you test paddle if they have more than 1 yak. I’ll tell you the new 135 is almost as stable as the Ultimate 14,5 (hybrid) I just sold. Don’t have any experience with any other yaks, so I won’t give you any other recommendations.
TB2
TimBuck2
'09 Wilderness Systems Ride 135
'12 Wilderness Systems Ride 135
Thanks for all the info guys. I jumped on a craigslist yak tonight. Maybe not the smartest idea with no experience with kayaks but it was a good deal. Future beach angler 144 less than a year old for $300, through in the paddle which still had the $69.99 price tag on it. Looks to be in great shape. So hopefully this week I can get to the marsh and let yall jnow how it goes. Any rigging suggestions?
not a bad price but I did the cheap kayak to start off and it was the worst mistake I have made kayak fihsing… those cheaper kayaks usually track like crap, have a seat like a milk crate and are slow and clunky to paddle… I hope yours is better than most and you get soem enjoyment out of it. I always advise people to take that $300 and save it til you can add to it and buy a good made for fishing kayak that has some R&D behind it. After my first outingin my cheapo kayak I was kicking myself. I finally go the money to get a Tarpon and saw an immediate difference and it was truly liek night and day…
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os