I’ve read the post asking which kayak to buy and I realize that is a pretty broad question. I’m interested in buying a kayak for fishing and my fiancee is looking to buy one herself. She doesn’t need sit-on-top but would like to come out on the water with me.
I’m looking for a sit-on-top that is lightweight and easy to maneuver. I don’t need a speedy boat or a super-expensive one (I hope). Ease of use and weight will probably be my deciding factors. Does anyone know of a kayak that fits those specs?
Also, I’d like to hear about everyone else’s kayaks. I’ve kayaked for fun when I was in school in Columbia but I’ve never fished from a kayak. Is there any equipment that the pros would suggest for fishing from a yak?
There are quite a few vaiables to consider when buying a yak, so I’ll start with the basics and we’ll go from there.
- What’s your budget? If you look on Craigslist, Ebay, Pawn shops and newspapers you can find a yak for anywhere from $150 to over $2500. How much you want to spend limits your choices.
- You mention lightweight and easy to maneuver. Shorter yaks weigh less and are more maneuverable. Don’t forget rocker (the upturn from the middle to the ends of the boat) A short boat with plenty of rocker will turn on a dime, but you can’t paddle it straight. So it’s a tradeoff. I like boats from 12-15 feet as a goodcompromise for me.
- How will you transport it? Do you need a roof rack or just ropes and pads. I had a hard time putting a 9 foot yak on top of my car because it was too short from the T bar to the header rail. (I drive a Miata). Again 12-15 feet works for me
- Have you thought about a Sit in? They tend to ve more readily available used and cheaper. I’ve fished both types. SINKs are usually better paddling boats than SOTs. I’ve fished everything from a 9 foot Riot to a 17 foor Prijon excursion yak. The Riot paddled like a pig, the Prijon was light and fast, but too long for msome of the creeks I like to fish.
The Kayak festival is next weekend at James Island County park. It’sa good opportunity to see and paddle yaks from different manufacturers. All price points and various lengths. All in one spot.
A good used Tarpon, Ride, Search or OK Prowler sit on top will cost 600 minimum on the used market.
Let me know if I can help with your search.
There is nothing - absolutely nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Kenneth Grahame
Listen to Too Busy. I don’t know anyone who has more experience on different Kayaks than he. I hit it out of the park on my first try with my Pamlico 140 but Too Busy is constantly trying new boats and is a good resource for kayak info. I went to the Kayak festival last year but only stayed for 20 minutes because it was a great day and I was dying to go do some kayak fishing. I think I only demo’d one boat that day. This year I will fish first early in the morning and then go to the kayak festival so that I can have more focus and enjoy trying all of the different boats.
14’ Pamlico 140 Angler w/ rudder
Switching to lead-free tackle.
Jershaw - this is just my two cents but I’d stick with a SOT around here. It gets so hot in the summer - your legs roast in a sit-in… Plus, if you want to get out into the ocean at all a SOT is going to be self-draining so you won’t be sitting in water after a wave comes crashing over your yak.
Ocean Kayak is a good choice is your looking for a decent boat at a reasonable price. I picked up a new Ocean Kayak Scrambler XT (12 feet, about 60 lbs) complete with pole holders and plenty of storage for $550 from Charleston Watersports. Don’t forget you’re probably going to want a seat, you’ll need a paddle (anywhere from $50 to $200) and of course a lifejacket designed for rowing ($40-$70) so you don’t rub against your arms while your paddling. All-in I was at about $750 by the time I had everything I needed. If you get a used yak you can do a little better than that though.
Good luck finding your yak! This has to be one of the best ways to experience the lowcountry! Let me know if I can be of any assistance in your search.
Thanks for all the replies. I think I’ve got a couple months before I buy, so I’ll probably be doing some renting first. Thanks again
Jershaw
Don’t rule the Hobies out either. If you make it to the kayak festival try any of the mirage drive kayaks and also take a look at the Hobie Quest. When kayaking in the wind the mirage dive makes it possible to still fish without having to stop and paddle between cast. I have been been out in winds up to 30 mph with my Hobie, while that would be hard to do in a traditional kayak. The mirage drive also works well when working a grass bank, it allows you to slowly crusie along the bank while casting to the edge of the grass.
Eagles may soar, but weasels never get sucked into jet air intakes
If I could only have one boat to paddle/ fish it would be the pungo or pamlico 14ft models. In my opinion it’s faster and definitely lighter than other boats. I put it on my shoulder and is very easy to portage. My redfish is so heavy it leads to dragging the boat many times. The negatives are: it gets very muddy inside, can’t swing your feet over the side, and doesn’t look as “cool”, anchor system don’t work as well, cast netting from boat is harder.
Oh… and you have to paddle the boat:)
Cutmullet,
What is this paddle thing you speak of?
<grin>
Oh yeah, that big black stick on the side of my Hobie I have to break out anytime we go to the 'ville, ■■■■ low tides.
I don’t fear the Ocean, but it sure as hell has earned my respect!
2007 Regal 2120 Destiny (270hp Volvo I/O)
http://www.regalboats.com/2007/SportBoats/Destiny/2120/Features
2007 Hobie Revolution Kayak
http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/models_revolution.html
I fish out of my 12 foot sit inside Pungo year round. I LOVE this little boat. The opening is HUGE, so it doesn’t get too hot for me. It is 50 pounds and easy to carry at your side in one hand. I do NOT take it into the ocean; moultriefishingpageguy had a good point about SOT’s being self bailing for ocean fishing.
If you want to try it out, just give me a shout. You can’t take it to Columbia, though! That would be wrong. 
Good luck!
Mike
Tidewater 196DC
Yamaha F115
Pungo 120
Yeah, I couldnt imagine launching into surf/ocean without a SOT or a ■■■■ good ocean yak. My hobie does it, and its a blast, but i know im gonna get wet, and a good chance of getting rolled on the return to shore.
I don’t fear the Ocean, but it sure as hell has earned my respect!
2007 Regal 2120 Destiny (270hp Volvo I/O)
http://www.regalboats.com/2007/SportBoats/Destiny/2120/Features
2007 and 2008 Hobie Revolution Kayaks
http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/models_revolution.html