does anybody know a good site for somebody that is new to kaying and wanted to find out what is available out there and pros/cons. I want something I can use on my upstate lakes as well as bring to the beack when I can.
Wilderness Systems (wildernesssystems.com) and Perception (kayaker.com) make good sit-on-top boats for fishing, and can be outfitted with angler kits. The sit-on-tops are fun at the beach too. I’ve fished some out of my WS Tarpon 100, and it’s very comfortable. I don’t have a rudder, but would suggest it. The rudder will help you make slight turns when you’re drifting and keep you from having to grab the paddle every time. Paddling.net is also a great site for kayak reviews, product info, forums, etc. Good Luck!
http://kayakfishingstuff.com/ri_fishing_kayaks.asp
Not sure if I did that right, but check out kayakfishingstuff.com. It’s chock full of info.
If you want a lot of room or if you are a big guy like I am, the Drifter by Ocean Kayak is the way to go. It is 32.5 inches wide. But since it is so wide, it isn’t as fast as some kayaks. Also the Caper by Ocean Kayak (31" wide) is great. My wife has one of these. It is perfect for most people, but still a little small for me. They even make a fishing model for both of these now. The WEB address is:
http://www.oceankayak.com/
TheHawg
Well just how big a fella are ya, ever had your … never mind.
I’m 6-1, 205. how does that compare.
www.paddling.net has tons of consumer reviews, helped me when I was looking at my touring yak.
Yankee sand flea on a Southern beach.
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Highlander,
I am 5’ 9" and 220. A few months ago I was 260. I hope to be 200 in a few more months. I’ve been working hard at losing. Anyways, the Drifter worked great even at my heaviest. I use it for duck hunting, or at least to get to my duck hunting spot, then I exit the yak and wade. But I carry gun, ammo, waders, a dozen decoys, etc. It’s a great kayak for the big guy. A smaller boat will, of course, go faster. When I tell people that I kayak, they always look at me funny like they are saying how can you kayak as big as you are. I tell them that I have a “Big Ass” model kayak. I’ve been lazy lately though. I got a boat, and I’ve been fishing from it instead of my Drifter.
TheHawg
P.S. Have I ever had my what???
It is from a comedian named Roy D. Mercer. He makes prank phone calls to people were he is very upset with them about something. Along the way it turns into him planning on whipping the guy’s posterior end. His signature line is “Just how big a fella are ya? Ever had your a$$ whopped?”. They really are pretty funny. He has a number of CDs out on the market.
No aggression intended toward you, just thought about it when you said you were a big guy. Thanks for the info, keep up the good work on the weight loss.
Tarpon 120. I have one I bought this year and LOVE IT! I am 5’10" and 250 lbs and have had no trouble out of it whatsoever. I have a rutter on it and it is priceless to have. I trolled down in front of the beach 3 weeks ago and loved it. I got the anglers package on mine so I have 3 rod holders, an anchor, paddle straps and all sorts of storage. I can comfortably carry 3 rods, 1 tackle box, a small cooler and a big dry storage bag in the front with a couple of blocks of ice in it to keep fish cool( I am just a little scared to drag fish beside me after watching shark week last week:wink:
). I made a release clip out of a clothes pin and fishing line so that I could run a line out on the left and right and one right beside the boat in the “paddle” wash about 15ft back.
HM, I looked at one of those this weekend, if it is made by Wilderness something or other. Do you think there is room for about 4 or 5 more inches of leg in the boat. I am only about 3" taller than you but have got long legs proportionally. By the way I like the “paddle wash” comment, who says you need a 51’ Haterras to put one back in the prop wash? Do you mind telling me how much you paid and where you got it. I live up here in the upstate and the place I checked had it priced at $575 for just the boat. What did the “angler package” get you and how much was that? You say you like having the rudder, does it help steering a great deal? Are the rod holder recessed or do the mount on top?
Oh ya, what is your yaking experience, I would be a beginner. How about the primary and secondary roll stability.
I think there is PLENTY of room for another 6-12 inches of leg room in it. I bought mine up here in Greensboro NC at a place called Get Outdoors. They have a website that you can look at boats that are new and used. I bought mine used with the Anglers package and the rutter on the boat for 695.00. The boat was marked wrong and they give me the boat at the marked priced. It should have been 795.00 with the rutter on it. The angler Package fully installed is about 100.00. It has 2 flush mount rod holders that are positioned behind the boat and one scotty mount on top on the piece that comes between your legs. It also comes with a anchor and the cleats to tie it to. The rutter will set you back about 125.00-150.00 depending on the manufactor. Look for a USED boat first!! I have 4 boats and they are all Wilderness Systems. I have 2 120 Pamlico( for the rivers), a tarpon 120sit-on-top and a ripper sit-on-top 8ft( for playing in the waves and letting the nephews play and fish in as well). I have been fishing and boating in kayaks for 3 years now. There is NO better way to fish a river than from a kayak.
The rutter is a GREAT tool to use when you are on the water, especially if it is moving water. I can fish in a strong current and not tough my paddle for a while. When you finally find that bog fish is when you realize it was well worth the extra money for the rutter. If you hook into some of the bigger fish such as kings and cobia off the beach use your legs as a drag. Just stick em in the water and enjoy the ride! A big fish can drag you as fast as you can paddle if you don’t add some drag to your boat. It is very fun but humbling to have a fish pull you all over the ocean.
Stability is very good in this boat. It is 31" wide, I think, and hold quite a bit of gear. To be able to toss it in to the back of you pick-up or on top of your car and then drag it to where you want to go is priceless. It weighs 60lbs and probably about 90 once I get it loaded down for fishing. They make a small set
I have a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160 for sale in the classifieds under “Boats for Sale”. If it is something you are interested in, we can arrange for a test ride if you like.