i am looking to pick up a kayak next week and am trying to decide between a few choices and was wondering what yall thought. wilderness systems tarpon 14, native ultimate 12 or 14.5, or ocean kayak prowler 13? i am looking for a kayak that is pretty comfortable for an all day trip and is pretty easy to paddle and maneuver with enough room for my fishing gear. if yall have any experience with these kayaks or know of any others that are pretty good i would like to know about them. thanks
I’ve paddled 3 of the 4 you mention. I don’t have any seat time in a U14.5. They are all very good yaks.
There’s no good way to answer your question baased on the inputs provided. Each one does something a little differently than the others.
The T140 has good speed, handles well, get’s a little wet in a chop
The Ultimate boats are probably THE BEST standup fishing hybrids around. NOTE I said HYBRID. It’s a mix of a canoe and a kayak. You can fill it with water and sink it… It doesn’t comepletely sink to the bottom unless you’ve got it loaded down with goodies that overcome the neutral bouyancy
P 13 is a little slower than the T140. I’d pick a Prowler 15, but it’s heavier
Define what you want to do, then arrange to test paddle all the yaks that meet your definition.
I’f you plant to buy new go see Dolphin Dave at Time Out in Mt P.
BTW, You forgot the Ride 135… It’s an awesome fishing machine.
There is nothing - absolutely nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Kenneth Grahame
Probably a Drifter or a Big Game is what you need.
Political Correctness: A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end!
Hunter Bunter
I am still fairly new to the fishing yak scene, but I am tremendously happy with ym new yak thus far. It is a O.K. prowler trident 13. The rod pod is great for extra storage and I keep my small tackle box in it right there between my legs. Also the large front hatch makes accessign storage really easy. I use a marine cube coooler in the crate area that fits perfectly and the boat comes with a transducer port making mounting a fish finder super simple. Lastly I made a live bait well that fits perfectly behind the seat. With my gear and the live bait well full I am not braking any speed reacords but i am comfortable and have everything i need for a full days fishing. Hopefully that includes the slime on the beers in the cooler 
Eric
One caution about the rod pod. Keep the cover on in general paddling / fishing. Just take it off when you need to get something out. A boat wake over the side can sink you.
I like the fish ruler on the inside bottom… nice touch and good for pics.
There is nothing - absolutely nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Kenneth Grahame
I have two of the Hobie Outback fishing kayaks. I fish but not a real fishierman like the guys on her. I love it. I have used it several times a month for about three years. I researched and checked out fishing yaks for about a year before I made my purchase. If you would like to go with me and check them out just give me a call 843-270-4210 Harold. Good luck!
Hobe is the boa tof the devil… PADDLE not peddle… I just paddled the OK trident 11 this past weekend and it is a nice boat… much lighter then previous OK boats, turns on a dime and pretty comfy… But of course I am a little biased towards the Tarpons
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
Have been real happy wiht my Pro Angler, although still like the Hobie Revo for some applications. Just something about being able to fish hands free in 20 mph winds while working a grass bank. I can stand and throw a cast rod our of the PA or even throw a cast net. Plenty of space for storage and while it is a bit heavy it handles great on the water and is not that hard to move around at the ramp.
Eagles may soar, but weasels never get sucked into jet air intakes
quote:
Originally posted by s1tpilotHave been real happy wiht my Pro Angler, although still like the Hobie Revo for some applications. Just something about being able to fish hands free in 20 mph winds while working a grass bank. I can stand and throw a cast rod our of the PA or even throw a cast net. Plenty of space for storage and while it is a bit heavy it handles great on the water and is not that hard to move around at the ramp.
Eagles may soar, but weasels never get sucked into jet air intakes
I’m just waiting for a pic of a PA with a 150 yammie strapped on the back… the ULTIMATE largemouth bass boat.
There is nothing - absolutely nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Kenneth Grahame
that looks awful tippy and wind resistant. i strap my beach cart behind the seat for major moves and the tires actually stabilize it like pontoons. lots of storage and rod racks, but gets in the way of backcast.
Hobie Revolution or Wilderness Systems Ride. When I get another yak it will be the Revolution.
“Plan like you will live forever but live like you will die tomorrow.”
I have two of the Hobie Revolutions. Love em to death. Can peddle, paddle when it gets too skinny, or sail if I want.
I have taken it out to the 4NM reef, and I have gone in and out of surf with it. It is a great kayak, but about 2x the price of others.
THe PA is a great yak for pure fishing, since it lets you stand and castnet or sight cast much easiers. But its still a BARGE 
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