Thinking about a Kayak

Started by FlatsNBay, October 20, 2023, 07:01:18 PM

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FlatsNBay

Thinking about going all in and getting a real nice fishing kayak in either a pedal drive or with a trolling motor.

I've been researching kayaks for quite some time and think I know what I might want:

A 10' so that it can easily fit in the back of the truck.

A nice wide and stable platform that I can easily stand up in.

A real nice beach style chair that is extremely comfortable for all day fishing.

Accessory tracks and transducer plate for easy installation of a depth finder.

Rod racks and other rod storage capabilities.

Pedal drive. I may consider trolling motor outfitted.

Used in both fresh and salt.

High quality and super comfortable

A couple of kayaks that I'm considering are the Old Town Sportsman 106 pdl and the Native Slayer Propel Max. Any comments about either or any other recommendations?

D.W. Verts

I have two 12'ers (I recently bought my wife a Pescador)) that I still haul in the back of my short bed pickup. Bigger is most definitely better for me.

Dale
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Bud Kennedy

I just don't understand the allure of a kayak when you have a perfectly good bass boat.  Just seems like a lot of bother to be uncomfortable and space limited. 

Capt. BassinLou

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on October 21, 2023, 08:42:42 AMI just don't understand the allure of a kayak when you have a perfectly good bass boat.  Just seems like a lot of bother to be uncomfortable and space limited. 

I'm not kayak guy, but I'm a small boat guy. Little boats and yaks, can get you into places where bigger boats cannot access. For example, one specific location on my home waters that consists of 12,000 acres of wetlands, can only be accessed by canoe, kayak, and other small boats. No big boats with gas outboards along with trailers are strictly prohibited.   

FlatsNBay

What Lou said. They open up the opportunity to access a lot of places that boats can't.

I've used kayaks a bunch in the past and can sum up my experience in one word... uncomfortable! But the newer kayaks that are made for fishing are extremely comfortable and you can easily stand without a fear of tipping. They are impressive.

skidemn

Quote from: FlatsNBay on October 21, 2023, 05:58:41 PMWhat Lou said. They open up the opportunity to access a lot of places that boats can't.

I've used kayaks a bunch in the past and can sum up my experience in one word... uncomfortable! But the newer kayaks that are made for fishing are extremely comfortable and you can easily stand without a fear of tipping. They are impressive.
Have you seen these?

https://youtu.be/A4cyOJS4R9Y?si=VoJEostv4XTPwbZp

If you are set on a kayak, check out what this boat builder does to his yak:

https://youtu.be/o3TW9WtmSR8?si=aiDmfZmEIxMWTUeJ


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FlatsNBay

Those little skiffs and cool. Thanks for sharing.

Smallie_Stalker

I like that lite skiff! ~c~

With my back issues I could never do a kayak but if I could mount a seat in just the right place I think I could make that skiff work.

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Hobious

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on October 21, 2023, 08:42:42 AMI just don't understand the allure of a kayak when you have a perfectly good bass boat.  Just seems like a lot of bother to be uncomfortable and space limited. 

for you. 

we all get to decide what is comfortable or not, for ourselves.  i think my kayak is damn luxurious.  i stay fit/trim burning the calories.  i am thankful, i am still physcially capable of moving my kayak around from my garage, to truck, to lake, and reverse.  it is so rewarding when i catch fish.  i fish out of my friends bass boat, and i would take my kayak any day over it.  i sometimes fish with him and a friend in his bassboat, me in my kayak.  he covers more water, i cover my water more thourougly.  we are about tied with informal tournements.   last time i landed more bass than the both of them combined.  they bought lunch.

FlatsNBay

I had a great discussion with my wife and she's on board! Thinking of still getting a high end 10' pedal drive but also getting a much cheaper entry level 10' pedal drive for my wife, daughter or guest. I've got both salt and fresh close by which would open up all kinds of opportunities to fish new and out of the way places. A couple of my state lands and county parks have nice lakes with primitive ramps (if any).

Hobious

Quote from: FlatsNBay on November 08, 2023, 06:51:05 AMI had a great discussion with my wife and she's on board! Thinking of still getting a high end 10' pedal drive but also getting a much cheaper entry level 10' pedal drive for my wife, daughter or guest. I've got both salt and fresh close by which would open up all kinds of opportunities to fish new and out of the way places. A couple of my state lands and county parks have nice lakes with primitive ramps (if any).

i tried the 10" Native and it is stable.  but not as stable as my 12..and my 12 seems faster in general.  i have a shortbed truck and use a BoonDox bed-extender to mitigate the situation. 

summary, dont let the truck dictate the size of your kayak.  well, dont let it be the ONLY deciding factor.

J.W.

So can you stand up and cast on these kayaks, or is it sitting only?

Hobious

Quote from: J.W. on November 10, 2023, 10:52:31 AMSo can you stand up and cast on these kayaks, or is it sitting only?

i stand a lot.  i can even cast and jam a hookset home.