Kayak fishing

[Gary Boysen]

I need to get off the banks and get out where the fish are. I've been looking at kayaks. Does anyone have any good advice or opinions about kayak fishing? I'd love some feedback. Thanks.

[jim cosgrove]

ive sat in almost every model.at shows,i still like the mini pontoons,i like sitting up.i dont have one but friends do and i enjoy fishing from them.big water i,ll take the deep v.i hate bass boats,like fishing on a raft.like the deep v,can walk around have a full cooler everything stays inside.can stay out all day.most guys that fish the big rivers here prefer a deep v also.we are in the process of rebuilding my son's.

[Slip Sinker]

my cousin Earl has a top of the line puddle jumper with a front trolling motor on it. i feel more comfortable in the small creek channels, ponds and small lakes. when we fish the main lake bodies we take the Jon Boat or i fish the kayak.

[Slip Sinker]

Jim stability on these sit on top kayaks today is pretty much unbelievable... even with mine you pretty much have to have outside help to flip it over. now i would have to agree that sit in kayaks do tip and sometimes too easily. there is a difference between the two styles on stability.

take for example the two videos below with a nucanoe.

Stability Tests:

man standing on cooler

stability test

Hobie Mirage stability

so yess very very stable. no worry of tipping or lost gear on most of the sit on top models

Power Source Options:

this is one thing that i cant wait to do... but that doesn tmean i'll give up the paddle.

available power options...Outboard

electric trolling motor... i really like this one...picture tying the front trolling motor to you Humminbird Sonar with the follow the contour feature

front trolling motor

as for paddling Jim ...after a little conditioning the effort put forth is comparable to walking is the best way i can describe it.  when walking you very rarely think back on how you got to that point ... you just do it. point a to point b... you paddle... it becomes second nature... much like walking.

 

 

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

"I fly fish and the difference between casting sitting in a chair as opposed to sitting on the ground is the way i see it."
Which is abiut right - until you get into a kayak designed with elevated seating. They are more like fishing from a chair that that also happens to be mobile and which floats.
"I see guys roll kayaks often and would really hate to lose my gear and go swimming."
Once afloat and accustomed to the experience, the tendency is to push the envelope. Any boat will roll, given the right conditions. Some kayaks are designed for it. But every angling-specific kayak that I've seen or used, with elevated seatin, has excellent secondary stability. This means that to turtle one you have to a. Be trying real hard,
b. Be doing things beyond your skill level, or
c. Be fairly stupid (b being a derivative of the last)

"My first boat was a 10 ft jon boat that i rowed. i didn't mind one bit. i had a boat and thats all that mattered. i was young and strong and could row all day."

Personally I wouldn't mind a rowing pram, myself. But kayaks are surprisingly easy to paddle - its nearly effortless once it is moving.
They are also less affected by wind than most any other boat so kayaks hold position while youre casting very well.

They've become popular for one reason - they offer good compromise for the non-boating "everyman," in an affordable package.

[jim cosgrove]

i am with Tony on this.those little pontoons are quite comfy and you get a nice view of the water.only kayak i would get is a jet powered one.my job is very physical at times.i do a lot of shore fishing and am always walking to the next spot.cover a couple miles sometimes before i know it.i really have no desire to paddle in my free time.get enough exercise at work.i know Tony works very hard too and turning on the electric and cruising around is quite relaxing and quiet and pretty stealthy.no one considers casting in this discussion.i fly fish and the difference between casting sitting in a chair as opposed to sitting on the ground is the way i see it.my son has a nice big deep v for the bigger water.i see guys roll kayaks often and would really hate to lose my gear and go swimming.my first boat was a 10 ft jon boat that i rowed.i didn't mind one bit.i had a boat and thats all that mattered.i was young and srtong and could row all day.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

The little bass buggies Tony shows are nice in protected waters, like small ponds, or back coves.
Theyll do all he says and they are quite comfy.
But they have no real legs - you're not going far in one. It's the difference between a raft and a speedboat.
One advantage of a kayak is its mobility. You can go very far in one on nothing more than oatmeal, some fruit and toilet paper. Distant fishing grounds are no problem; that's a huge part of their appeal.
Kayaks are far more hydrodynamic, too, and can take some chop and swell. I wouldn't even think of crossing big, open water in a bass buggy.
For exploring, and fishing different environments within a geographic region, the kayak would be my choice.
For single handed, toss and go convenience, the kayak has a few points over the buggy, which usually requires some degree of rigging before you can get under way.
If I was never gonna leave the pond environment, the bass buggy is a good option.

[carl hendrix]

just to add a ( little more confusion) for you ;; check out; carolina electric boats.  about the same as Tonys bass hunter type;; but;; how about twin troling motors; underneath the boat !  built in !!

[carl hendrix]

Gary;  the boat Tony referred to;( and it is a fantastic boat ) in my area its called a bass hunter boat; yo ucan find them at bass pro; academy sports; several other places; starting at around 500 dollars;; can be slipped into the bed of a pick up truck !  utility trailers; in my area; depending on the size you want; start around 300 dollars;; floored; side rails; wired for lights ! with little modification;  can be a great canoe; kayak; jon boat; what ever you need.  check around in your area; some places; build trailers ;;; also ;; depending on your skills;; you could make one for around 200 to 300 dollars; and 2 days work

[Slip Sinker]

... just like you state flatbed trailer and add some PVC bunks and you could be in business... i like the idea of this trailer folding

Haul Master folding trailer

[Slip Sinker]

i bought a Yaught club trailer new at between $5-600... i use on my Jon , kayaks and canoe...

craigs list is a good source of PWC trailers also saw a bunch of em for sale in my neighborhood at around 3-4 hundred

there trailer price i though was expensive also

http://www.yachtclubtrailers.com/bunks/bunk-168B.php

nucanoe forum is a great source for ideas