Anyone fishing from a kayak ??

[Johnny]

I nearly dead to try a kayak, found a kayak rental close to one of my fave trout spots, think'n about renting one to see how it works out .

If you have one...which one ??? whats your likes/dislikes, & would you buy something different naxt time ?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Leo Nguyen]

Yep..kayak, pontoon, float tube, and the best yet, three huge logs tied together to make a makeshift raft. The way, just watch out for these water patrolling "gatekeeper" as Jeffrey would put it:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MKVzxAFSLUo

 

Watch it to the very end..and you'll see what it is.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I have found yak fishing to be rewarding. It is low impact as far as the environment is concerned and very intimate. It has enough of the features of boating to be efficient, while maintaining the basic simplicity that we sometimes need.

This translates to being less costly and easier to take along on a more frequent basis. Ill say more as this thread goes along, but for now those are some of the things I like about it.

I have a Hobie Outback w/ Mirage Drive propulsion - you pedal it, or paddle it. Hands free fishing, in other words.

[Allen Morgan]

Johny, welcome to the addiction!

You might want to join the gillyakers group on this forum.  Click on "Groups" up at the top of the page, and scroll through the listings to find it.

Remember, yaks are a compromise.  You have to try several different models (I didn't), and find the one that best suits how and where you plan on fishing.  I found this out just this past weekend.  Several of my local friends and I did a float down a creek, into a lake, paddled all the way down the lake to the takeout.  Most of the other folks were using Jackson Coosas or similar style yaks.  Short and wide.  Highly maneuverable in tight quarters.  I have a Perception Search 13.  A little longer, little narrower, easier to get going, easier to hold speed.  The guys in the Coosas could maneuver around me in the creek, but once we got to the lake, I had a the edge for ease of travel.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Allen makes a good point - there is no perfect boat. The best compromise in a kayak is likely to be a 12 footer, though. Not perfect for everything, it does all things well enough.

Look for one that keeps your butt dry.

[Allen Morgan]

Yep, a wet hiney is not comfortable.  I have two scupper holes under my seat.  I just bought some foam golf balls to use as scupper plugs.  That should help keep my rear dry.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Many of the newer kayaks include seating that actually places the seat of the well, itself, out of the scupper well. They sit on rails or in some other way are held above. The scuppers drain, as usual, but your butt is out of the slosh. The Jackson Coosa mentioned is one such boat. So is the Wilderness Systems Ride. 

What is most important, Johnny, is what sort of water you can expect to be fishing on? If lakes or ponds will make up 80% of your fishing time, then a longer boat is better. If small streams and creeks are the 80%, then something else is more suitable. So first question is: where will you be fishing?

[Johnny]

Fish'n territory will probably be 50/50, localy all I have is farm lakes & a couple resivores, the biggest body of water will be in the 100 acre range.

Most of the rivers I want to float are on the smaller side, enuff so you can throw a rock across it, but thers a couple I would like to try out thats a little bigger but nothing dangerous. (you can youtube search for Elk,sequatchie,Duck rivers & thers vidoes of what I'm talk'n about just to give you an idea.)

The first thing I asked the rental owner if they had a Jackson & she pointed out 2 of the Coosa's so its on my short list already, also would like to try the Cuda & since wifey will want to go the Big Tuna (with 2 seats) will be a option.

I need to look up some other brands to see what they have to offer but most of the youtube videos I've watched the Jackson is a well thought out machine, plus ther made rite here in Tennessee.

Thanks for the input guys, keep it come'n.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

How did I know you would say, "50/50?"

I like the Jackson Coosa and had my eye on one before my Hobie came available. It is suitable for lakes; you just wont go anywhere fast in one. It's main downfall will be traversing large open stretches of water. And with its high rocker (up-swept bow) and elevated seating, you can expect to get sailed by the wind when in the open. Yakkers refer to it as a "barge" for good reason.

On the other hand, I doubt there is a more comfy, safe and dry fishing platform afloat. It has an ingenious chain drag set-up for rivers; that is sublime. And by adding an anchoring trolley, you could defeat much of the winds efforts to move you around on the lake. Alternatively, you could just let it swing on a *large* chain drag... it would make a great drift platform. Kept to the lee side and/or the near-shore, I can see it as useful even in the big waters.

As for the wife, she needs her own boat. In the yakking community, tandems are referred to as "divorce makers" - just in case you didn't know.

[Leo Nguyen]

"Divorce makers" are referred to the tandem? Wouldn't the singles are also the divorce starter, since the guy can ditch the girl, especially when they are beginners, as she whine and complain about how hard it is?

[Johnny]

This thread is great...divorce makers, HA !!! I entirely get it, same effect with a flat bottom, I found it easier just to paddle the boat myself as apposed to teach'n her how too.

 

I found a couple new Coosa's on craiglist last night, both were nearly new & one only used (think'n add read) 3 times, priced at $1,000 each, not gonna jump on anything tho, gonna rent one to see what I think first.

[Allen Morgan]

Smart idea.

Do a google search for "Kayak fishing forums" cross-referenced with your local area.  Odds are, there's a forum for kayak fishing somewhat close to you.  Even if there isn't, there are several out there that have LOTS of good info.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

$1K isnt much of a discount. They go for that new. Offer $750.