Standing in a Kayak

[buzz]

Mark,
Can't you just pull up the Mirage drive and paddle when it gets like that?

[Mark]

I did!

I retracted the fins and paddled more that day than ever.

But when the pedals are there in the boat they're hard to ignore.

I almost think it's better to be without them in that salad than to be tempted by their presence.

[ronaultmtd]

I stood for the first time last year in my Outback...too much coffee...warm weather, shallow water wasn't worried about turtling...and it was something I just wanted to see if I could. It felt really tippy and unstable so I didn't do it again..

[Turtle135]

I do find for largemouth and smallmouth bass that standing helps with certain presentations, like working a jerkbait where you want to stroke the rod downwards to impart the proper action to the lure. Check out this YouTube video on the Ride 115.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAjOS-SX4Kc

[Raptor]

I've been reading recent posts about kayak comparisons and the topic of standing up in a kayak frequently arises.

I've wondered how prevalent standing is.

I have to say that in probably 20 outings of kayak fishing in the Bay and its tributaries last year, I never once had a notion to or felt a need to stand-up to fish.

What is the purpose of doing so?

Thanks in advance,

I stand in my kayak for three reasons - 1) To look for fish on the surface 2) To answer the call of nature & 3) Butt cramps. Attached is a picture of me with all the bravado of a newbie - the first time I fished from my kayak. I must admit a little loss in speed and efficiency for the stability that allows me a potty break without going to land is often worth it.

T.

[whenican]

I stand up in my Wavewalk 500 a lot. When there's a breeze I stand to stretch out and to act as a human sail, plus I can paddle or pole standing up. Like the others have said....standing allows you better vision into the thick lilly pads. Sometimes when spooking snakeheads and they whack your plastic they can spook you too and cause you to go swimming....I've been spooked but haven't gone swimming yet.

[Mark]

Terry,

Regarding point 2, I presume you've learned the difference between windward and leeward!

[Raptor]

Mark,

Oh yeah - very clear on that from my sail boating days. The whole crew will point out where the leeward side is - for some unknown reason!


T.

[ronaultmtd]

Very important to know when you need to pee

[bignose]

In my younger days, quite a while ago, I used to stand up in the canoe.
When I was a small craft instructor we'd actually stand on the stern gunnels and by slowly bouncing up and down, we'd propel the canoe by "gunnel pumping".
I've also stood up to pole my way upstream in very shallow water along the upper Potomac.

These days, I just don't trust my balance any more.
If I've gotta answer the call of nature, I either beach the canoe or carry a relief bottle.

[Memory Maker]

Very important to know when you need to pee

......... I agree ......... it's VERY important to know when you need to pee ....... ......... sounds like a personal problem

[charlieru]

I got a Ride 135 and I have stood up on it maybe 3 or 4 times on shallow calmed water just to strech my legs and take some pressure of my butt. The one time I did it out of necessity was last year while fishing the Potomac for snakeheads. The tide was going out and I was on a very shallow spot of the river and got stuck like an idiot. I had to stand up on the kayak so I could see the bottom while trying to find a path to get out of there..

[buzz]

I did!

I retracted the fins and paddled more that day than ever.

But when the pedals are there in the boat they're hard to ignore.

I almost think it's better to be without them in that salad than to be tempted by their presence.

Ah yes... temptation... ain't it a bitch!

[NukeMD]

I'm actually going to be purchasing a new kayak soon JUST for the purpose of being able to stand. I have a Wilderness Tarpon 120, and comfortable seating or not, sitting for 8 hours or more is a pain in the butt. Plus, like others have said, sight fishing for snakehead is a real advantage over having to get on top of them in order to see them. Thinking of purchasing the new Predator or possibly even the Diablo. I saw Pig Pen's Native Mariner and it is pretty sweet and he could easily stand in it, so that might be an option too. I haven't done any ocean fishing, but when I do this year, my guess is I won't be standing at all, so the Tarpon will still be fine for the ocean/bay. If I get either of the kayaks mentioned, I'll post pics and let you know what I think in case others are thinking of buying the same.

[rwh]

I stand occasionally in my Ride 135. It's a great kayak for standing. I'll stand when fishing freshwater pitching jigs or worms under or in cover or as others have mentioned, while fishing the flats and looking for puppy drum, but most of the time I'm sitting. As for standing to pee, ok.... I'll admit it... even standing, I still have to lean way back in order to get it over the side (especially in a drysuit with 3 layers of pants!). But what I have mastered is getting on my knees and aiming it down a scupper hole :-)