Ascend, any good

[Snakehead Hunter]

Walleye is best eating fish until SH come along!! I agree with getting a used boat for cheap on Craigslist. I got my Trident 13 used for a little more than a new Assent but it's worth it. You should demo though, to find out which type you like. The more stable kayak that you can stand on will be a little slower than a more slender one. I think it's all personal reference. I was lucky to demo on a windy day, it really put the kayak to test

[yakPHISHn]

I am in the market for the 2015 Outback. which is the best yak i have seen with the nice seats. its big brother is the hobie PA but both are expense. If you plan on fishing the bay, there is nothing finer. If you want another option for foot operated yak with the nice seat look at the Native Slayer propel. Also great on the bay, but also pricey. If you want to paddle only there are a lot of options that are good in all types of water with the quality seat. The Slayer has a paddle only model for a good bit cheaper, Jackson kayak has some models you may like as well. Now if you are not interested in the big water and will be fishing flat water like creeks, rivers, lakes, ponds and such there is another option. The Native Ultimate is super lightweight, has the perfect seat, very stable for standing, and very dry. Its like hybrid kayak/canoe in design an very easy to car top, but stay away from heavy boat wake or big water like the bay it will swamp in a heartbeat.

[JohnE]

I remember reading somewhere on here that they sell a kayak called a pampano or something like that at West Marine and it is essentially a tarpon 120 copy. You might look into a couple of those.

[Salty Dog]

Also check out kayak rentals, sometimes they sell older models for a decent price. this site under tackle shop, craigs list, go to dealers, look for trade ups. I recommend trying out demos, find what you like and go from there.

[JohnE]

Anything with a vantage style/lawn chair seat is going to run you well over 1k. Probably even pretty lucky to get one under 1k used. The seats on the rides and tarpons are pretty comfortable. I can sit for around 5 or 6 hours pretty comfortably. After that I keep lifting my butt off the seat every so often to relieve soreness.

Old Town Predator seems like a good deal if you want the vantage style seat. The have it on sale with free shipping at ACK. The mx version is also on sale. They also have some rides and tarpons on sale right now. Ride 115 low seat is only $742.

[wfauby]

im pushing 50 years old...I dont think i could stand to sit in a molded seat for long...I have done it, but i find myself longing for the seat in my Jackson Big Tuna. Several manufacturers are now producing kayaks w the "lawn chair" style seats...if you can wait until you can afford a yak w that style seat, i think you will be very happy. If you are looking at kayaks on Craigslist, you have to be ready to purchase...they dont last long if they are priced right and are a desirable model. Most folks i know, that currently own a sit-in (and have never fished from a sit-on-top) once they fish from a sit-ON...end up looking for one. Good luck.

[Backdoc]

I don't have a lot of experience so my opinion might not be worth reading. When my friend Chris and I went to the flats a few weeks ago we rigged up and headed out. I was in my Tarpon 120 and Chris was in his Ascend 12. He could not fish the flats because water kept coming over the bow of his boat and filling up the front cargo area faster than it would drain out of the scuppers. The water was a little choppy by my Tarpon 120 was fine. Again, I am new at this so take that into consideration when reading my comment.

[kevinfry]

Backdoc....I assume that was one of the new ascends with the flat lowprofile design? The original ascend sot handled chop much much better

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[Frogsauce]

I don't know much about Ascend kayaks. But I do believe in you get what you pay for. And word of mouth... JohnE and MetroMan can attest to that, I bother them all the time with questions about their yaks. (sorry guys )

[Shady]

Sign up for the cbka tourney and you could win a kayak! We can arrange for a loaner kayak for you to use at the tourney!

[eyedaddy]

I know the what you are going through with all the different models out there and its a lot to consider. My advice is to try and test as many different types as you can so you can an idea of what best fits your needs and finances. Your age comes into play and general condition as well. I got my first one from Craigslist and got a good deal. Just keep looking until you find what fits you.

[buzz]

Sign up for the cbka tourney and you could win a kayak! We can arrange for a loaner kayak for you to use at the tourney!

What Ryan is offering is a great deal. With all those yakkers together in one place, you'll be able to see just about every fishing kayak available to man.

[mhossom]

Just over a year ago, I was in the same situation you are in and looking at similar kayaks. I ended up buying an Old Town Trip 10 Angler and used it for a year with some success. I was a happy man until the day came that my friends and I did an 8 hour trip to Mattawoman. I was in so much pain in my legs and shoulders that I could hardly make the drive home afterwards. That is when I began my quest to upgrade. I knew that a Hobie was not in the cards for me at this point in my life so I looked to the Jackson line and decided that the Cuda 12 was the right kayak for me. After that, I stalked Craigslist and other sites waiting for a used one to go up for sale at the same time that I have the funds available. I'm happy to day that a few weeks ago I got my new/used yak from Delaware Paddlesports and wish I had done it right the first time. Don't settle. Buy what you want or end up buying it twice like I did.

[Backdoc]

Correct. Chris purchased the Ascend new in the spring from Bass Pro. Again, I dont have much experience but he regrets the purchase. I also noticed he was working much harder than me when we were paddling. Neither of us really know what we are doing but it was easier doing it in my Tarpon as opposed to his Ascend.

[kevinfry]

well backdoc, I think the ascend would be a good boat for the right circumstance. Nice standing platform and open deck is good for lakes and such.....but hull was not designed for the bay. Not a bad boat i think, just the wrong situation. Tarpons are great all around choices and many cheaper boats have tarpon hulls........but not good for standing unless you have GREAT balance