Best kayak for me?

[malaika]

Hi all, I was just looking for some advice on what kayak would be best for me. I have done a little paddling here and there but I find that either I'm too wobbly or need a more stable yak, taking into consideration I'm 6'1 & 105kg with a high cog. What suggestions would you have for a rec/fish platform mainly for rivers and estuaries, on a pretty tight budget (cooks rules), and will need to be fairly durable. some one recommend ma a site best kayak for fishing can you suggest me one?

[Jigsup]

Hello and welcome.

I was on a tight budget also when looking for a kayak. Being my first time purchasing and operating a fishing kayak, I came up with needs and wants. Needs where STABILITY, COMFORT, fishability, ease of paddle. Wants were looks, weight. I’m sure I’m missing a few. I purchased a Ascend 12t sit on top paddle kayak for a great price. I’ve had it for about 4 years now. Served me great. Only upgrade I’ve done to it was raising the seat up higher. Before raising the seat my back would hurt pretty bad after a few hours on the water. Raising the seat puts you higher over the water giving you a better paddle stroke angle, and puts you body in a more comfortable sitting position.

The Ascend 12t is a great kayak. Its 31 inches wide so it’s pretty stable in calm waters, ie ponds, back creeks. I can stand up on it and not feel uncomfortable. Wouldn’t try it in open waters like the Chesapeake bay. I’d credit that to me being on the safe side. It’s not bad on weight. It weighs 77lbs Before purchasing my truck I car topped it on a 99 accord. I’m 5’5 and could carry it to and from the water pretty easily with it empty. While carrying my gear I quickly started using a kayak dolly.

After owning it for some time now I’m really thinking about purchasing a peddle kayak for a more hands free experience. Also a peddle kayak would open up more fishing opportunities like trolling and trot lining. There are people who troll with a paddle kayak but that’s not for me. I get tired of paddling after a while.

There are great kayaks out there. Take your time and research. Hopefully others will chime in to give you experience of what they have or had.

[Slackdaddy]

Rivers could mean chasing smallmouth on Class 3 rapids on the Cheat river,, or floating with the tide on a tidal river of the Bay.
Tell us where you plan to fish, and what species you see yourself going after,,,It all makes a difference.

I have gone through 7-8 kayaks to get to the three I use now.

Jackson Coosa for mountain river chasing smallies (day trips and multi day) ,, I also use it for getting back in the thick stuff on tidal creeks as long as I do NOT have to paddle a long distance against the tide to get to my fishing spot. The Coosa HD is a fishing machine and very stable. It is also the ONLY fishing kayak designed for multi day trips (camping out of) on mountain rivers.

If I have to travel against the tide for more than a 100 yards or so,, the Coosa will wear me out,, I picked up a Native Slayer 10 Propel (pedal) specifically for the tidal water around me,, The Native is OK and gets the job done fine,,,, BUT - I picked up a OT Sportsman 106 PDL to replace the Native,, The Sportsman blows the Native away in every catagory,, just a much nicer boat.

Then I have a 10" Redfish, that I can carry long distances (light),, it is for a quick run through the woods to an out of the way pond.

Let us know where you will be fishing ?

Slack

[Realdeal1138]

You should really find a local dealer that is going to be doing a demo day with several different kayaks. You could then try out several kayaks and see what would work bet for you. I went to a demo day one time and it was great to get to try different kayaks. It can really help you determine what is best for you or what you like best. Hope this helps!

[HeaveToo]

I use to fish out of a SeaGhost 130 by Vibe. Pretty stable and a nice yak. I am 5’11” and 265.

this year I sold the vibe. I wasn’t fishing moving water much and my home water is the Occoquan River. I bought a Gheenoe NMZ. It is stupid stable and I can stand on the front casting deck and run the electric motor and feel stable. You can pick up a Gheenoe cheap used if you look around. Heck, the 13 May work for you and those are supposed to be stable too.

if budget is an issue watch Craigslist for used yaks. If possible try before you buy. Jackson Big Rig would be plenty stable

If you consider storage, I had an inflatable kayak for a while that was very stable and I could store it in a closet.

[Slackdaddy]

The Jackson Big Rig is beyond stable,, but tipping the scales at slightly over 100#,, Basically the Big Rig is an up sized Coosa HD

I use to fish out of a SeaGhost 130 by Vibe. Pretty stable and a nice yak. I am 5’11” and 265.

this year I sold the vibe. I wasn’t fishing moving water much and my home water is the Occoquan River. I bought a Gheenoe NMZ. It is stupid stable and I can stand on the front casting deck and run the electric motor and feel stable. You can pick up a Gheenoe cheap used if you look around. Heck, the 13 May work for you and those are supposed to be stable too.

if budget is an issue watch Craigslist for used yaks. If possible try before you buy. Jackson Big Rig would be plenty stable

If you consider storage, I had an inflatable kayak for a while that was very stable and I could store it in a closet.

[DanMarino]

If I were you I would definitely purchase something used and affordable from Facebook Marketplace. Not knowing exactly where you plan to fish and how, I would suggest with an 11 or 12 foot boat. You need to consider weight and how you will transport the kayak. Assuming you want something that will be versatile, I don't think you can go wrong with a Native Manta Ray 11 or 12, or a Tarpon 100 or 120. Paddling and fishing in the wind isn't fun and is made worse when sitting higher up in some of the more fancy kayaks with elevated seating positions. If you intend to paddle long distances to fish and troll, I strongly recommend getting a longer kayak. Something 13 feet will glide better and make paddling easier. Used is definitely the way to go in my opinion. I don't see any reason to buy new.

[Mark]

malaika,

Welcome to the forum and to the hobby.

Your question is not new to this forum. If you do a search here on that topic you will find no shortage of opinions and advice and probably hours of reading.

But I can say without rerservation that there is no perfect fishing kayak and there is no kayak unviversally good for all fishing scenarios. Each has has its plusses and minuses. However, as anglers we adjust to a particular kayak's shortfalls and we fully appreciate its good points.

I would also add that most new kayak anglers are overly concerned with stability. I say that because fishing kayaks in particular are far more stable than recreational and sea kayaks. I would have to work very hard to roll any of my three fishing kayaks. But I'm also judicious about weather condtions, the waters where I kayak fish and how I position myself and my gear within the kayak.

When considering a fishing kayak purchase, I think it's good to keep these things in mind:

1. The longer the kayak, the straighter it will track as you propel it, and the faster (easier to propel) it will be. But it will weigh more than a shorter kayak made of the same materials making it harder to lift/transport on land. Also, the longer a kayak is, the harder it will be to pivot or turn. This last issue may be a nonfactor to those who fish in open waters. But if you're fishing tight to structure in creeks and ponds, it may be an impediment.

2. The wider the kayak, the more stable it will be. But it will be harder to propel all other attributes being equal.

3. The longer and wider a kayak is, the more its carrying capacity will be. But, certainly it will weigh more.

4. For kayaks with adjustable seats, the higher you raise the seat, the more you sacrifice stabilty and the more you make yourself captive to wind.

There are many good fishing kayaks on the market offered by the major makers. They're built well and tough. Most make excellent purchases as used kayaks. For all around use, you cannot go wrong with an 11 to 13 foot fishing kayak with a 31 to 34 inch beam.

Then if you really get into the hobby, you will follow the lead of many of us who own multiple kayaks that we designate for the different kinds of waters we visit and the different kinds of kayak angling we do.

Good luck,