Need Some Help/Guidance

[shoreboy6]

I have a 28' CC that I use for fishing and crabbing but it has about a 3' draft. I have been looking into getting a small skiff or kayak for fishing in shallow water. I really got hooked on fishing the shorelines last year and realize something more accomodating would be more beneficial. So, my question to you guys is what makes a kayak a better choice then a small skiff.

[Memory Maker]

the fun factor ......... you're closer to the water ....... can get into the areas others can't ....... forces you to really fish an area .......... I have a small boat and a 18 ft CC but I prefer the Yak .........

[chex]

All of the above, plus exercise, stealth, low ecological impact, ease of transportation (you can keep it on your car roof 24/7 like I do)... not to mention being a part of this cool club.

[shoreboy6]

MM

Sounds like you are exactly the man I need to talk to. Do you find you use your other boats a lot less now that you are fishing out of a yak? Do you find that you can still catch pretty much any type of fish you want, whenever you want, or are you more limited?

[J.A. Veil]

MM

Sounds like you are exactly the man I need to talk to. Do you find you use your other boats a lot less now that you are fishing out of a yak? Do you find that you can still catch pretty much any type of fish you want, whenever you want, or are you more limited?

I have used my kayak every week this year so far (often more than once). I have used my 16' center console only once so far. I do plan to use it more during the summer. The logistics of going out for a few hours of kayak fishing are much less hectic than planning a day with the power boat.

[shoreboy6]

John,

Thanks for the input. Interestingly enough, I am trying to decide between a sot yak or a 16' cc skiff. I'd love to hear some more pros vs. cons.......

[Memory Maker]

MM

Sounds like you are exactly the man I need to talk to. Do you find you use your other boats a lot less now that you are fishing out of a yak? Do you find that you can still catch pretty much any type of fish you want, whenever you want, or are you more limited?

Only use the Yak .......... had limited use of that too ....... haven't used the boats in 2 years .......... You can catch the same species and more of them in many cases because you can get closer to the structure quietly and fish it better. The only concerns are the distance you can travel in a Yak but then again you can launch almost anywhere so you can launch closer to the target. Also you can't really stand up and move around in most yaks ........ but you can essentially go where the big boats go ........... and you can get back when it gets really nasty. Over 2 ft chop and you don't want to be there anyway .......

[Financeguru]

Overall, I prefer a kayak over a jon boat or bass boat due to many reasons stated already.

The cons are stated above as well but I would add that being in a kayak in a area where there are lots of boats travelling through outside of "no wake" zones can be a wet or and wavy experience. I haven't turtled from another boat's wake yet but I can say that many boaters, once out of the "no wake" zones, fire up their motor and often dont know or consider how it impacts the kayakers around. Although boaters are told to manage their own wakes, I've heard many tell me that if kayakers are out where the bass and power boats are, then their wakes is part of being in that territory.

Overall, I love being so close to the water, fish, environment, etc and love I can just put it on top of my car and go anywhere, including area others can't or won't.

Hope that helps.

[surfdog]

yaks are great fun but you are limited to the area you choose to fish. with a flats skif you can run and gun to different locations which is good when the area chosen isnt producing. wish i still had my 14' fountain cc i could get into 6" of water and pole if i wanted to. but with a 28' boat you can strap the yak on or tow it to your location and fish

[Tall_Timbers_Kayaker]

I have a 17 foot center console on a lift so it is really easy to use it. I also live on a creek with a Pro Angler in my back yard. I've been out in the center console about 3 times this year. The Pro Angler gets used an average of 3 times a week. I catch croaker and perch more easily in the yak. Big rock are a somewhat different story so far but I'll be honest, the yak is wonerful.

TTYakker

[shoreboy6]

Thanks for all the replys. I have decided to get a kayak for several reasons. #1 is financial. I really dont want more boat payments, registration fees, tags, service fees, regular operating costs etc....... Another reason is hearing and seeing all the things I can do from a yak, kayak Kevin's videos are amazing. It also will "force" me to fish more locally and I have already been thinking about getting into some of the small creeks close to home to find out what is swimming in them.