Decided to buy a fishing kayak and wanted to know which brands to look at. Please don't tell me about cheap ones I'm looking for a top of the line type. I dont want to buy one and it won't hold up and end up junk in a year.
Mike
Friend had a Hobie Pro Angler 12. It was very nice. I fish an Ascend FS12T. There is a considerable difference in the two for obvious reasons. The ascend is an entry level kayak and the hobie is a serious watercraft. I want to get the Hobie Pro Angler myself.
There are a bunch of good ones. Hobie if you want hands free. Their patent finally expired so there are now others using their original drive. Ocean Kayak, Jackson, Malibu, Wilderness all make great paddle fishing kayaks. The paddle ones have better in hull storage since there isn't a drive in the way. I don't know where you are but there are kayak shops around that carry the ones I mentioned.
https://www.hobie.com/kayaks/
https://malibukayaks.com/
https://www.oceankayak.com/
https://jacksonadventures.com/
https://www.wildernesssystems.com/us/
Mike the first thing you need to figure out is if you want to paddle or pedal.... That decision should help you determine which company you go with..... If you want pedal go with Hobie and if you want to paddle get a Jackson... Just make sure you get one that fits your size.... I loved my fishing kayak when I lived in Florida and was part of a kayak fishing group so let me know if you have any questions
Pj
The problem is there are allot of bad ones and just a few good ones. I cant seem to search for one without being sent to amazon. They are all junk being pushed by Amazon.
Mike
These a are a little pricey, but they caught my eye a while back. I think they are rotomolded like kayaks now (early models were fiberglass).
https://www.soloskiff.com/ (https://www.soloskiff.com/)
https://youtu.be/BR0TVz4K5n8
https://youtu.be/awy0Tjfu4AA
Wow! That looks like a fun little sled
If forget the name but there's a kayak place in San Diego that's on the water that lets you test drive different kayaks to get a feel for what you like. A long trek I know but might be worth it, those high end kayaks are pricey
OEX used to be on Mission Bay, now they're in Kearny Mesa, they have a store in Sunset Beach on the water where you can demo 'yaks.
https://jacksonadventures.com/kayak-fishing/
Most fishing guys say Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14. By the time you trick it out the price can be like six grand.
I want to paddle, not pedal. A one-man outrigger canoe works best for me because it is fast and stealth.
For what it's worth... if you haven't already, I'd start off by borrowing one, then get in the water beside it, clothed as you would expect to be for a fishing trip, then see if you can get back in the yak. At some point you will end up in the water; every experienced Kayak fisherman I know has turtled at some point, and in deep water with a little bit of chop it can be incredibly hard to get back on board.
Curious, do they build kayaks with outriggers? Or is there aftermarket companies that make them for attachment to kayaks. Rudy
Quote from: boon on March 01, 2021, 08:25:05 PM
For what it's worth... if you haven't already, I'd start off by borrowing one, then get in the water beside it, clothed as you would expect to be for a fishing trip, then see if you can get back in the yak. At some point you will end up in the water; every experienced Kayak fisherman I know has turtled at some point, and in deep water with a little bit of chop it can be incredibly hard to get back on board.
Truer words have rarely been said. First time I went over was off hickam beach. I was trolling and got hung up, that is an instant anchoring, and if you keep paddling, the boat spins 90 degrees faster than a mean mechanical bull operator... out you go. I lost the rod and reel, but kept the roy, a buddy of mine turned the skin into a jet head.
The Man
Quote from: RowdyW on March 01, 2021, 08:33:53 PM
Curious, do they build kayaks with outriggers? Or is there aftermarket companies that make them for attachment to kayaks. Rudy
Yes, but with a wide-body fishing kayak the outriggers have to be placed way back near the stern so they not get in the way of the double-blade kayak paddle. An outrigger works better on a narrow canoe because the stroke with the shorter single-blade canoe paddle is more upright and there is room to paddle without banging the outrigger.
Those wide fishing kayaks are more stable than you might think. You will not capsize them any more often than you would a one-man outrigger canoe.
Glad to see you posting Rudy.
Quote from: Ron Jones on March 02, 2021, 04:03:40 AM
Truer words have rarely been said. First time I went over was off hickam beach. I was trolling and got hung up, that is an instant anchoring, and if you keep paddling, the boat spins 90 degrees faster than a mean mechanical bull operator... out you go. I lost the rod and reel, but kept the roy, a buddy of mine turned the skin into a jet head.
I hate capsizing and mussing up my hair. I lost the most expensive baitcasting rod and reel I had ever owned in it's first two hours of use when the boat flipped.
What the heck is a jet head?
Mikeysm, where you gonna use it? Need for stability in rough water? Access points? Distance moving during fishing? How to transport to water? Eventually gonna want engine or motor power?
RFP and Oc1 are right, the Hobie Pro Angler series are expensive, but gotta be one a the best set-up for fishing yaks out there. Very stable lookin, but not the best for long distance, unless you have a motor/engine, kinda like a tank version of a kayak. Longer narrower rigs are faster.
Hobie will sell you just about anything you need, inclunding ama style outriggers, but at pretty high prices. Lots a guys engineer their own mostly plastic stuff, it's fun!
I know Fast Lane Kayaks is still down in Mission Bay and I believe they have demos. - john
Fast lane, that's the one I was thinking of
My wife and I tandem fish a nucanoe frontier 12. It is a super stable kayak. Very customizable due to track system.
Quote from: Swami805 on March 02, 2021, 08:19:00 PM
Fast lane, that's the one I was thinking of
They're right next to Dana Landing. I think they just carry Hobie's.
Quote from: oc1 on March 02, 2021, 07:58:43 AM
Quote from: Ron Jones on March 02, 2021, 04:03:40 AM
Truer words have rarely been said. First time I went over was off hickam beach. I was trolling and got hung up, that is an instant anchoring, and if you keep paddling, the boat spins 90 degrees faster than a mean mechanical bull operator... out you go. I lost the rod and reel, but kept the roy, a buddy of mine turned the skin into a jet head.
I hate capsizing and mussing up my hair. I lost the most expensive baitcasting rod and reel I had ever owned in it's first two hours of use when the boat flipped.
What the heck is a jet head?
I believe the 'jet head ' reference is to a type of trolling lures that has a hole or small piece of tubing thru the head of the jig . When trolled it creates a bubble stream or water stream as the water passes thru .
Very effective in tropical waters for a large variety of fish...
I will see if I have one here and post a pic .
Best ,
Jonathan
Stole this online .....
https://www.bearedum.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=224797
Bryan young has pictures of what I'm talking about.
The Man
I'm going to look at the hobie fishing pro 360. I just don't see anything that can match it.
Mike
Mike I'm not sure how you pan on transporting the kayak but be aware the Pro Angler is a heavy boat empty....
If you plan on putting it on a roof rack i suggest you look into the Thule Hullavator
https://www.thule.com/en-us/winter-and-water-sports-carriers/kayak-roof-racks/thule-hullavator-pro-_-1685448
If its going into the bed of a truck i suggest you get a tail gate extender
https://www.amazon.com/MaxxHaul-70231-Extender-Ladder-Lumber/dp/B01D4CXIKY/ref=pd_lpo_468_t_1/140-2386417-5144702?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01D4CXIKY&pd_rd_r=07a8e2f4-5780-42a2-857f-8f8b85929ca0&pd_rd_w=QiI42&pd_rd_wg=lQOkG&pf_rd_p=16b28406-aa34-451d-8a2e-b3930ada000c&pf_rd_r=1Y8E5C1WPG1TA11QHVT0&psc=1&refRID=1Y8E5C1WPG1TA11QHVT0
and add magnetic trailer lights but attach them with heavy duty Velcro straps or webbing as the magnets are not very strong
I don't think it is a good idea to wear rubber boots in a kayak like this guy, but.....
Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 120 fishing kayak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSlaOLUz31A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSlaOLUz31A)
Quote from: oc1 on March 04, 2021, 06:42:37 PM
I don't think it is a good idea to wear rubber boots in a kayak like this guy, but.....
Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 120 fishing kayak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSlaOLUz31A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSlaOLUz31A)
At some point, we need to stop calling these boats kayaks. I think they are awesome, but the boys in Greenland would look at you funny if you showed up in one of those. As microskiffs get smaller, and kayaks get wider, they will soon collide and we'll not know exactly what we are talking about. Sort of like the PC dory 60 years ago.
The Man
I have a trailer to haul the kayak I purchase. I also know how much it weights.
Mike
Quote from: Ron Jones on March 04, 2021, 07:35:03 PM
As microskiffs get smaller, and kayaks get wider, they will soon collide and we'll not know exactly what we are talking about. Sort of like the PC dory 60 years ago.
I think they have already collided Ron. I saw a stand-up thing with an outboard at West Marine that they called a microskiff but was no grander or more stable than the kayak above.
The Inuit name "kayak" translates as "man boat".
Quote from: mikeysm on March 05, 2021, 02:56:08 AM
I have a trailer to haul the kayak I purchase. I also know how much it weights.
Mike
Perfect!!!!
Whoa, dude! $5000 for the yak, + whatever the trailer cost(prolly gonna want a fishfinder, too). If I hada do it all over again, I'd opt for that'n. You got that kinda scratch?, after you get used to the pro 360, think on a motor system. Torqeedo Co. makes a unit that fits right into the mirage well and clicks right in just like the peddle unit.
Quote from: oc1 on March 05, 2021, 05:33:57 AM
Quote from: Ron Jones on March 04, 2021, 07:35:03 PM
As microskiffs get smaller, and kayaks get wider, they will soon collide and we'll not know exactly what we are talking about. Sort of like the PC dory 60 years ago.
I think they have already collided Ron. I saw a stand-up thing with an outboard at West Marine that they called a microskiff but was no grander or more stable than the kayak above.
The Inuit name "kayak" translates as "man boat".
Man boat works, I just like to know what I'm talking about. I still don't see how what we call sit on top kayak's aren't called canoes?
The Man
You could always just go with a microskiff!!!!
https://nanocraftboats.com/nano13/
Quote from: Ron Jones on March 05, 2021, 08:37:25 PM
I still don't see how what we call sit on top kayak's aren't called canoes?
Double bladed paddle maybe
Quote from: Ron Jones on March 05, 2021, 08:37:25 PM
Quote from: oc1 on March 05, 2021, 05:33:57 AM
Quote from: Ron Jones on March 04, 2021, 07:35:03 PM
As microskiffs get smaller, and kayaks get wider, they will soon collide and we'll not know exactly what we are talking about. Sort of like the PC dory 60 years ago.
I think they have already collided Ron. I saw a stand-up thing with an outboard at West Marine that they called a microskiff but was no grander or more stable than the kayak above.
The Inuit name "kayak" translates as "man boat".
Man boat works, I just like to know what I'm talking about. I still don't see how what we call sit on top kayak's aren't called canoes?
The Man
Calling a roto molded 'yak a canoe would be like calling a bubblehead like you a squid.
Defining what a modern kayak is no small task either. Our kids raced these things in high school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHfC81QWkNE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHfC81QWkNE)
Epic Kayaks, SurfSkis and such. They get sort of snooty and offended if you call a Scupper Pro or Hobie a kayak.
If I was to take on another boat project, it would be a Whitehall. It's a classic turn of the century rowing design originally used for livery; ferrying people and/or stores to and from a ship or across a river. It can be laid up in either fiberglass, marine ply or planking. It's available as plans, kits or finished. It has beautiful lines and is really fast for a rowing boat of its size. They were originally bench seat but some are fitted with sliding seats these days. It can also be sailed or fitted with a small kicker. Something like the old ELTO motor that Todd has for sale would be absolutely perfect.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitehall_rowboat (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitehall_rowboat)
https://www.whitehallrow.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA7YyCBhD_ARIsALkj54ouWQjWf-0DmTanjHdudGyxjQS12jSn_cg3jt8y_fas1VBjmq_PDEcaAvejEALw_wcB (https://www.whitehallrow.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA7YyCBhD_ARIsALkj54ouWQjWf-0DmTanjHdudGyxjQS12jSn_cg3jt8y_fas1VBjmq_PDEcaAvejEALw_wcB)
https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=32667.0 (https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=32667.0)
If a person was allowed to spend their hard-earned Social Security check any damn way they wanted then I'd be all over it.
Steve i think you found our next project .
Cool. The Whitehall looks to be designed a bit like a Viking Longboat. Them guys knew how to go a long way in a relatively small vessel.
Quote from: oc1 on March 06, 2021, 05:35:53 AM
Defining what a modern kayak is no small task either. Our kids raced these things in high school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHfC81QWkNE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHfC81QWkNE)
Epic Kayaks, SurfSkis and such. They get sort of snooty and offended if you call a Scupper Pro or Hobie a kayak.
How about if you call them sit on top fishing kayaks? I think Inuit/Greenlanders would be offended if you called an epic kayak, surfski and such a kayak.
I like surfski, that is a modern name for a modern design. The only difference is how much freeboard and gunnel you want. You get wet in them, you use a twin bladed paddle and they are relatively flat, wide and longish to give good speed and stability for someone not interested in learning the eskimo roll.
I don't think we're helping with the decision, sorry.
The Man
Ever think of an Old Town Predator PDL/Old-town-Sportsman BigWater 132 PDL (same vessel, different colors)? The nice thing about Old Town is the lifetime hull warranty. Old Town has the strongest pedal drive on the market with a 5 year warranty on the pedal drive. If the pedal drive for some unforeseeable reason during the warranty period, send it back for them to fix. If it breaks outside of the warranty period, you can fix it. There is a fellow by the name of Nick Lytle on YouTube, look for Navarre Kayak Fishing, he has all kinds of videos on these vessels and creates and sells aftermarket parts for them.