Anyone here into Kayaking?

[aphex]

My buddies are I are looking to start kayak fishing as one of them recently sold his boat. I swung by Dick's for a bit to look at their selection (surprisingly they had quite a few) and found one that might work, a Future Beach Trophy 126, on sale for $399

Wasn't sure as to the benefits of a Sit-In vs. a Sit-On, but I thought a Sit-In might feel a little more secure?

Anyway, just curious as to your thoughts on what to look for in a Kayak. We won't be taking them on any long distance trips really, just plan to put in around Siesta Key and paddle a bit through Sarasota Bay to our old fishing holes. The 126 mentioned above had two rod holders and two small storage areas (the rear was large enough to keep a catch or two).

 

[mozirry]

i see this on several herpes commercials

 

[Demo24]

I don't like sit-ons as you get too wet and then slide around. There's also a lack of adjustment meaning you may not fit correctly. Also it may or may not have any usable storage space.

Get a sit-in. It's far more comfortable, easier to control, and generally better for the application you are looking to use it for.

 

[0roo0roo]

dude....
have you ever done this before?

you need to get familiar with kayaks before you just jump into a sit in. like being able to right yourself if you roll over or how to leave it quickly if you can't. and of course how to get back in not that easy! esp if your in deeper water and can't touch the ground

sit ins have less resistance and are far easier to move. but they are far easier to roll

take a beginning class if you never done this before else its not gonna be pretty.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
dude....
have you ever done this before?

you need to get familiar with kayaks before you just jump into a sit in. like being able to right yourself if you roll over or how to leave it quickly if you can't. and of course how to get back in not that easy! esp if your in deeper water and can't touch the ground

sit ins have less resistance and are far easier to move. but they are far easier to roll

take a beginning class if you never done this before else its not gonna be pretty.

I thought rolling was an issue for those going river/rapid kayaking with a seal on the top, not for those going fishing in basically still water.

 

[IronWing]

What to look for in a Kayak?

I look for the rocks.

 

[zoiks]

I have a fishing kayak that I use often. It's locked up for the winter but I intend to use it in a month or 2.
If you fish in the ocean, you HAVE to get a sit-on-top especially if you do plan to launch from a beach or so. You will get thrown off at times and you'd be in trouble if you had a sit-in-type. I have a fishing kayak with color GPS/Fishfinder, pole holders..the whole works.

 

[zoiks]

BTW, contrary to what the poster above said, learning how to kayak doesn't take much at all. I've taken many of my friends that have never used a kayak before and it was never a problem for them. You just have to get used to it.
What kind of kayak are you looking for? If you get a wide one, it'll be more stable but it'll be really slow. There are a number of kayaks that are pretty awesome. I can suggest some once I know what you prefer.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Kayaks are more portable and react quicker but, I prefer the old aluminum canoes for camping and extended trips. I was never a fan of the ultra light approach. If you're just looking at day trips to fish try an inflatable.

 

[LS21]

sooooooooo tiring

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: LS21
sooooooooo tiring

Breathing?

 

[luv2liv]

what about an inflatable kayak?. how durable is that?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: luv2liv
what about an inflatable kayak?. how durable is that?

For fishing they're great! You're not going to do class fives in them.

 

[zoiks]

There are many kinds of kayaks out there. There are also folding kayaks that you can carry in a 3 bags and assemble right at the water. They are kind of pricey however.
Look into the Cobra Marauder for a sit-on-top (14ft with nice big hatches). There is the Ocean Kayak Trident which is similar to the marauder. I used to have the fishndive by Cobra. Saved my neck once when I was paddling out in a mixed swell near Half Moon Bay CA. I almost caught up in one of those whirlpools caused by the turbulent water and the submerged rocks.

 

[Perknose]

As several have said, if you get a sit-in, practice righting yourself. I've never owned one, but have summer long access to two, including one already berthed at Lake Nockamixon.

The owner is single, attracted to me, gave me the combo to her kayak along with anytime permission (which I have gratefully taken her up on), but won't sleep with me. She's pretty hot, too, but I'm not the upfront casual promises type.

She seduced her thesis advisor but hates her ex-husband. Her two daughters are sooo hot and tres kewl (going to college in Scotland 'n loving the world 'n like) and I like her two dogs as well. Danger, Will Robinson.

I have permission to take her companion one from her barn anytime as well. The lake is less than 20 minutes away. Lake Galena, in Peace Valley Park, is even closer, less than 10 minutes away.

Yay.

Life is marginally grand.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Google directions to Hawaii it'll tell you go kayak across the pacific

 

[JulesMaximus]

Look for holes in the bottom.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer

Originally posted by: luv2liv
what about an inflatable kayak?. how durable is that?

For fishing they're great! You're not going to do class fives in them.

That depends. There's some very capable inflatables, but you're not going to get a whitewater boat of any kind at Dicks. For fishing, and goofing off around the water I prefer canoe. I prefer canoe for whitwater also, but that's not as easy to recommend for others.

 

[wiredspider]

I have that future beach kayak, it was on sale for $300 , but they did not give me paddles...

It's a fine boat for still water, ponds and lakes. I've not taken out in the ocean before, so I would be cautious about that. The hatch in the front is very small, enough to keep keys and a wallet. The seal that on the hatch is quite difficult to open (I would guess so with them being sealed to keep things dry...). That being said, you might have to keep your catch inside the kayak or maybe remove the cover on the back hatch before launching the kayak. I've only caught small panfish so it's not really a problem to just throw them into the front of the kayak with me. Though with bigger fish, I imagine it might get a little messy...

It seems kind of hard to flip over in this kayak because it has a nearly a flat bottom, I've unknowingly gone over tree stumps and was fine. I think if I had been in a regular kayak with more of rounded bottom, I think I would have ended up in the water...

 

[lxskllr]

Flat bottom boats have more initial stabilty, but when they go over, it's very hard to recover, and you're in the water before you knew what happened. A rounded, or V shaped bottom feels very tippy when you get in, but it's much easier to control, and when you get the feel of the boat, you can do anything with it..

 

[zoiks]

Here's a bunch of pics of rockfish that the guys I fish with caught off kayaks. http://www.norcalkayakanglers.....php/topic,3291.0.html
This is the one I have. It's the Marauder. Costs about $1000. But its a hell of a yak. http://www.plasticnavy.com/cobra-marauder_review.htm

 

[0roo0roo]

well he said he'd be in the ocean, even if its a bay there are currents.

fishing on a kayak in ocean water adds another level of difficulty thats for sure.

so he's not in a shallow river. recovering from a tip over is something he should learn.

not all seals are right neoprene or whatever. you can also get rubber/tarpy material that is mostly to prevent splashes ending up in your kayak..not so much for sealing against tip overs.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
well he said he'd be in the ocean, even if its a bay there are currents.

fishing on a kayak in ocean water adds another level of difficulty thats for sure.

so he's not in a shallow river. recovering from a tip over is something he should learn.

not all seals are right neoprene or whatever. you can also get rubber/tarpy material that is mostly to prevent splashes ending up in your kayak..not so much for sealing against tip overs.

Were not really going out into the Gulf though, the Bay is very protected short of 2 small passes. We would be subject to the tide, but the bay averages just 3 feet deep in most places, so other than the channels we would be able to stand just about anywhere.

We would regularly have to get out and push the boat

 

[0roo0roo]

ok if its that gentle you'll be ok.