I'm certain you guys will know something about these...

I would like to eventually get a kayak for fishing (or a canoe, but I think I'd like the kayak more), and would like to get something reasonable for the least amount of money.

Any input on the pros/cons of this:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_73731_999039512_225000000_225015000_225-15-3

It is the exact kayak that I have and I really enjoy it.

You're gonna get a wet ass (at least I do at 220#) but it's pretty serviceable right off the rack. I've added a few things to it, and I'll upgrade my seat at some point, but it's a good middle of the road alternative.

you might check Academy as well. I saw some that looked similar a week or so ago and if I remember right they were cheaper. I'm not an expert, but would also like to get into kayaking, but I would need a pretty good sized one...why does beer have to taste so good

I have a Wilderness Tarpon 120 and my ass never gets wet as long as I stay out of the whitewater, and I'm pushing three bills. Plus the seat is freaking awesome. I've fished five hours before without a break and still been comfortable.

check out www.texaskayakfisherman.com for lots of good info. I don't have a scrambler, but I know several people who say you won't find a better ride for the price.

nm

http://www.malibukayaks.com/kayak_xFactor.asp

[This message has been edited by Ragoo (edited 6/18/2009 1:48p).]

scrambler: oldie but goodie.

The tarpon 120 is out of my price range, but the 100 is doable:

http://www.rei.com/product/785482?cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-785482&mr:trackingCode=C1A93928-C647-DE11-BF23-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

The 100 is a really nice boat, too. It's what I bought my wife.

I've been researching this quite a bit lately. The Ocean Kayak Scrambler seems decent, and is on sales right now for $450 at Academy.
I'm looking for something I can fish with in the surf ( beyond the breakers ) and in the bay. Ocean Kayak has the Trident series which come with a few extra goodies such as a "rod pod" which gives you easy access to rods stored below deck. A good option for if you flip while paddling over breakers.
Malibu and Cobra Fish N Dive also look like good options. I'll be looking at the Fish N Dive this Sunday. Planning to buy one some time soon.

I wouldn't pay the price Hammacher Schlemmer want for their fishing kayak but I do like that you can stand in theirs.

Sorry for my noobness I don't know how to post a link.

http://www.hammacher.com/publish/11098.asp?promo=new_items#

just build your own outrigger for that price.

Academy has it for $480 online: http://academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/outdoors/marine/kayaks&start=8&selectedSKU=0142-02697-1041

That's a pretty good deal, it looks like, just no freebie seat. How much would a decent seat put me back?

A seat will run any where from $50 to $100.
I sold my Scrambler. It was good kayak for the money, but it is definately a wet ride even with scupper plugs. Lots of hull slap to.

I actually use my 9.5' sit inside otter the most. I seldom paddle more than 3 miles from my truck so the length isnt an issue and the kayak is so light I can just toss it in the back of my pick up and portage it with one arm any where I want to go. I added a rod holder to it for convenience.

I am looking for a shorter sit on top though.

here is a steal on an '08 X-Factor:

http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=122999

That posting is a little old, and that poster is a little far from my house.

What did I miss there... that posting is from today, yes?

The Scrambler is a decent yak. It's a slow and wet ride but it's stable.

I'd check out this dude's listing on TKF: http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=121984

^^^

That Scupper Pro in the last link is a great fast boat but you'd better be slim with good balance as it is like 26" wide. With how narrow that is I'd be leery of going BTB in it.



[This message has been edited by yakman (edited 6/18/2009 7:37p).]

Good point yakman, did the OP mention going BTB? I didn't even think of that.

However, I'm a big boy and I paddle a fat boy 'yak, the OK Drifter (saving for a Native Ultimate 14.5) but my brother-in-law has a Scupper Pro that I've paddled and it's plenty stable and a helluva lot faster than the Drifter.

How does this deal look:

http://www.austinkayak.com/catalog_package.php?ID=844

I just happen to be going through Austin on my way to a 4-day family event where I would like to have a kayak, so I could pick it up instead of paying $50 shipping.

That does look like a pretty good deal but if you're planning on doing a lot of fishing I'd try to go for their Angler package instead.

I finally found the 100 in angler package:

http://www.austinkayak.com/catalog_package.php?ID=1668

I'm building one of these:



It's more or less a Tarpon "150".

I heard that Lakeline Watersports is closing in a couple of months, they are beginning to start closing things out.

Cobra has one called the Fish and Dive Rated for 600 lbs I am looking in to it also. They sale them at 2 shops that I know of ON is in the woodland and one is in Austin.

Roland at Lakeline will hook you up. He got me into a Native Manta Ray 14 last summer

mouth, can you point me more photos of that awesome ride. i cant wait to be able to have time and space to take on a project like that.

about middle of may i decided to buy a kayak. I didnt want to spend a lot of money but wanted another option to fish the bays. I did very little research and bought a pelican kayak from academy. its green, came with 3 rod holders, dry box, 11.5 feet long. I havent caught a fish out of it yet but enjoy it none the less. Hopefully my luck will change saturday. Oh and it was $380

Chillin: Follow along this forum. An Aussie guy built this one. I'm working on my own using the same set of plans.


http://www.jemwatercraft.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2345

I took a chance on one this year - I've had the Perception Caster, Ocean Kayak Prowler 13, and the Liquid Logic Manta Ray 14 (now owned by Native). I wanted a really controllable kayak in the 12 ft category so I could just throw it in the truck and go without have 7 ft of kayak dangling out the back. So, I bought a Wilderness Pamlico 120 (I have always been curious about how a sit-in would handle), and it's become my favorite. My rigging consists of an anchor and one rod holder.
The thing tracks like it's on rails and I stay dry. No rudder, No fish finder,etc. I find the minimalist approach to be more enjoyable.
Oh, one more thing-check rei-outlet.com from time to time, they have 'seconds' for great prices. That's how I bought the Pamlico and I still haven't found anything wrong with it. I prefer to get Yaks in non-angler versions and put the stuff on myself. After one trip, you will know exactly where you want your stuff mounted.

[This message has been edited by txknight (edited 6/24/2009 9:34p).]

quote:

---

I did very little research and bought a pelican kayak from academy. its green, came with 3 rod holders, dry box, 11.5 feet long. I havent caught a fish out of it yet but enjoy it none the less. Hopefully my luck will change saturday. Oh and it was $380

---

Have the same boat. I did research but couldn't afford what I really wanted and didn't want to wait. Works for now.

The odds are good I will be getting a Tarpon 100 on Friday. I'm planning on driving to Austin, renting one from Austin Kayak, giving it a short (1-2 hour) fishing test and returning to purchase (rental fee credited towards purchase) and head back to Dallas for July 4th weekend kayaking.

My next question is regarding color. Do you guys think the color of the kayak makes a difference in any way? I imagine the yellow and orange would be more visible to other boats on the lake, but would it also be more visible to the fish I'm trying to catch?

Let me know which of these you think would be best, and why.

http://www.wildernesssystems.com/product/index/products/recreational/recreational_tarpon/tarpon_100_recreational/

All things equal, I prefer either the light green or blue.

[edit: regular blue, not light blue]

[This message has been edited by GIGEMeh (edited 6/30/2009 9:46a).]