I'm looking for a fishing kayak to use down on the north end of Galveston Bay. I'm a big guy 6-5 300lbs.

Anyone know anything about the ATAK 140? Seems like one of the best options for my size.

Anything else to consider looking at them?

Where are you looking to fish (marsh, around the bay, surf, all of the above)?
You wanting to paddle, peddle or use a trolling motor?
Have you thought about the distance you will need to cover for where you wanna fish?
Gonna stick exclusively to salt or plan to hit lakes/rivers as well?

Lucky enough that I will be based out of Bayou Vista, so will start there. We normally camp at Somerville once or twice a year so would around there as well. Wasn't really planning much river, but not against it.

Never really done much fishing besides cast of a pier in the ponds at camp. Did go fly fishing once up in Colorado with scouts as well and enjoyed it.

Not really sure what all is around Bayou Vista. Need to start learning, but also not in best shape so will be close to start then keep moving. For now paddling will be the way I will get around. Looks like a lot of the pedal drive boats are a bit out of the price range I'm looking at. Was trying to keep it around 1k

I got into kayak fishing a little over a year ago and did a ridiculous amount of research. It can be overwhelming. I didn't have to worry about weight capacity as much but stability and weight of the kayak were a big deal for me. I've looked at the ATAK a bit but the weight (almost 100lb) was a turnoff. I'd suggest looking at NuCanoe (one of the 12 or 14 ft models), Vibe (Seaghost) and Kaku (Voodoo or Zulu). The NuCanoe & Kaku in particular are setup nicely for trolling motors if you wanna add one later. I own a Kaku Voodoo (more of a kayak/paddleboard/skiff hybrid) and am in the process of getting a trolling motor setup.

I have fished Christmas & West Bay a decent bit but haven't gone up on the north side much. I know there are a few salt lakes on the north side that are supposed to be really good for reds but they also have lots of gators and they would be a 5+ mile one way paddle from Bayou Vista. After you get a kayak, if you are interested, I can take you out to a few of the spots I've gone.

Lots of very good kayak fishing water very close to BV.

Take a look at a WS Ride 135. Should be able to find one used pretty reasonable, and was a good stable boat for big guys. Several good options out there that will be fine for a big guy.

Do you have a price range? Do you want the option of being able to stand up? I have a Jackson big rig and its very stable. I am 6'2" 230 lbs and can stand up with no issues and fish. Great boat but not cheap, big and heavy. I have a trolling motor mount as well which you will need if you plan to fish in wind...the first time you get caught having to paddle home in a head wind will be the last

Standing isn't the biggest desire of mine. Might work on my balance some more.

Those Jackson boats are big. 115 lbs must be a pain to move about. Thought the 95 for the atak was bad.

Was trying to keep it about 1k for the price point. Found a guy on FB trying to sell his atak 140 with some add-ons for 1500. So might see if he will come down a hair.

I do a lot of kayak fishing.
I currently have the Vibe Shearwater 125. I went with this platform for the ease of upgradeability and stability. I have no issues standing and fishing on the deck or the very cool seat perch.

I have added the peddle drive and a bixpy which really starts to add up price wise, but you can do that over time.

For the price I might have leaned more towards a ProAngler but still would have had to spend more upfront.

The real issue right now is inventory and finding the one you want.

ArmaLite said:

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I do a lot of kayak fishing.
I currently have the Vibe Shearwater 125. I went with this platform for the ease of upgradeability and stability. I have no issues standing and fishing on the deck or the very cool seat perch.

I have added the peddle drive and a bixpy which really starts to add up price wise, but you can do that over time.

For the price I might have leaned more towards a ProAngler but still would have had to spend more upfront.

The real issue right now is inventory and finding the one you want.

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How do you like the bixpy? Pros and cons?

https://www.galvestonkayakoutfitter.com/

If you can't find what you want, this guy rents. He is a nice guy and fairly priced for the island.

If you are fishing out of the kayak, I'd consider pedal drive and a rudder mandatory. If you plan to paddle in and wade, that will still make life easier going into the wind, but not as essential. I'd honestly rather walk in and wade than have to dick with trying to paddle and fish at the same time.

FIDO*98* said:

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If you are fishing out of the kayak, I'd consider pedal drive and a rudder mandatory. If you plan to paddle in and wade, that will still make life easier going into the wind, but not as essential. I'd honestly rather walk in and wade than have to dick with trying to paddle and fish at the same time.

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Rudder is a must.

And while I love a good paddle, I have come around to a pedal kayak. If I was getting into kayak fishing I would definitely look at something like a mirage drive hobie right out the gate.

A friend bought a NuCanoe Frontier 12 just over a year ago. It handles well and is extremely stable. That said, it was not well made and they were not good with making it right. The other friend we always float with and I both have Jacksons and haven't had any issues.

I dont have any personal experience with NuCanoe but it was one of my finalists when I was picking a kayak and this is the first I heard of any issues with the quality.

The bixpy is great. Makes it super simple to use as the batter/controller is in one sealed unit.

It doesnt have a TON of life. At max speed (which I rarely use) you can get about 2.5 to 3 hours. On my SW125 max speed without any kicking or paddling is about 5mph.

I usually use mine somewhere in the middle at around 2mph and it will last 7 hours of constant use. I really put mine though the paces doing a fair amount of trolling. The wireless controller is super nice. I just attached mine to my gravity rudder so I can still take my peddle drive with me.

JesusQuintana said:

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Do you have a price range? Do you want the option of being able to stand up? I have a Jackson big rig and its very stable. I am 6'2" 230 lbs and can stand up with no issues and fish. Great boat but not cheap, big and heavy. I have a trolling motor mount as well which you will need if you plan to fish in wind...the first time you get caught having to paddle home in a head wind will be the last

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Was trying to pick between the Jackson Big Rig and their Mayfly so I could pick one up this spring. Apparently, they have discontinued both lines. Not sure why, as those were their best two kayaks.

Deus Vult said:

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JesusQuintana said:

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Do you have a price range? Do you want the option of being able to stand up? I have a Jackson big rig and its very stable. I am 6'2" 230 lbs and can stand up with no issues and fish. Great boat but not cheap, big and heavy. I have a trolling motor mount as well which you will need if you plan to fish in wind...the first time you get caught having to paddle home in a head wind will be the last

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Was trying to pick between the Jackson Big Rig and their Mayfly so I could pick one up this spring. Apparently, they have discontinued both lines. Not sure why, as those were their best two kayaks.

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That sucks....how close to the big rig is the knarr?

One of the guys at my local Jackson dealer told me a couple of years ago that they didn't sell many of the Mayfly due to it being too similar to the Coosa. They were very similar in size and maneuverability, but most people preferred the layout of the Coosa (at least around here). I liked the Mayfly better.

I'm surprised Jackson discontinued the Big Rig. They don't really have anything comparable to my knowledge. Perhaps it wasn't doing well against competitors in that size or the YuPik was doing better

JesusQuintana said:

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Deus Vult said:

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JesusQuintana said:

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Do you have a price range? Do you want the option of being able to stand up? I have a Jackson big rig and its very stable. I am 6'2" 230 lbs and can stand up with no issues and fish. Great boat but not cheap, big and heavy. I have a trolling motor mount as well which you will need if you plan to fish in wind...the first time you get caught having to paddle home in a head wind will be the last

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Was trying to pick between the Jackson Big Rig and their Mayfly so I could pick one up this spring. Apparently, they have discontinued both lines. Not sure why, as those were their best two kayaks.

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That sucks....how close to the big rig is the knarr?

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It really looks like the Knarr is the Big Rig replacement. They seem to be similar with some new modification added to address some of the issues of the Big Rig. But being heavier, less capacity, $4200, and only comes in a pedal drive, this boat is going after a very specific group of kayakers in my opinion.

If they would clean up the cockpit clutter of the Coosa it might be a viable replacement for the Mayfly.

I hope you can find what you're looking for in your price range, but would recommend a pedal drive if you could stretch the budget a bit. I went on a kayak fishing trip in Panama where they provided hobie kayaks (outback's I think) and we were miles out with a pretty decent swell and had no problems….including some pretty big dudes who were on the trip.

That trip convinced me to purchase my own kayak. I didn't feel like paying the premium for a hobie and ended up getting an old town pedal drive (with a prop). As someone else mentioned, it allows you to keep your hands free which is obviously a bonus while fishing.

Hobie pro angler 14

https://www.hobie.com/kayaks/mirage-pro-angler-14/

chjoak said:

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I got into kayak fishing a little over a year ago and did a ridiculous amount of research. It can be overwhelming. I didn't have to worry about weight capacity as much but stability and weight of the kayak were a big deal for me. I've looked at the ATAK a bit but the weight (almost 100lb) was a turnoff. I'd suggest looking at NuCanoe (one of the 12 or 14 ft models), Vibe (Seaghost) and Kaku (Voodoo or Zulu). The NuCanoe & Kaku in particular are setup nicely for trolling motors if you wanna add one later. I own a Kaku Voodoo (more of a kayak/paddleboard/skiff hybrid) and am in the process of getting a trolling motor setup.

I have fished Christmas & West Bay a decent bit but haven't gone up on the north side much. I know there are a few salt lakes on the north side that are supposed to be really good for reds but they also have lots of gators and they would be a 5+ mile one way paddle from Bayou Vista. After you get a kayak, if you are interested, I can take you out to a few of the spots I've gone.

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Thank for mentioning Kaku kayaks. Had never heard of them, did a bunch of digging and ended up getting the Zulu. I was looking for a high capacity, stable boat with an open cockpit design. I originally wanted the Jackson Mayfly, for similar reasons, but it was discontinued. Glad now it was.

Finally got her out on the water up at Schreiner Park in Kerrville last weekend. Wind was blowing about 20 mph straight up the lake from the SE, dang near white caps on the water in the main part of the lake.

This kayak is crazy stable. Wanted to try out different situations and gear placement before I take it to the coast. No problem standing up paddling even with the crazy wind. Didn't try standing on the seat even though it is designed for that. For being so stable it paddles pretty easy, not as easy as a touring kayak but compared to other fishing kayaks I've paddled it's not bad. The pedal drive is ok, still not sure if I will leave it in or register the kayak so I can put a trolling motor on it to clear up the front cockpit.

I rigged up a bucket seat behind my seat for the wife to ride along. Now mind you, she is not fond of the water at all, she never learned how to swim when she was a kid and is skittish even in a boat. Even with both of us on it, the pedal drive and other gear (getting up on 375 lbs) not once did she get worried that we were even close to going over. All she keep saying was go faster, easy for her to say since she wasn't the one paddling and pedaling.

Deus Vult said:

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chjoak said:

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I got into kayak fishing a little over a year ago and did a ridiculous amount of research. It can be overwhelming. I didn't have to worry about weight capacity as much but stability and weight of the kayak were a big deal for me. I've looked at the ATAK a bit but the weight (almost 100lb) was a turnoff. I'd suggest looking at NuCanoe (one of the 12 or 14 ft models), Vibe (Seaghost) and Kaku (Voodoo or Zulu). The NuCanoe & Kaku in particular are setup nicely for trolling motors if you wanna add one later. I own a Kaku Voodoo (more of a kayak/paddleboard/skiff hybrid) and am in the process of getting a trolling motor setup.

I have fished Christmas & West Bay a decent bit but haven't gone up on the north side much. I know there are a few salt lakes on the north side that are supposed to be really good for reds but they also have lots of gators and they would be a 5+ mile one way paddle from Bayou Vista. After you get a kayak, if you are interested, I can take you out to a few of the spots I've gone.

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Thank for mentioning Kaku kayaks. Had never heard of them, did a bunch of digging and ended up getting the Zulu. I was looking for a high capacity, stable boat with an open cockpit design. I originally wanted the Jackson Mayfly, for similar reasons, but it was discontinued. Glad now it was.

Finally got her out on the water up at Schreiner Park in Kerrville last weekend. Wind was blowing about 20 mph straight up the lake from the SE, dang near white caps on the water in the main part of the lake.

This kayak is crazy stable. Wanted to try out different situations and gear placement before I take it to the coast. No problem standing up paddling even with the crazy wind. Didn't try standing on the seat even though it is designed for that. For being so stable it paddles pretty easy, not as easy as a touring kayak but compared to other fishing kayaks I've paddled it's not bad. The pedal drive is ok, still not sure if I will leave it in or register the kayak so I can put a trolling motor on it to clear up the front cockpit.

I rigged up a bucket seat behind my seat for the wife to ride along. Now mind you, she is not fond of the water at all, she never learned how to swim when she was a kid and is skittish even in a boat. Even with both of us on it, the pedal drive and other gear (getting up on 375 lbs) not once did she get worried that we were even close to going over. All she keep saying was go faster, easy for her to say since she wasn't the one paddling and pedaling.

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Deus Vult - it won't let me send a private message to you but I was wondering if you had any updated views not he Zulu? I'm looking at this one and curious to get updated view - if easier to email : dlenz2007 @ gmail.com