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Kayak fishing

Ryanp1212

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2018
Messages
310
Location
Illinois
There's gotta be some of you that kayak fish. Last year we sold the big boat and bought a nicer camper so I'm looking to get a decent kayak not a junk walmart model. Looking for any info or advice to what's good and what's not.
 
Hang on there! I encourage u to take a look at the Lifetime Tamarak that is available at WM before saying all of them are junk. There’s several YouTube vids out there on these fun lil yaks with plenty of ideas for modding them and setting them up for fishing. I bought one on WM online and it treks well. I’ve yet to rig it up for fishing but it’s a great lil yak.
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I seen that one I'd ha e figured for sure the seat was terribly uncomfortable compared to the ones with the lawn chair adjustable height style
 
Seat is uncomfortable for long days, but there's videos for seat upgrades and upgrades to improve stability. I use mine for all day fishing and to kayak into hunting spots. Works awesome.


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I just got an Old Town Topwater 106 Angler this Summer. Big enough to be stable but still small enough that I can put it in the bed of my truck without too much trouble. They run right around $900 before taxes. $1K is about the sweet spot right now where you can get into a quality kayak. Bonafide, Vibe, Old Town, and Jackson are a few brands to look into. Find a local dealer and check some out in person. Also check Craigslist to save some money.
 
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Hobie all the way. I have an outback and a revolution 16. If you’re new to kayaking, I recommend the outback. I like my revolution better for offshore and long distance stuff, though. It is much more “tippy,” though. They have the best pedal drive system. If you are not pedaling, however, check out feelfree, wilderness systems and Jackson kayaks. They have the best kayaks without pedals.


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We bought 2 vibes last year. The price on these are incredible. Yes they are made in China, bu they are very well made.
 
You can outfit any kayak to fish.....I had a 2 seater sit on top that I got off Craigslist for 70 dollars. I caught lots of fish from it. IMO canoe is a better choice
I'm also debating between a kayak or canoe for this spring. Mostly be solo, but I know the wife will want to ride along sometimes. Any suggestions on a canoe to fit the bill?
 
I'm also debating between a kayak or canoe for this spring. Mostly be solo, but I know the wife will want to ride along sometimes. Any suggestions on a canoe to fit the bill?
I'm not very knowledgeable on different makes/models. I bought 1 used off Craigslist for 50$. Mine is 16ft and if I just planned on solo trips that is to big/awkward for 1 person...I can handle it by myself but it isn't very easy. I looked for the bigger boat cause I got my wife and 2 kids who will be using it too. My 16ft mohawk load capacity is 600pds. Next hunting season I'm planning on a week long paddle in, camp, and hunt trip with 1 buddy so the extra load capacity will be nice
 
I'm also debating between a kayak or canoe for this spring. Mostly be solo, but I know the wife will want to ride along sometimes. Any suggestions on a canoe to fit the bill?

Old Town was a been making canoes for over 100 years. Made in Maine. Lifetime hull warranty. Also check out the Nucanoe Frontier. It's not a traditional canoe but you can have a single or double seat. Also can add a motor.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I'd like to have a hobie but I'm not ready to spend that kind of dough. Anyone try one of the accend yaks from basspro. Is a 12ft worth it or is a 10 foot good enough. Mostly lake fish I'm sure I'd hit couple small rivers.
 
Native. I have the Ultimate 12 and the Ultimate FX12. Canoe looking upper on a very stable kayak bottom. Used to fish and duck hunt, access occasionally for deer hunting.

Ultimate 12
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FX12
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Buy once cry once either Hobie or Native. I’m partial to the Hobie mirage drive myself if your gonna be in any kind of skinny or weedy water.
 
I have a native ultimate 12 also, use it for duck hunting and fishing. Great boat, reasonably priced , comfortable, and light weight.
 
I've fished out of kayaks for years but just last year jumped on the idea of a hybrid yak-sup. Vibe makes one, Elkton Outdoors, BKC, and you can go higher priced from there. The Vibe and Elkton are foam filled and the Elkton is basically a knock off Vibe for cheaper. They're a blank canvas you can outfit how you want. Super stable, super comfy (you can outfit with a variety of chairs) and a crazy weight capacity being foam filled. You don't have to stand to paddle (I rarely do) and they're awesome for bowfishing if you're into that.20191218_080413.jpgMy wife on the Vibe Maverick. They come in a variety of camo colors, etc.
 
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