Fishing Kayaks

[Colorado Cowboy]

I know we have a lot of fisherman here, so I want to know if any of you have (or use) one of the fishing kayaks. I have a 22' pontoon boat that is a bit big for some of our small lakes around here , so I am thinking about a kayak that is set up for fishing. I like the Perception Pescador 12.0.

If you have one, what is it and any advice you can impart?

 

[Joseph]

I have a Riot 10ft fishing kayak, the rod holders it came with were inconveniently placed behind the seat, hard to watch the tip when it's above and behind you. I added a scotty rod holder in front, careful placement before drilling the holes was crucial but it works great now. The rod is in front of me, easy to watch and easy to grab. Love kayak fishing, light tackle and big trout make for a really cool challenge when your sitting on the water.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

What type of propulsion system does it have?

 

[Joseph]

It is just your basic kayak paddle, the kayak has a system to easily lock paddle to the boat while reeling in fish or changing tackle.

 

[archeranthony]

I have a 10? fishing kayak. Some take aways for me now are. I would get a longer wider one for more stability and so I could stand up if I wanted. I also just use a standard paddle setup. Just know if you go that route and you happen to get on a lake and the wind picks up it could be a challenge getting back to your starting point. Or your arms will be on fire at the least. Overall I use my kayak now more for just recreation and not so much fishing.


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[taskswap]

I have an Intex inflatable kayak I fish from sometimes. It's nothing great, but it's pretty cheap, seats two, and packs down small enough I can keep it in my truck almost all the time. Lately I fish mostly in rivers so I don't need one, but the kids really like taking it out if we're near a lake. It's basic, but it does the job and doesn't break the bank.

 

[Slugz]

The kid has a kayak that he uses sparingly. More often than not we use an inflateable boat. We deflate and haul it up into the high country lakes. 12 V battery with an electric motor. Small and light enough to haul on a quad. Pics below from a few days ago.

 

[Shane13]

I have a couple Kaku Wahoo 12.5 kayaks. I'm a flyfisherman, so I wanted one with an open deck. No center console and/or pedals to constantly tangle my fly line around. They're great for fishing. Really stable, fast and easy to paddle, track straight, and the elevated seat is super comfortable. The kayak is stable enough to stand and cast any time you want to. I thought I would want to do that a lot at first. But the seat is so comfortable. I sit and fish mostly. Not much need to stand.

They also make a 10.5' version. If you want smaller and a little lighter, it is good. I like like extra room and storage in the 12.5.

Austin Canoe and Kayak sells and ships them if you can't find a local dealer. That's how I got mine, being 4 hours from Austin and the nearest dealer.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I've seen their ad. This type of information is what I'm looking for.

 

[Joseph]

That is a cool looking fishing kayak Shane, and to be able to stand up to cast is great. In my kayak that would be the quickest way to lose all your gear(except for the bobbers) and go for a swim. What does a kayak like yours cost?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

The ones I looked at online go from $1700 to around $3000, depending on how you equip them. Each manufacturer offers tons of extras.

 

[Shane13]

That is a cool looking fishing kayak Shane, and to be able to stand up to cast is great. In my kayak that would be the quickest way to lose all your gear(except for the bobbers) and go for a swim. What does a kayak like yours cost?

$999 at ACK. If they don't have the color you want, they can order it for you. Just takes a bit longer to get it delivered to them from Kaku before they ship to you. I special ordered colors both times (1st time blue, 2nd one green).

The 10.5 is $100 cheaper.

https://www.austinkayak.com/Kaku-Kayak-Wahoo-125-Fishing-Kayak/ACK23743P.html

https://www.kakukayak.com/wahoo125.html

 

[Shane13]

The ones I looked at online go from $1700 to around $3000, depending on how you equip them. Each manufacturer offers tons of extras.

Are you looking at pedal kayaks? They're pricey. If I fished big lakes or saltwater bays mostly, I'd use one of those. I think it would be money well spent, except for having the pedals between my feet to tangle my fly line on. I mostly fish rivers and ranch ponds, so I don't really need pedals. In the Texas Hill Country rivers, there are deep holes separated by shallow rocky riffles and falls, so I'd be yanking the pedals up and out of the hull a lot. But if in big deeper water, pedals would sure be nice to get from point A to point B with.

 

[tim]

I have lots of whitewater kayak expierence, no fish kayak expierence. But if your paddle makes your wrists hurt, try a bent shaft paddle. not cheap, but very effective at taking wrist pain away. I also prefer thick blade vs thin blade. but i had a once in a liftetime situation where the paddle was pulled thru my hands and i got 11 stitches. hand rolled up after that,

 

[Shane13]

Dang! That sounds like a stretch of river that me and my fishing kayak would avoid like the plague!

I get along fine with straight shaft paddles, but I've often wondered if I'd like a bent shaft or not. I like a good carbon fiber (light weight and stiff) paddle. It's worth the extra money to have the lighter weight and the more powerful/responsive stiff paddle, in my opinion. Paddling all day with a cheap, heavy, flimsy paddle gets old.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Sold my pontoon boat yesterday and am going to start looking at kayaks. Probably won't buy until next spring. Thanks to everyone for their input.

 

[turk870]

Best advice I can give you is see if you can find a place to try some out to see what you like.

Get a sit on top, and make sure the seat is comfortable.

I have a wilderness ride 135, a wilderness tarpon 120, and a jackson big tuna (2 person) all fishing kayaks. I love the ride 135 I can walk around in it, and stand while floating down the river.
I have been thinking about adding a Jackson Mayfly to the list, it is designed for fly fishing.