Kayak fishing

Airmapper

First Fill-Up (of many)
If you looking for advice, don't buy that one you linked, a "sit-on-top" style. It's a beach toy not a fishing rig, and it's overpriced to boot. I don't meant to be blunt, but I've watched people buy those, use them one time, and they never get used again.

Sure sit-on-tops look like easy access, but once you go out one cool morning you'll realize it's not all that fun to paddle around with a wet arse. My idea of fishing doesn't include letting my bottom soak in skimmed over stagnated pond water, and if your in good fishing water, it's not going to always be like good clean pool water, you'll be in mud, smelly old tree branches, moss, slime, bushes, scum, and bugs. The more enclosed you are the less of that stuff gets on you and stays in the lake.

A lot of times, people say: "But I'll only use it in warm weather, I don't mind getting wet." Well then you came to play at the beach, not go fishing. Even if your only a moderate kayak fisher like me, you may be out there for 2-3 hours, paddle a mile or two, and head out in cool morning fog covered water to paddle back in whitecaps with the sun and wind beating down. Might sound rough, but that's what I'm trying to tell you, an enclosed kayak makes it comfortable, a sit on top makes it miserable.

So, if I haven't been direct enough, get a sit in style, that means world outside, you inside. The Eskimo's knew what they were doing. If you go so far as to get a cockpit skirt and put on a raincoat and you can fish in the rain and still be moderately comfortable, not that you'd want to, but I speak from experience, weather can and does sneak up on you, even if you try to watch it. A summer pop-up storm can catch up with you even if your only a mile from camp and think, I'm just going out for a bit. Once I paddled back in storm force winds making big waves, but I felt very secure in my kayak and made it back to camp safely.

This is my fishing kayak, these can be had for about the $600-$800 range new. It has 3 rod holders, a dash board for a tackle box and is even rigged to mount a fish finder, even thought I don't use one. Paddle holders are very handy, and it came with an anchor and a cleat to tie it to. It's been very comfortable to fish from in varying conditions.

Good luck, kayak fishing is the only way to go in my opinion, who needs a boat to maintain, buy licenses for, and tow around. The big advantage to fishing from a kayak is you can go where larger boats only dream of going, back in creek channels and moss beds no smart boat owner will get near.


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Timrich

Super Duper Moderator
Founding Member
Location
Central FL
I'm really looking at kayaks. I think the boat thing would be cool, but I am worried getting someone else's headache.

The kayak is more affordable and way less maintenance/up keep.

http://kayakfishinggear.com/wilderness_systems_ride_135.aspx
I hear ya on buying someone elses headache. I was lucky on both of my boats. The first one I got for free and refurbed it myself and made the boat what I wanted it to be. I added a deck on the front to cast from and it had storage underneath. Half the fun was working on the boat and making it my own. Then I got an offer I couldn't refuse on my current boat. It was my Dad's and I knew it was in great shape and had no issues. All the work was done on this boat and all I had to do was drop it in the water and go. I agree with Airmapper on kayaks getting into spots boats cant but I can get into some shallow spots with my flat bottom Jon boat. Plus you can't take anyone with you on your kayak... I know you have a little one that you'll want to take with you when she gets older and a boats the way to go. My son loves going out on the boat with me and so does my daughter. Just my 2 cents...
 

tommyboy

Need Bigger Tires
Founding Member
Location
Nashville
Yup Tim, you are right, I'm not giving up on a boat, that dream is just on hold for a few years. :)


Aimpoint, interesting view on sot vs sis, I'm actually fishing out of a borrowed sis now. Most guys i vae talked to like the sot better. I visited the guys at HOOK1 in Hendersonville and they said the Ride 135 was one of the most popular fishing kayaks going right now. It will be a few mouths before a purchase will be possible so I plan on going on some trips and renting a few different kayaks to see what I like best.
 

NoahSki

Wheeling
Location
Savannah Ga
I like the sit on tops. You're not restricted to keep your feet in front of you. You can put them over the sides for stability when fighting a big fish. If you're worried about getting wet when kayak fishing you may just want to get a nice puzzle and stay at the house. I have tons of room on mine. Cooler in the back, Lowrance elite 5 dsi, tackle box up front, 5 rod holders, anchor trolley system, tons of in hull storage (5 hatches) and a built in dry bag for cell phone and keys. And still have plenty of deck room to stand you and cast.
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tommyboy

Need Bigger Tires
Founding Member
Location
Nashville
I like the sit on tops. You're not restricted to keep your feet in front of you. You can put them over the sides for stability when fighting a big fish. If you're worried about getting wet when kayak fishing you may just want to get a nice puzzle and stay at the house. I have tons of room on mine. Cooler in the back, Lowrance elite 5 dsi, tackle box up front, 5 rod holders, anchor trolley system, tons of in hull storage (5 hatches) and a built in dry bag for cell phone and keys. And still have plenty of deck room to stand you and cast.
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Hey man, what boat do you have? Is that they Big Tuna?

I notice that you have some Hook1 "fish attracting" decals, those guys are about 11 miles from the house.

Nice set up by the way. I'm not worried about getting wet, I have been doing a lot of reading and learned the 3Ws. Wick, warmth and weather. So once I have the boat then I have to start saving for the cloths to keep me warm in the winter. :) but hey! It is all part of the deal.
 

NoahSki

Wheeling
Location
Savannah Ga
It is the ascend fs128t. I originally had the ascend fs12 which was a sit inside kayak (sink) I saw that this one was debuted about 2 months later. I took the sink back to bass pro and told them I wanted the sot and they let me exchange without question. Even looked up my receipt and helped me load it on the X. I ordered some stuff from Chad Hoover (Hook1) when I was overseas early last year I think. He is a good guy. Had a slight issue with the delivery and he sent me a bunch of free decals and a beenie with the hook 1 logo on it for free for my troubles. He used to live not to far from me here (about 10 miles away) in the Bloomingdale/Pooler GA area. His book "Kayak Bass Fishing" is hood reading as well.
 

Timrich

Super Duper Moderator
Founding Member
Location
Central FL
It is the ascend fs128t. I originally had the ascend fs12 which was a sit inside kayak (sink) I saw that this one was debuted about 2 months later. I took the sink back to bass pro and told them I wanted the sot and they let me exchange without question. Even looked up my receipt and helped me load it on the X. I ordered some stuff from Chad Hoover (Hook1) when I was overseas early last year I think. He is a good guy. Had a slight issue with the delivery and he sent me a bunch of free decals and a beenie with the hook 1 logo on it for free for my troubles. He used to live not to far from me here (about 10 miles away) in the Bloomingdale/Pooler GA area. His book "Kayak Bass Fishing" is hood reading as well.
Nice! I have family in Bloomingdale that we visit a couple times a year. My aunt lives on a 26 acre lake there.
 

NMTerras

Suspension Lift
Location
New Mexico
I've fished for years out of a perception. When the weather turns I'm glad I'm in a real kayak and not a beach toy. Just bought a native, which is purpose built for fishing but haven't used it yet. Curious how it compares.
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tommyboy

Need Bigger Tires
Founding Member
Location
Nashville
I'm seeing a trend develop,

If you own a SIS you call a SOT a "beach toy" and if you have a SOT you call a SIS a "sink".

Honestly it doesn't matter what kayak you prefer if you do not dress for and prep for the weather it can end very badly.
 

NMTerras

Suspension Lift
Location
New Mexico
I'm seeing a trend develop,

If you own a SIS you call a SOT a "beach toy" and if you have a SOT you call a SIS a "sink".

Honestly it doesn't matter what kayak you prefer if you do not dress for and prep for the weather it can end very badly.

Haha yeah it depends on your circumstances. Water is cold and weather turns quick where I live. I keep a waterproof skirt on board also
 

tommyboy

Need Bigger Tires
Founding Member
Location
Nashville
It's starting to sound like a jeep xterra convo...lol

SIR!!! If you use that word again I'm going to notify a moderator!!!

On a funny note... I bought some "J" word shoes for kayak in, they sucked pretty bad, I thought it was the wrong size.. Needless to say, after three size changes and three returns I need up with some world Wide Sportsman shoes from Bass Pro. :)
 

Timrich

Super Duper Moderator
Founding Member
Location
Central FL
SIR!!! If you use that word again I'm going to notify a moderator!!!

On a funny note... I bought some "J" word shoes for kayak in, they sucked pretty bad, I thought it was the wrong size.. Needless to say, after three size changes and three returns I need up with some world Wide Sportsman shoes from Bass Pro. :)
You just did...lol Hey I have some jeep luggage that I use. It was cheap and has held up ok considering the name... [emoji13]
 

tommyboy

Need Bigger Tires
Founding Member
Location
Nashville
So my wife surprised me and got me a kayak for my birthday.





Second day out I caught my first bass, small, but things can only go up from here.

 

NismoFire

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Smyrna, TN
My girlfriend now hates me because I opened this thread. I've been wanting a fishing kayak since before she and I started dating (and I remind her of it all the time)...

...through the course of "everything on the internet is connected by a few clicks," I am now obsessed with this whole kayak-bass tournament thing.



I hate you all.



Love,

Nismo
 

tommyboy

Need Bigger Tires
Founding Member
Location
Nashville
Bet that was a hell of a fight! Lol

Well, if you count the fight I had finding my grappler to grab the fish with out getting another treble hook in my hand! :)


At least you didn't get skunked. Small fish beats no fish lol.

First time out I did, this made up for it, but any day out in the kayak is a good day.

Also, Tom...check this lake out. http://www.tn.gov/twra/fish/pond/TWRAfamlake/williamsport.html Just northwest of Columbia and stocked with Florida-strain largemouth. TWRA shocked up a 16-pounder last summer I believe. It is my goal to get out there before the lake turns over for the winter.

I've heard about Williamsport, and there is a tournament coming up soon at one of those lakes. I'm going to wait until I get a fish finder before I start fishing tournaments.
 

NismoFire

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Smyrna, TN
I've been watching Chad Hoover's videos the last 2 evenings...damn it all. That hits me hard, right in the ticker.
 

tommyboy

Need Bigger Tires
Founding Member
Location
Nashville
Right now they are clearancing a lot of 2014 boats. I got mine for 25% off. It is a cool place, the guys up there Are super cool and very helpful.

I did the same thing, wen up looked around, went back bought something small a week or two later, then the week after that I went and picked up a kayak. :)
 

NismoFire

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Smyrna, TN
Right now they are clearancing a lot of 2014 boats. I got mine for 25% off. It is a cool place, the guys up there Are super cool and very helpful.

I did the same thing, wen up looked around, went back bought something small a week or two later, then the week after that I went and picked up a kayak. :)

That sounds dangerous...
 

DirtyRice120

Need Bigger Tires
Founding Member
Location
Knoxville, Tn
I have been eyeing the fishing kayaks for quite awhile but instead bought a jon boat and haven't used it once. I am going to buy a kayak before spring.
 

JeffPro4x

Hot Pipe
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Glenside, PA
I love my Future Beach. Dirt cheap at dic.ks. It's super stable and pretty nimble for a wide beast. I do 2 or 3 25-30 mile trips on the Delaware river every year. The seat is brutal, but that's easily fixed.
 

tommyboy

Need Bigger Tires
Founding Member
Location
Nashville
So I have been pretty busy with the baby and all... And when I can break free I head over to JPP, here are some photos of my adventures. :)








 
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