kayaks for fresh water fishing?

[aprilk]

[aprilk]

[Yak-a-Lou]

The pros onboard are gonna need more info before dispensing advice.
Your fitness level?
Amt$ you plan to spend?
Targeted species?
Fishing experience level?

IMVVVVHO, based on wht you asked and your profile...

I'd suggest a SIK (Sit-inside-kayak) cuz you're in Ohio and wet hienies from cold waters are no fun.

My personal favorite is the Walden Scout. You may want something a little lighter and easier to handle by yourself depending on your transportation and/or fitness level.

She's a bit heavy at 53 lbs. BUT

Built in cooler for your drinks or fish or both.

Virtually unsinkable (foam core or sumptin).

It's sturdy enough for me to walk on top of (@175 lbs).

The seat is uncomfortable. You'll want to add something even if it's a $10 self inflating pad.

Just a thought.

http://kfs.infopop.cc/eve/forums?s=418607442&a=ga&ul=9326093643

[aprilk]

IM pretty fit,price is not a question.I want the best.fish mostly for bluegil,crappy,bass.Is a rudder important?thanks april

[JonS]

April, more info. What vehicle to transport? How strong are you? Is it mostly still water where you're going to fish, etc.? How do you fish (fly, spin, bait)? There is no best as its all a compromise but we'll do our best to steer you in the right direction.

baja55@optonline.net

[Yak-a-Lou]

Told ya.... *grin*

http://kfs.infopop.cc/eve/forums?s=418607442&a=ga&ul=9326093643

[aprilk]

Your pretty talented!Im a strong women.I drive a tacoma king cab 4x4.I bait cast,shimono,light action rod.I would be fishing lakes.calm water.Sometime i may fish the ohio river,below racine,oh and above gallioplis,oh.thanks april http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[Scott]

April, if oyu're light enough not to get the scuppers flooded, I'd look seriously at the SOT's. A tarpon 120, 140, 160 probably. You sound ready to take the plunge into the sport, and you're going to want to be aggressive with the fishing. That means paddeling, that means equipping, look for the SOT, right now, I think the 120 has it beat, despite production problems, but if you look around here, there are alot of new boats coming, out. IF you're willing ot take baby steps, might consider buying one of the used Cobras. They are becoming much more available and you'll get them at a discount. Good to start with. S

Yak, Yak, Yak...is that all I do?
Perception Swing - Red
Perception Swing - Yellow
Perception America - Red
Ocean Kayak Frenzy - Bule
Cobra FnD - White

[JonS]

I agree with Scott. My top choice would be the Tarpon 120. The hull performs great in a lot of environments. It can be adapted and the hatches (its aquilles heel) can be upgraded or reinforced.

baja55@optonline.net

[Yak-a-Lou]

Alright you two guru's. Help me out. Is there ever a time you'd recommend a SIK? She's in a semi-artic environment and plans to fish calm waters. Wouldn't a SIK extend her paddling season by several months? What am I missing here?

Don't get me wrong. I want a Tarpon 160 one day but I'm in a semi-tropical place.

http://kfs.infopop.cc/eve/forums?s=418607442&a=ga&ul=9326093643

[Esox]

Ok yak, I am in the artic and I have a 120, It is the way to go, I'm 200, I plug the scuppers and basically wear waders and dry top and it is great. Much easier to get in and out of. Always wear PFD. The 120 hull is outstanding and IMHO is the best freshwater boat. Give the 120 a try April I think you will really like it. And as Scott states if you are lighter you may not even have to plug the scuppers. The front ones will take some water. April keep us posted. The SOT are much more versitile for fishing and it paddles great so it is nice for touring lakes as well.

[Bernie]

Two big decisions need to be made first.SOT or Rec style SIS and max size you can handle/store.For a Rec SIS a Pungo would be(P-140 was)my first choice.SOT's are tougher to choose between.They vary quite a bit from one brand to the next as to std/optional features compared to SIS's.Most of those are fairly simmilar.Just a matter of which feels right to you.Both types are nice but a SOT is a little more versatile overall.Do you have a preferance on this.

[Yak-a-Lou]

Thanks guys. I'm not bein a smarta**. I really wanna know. I bought the SIK on the advice of the owner of my yak shop for the very reason I'm asking about. I do not want a wet butt in the winter.

Is it possible to do a re-entry on a SOT while wearing waders and a pfd?

http://kfs.infopop.cc/eve/forums?s=418607442&a=ga&ul=9326093643

[Bernie]

Most of the posts here would be from ghosts if you couldnt http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

If you can handle 57 lbs and can afford a bit more $, a Hobie Outback is a nice way to go. Peddling instead of paddling leaves both hands free to fish! Stable and fast. I've fished high mountain lakes and rivers as large as the Columbia. Has four built-in rod holders, two built-in drink holders, large storage trays on both sides of the cockpit, hand controlled rudder and the Mirage Drive peddle machine. I love mine!

[Scott]

Hey yak, a legitimate question. I too had/have a SIK, thought, heck in the spring the hudson is cold and I'll stay dry and warm and Santiago II will freeze his tush off....well, I was dry and warm, to a certain degree, but I wasn't really prepared for the elements. The SOT's keep me prepped for the elements. Cold water is as much a killer if not more in my opinion for a SIK. Usually under dressed, cause you're dry, you can just as easily fall out, get wet, then have a yak full of water to deal with.

I'd recommend a SIK for someone doing long distance ocean/touring paddeling that want's speed as the number one issue. Storage being number two, but the emotion seems to be addressing that. As a fisherman first and yakker second. I'm becoming hard pressed to recommend a SIK. Not that some won't feel better in it, but I think in alot of way they are very limiting. Just my thought, having both styles. S

PS, when you get you SOT, see which you turn to more often. It'll surprise you, it did me. S

Yak, Yak, Yak...is that all I do?
Perception Swing - Red
Perception Swing - Yellow
Perception America - Red
Ocean Kayak Frenzy - Blue
Cobra FnD - White