New Kayak Fisherman

[shrocks]

After trips to the Boundary Waters and fishing out of a canoe (which is ok if you have a fishing buddy), I'd like to try kayak fishing for my solo trips. I've been reading other posts (great site!), and I'm just looking for some confirmation or correction.

I'm 6', 240 lbs. and I'll be doing most of my fishing in average sized lakes and rivers in Indiana and Michigan. I'll also be doing some flyfishing so stability is an issue. I'll be using my truck bed for tranporting the yak, so weight doesn't concern me.

Without having sat in one, I'm leaning towards the Malibu X-Factor. Among other things, I like the idea of being able to take my son along without relying on him to paddle (he's only 7 months old right now, but I'm planning ahead and I want to bring him up right!)

Any other kayaks I should consider?

Thanks!

[shrocks]

After trips to the Boundary Waters and fishing out of a canoe (which is ok if you have a fishing buddy), I'd like to try kayak fishing for my solo trips. I've been reading other posts (great site!), and I'm just looking for some confirmation or correction.

I'm 6', 240 lbs. and I'll be doing most of my fishing in average sized lakes and rivers in Indiana and Michigan. I'll also be doing some flyfishing so stability is an issue. I'll be using my truck bed for tranporting the yak, so weight doesn't concern me.

Without having sat in one, I'm leaning towards the Malibu X-Factor. Among other things, I like the idea of being able to take my son along without relying on him to paddle (he's only 7 months old right now, but I'm planning ahead and I want to bring him up right!)

Any other kayaks I should consider?

Thanks!

[Bernie]

The eXtreme would work well also.Its a little faster and turns quicker with almost as much stability.The quicker turning would be a plus on the rivers.Good luck!

[LunaSea]

Shrocks, welcome to the site http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif

I'm in the new kayak hunt right now after selling my Malibu eXtreme because of its weight (80 lbs.; don't believe their ad!) and because of the difficulty I had paddling a yak that size (and with a completely flat bottom) into facing winds and tides. May as well have paddled a tree trunk.

In the past week or so I've been able to paddle a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 & 160, as well as an Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 & 15. At your height and weight (I'm 6', 205-210 lbs.) I'd look seriously at any of those yaks. In my opinion, the Tarpon 160 was the easiest to paddle but it's a lot of yak at 16' long. But if you want a seaworthy craft that's able to handle any sort of conditions short of a tsunami, that's the yak to be in. It's plenty stable enough but I'd get a rudder for quicker turning. The Prowler 15 would be a good choice too because it's slightly wider than the T160.

If I buy another poly yak, a Tarpon 160i would be my #1 pick, but I've never paddled a Malibu X-Factor. Good luck, and hope this helps.

IKFA Member #107

A fool and his money are soon partying.

[rwolson]

Welcome http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif