Seeking Fishing Kayak Opinions

[greylynx]

Hi
I have some questions about fishing kayaks that I gratefully request opinions about.

Please add any other information in addition to my questions.

Do you guys think fishing kayaks are a short term novelty or do you think fishing kayaks are here to stay and improve in features over the years like mountain bikes have done?

Are fishing kayaks any good for fly fishing? Most advertising pictures I see of fishing kayaks are guys with spin or bait casting gear.

I fish both a pontoon boat, and a float tube. How do fishing kayaks compare to fishing in the inflatables mentioned above?

Are there any preferred dealers in Alberta?

Thank you for your opinions.:)

[pope]

check out Jackson Kayaks, watch the videos on the Coosa model.

http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/kayak-fishing/coosa/

[vondogleg]

But can you get them in Alberta??

[pope]

Their web site shows where the dealers are located in Alberta and Canada. I've talked to a few and they can order them in, but were "ify"on the price. I hope to make a road trip to the states to grab one.

[MB1]

Hey greylynx, I got into kayak fishing last year and love it. I actually bought my kayak off Costco.ca and am very pleased with it. It's a Pelican brand and for a beginner it's awesome. Months later my wife liked the idea so much I bought her one as well. I got hers from Bass Pro in Calgary it's an Ascend, I actually like hers better.
I had a pontoon boat but found in a pain to assemble and transport not to mention you need to inflate it. With my kayak I can just lift it off the jeep roof and I'm fishing in no time. I can't even imagine bobbing around in a float tube after fishing from a kayak.
I don't flyfish much but I don't see it being a problem once you are used to the boat and get your balance. I only got out 5 or 6 times last year but gained enough confidence to tackle Talbot lake In Jasper on a windy day it was great we were actually able to surf some waves going with the wind.
I don't think kayak fishing is a fad. If anything I think it's popularity will surpass float tubes. Check out Canadian Kayak Angler.com, they even have tournaments just for kayak anglers.
I hope i answered some of your questions, if not pm me for more. If you are hesitant to buy one, rent one in the spring just to see if you like it.

[Cal]

I sure hope they are just a novelty, the more people that dream about $30 000 Lunds their whole lives while they fish from shore instead of looking for an affordable alternative the more fish there are left for me.

Seriously though fishing kayaks are a great idea, can cover water far more quickly than pontoon boats or float tubes. I was thinking about getting one last summer and just like anything else its all a compromise, mostly between speed and stability. They say that the number one beginners mistake is picking a boat that is very stable and slow and then wanting to upgrade quickly. In the end I think I'll just keep using my canoe, I like being able to stand up to take a pi$$. Evaluate your own needs and do a bunch of research, theres plenty of info out there, and you should end up with a boat that makes you happy.

[thumper]

Use the forum search engine for 'Kayak', and you'll find some good threads on this topic.
My wife and I both use Hobie kayaks with Mirage (pedal) drives. They're very stable and the hands-free propulsion makes them excellent fishing kayaks.
- and not too shabby for duck-hunting too!

[vondogleg]

Where did you buy the hobie kayaks from thumper?? I see they have em for sale in Fernie at there fly shop...Look pretty awesome!!

[thumper]

I bought one at Glenmore Sailboats in Calgary, and the other at the Fernie Flyshop. I'd recommend the Fernie Flyshop. PM me if you want more info.

Here's the Outback rigged for fishing - and for hunting.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b23/Canmoron/kayak%20fish/P1030366.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b23/Canmoron/kayak%20fish/IMG_0077.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b23/Canmoron/P1040778.jpg

[RapStaff]

Wholesale sports has a couple options but Atmosphere has better product range

[Okotokian]

I almost bought a fishing kayak last year but opted for a canoe instead. My reasons:

1) versatility. Wanted to do some tripping too, plus paddling with a partner.
2) in most SOT fishing kayaks you are going to get wet, so you have to wear your neoprene, waders, etc. in cold weather. I didn't want to have to do that.

But lots of fly fishers use kayaks. They have some nice bells and whistles.

[Cal]

I almost bought a fishing kayak last year but opted for a canoe instead. My reasons:

1) versatility. Wanted to do some tripping too, plus paddling with a partner.
2) in most SOT fishing kayaks you are going to get wet, so you have to wear your neoprene, waders, etc. in cold weather. I didn't want to have to do that.

But lots of fly fishers use kayaks. They have some nice bells and whistles.

Once again this is a rare situation where I agree entirely with Oko. Its nice to see sombody use their noodle and recognise the advantages of a canoe instead of just soaking up the kayak hype.

I like spending weeks at a time fishing water that only float planes and jet boats can access. I can even take a friend, I can even bring a moose back home with me (no bs on the moose, done it several times).

Despite the fact that kayaks are smaller, there is realy no good way to cary them for any distance. On big old Slave Lake getting around in a canoe can be tough so I fish alot of places where I can drive almost to the lake and then need to cary the canoe several hundred yards to the water. This would be tougher in a kayak.

The proper fishing kayak will handle wind and rough water better though, even though you will get wet. I wanted one so I could safely go out to the deeper drop offs in late summer but ended up deciding there were wiser ways to spend my money concidering I already had a canoe and was not about to part with it. For what its worth, after a bunch of research the kayak I was looking at most seriously was the Ocean Kayak Trident 13 which the fishing hole carrys. It might not be what you want though.

[thumper]

People have different and very valid uses in mind for their watercraft. Let's stick to what each craft is best suited for, rather than insulting thier owners!

" Its nice to see sombody use their noodle and recognise the advantages of a canoe instead of just soaking up the kayak hype. "

I've had a few different canoes, and when portaging significant distances, carrying lots of gear, game or companions - canoes rule! I have great memories of multi-day canoe tripping, hunting and fishing. I also have some unpleasant memories of being blown all over the lake when paddling solo, trying to fish and control the boat at the same time, and of long portages blindly stumbling along while balancing a heavy canoe over my head, joined by every misquito in the woods feasting on my helpless body. But if you're looking for something muscle powered, light, that you can load/unload from your vehicle by yourself for a quick day of fishing, and fish from effectively, kayaks are a great option.
Also, unless it's mid-summer, I usually wear a cheap pair of light-weight 'breathable waders' in my sit-on-top kayak to keep dry. They also permit me to comfortably slip over the side to stand in shallow water. The Hobies are stable enough to sit in 'side-saddle' with your feet dangling in the water - if you'd like.

[Cal]

People have different and very valid uses in mind for their watercraft. Let's stick to what each craft is best suited for, rather than insulting thier owners!

" Its nice to see sombody use their noodle and recognise the advantages of a canoe instead of just soaking up the kayak hype. "

I've had a few different canoes, and when portaging significant distances, carrying lots of gear, game or companions - canoes rule! I have great memories of multi-day canoe tripping, hunting and fishing. I also have some unpleasant memories of being blown all over the lake when paddling solo, trying to fish and control the boat at the same time, and of long portages blindly stumbling along while balancing a heavy canoe over my head, joined by every misquito in the woods feasting on my helpless body. But if you're looking for something muscle powered, light, that you can load/unload from your vehicle by yourself for a quick day of fishing, and fish from effectively, kayaks are a great option.
Also, unless it's mid-summer, I usually wear a cheap pair of light-weight 'breathable waders' in my sit-on-top kayak to keep dry. They also permit me to comfortably slip over the side to stand in shallow water. The Hobies are stable enough to sit in 'side-saddle' with your feet dangling in the water - if you'd like.


Sorry, that came out a little more strong than I meant it to. I realise that Kayaks have some very significant advantages, thats why I wanted one. I guess I just get tired of outdoor magazines trying to tell me how superior the latest fad in portable watercraft is over my old fashion canoe. First it was float tubes, then pontoon boats, and now kayaks. I usualy go solo and I admit every time I'm fighting a wind on the lake or paddling back upriver I think wistfully of that Trident 13... so about 3 times a week in the summer, they deffinatly excel at the specific job they are designed to do.

I have no trouble loading and unloading my portly Explorer by myself though on any vehical you want. Its actualy easyer with one guy than two if you do it right.

[thumper]

Thx Cal,

Loading/unloading canoes or kayaks on my 4x4 suburban roof rack from the rear of the truck was a circus, until i came across a terrific method. I now lay the watercraft BESIDE the truck and open a front door (on the same side) and toss a towel or bath-mat over the top of it. Then lift the front of the craft up and rest it on the top of the door, then go to the back and lift the rear of the craft onto the rear roof rack, then go back to the front and lift the front of the craft from the top of the door to the front roof rack. Do the exact reverse to unload.
This 3-step process makes loading & unloading by myself a breeze.

[greylynx]

Hey Cal:

Have you tried your boat in the Marten Beach Waves?

[Duramaximos]

Love my fishing kayaks!! I won't look back to a canoe.
Trendy or not they suit my needs just fine. I really like the fact that I can't be swamped. I've had my yak in some big white caps and never feared for my life. While canoeing on the other hand...not so confident.

I haven't embarked on a multi day trip yet, but I can see how a canoe would have some advantages in the cargo department.

Good luck and most of all have fun with your purchase.
There is some very exciting new product out there to explore.

[greylynx]

Thanks Guys:

My pontoon boat is over 10 years old and showing signs of wear.

Inner bladder replacement for the pontoon boat will be about the price of a new boat.

That is why I am looking at the fishing kayak for a new challenge.

I most gratefully would like to thank you guys for your ideas, and if you have more please post them.

Again, thank you.

[Duramaximos]

If you haven't made up your mind by the time ice is off, I'd be happy to take you out for a test paddle. I have two matching yaks that are ready to fish!

Drop me a line in the spring if you're interested.

[Duramaximos]

...forgot to mention, I'm in Calgary.

[Cal]

Hey Cal:

Have you tried your boat in the Marten Beach Waves?

I sure have! A couple times the waves have been big enough that I've forgot about fishing and just had fun trying to surf the canoe, you do alot of swimming if you try this. I usualy just fish the morning and evening when the wind is a bit less. If its realy blowing I can usualy do OK by doing some freshwater surf fishing off the beach, or else I just go fish the river. Thats where the big ones are anyways.

[Map Maker]

Sorry, that came out a little more strong than I meant it to. I realise that Kayaks have some very significant advantages, thats why I wanted one. I guess I just get tired of outdoor magazines trying to tell me how superior the latest fad in portable watercraft is over my old fashion canoe. First it was float tubes, then pontoon boats, and now kayaks. I usualy go solo and I admit every time I'm fighting a wind on the lake or paddling back upriver I think wistfully of that Trident 13... so about 3 times a week in the summer, they deffinatly excel at the specific job they are designed to do.

I have no trouble loading and unloading my portly Explorer by myself though on any vehical you want. Its actualy easyer with one guy than two if you do it right.

definately pros and cons to both. i would much rather fish a whole day in a canoe than a kayak cuz you can move around more. But the speed and manuveablity of the kayak is tough to beat. I find the kayak (60#) supereasy for me to load on my halfton by myself but couldnt load my canoe by myself so that is the main reason i kept the kayak and sold the canoe.
Mine has a fishing rod pole in the side and im able to put my fish finder in front and use a shoot-thru hull transducer. Works for me.
I still want to add an anchor to the boat, and some wheels for portaging.

Pic of mine,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/alpinehigh/Fishing/yak.jpg

[Brandonkop]

I think the Fishing Kayak is an excellent alternative for getting out on the water. I've used both kayak and canoe. For me the Canoe is a pain when the wind whips up and doesn't feel as stable to me. I think it is really easy to carry a Kayak as well. I have a Malibu Pro Two Fish and dive so me and my wife or a friend can go out fishing. Its great! I go out by myself as well which it works for pretty good, but when its really windy at times I feel it would probably be easier to paddle if two people were in... unless its my wife then I end up paddling two people in the wind, haha! I've had mine on the ocean in 10 foot seas, winds probably 40-50 miles an hour, water crashing over the whole kayak. I've never capsized and have never fallen out.

Transportation is great too, easy to throw on the Jeep and tie down with a couple of straps through the drain holes. Then if I'm alone and want to haul the kayak a distance I've built a cart for about 40 bucks that hauls my kayak and all the gear. This makes it like a feather weight to move around since it is balanced and you just pull it!

It is pretty sweet catching fish out of a kayak, being right at water level. Watching seals and otters pop up beside you is exciting as well. Makes accessing any peice of water possible. You can also put a little minkota on if you'd like.

Mine has in haul rod holders, but I added a couple more for trolling. Also have a portable fish finder, and added some paddle holders.

One recommendation is that I think I would get the kind you can power with your feet if I was getting another cause setting line out when trolling is hard if you are alone and have to paddle.

Here's a bunch of pics of my toy! Grad present from the parents for finishing doctor school, haha!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/Brandonkop3/Kayak/IMG_0041.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/Brandonkop3/Kayak/IMG_0343.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/Brandonkop3/Kayak/IMG_0037.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/Brandonkop3/Kayak/IMG_0284.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/Brandonkop3/Kayak/BigSur197.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/Brandonkop3/Kayak/IMG_0286.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/Brandonkop3/BigSur057.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/Brandonkop3/Big%20Sur%20Nov%202010/BigSurNov201093-1.jpg
Then when you wipeout everything is stored inside so you don't lose anything, makes for crazy adventures!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/Brandonkop3/Big%20Sur%20Nov%202010/BigSurNov201096-1.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/Brandonkop3/Big%20Sur%20Nov%202010/DSCF8065.jpg
Go for the kayak!

Brandon

[Cal]

Heres some pics of my ride doing what it does best... any adventure I've got the skill and cajones to take on.

Somewhere in the NWT
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/exophysical/NWT%20Road%20trip/territories039.jpg

Somewhere in the Yukon
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/exophysical/009.jpg

Hunting moose on some little creek to nowhere
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/exophysical/015.jpg

Slave river surf and turf.
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/exophysical/hunt/041.jpg

In this picture we've got two guy's hunting gear, food for two weeks, and a 40" bull moose in my canoe.
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/exophysical/09%20Hunt/Wabasca_Hunt026.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/exophysical/09%20Hunt/Wabasca_Hunt020.jpg

[Duramaximos]

Great posts guys!

Bottom line is - kayak or canoe - go get one! Start enjoying advantrues like these.

I can't wait for ice off!!!

[Okotokian]

Also, unless it's mid-summer, I usually wear a cheap pair of light-weight 'breathable waders' in my sit-on-top kayak to keep dry. .

Be careful Thumper! I'd be very worried if you tipped in deep water and had those waders fill with water. :scared0015: Like attaching an anchor to yourself. Everything I've read favours neoprene for kayaks.

[nicemustang]

I love the hobbie cats mirage's. I have been saving pennies for one for a few years but it will likely take one more before I get one.

[Cal]

Be careful Thumper! I'd be very worried if you tipped in deep water and had those waders fill with water. :scared0015: Like attaching an anchor to yourself. Everything I've read favours neoprene for kayaks.

Can anyone verify that waders will actualy take you down when full of water? I though a few fishing writers such as AJ Mclean and others went so far as to jump off bridges wearing waders back in the 50's to prove this is a myth. I dont own waders but unless the water that gets into your waders is somehow heavyer the water that is not in your waders I cant see how it would drag you to the bottom, kinda seems to defy physics. Might make it hard to swim I guess.

[greylynx]

I love the hobbie cats mirage's. I have been saving pennies for one for a few years but it will likely take one more before I get one.

How much is a guy paying for a Mirage?

[KyFly]

Kayaks are great for flyfishing and spinfishing, however the biggest drawback compared to a pontoon is that if you want to move you have to put your rod down. This is especially tiresome with a flyrod which requires both hands most of the time. That being said, i only flyfish and i bought a 12' perception SOT, then sold my pontoon boat immediately :D

The kayak vs canoe debate is never ending, so how about a compromise? There's a few hybrid boats that offer the increased storage of a canoe with the ability to use a 2 blade paddle, and better rigging options. The Native Ultimate is very popular with flyfishers down south. Stable enough to stand in and maneuverable in moving water. Wilderness Systems Commander and Mad River Synergy fit into this category as well.

[nicemustang]

I priced out a HC with the mirage drive at Glenmore boats and it was $2300 plus tax and accessories.

[greylynx]

Kayaks are great for flyfishing and spinfishing, however the biggest drawback compared to a pontoon is that if you want to move you have to put your rod down. This is especially tiresome with a flyrod which requires both hands most of the time. That being said, i only flyfish and i bought a 12' perception SOT, then sold my pontoon boat immediately :D

The kayak vs canoe debate is never ending, so how about a compromise? There's a few hybrid boats that offer the increased storage of a canoe with the ability to use a 2 blade paddle, and better rigging options. The Native Ultimate is very popular with flyfishers down south. Stable enough to stand in and maneuverable in moving water. Wilderness Systems Commander and Mad River Synergy fit into this category as well.

Excellent point KyFly. Fishing in the old pontoon boat with the rod tip darn near in the water, sometimes with very little fly line , and lots of leader and tippet is very rewarding.

The trouble with a pontoon boat is that it is slow and requires a lot of energy to get from one place to another.

I own a canoe with an electric motor, and have whitewater kayaked the NSR and Red Deer Rivers a fair amount when I was younger.

When resting in the eddies with a whitewater kayak, I always wondered what was swimming below me.

I think I will have to give this Fishing Kayak stuff a try.

Any recommendations on preferred brands?

[nicemustang]

Don't need to put rod down with mirage as you use your feet.

[thumper]

The Fishing Hole booth at the Calgary Sportsman Show has an 14' Ocean kayak with a 'built in' Minn Cota on display. I think it was about $1800

[Moe]

Greylynx,,,,take a look at this hybrid yak
http://www.nucanoe.com/

[Heron]

Can anyone verify that waders will actualy take you down when full of water? I though a few fishing writers such as AJ Mclean and others went so far as to jump off bridges wearing waders back in the 50's to prove this is a myth. I dont own waders but unless the water that gets into your waders is somehow heavyer the water that is not in your waders I cant see how it would drag you to the bottom, kinda seems to defy physics. Might make it hard to swim I guess.

I have read that the only thing you need to worry about is the current or waves catching loose fitting waders and driving you down like wind in a sail. I have been swept off my feet a few times but thankfully was not wearing waders.

[Okotokian]

I have read that the only thing you need to worry about is the current or waves catching loose fitting waders and driving you down like wind in a sail. I have been swept off my feet a few times but thankfully was not wearing waders.

Perhaps, but good luck trying to get back up on the kayak or in the canoe with them on and full of water. And swimming would be very difficult. Just seems like a real hazard that could be solved by wearing neoprene.

[Heron]

Good point.

[thumper]

I've only dumped out of my SOT kayak once - when the sail kit was attached and the wind suddenly picked up! But when close to the beach I've practiced dumping and getting back in, and it's not too hard once you figure out the self-rescue technique that works best for you. I don't wear a wading belt when using the light-weight, breathable waders in the kayak, because in water of any depth, it's easier to just slip off the suspender straps and let the waders fall off. (then grab them and put them back into the yak) Also, if air is trapped in the legs of your waders by the tight belt, it's more difficult to get back into the kayak because your 'bottom half' wants to float more than your top half!
When I'm wading and fishing in rivers though, I still wear the wading belt as I don't think it would be as easy to 'shed' them in heavy, flowing water.

I've also dumped my sit-inside kayak once - in a mixture of water and ice slush. Once you get back in, you have a lot of bailing to do before you're not sitting in water, and paddling a full bath tub to shore is a chore! With a sit-on-top (SOT), you're not sitting in a foot of cold water, and can effectively paddle - much faster - to shore.

[pope]

If you are wearing loose fitting waders in a boat or wading in a stream, wear a wading belt. It keeps the water out, air in.