Kayak preferences?

[bottleofdog]

Just did a few days in a kayak (freshwater paddling) and even though I ended up pretty sore I enjoyed it. I know lots of guys on here Kayak for stripers and thought I would run some questions by you.

If...and thats a big if, I would ever buy a kayak, for ocean/bay saltwater fishing...what kind of yak would you all recommend?

I live an hour or so from teh Susquehanna flats in Maryland and a yak could put me on some fish down there. Also visiting friends on the Cape it could come in handy.

The Kayak I was in last week was a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140. I really liked it and feel like it would serve my purposes nicely...but would welcome any thoughts from you.

Sit on top vs. standard
length issues
ability to hold gear
safety in choppy water
etc.

Thanks

:-% :-%

[averagejoe]

The WS 140 is a good all around kayak. Lots of storage, great fishing platform, etc...If you are doing a lot of flats fishing and water is well...flat you could even stand up in that.

A sit in kayak will get you around faster in most cases and will give your legs some shade on those sunny days and protect you from getting wet on the cold ones.

But there are a lot of fast sit on top kayaks these days, although they have a skinnier beam they are all very stable and handle rough water well. Namely the WS 160i, 15 ' OK prowler and the Hobie adventure- which is a pedal kayak.

And if speed isn't a priority the Malibu x factor, extreme, drifter are all good kayaks with a ton of storage.

You can find more info on fishing kayaks at kayakfishingstuff.com, or sites like www.newenglandkayakfishing.com

[Brant]

See post on 37lb kayak bass

Heritage 14 Marquesa or Redfish(same yak) although I do like Joes Hobie for the whole peddle thing

[dlangan]

My whole family has yaks at this point :) We use them on the Delaware for trout, warm water lakes, etc. and of course the ocean.

When buying a yak think of storage, transportation, what you want to carry, how far you want to paddle, etc. Add to it that you will likely get a lot more use out of you kayak than anticipated. Try as many as you can. Personally, I would get it as long as reasonable (faster, more storage).

There's tons of info on yaks in the kayak forum here.

Presently I have Pungo 140 - which I really like! Yup, I'm a sinker (sit in kayak). That said, I am always trying my friends kayaks - on the lookout for something I would like more....

[blueYak]

I use a 12'4 sit inside perception. My prev kayak was a 9'6 perception sparky. It didn't track very straight. However, it was light, cheap, stable, and insistructable.
If it isn't choppy, your ass will stay dry with a sit in model. (disadvantage of SOT) If real choppy, it will collect water.
I Have rigged an anchor off the back using a pulley and a short piece of line. When i pull the anchor up, i can reach it and put it behind me.
I made a plate having 6 fingers sticking up that sits on the floor which keeps the line from tangling when shooting.
Fly casting out of a kayak stinks, it's good for wade access though. (i do cast out of the yak when the fish are deep, it's just not enjoyable. )

jay

[DbleHaul]

I paddle a Tarpon 140 with a rudder and am very pleased with it. Like blueYak, I mainly use it to reach other areas so that I can get off and wade. But I also catch plenty of fish from it too.

Don't worry about casting distances from a kayak. You don't need to cast far because the kayak allows you to get closer to the fish.

Have fun.

[LEFTUS]

Tarpon 160i.Fast,stable and fishy! Lefty

[no problem]

Just went through the same decision making drill..I use a small sit-in VT and between paddling, casting, getting the line wrapped around my head, etc. decided to try a pedal drive...was blown away by the pedal yaks. Covers more territory with less effort and keeps hands free for the reason you are out there. haven't caught my first fish in yet with it...but so far...terrific decision. another dudes 2 cents