1. Guest, did you know that we are counting on you to become a actively participating member of our Club and Forum? Click here to see how:

Dismiss Notice
Welcome To ShrimpNFishFLorida
Dismiss Notice
In order to view Reports and Posts in the (R) restricted access threads of this forum you must sign up as a member
Dismiss Notice
Guest After signup you will need to make an Introduction Post. Thanks

Buying My First Kayak - Help!

Discussion in 'DIY - Rigging Your Kayak' started by DIANE J SEAMAN, Oct 30, 2022.


  1. DIANE J SEAMAN

    DIANE J SEAMAN Treasure Hunter
    Thread Started By

    I'm looking for an alternative to surf fishing and have long been thinking about getting a kayak, but I have no idea where to start with them. I've been out fishing the Halifax river/Tamoka area in one a few times (rental), but it wasn't really set up for fishing and we ended up stopping on islands to fish from land. The kayaks were Pelican, very basic, ok for paddling around but not much good for fishing because there was no place to put anything for fishing.

    I'd like to buy something that's pretty much ready to go for fishing (I have NO DYI skills, very few tools) and just want to be able to get out on the river sometimes without much fuss. I only weigh 100lbs soaking wet, so it has to be pretty light and easy to maneuver.

    Where do I begin to look for something like that? I've done google searches but don't know enough about kayaks to understand the differences and just end up more confused. Any help would be appreciated.
     
    DIANE J SEAMAN, Oct 30, 2022
    #1
    mak likes this.
  2. mak

    mak Moderator on Deck Staff Member

    Budget will probably play a role so you may want to throw that out there to help with recommendations. Honestly, I can’t imagine having to fish from a paddle kayak. I’m so used to the hands-free convenience of a pedal style that I would not be using a kayak any more if I had to go to paddle only… and you have seen how often I use my yak and how rarely I get in the boat. I just don’t have the ability or patience to use a paddle, stay in position, be quiet, and fish all at the same time. I hate the days I go out and it’s too shallow for the pedal drive…
    I would recommend that you water test before you buy, no matter what you end up with. It’s hard to get a feel for what you like or want just by looking. Not just for stability, steering and tracking, but the feel of the rotational pedal drive vs the stair-stepper motion of the fin drives. I started with a Native Titan, moved to a Jackson Coosa FD, and ended with an Outback. I’m a big fan of the Hobie Mirage drive. Lack of the instant reverse without pulling a cable takes some getting used to, but for me, I’ve found the Mirage drive more efficient and much easier to maintain a continuous good speed without needing breaks like I did with the others. Negative on the Outback is that a lot of folks have had issues with them cracking, and it’s not just on the 2019 hulls like some say. My 2020 was replaced under warranty and I just yesterday had my cracked 2021 replaced after a 3 month wait… Check out the Lynx if you want a super lightweight design. I’m strongly considering that one. Would be great for sheltered backwaters. The Vibe Shearwater could be purchased and then you could get the Hobie 180 drive with kick-up fins to use with it instead of the Vibe drive. That’s another I really like. I would definitely get the 180 drive with kick-up fins if you go the Hobie route. I would have bent my masts many times over every week if the fins didn’t kick up out of the way when running into the shallows…. Old Town, Native and a couple others all have great reputations if you go the prop path. The instant reverse just by back-pedaling is nice, but like I said, the mirage drive just feels much more efficient and easy to keep moving for me. Also allows for a “flutter kick” in shallow water, although it is a pita to use that for a lengthy period.
    Seat comfort and adjustability is another feature that is a big deal to me and varies greatly between makes and models. I would not like any of the old style basic foam that just sits right on the floor. Try a Pro Angler seat like Sam (nautical gator) has and you will be forever spoiled for anything else.
    Buying used used to be a great way to save a lot of money and then not lose any of you changed you mind and sold. However, the past couple years the asking prices I see on most yaks is just stupid high. People asking near retail for a used kayak just because it has some add-ons…. With the exception of maybe a anchor trolley, there aren’t many things you really need to rig on the newer fishing kayaks that come basically ready to fish. Stuff like better rod holders, etc are easy to attach.
     
    mak, Oct 30, 2022
    #2
    DIANE J SEAMAN likes this.
  3. DIANE J SEAMAN

    DIANE J SEAMAN Treasure Hunter
    Thread Started By

    Wow! Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to give me so much to look into today! I'm going to look them all up, then set up some times to go check out the ones that seem best for me. I don't really have a set budget. I don't want to spend more than I need to, of course, but I also don't want to spend too little and end up with something I can't or don't want to use.

    THANKS A MILLION!!!
     
    DIANE J SEAMAN, Oct 30, 2022
    #3
  4. mak

    mak Moderator on Deck Staff Member

    Not sure where you are but I see Sandy point in Daytona is advertising kayak demo days every Saturday in November.
    https://progressivesports.com/
     
    mak, Oct 30, 2022
    #4
    DIANE J SEAMAN likes this.
  5. Nautical Gator

    Nautical Gator Forum Captain, Moderator, Peacekeeper Staff Member

    follow my link and learn
    http://www.shrimpnfishflorida.com/forums/forums/diy-rigging-your-kayak.225/
     
    Nautical Gator, Oct 30, 2022
    #5
    mak and DIANE J SEAMAN like this.
  6. DIANE J SEAMAN

    DIANE J SEAMAN Treasure Hunter
    Thread Started By

    THat's very close for me. I'll be there next Saturday! After looking at so many, you're right about needing to actually get in and try them out. All of them you wrote about (definitely going with the pedals, not paddles) look good to me. I don't understand what the differences really are, but I think it will come down to which one is easiest to peddle and feels most stable. I'll go and try them out! Thanks again.
     
    DIANE J SEAMAN, Oct 30, 2022
    #6
  7. DIANE J SEAMAN

    DIANE J SEAMAN Treasure Hunter
    Thread Started By

    DIANE J SEAMAN, Oct 30, 2022
    #7
    Nautical Gator likes this.
  8. michael reinhart

    michael reinhart Greenhorn

    The biggest thing to consider is how you will transport it. I bought two 2 years ago for the wife and I and have only been able to go out about 5 times due to the roof rack getting ripped off the roof by a gust of wind. Make sure you have a way to transport. Lol
     
    michael reinhart, Nov 11, 2022
    #8
    DIANE J SEAMAN likes this.
  9. DIANE J SEAMAN

    DIANE J SEAMAN Treasure Hunter
    Thread Started By

    Yes, that's definitely something I need to consider. I'll ask about all of that when I go try some out once the weather improves. Thanks for the post. I have a van, so putting it on the roof wouldn't work. I'd never be able to get it up there.
     
    DIANE J SEAMAN, Nov 12, 2022
    #9
    mak likes this.
  10. mak

    mak Moderator on Deck Staff Member

    Did you ever go by and look at kayaks or go to one of their demo days?
     
    mak, Dec 3, 2022
    #10
  11. Uno Mas

    Uno Mas Newbie

    I have a Native Watercraft fishing kayak for sale, and it is completely set-up for fishing. Check out my post in this section. 4 months old and in new condition. I'm selling because I just purchased a new boat. I can provide pictures - Uno Mas
     
    Uno Mas, Apr 19, 2026
    #11

Share This Page