Any Kayak folks out there that can help ?

[Bloodhound]

I am considering a fishing kayak to augment my fishing assault arsenal. I have a pontoon boat already but I have discovered that, in close quarters a kayak may be more efficient to manuever and that a kayak could be easier to cover more distance with less effort.

I am wondering how a sit-inside versus a sit-on-top compare and how it compares with a canoe for stability(I know canoes are not stable generally) or what any other advantages/disadvantages might be.

There are several on the market now that I have seen that are described as "short" and "stable" and that weigh about 38-50 lbs. For my application, I would only be using it on shallow still waters or on perhaps a class I or II river for fishing.

Any information about Kayaks would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[PowerBaitHeppy]

Never used one before....

http://www.utahonthefly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10544

[raposaNegra]

aka an inflatable kayak. Stable, easy to maneuver, easy to store, and fairly inexpensive. If you want more info on some "duckies" drop me a line.

[Danny]

Canoes generally are not super stable, but are generally more stable than a Kayak. I have two canoes, they are both lake (still water) canoes. That means a wide bottom and more stability. Actually quite stable. I really enjoy fishing from my canoe and it is great because I have room for one of my kids, or another buddy to come along. I can cover lots of water in a short amount of time as well. (way faster than a pontoon) but it is not as fisherman friendly as a pontoon.

[Trout4x]

Teewinot has played around in a Kayak.

Canoes are great, they sell pontoons that will adapt to the canoe if you really are concerned about flipping, like Danny said it makes it nice taking a friend, kids, or a dog along that does not have a pontoon etc.

[Bloodhound]

Teewinot has played around in a Kayak.

Canoes are great, they sell pontoons that will adapt to the canoe if you really are concerned about flipping, like Danny said it makes it nice taking a friend, kids, or a dog along that does not have a pontoon etc.


Agreed ! I like canoes alot ! For me, fly casting works pretty good in a canoe in my opinion - at least it did while solo canoeing. I have not used one however while having a passenger, so I don't know the logistics of two people trying to cast from the same boat. That's not too big of a concern as I don't usually fish with another person on my craft.

LOL ! Trout4x - I should mention I suppose, that my hounds are far too large to be considered as a potential passenger on a watercraft of any dimensions save perhaps a houseboat on Lake Powell - the two of them weigh in at about 400 lbs and they are not equipped with "sea legs" of any kind that I have noticed. If both of them were inclined to look in the same direction at the same time, it would send most vessels to the bottom of what ever body of water they were on. No, my hounds are not really going to go fishing with me on any watercraft - however, If I were to find a female unit(of the people variety) I would just supply one of my other craft for her to use. I am looking for a solo vessel, not a party barge for me and the hounds, or for company while fishing - except of course, the comany of the fish I invite aboard my vessel.

I was actually hopeing someone here has had experience fly casting from a Kayak. A kayak would be of little use, if I can not cast from it comfortably. Also, what's it like to land a really big fish on a kayak ?

[johnc]

I have fly fished from a canoe. If you purchase a canoe be sure a buy a good quality solo canoe. Wenonah is a very good brand for stillwater fishing. Then purchase a kayak paddle and you will be able to cover a lot of ground. In a solo canoe there is lots of room for gear and you will sit a little higher than a kayak. The wind can blow a canoe around and make it hard to stay where you want.

My wife has a nine foot kayak made by old town. It is a very basic kayak and is not set up for fishing. However, we took it fishing a couple of times last summer and it was really fun. The wind does not move it around much and it was easy to cover a lot of ground. It was difficult to take out a lot of equipment. I think a 12 foot kayak set up for fishing with a large opening would really be fun.

In a kayak, the seats are very low, but pretty comfortable. Canoes are more comfortable and allow a person to move around a little bit. I hope this helps.

[Hopper Luv]

I have a stearns inflatable kayak for sale on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=87090&item=7146267407&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
I could save you the shipping price. current bid is $100 Brand new it sells for about $500 It has never been used.

[Cary]

Nice presentation.