kayak question

[njfish4life]

First I wish I could have joined in the Passaic trip this weekend but I had my son so I will aim for the next one. I posted in the saltwater forum as well but I was wondering if people could share some kayak knowledge. I have an Emotion Temptation and have rigged it myself with a FF, anchor trolley and mounts for rod holders. However, beight 6'4 I would not feel completely safe taking out in a bay or ocean yet. So my question is, what is your kayak of choice and where do you take it?

[dboyd101]

I am 6'0" and 250+/- and fish a hobie i12s. I haven't taken it in a NJ bay, but i been up north in mass on it in the salt and it was easy. that being said, it's an inflatable with the mirage drive so there are some advantages there. the thing is overstable and would take a shark bite or whale bump to sink/flip me. purchased soley because i lived in a condo at the time of purchase. now that i'm buying a house, i'll be picking up a pro angler within the next year and won't hesitate to bring that in the salt (bay or ocean), just make sure you tie everything down.

[FTD]

I'm new to kayaking as well, and have almost the same measurements. I had a handful of salesman give me some advice that I initially shrugged off, but am glad I followed. That advice being: anchors in a kayak are sketchy and go out with nothing but a rod and paddle for the first couple times(and a vest).

Timing your casts with the speed the wind is pushing you, while you're near structure is something I haven't yet mastered. Meaning how many casts can I get out before I have to paddle for another drift so I don't smack into something is tricky.

I've completely re worked the learning process I had laid out, once I spent some time on a large reservoir on a windy day. I'm now focused on bare bones basics, and have found a productive pond I plan to try them out in.

In a worst case scenario, taking a swim in 5ft of water is much less dangerous than taking one in 40ft of 60ish degree water.

And if you're wondering I'm sporting a 12ft kayak.

[dboyd101]

Great advice. The timing is very important when looking at what is around. If you have a Hobie you can always position yourself into the wind and just pedal to keep the drift controlled allowing for two hands for fishing.

Always wear a vest. No questions asked until you are standing on the boat launch.

Anchoring is only difficult in rivers. You need to be careful because the anchor point on the kayak will drag down the place on the kayak to make a straight line between the point on the 'yak and the connection on the bottom. This isn't a big deal in lakes, but in moving water it's a huge and life threatening issue. If you are on a rotomolded kayak, definitely install an anchor trolley to position yourself for preference in the wind. I often anchor up when i'm not in the wind and just want to stick a productive spot so i'm not pulled in where the fish are. You may want to investigate some quick release anchors as well, but so far my 4 claw has worked wonders. I also never knew i could write so much about anchors. :p

[Tony Cav]

First I wish I could have joined in the Passaic trip this weekend but I had my son so I will aim for the next one. I posted in the saltwater forum as well but I was wondering if people could share some kayak knowledge. I have an Emotion Temptation and have rigged it myself with a FF, anchor trolley and mounts for rod holders. However, beight 6'4 I would not feel completely safe taking out in a bay or ocean yet. So my question is, what is your kayak of choice and where do you take it?

I went with a tandem Old Town, Loon. a bit heavt at 16.5 ft but I like it!

[JerryC]

First I wish I could have joined in the Passaic trip this weekend but I had my son so I will aim for the next one. I posted in the saltwater forum as well but I was wondering if people could share some kayak knowledge. I have an Emotion Temptation and have rigged it myself with a FF, anchor trolley and mounts for rod holders. However, beight 6'4 I would not feel completely safe taking out in a bay or ocean yet. So my question is, what is your kayak of choice and where do you take it?

I am 5'10" 170lbs.. I use a Hobie Outback fully rigged out (see my kayak pics on this forum). I mainly fish lakes and some rivers.. for me its super sturdy, its a 12 foot kayak so it works for me well. I used to have a 10' hobie sport but with all my tackle it just wasnt big enough for me.