Kayak Help

[Capspath83]

Hey All,

I am looking into purchasing a kayak for the abundance of river and lake fishing I want to start doing.

I would love to get a Hobie Pro Angler 12 but I don't make that kind of money to get one.

Can anyone point me in the right direction of something comparable that is as sturdy when standing and has storage space and a livewell?

What does everyone think of the Malibu Stealth 9?

I will need to be able to add my portable rod holders and downrigges to it as well.

I have been trolling Craigslist for something but cannot seem to find anything either.

Any suggestions would be helpful!

[msgdan]

First, nothing can compare to the Pro Angler for being sturdy...standing and storage. Standing in the Malibu will take tons of practice with many trips in the water.. I know what they say, but a 9 foot kayak is not built to be stood in.

For lakes and rivers, I would look into something like a Tarpon 120. Very good kayak for what you are looking for....except the live well. But very few kayaks have a live well . You can always bring one and rig it in the back.

Good luck !

[Capspath83]

Originally Posted by msgdan

First, nothing can compare to the Pro Angler for being sturdy...standing and storage. Standing in the Malibu will take tons of practice with many trips in the water.. I know what they say, but a 9 foot kayak is not built to be stood in.

For lakes and rivers, I would look into something like a Tarpon 120. Very good kayak for what you are looking for....except the live well. But very few kayaks have a live well . You can always bring one and rig it in the back.

Good luck !

I agree msgdan. I would love to be able to afford even a used Hobie! Thanks for your input on the Malibu. I will definitely check out the Tarpon. Livewell is not that important. I can always tow along my minnow bucket or strap on my gallon herring livewell

[Skunk City]

Do not get a 9ft, or even a 10ft for that matter if standing up and storage are at the top of your list. I used a 10ft predominately for a couple years and looking back, it was night and day compared to my current 12.5ft. For rivers/lakes/res., I prefer the sit-in as opposed to a sit on top, as you can store stuff down by your feet, in between your legs, next to you, or behind you without worrying about gear falling out and into the water. We do a handful of overnight Delaware River float trips with the yaks and I am able to fit my tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, food, water, clothing, and of course fishing tackle in it comfortably without overloading it. I can also stand in it pretty easily to stretch or scout shallow water, but casting isn't the easiest. I've looked at adding removeable pontoons/floats to make it more stable for stand up casting, but as of yet I havent..

Here is a link to my yak to give you an idea: http://www.perceptionkayaks.com/us/p...und-125-angler

[Capspath83]

Originally Posted by Skunk City

Do not get a 9ft, or even a 10ft for that matter if standing up and storage are at the top of your list. I used a 10ft predominately for a couple years and looking back, it was night and day compared to my current 12.5ft. For rivers/lakes/res., I prefer the sit-in as opposed to a sit on top, as you can store stuff down by your feet, in between your legs, next to you, or behind you without worrying about gear falling out and into the water. We do a handful of overnight Delaware River float trips with the yaks and I am able to fit my tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, food, water, clothing, and of course fishing tackle in it comfortably without overloading it. I can also stand in it pretty easily to stretch or scout shallow water, but casting isn't the easiest. I've looked at adding removeable pontoons/floats to make it more stable for stand up casting, but as of yet I havent..

Here is a link to my yak to give you an idea: http://www.perceptionkayaks.com/us/p...und-125-angler

Great!

Thanks Skunk. I will definitely look into yours as well. There are so many out there that it is very overwhelming.

[fishingbuddies]

I'm in the same boat. No pun intended. I've been looking for save up for a nice Yak this summer. Instead I used the money to upgrade my Jon Boat. Anyway, I've been looking and reading and comparing... here there... everywhere. Ebay, craigslist etc... watching videos, reading reviews... etc....
I've nailed it down to this one. The Feelfree lure11.5. It LOADED with features. Super stable for standing up, and from everything I've seen and read, the best seat out there period! Spend some time on the site and read and watch the video. Do a google search to and see what others have done with their Lure yaks. Pretty bada$$. The color selections are also a definite plus. Still debating which one I want personally. Thinking Dessert Camo.

Looks like it will be my Spring Yak. Got to save up $1200 now.

http://feelfreeus.com/kayaks/fishing-kayaks/lure-11-5/

Good luck

[Capspath83]

Originally Posted by fishingbuddies

I'm in the same boat. No pun intended. I've been looking for save up for a nice Yak this summer. Instead I used the money to upgrade my Jon Boat. Anyway, I've been looking and reading and comparing... here there... everywhere. Ebay, craigslist etc... watching videos, reading reviews... etc....
I've nailed it down to this one. The Feelfree lure11.5. It LOADED with features. Super stable for standing up, and from everything I've seen and read, the best seat out there period! Spend some time on the site and read and watch the video. Do a google search to and see what others have done with their Lure yaks. Pretty bada$$. The color selections are also a definite plus. Still debating which one I want personally. Thinking Dessert Camo.

Looks like it will be my Spring Yak. Got to save up $1200 now.

http://feelfreeus.com/kayaks/fishing-kayaks/lure-11-5/

Good luck

Im liking the adjustable seat on that one. $1,200 is definitely a lot better than what Hobie is asking for.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Im also looking for a decent John boat as well. Im starting to get sick of going to the same places over and over on land.

[Ken Lyons]

It's awfully difficult to study all the ads and come to a really good decision.they're all trying to seem you something. I haven't yet read "try before you buy" but it's coming I'm sure. I have owned 5 different kayaks over the last 15 years and found them all to be compromises. Dan has probably spent more time in the water in a kayak than anyone here and he even catches fish. The Tarpon 120 is a fine compromise for most bodies of water. I'm not anxious to stand in it but is maneuverable enough for rivers and fast enough for bigger bodie of water. I have a Frontier 10 from Nu Canoe. It's easy to stand but too wide for anything but slow moving rivers. It's an absolute pig to paddle so I have a motor on itYou also have to take into account how your going to transport it. The Hobie PA weighs about 125 ponds. If you're vertically challenged putting it on the roof of most SUV's is not the most fUn you'll have standing up.
Demo's will be available from some of the retailers soon. If you don' like whatever it is you can probably sell it in the Spring for what you pay for it now. Check out the Kayak Fishing store for theIr's.

[Capspath83]

Originally Posted by Ken Lyons

It's awfully difficult to study all the ads and come to a really good decision.they're all trying to seem you something. I haven't yet read "try before you buy" but it's coming I'm sure. I have owned 5 different kayaks over the last 15 years and found them all to be compromises. Dan has probably spent more time in the water in a kayak than anyone here and he even catches fish. The Tarpon 120 is a fine compromise for most bodies of water. I'm not anxious to stand in it but is maneuverable enough for rivers and fast enough for bigger bodie of water. I have a Frontier 10 from Nu Canoe. It's easy to stand but too wide for anything but slow moving rivers. It's an absolute pig to paddle so I have a motor on itYou also have to take into account how your going to transport it. The Hobie PA weighs about 125 ponds. If you're vertically challenged putting it on the roof of most SUV's is not the most fUn you'll have standing up.
Demo's will be available from some of the retailers soon. If you don' like whatever it is you can probably sell it in the Spring for what you pay for it now. Check out the Kayak Fishing store for theIr's.

Thanks for the recommendations Ken.

Didn't realize the hobie was that heavy. I guess a trailer would be the best bet.

I am also not a very good DIY MOD guy...lol so I am a little worried about adding a downrigger on a kayak.

The feel free lure 11.5 seems to have the guide plate that I could attach one onto for when I go for salmon and lake trout.

[XXlyakattacker]

Nobody asked the most important question, how tall are you and how much do you weigh? Skunk is a little guy so he can get away with a sit inside, lol. I'm a big guy so to me a sit inside is a floating coffin. You couldn't pay me to go in salt water or the delaware in one. I have been in some pretty hairy situations on the big D between Belvidere and Pburg that would have put me on the bottom of the river in a sit in side. And the weight capacity of my yak is 600lbs. I would go with a sit on top. It's your kayak and if something goes wrong it's your life preserver. I have an ocean kayak prowler Big Game 2 and love it(except the "lifetime" hull and deck warranty is basically just a role of toilet paper). My buddy has a Jackson coosa HD and it comes ready to fish. If I were a smaller guy the HD would be an awesome start.