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fishingguy82 · Finger Mullet Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 30

Hello folks,

So I'm in the process of buying a kayak. Exciting days ahead. Right now im in the research process right now. I have seen and researched many kayak brands and styles. I think I finally narrowed it down to:

Native Watercraft Ultimate 12
Feel Free Moken 12 angler or 13
Wilderness systems Tarpon 120

maybes:
Necky Vector 13
Ocean kayak Prowler 13
Ocean Big game angler- Dont really feel like accessorizing for extra money.

So I am looking for some opinions and thoughts. What do you use? Whats a good width and length. I know for sure nothing under 12", but what about width? I want to go fish flats and be able to drop a line off the shore.

Thanks
Bryan Very Happy

ltorna1 · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 3240

Never tried the Feel Free Moken or the Necky Vector, but I have paddled both the OK prowler 13 and the tarpon 120 and both are fantastic yaks. I have a tarpon 140, no rudder, and I love it.

You can demo the tarpon 120 at jerry b's, I think he rents out a yellow one with a rudder. If you can, try the Mantra Ray 12 or 15 too, those are great kayaks. Fast. You may also be able to demo a prowler from Wind and Wave, I know they have OK's but maybe not that model. Whatever you do, if they rent it with a rudder - try it with the rudder, and then definitely try it without it.

The best thing to do is just like you are doing, research research research, but in the end once you narrow it down, you NEED to get out and paddle them. And dont just paddle, but know the weight of it empty and lift it up. See if you can hoist it by yourself. Take it into the skinny water and try to stand in it. Sit comfortably and reach as far as you can forward and backward, see if everything is accessible. Sit in shallow water and rock left and right, try to tip it. You get the idea.

Also everybody is a different size, and I love my tarpon140, but I am a little dude and even though it is pretty wide (not sure of the specs) I hear it still rides very low for heavier people. I could go on and on but the moral of teh story is before you buy, try. And once you are ready to buy, look used.
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FoldCatOne · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 4:47 pm Post subject:

I am 62 and am a big guy (6'2" and about 260lbs) and am quite disabled (bad back and legs). The only kayak I can use is one made by Wavewalk which you can see at www.Wavewalk.com. There is now a Texas distributor where you can go and paddle one. Here is his contact info:

Website: http://jerryskayak.com / Phone number is: 361.894.4414 /Email: jerryphudgens@gmail.com

If it were not for the ability to stretch and change my positions in the WaveWalk W500 kayak, I could not fish from a kayak at all. The W500 is super easy to paddle, and is very stable (it has a catamaran style hull). Go to their website and see some of the videos, especially the one of a guy paddling through the breaking surf while standing up. Incredible - but crazy.

rawlbay · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 6:08 pm Post subject:

To hell with the purists, legs + arms > arms only. Hobie.
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FoldCatOne · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 6:41 pm Post subject:

Doesn't work for me - I can't sit in the funny "Normal" kayak position for more than about 20 minutes before my legs and back start to SCREAM BLOODY MURDER. Moving my legs to power the kayak doesn't help a bit.

rawlbay · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 7:10 pm Post subject:

For sure, things change, when physiological issues come into play.
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chuck · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 7:45 pm Post subject:

x2 on what Itorna said,
The ultimate is a great yak if you wanna stand and fish, but not usable in very rough conditions or off shore, you can put spray skirts on it, but it's a canoe / kayak hybrid, no scupper holes

check out Texaskayakfisherman.com and there's plenty of info on there on every yak around

gdavis · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 8:36 pm Post subject:

I can stand and fish in my Heritage Redfish 12 all day long. Even in high winds, if I anchor properly I can stand and fish as much as I want. I've fought reds standing up in that boat, getting dragged around the backside of pita. However, the wind can be a problem during a regular drift. The boat rides high in the water and u fly during windy conditions.

I would go for a low profile 14-16 footer with a rudder. I've heard that the OK Scupper Pro and Wilderness systems Tarpon rides are solid for drifting windy conditions. Also, there is a huge difference in paddling with and without a rudder. My hands are off the paddle alot more nowadays which allows for more time with bait in the water and less bites missed.

topdog15 · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 9:06 pm Post subject:

try to find a manta ray 14.
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sambo · Pony Mullet Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 76 Location: Austin

I have used Ocean Kayaks for the last 12 years and have always loved them. I have a Prowler15 and have used it in the shallows and to go to the rigs off shore.
You can paddle forever and holds tons of gear all for a good price. I have not used the ones that you had narrowed it down to but I am sure they are all good.
1. How far do you want to paddle: Short distance you can get away with a wider yak. Long distance you will need a bit longer andnarrow as it is much easier to paddle.
2. How much gear do you want to store.
3. Try them out first by going to Wind and Wave and talk to Frank.

I hope this helps,
Keep on fishing

Sambo
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fishingguy82 · Finger Mullet Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 30

Thanks guys for all the advice. The bad thing is I live in San Antonio. So me getting out to try things on the coast is hard. So I have to go off on advice from you folks. I will continue to research for kayaks. I'll be going to austin kayaks on Sunday to look around and may put a deposit down on one. So wish me luck and hopefully I can get some good fishing trips with some kayak friends when I get it!!!

Thanks
Bryan

CastnBlast · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 1:42 pm Post subject:

Love My hobie revolution. Jerry B's used to carry them, you have to go to Seaworthy Marine to get one now. It is worth EVERY PENNY I spent on it. I use it everywhere. Do all my Beyond the Breakers fishing in mine, and hands free fishing rocks. especially when chasing birds. can fish and peddle at the same time. makes trolling a breeze. not to mention the extra power to bust through the surf. Works great on flats/Bay too, especially with the new rudder design. I fish for hours on mine. Go to www.texaskayakfisherman.com for more info and research on yaks.
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the troutman · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 316

Whatever you buy keep it locked up tight, have had two stolen in the last two years, crazy how quickly you get lazy for a minute and they are gone!!!
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Bluffer · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 9:15 am Post subject:

X2 on the Hobie yaks. Your legs are stronger than your arms.
A little more coin, but a great investment if you plan to keep your yak for the long haul.
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fishingguy82 · Finger Mullet Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 30

So I know i'm bringing this back from the dead a little bit. I just wanted to say thanks once again for the helpful advice and I did find a kayak for a good price. I couldnt pass up the deal.

I bought a Native Watercraft Ultimate 12 kayak.
Red in color will come with front and tail end skirts, also a Bending Branches Slice Angler paddle and a couple of rod holders.

Everything cost $650. So Im looking forward to taking advantage of this and doing some fishing. Cant wait!!!!

Bryan