Anyone fish out of a kayak?

I'm thinking about picking one up in the spring for some fresh water and bay fishing. (I have no boat now.)

I've read some good things about Ocean Kayak's Prowler, "the ultimate fishing kayak" that is due out in the spring.

If anyone is paddling, what are you fishin' in?

Thanks,
Rob

What size shoe do you have?
The reason i ask is because i have a fiberglass kayak that my feet dont fit in anymore. im a size 11 now. im probally not going to be able to get much money for it so im probally going to end up giving it away, maybe.
ive fished from it a few times. caught a few stripers from it. i used it more in freshwater than i did in the salt i think, ive got a swiveling rod holder on front that is detachable and a tube type in the back. i painted it last year in a frog pattern, not sure how long it is, but its very stable. the only thing i dont like about fishing from the kayak is the size factor and that other boats cant do anything about throwing waves into the cockpit, i dont use a spray skirt cause i think its scary. it would really suck getting trapped upside down. it used to be a white water kayak when my dadf got it from a friend at work but we added a keel so it runs straight. the good thing about a kayak is the ability to go where even a canoe cant, you can paddle in 6 inches of water basically
my dad built his kayak, its plywood. open cockpit, its really easy to move around in from my experience.
I WISH I HAD A REAL BOAT.

i dont use a spray skirt cause i think its scary. it would really suck getting trapped upside down.

they now make like a half-skirt that doesn't fit around you, but should keep some of the water out.

MtnBrz1
Would you be going far (over a mile) if you would be i recomend a longer kayak that would track better and would be easier to paddle.

I have a touring kayak from perception its the sole
here My kayak (http://www.kayaker.com/products/boats/boat.asp?type=touring&ID=28) I have this boat in the plastic and it is very nice
i don't know if you want a sit on top or not depending on how far you have to carry it, because they are more awkward. i like the regular kayaks because they can be used for so much more than the sit on tops. thats my $.02

pm Breakfastjohn he fishes night & day out of one and does well //////////

there are several good fishing kayaks around. (depends on your budget).

You need to decide if you want a sit-on-top or sit-inside type. The sit on tops are safer if you never did it before. It is more like a giant self-bailing surfboard. The sit-inside is more like a canoe style. Better storage and you may need to bail.
Both have rod holders, anchors ect and some can even be rigged with tiny moters.

Start out by fishing in calm waters. Getting tossed in the ocean is a bit startling the first time.
PS. TIE EVERYTHING DOWN...EVERYTHING. (I speak from experience). And *A L W A Y S* where a pfd.

It is a lot of cheap fun. I have 2 kayaks just for goofing around (My favorite kayak for general fun is the Cobra Tandum...very stable and dry sit on top with great storage. There is a guy in EG RI who sells them...you can deal with him.

Thanks for the replies folks!

Sounds like I have a bit of decision making to do but, at this point, I think a sit-on-top is what I am leaning toward.

Comment: I read that the max capacity on some of these boats is around 240 - 250lbs. For a guy pushin' over 200, that doesn't leave much room to bring a cow on board. ;)

Thanks again,
Rob

The Tarpon from Wilderness Systems looks like a nice kayak. I checked out a couple used 16 foot models last Summer but decided to wait until Spring to take advantage of the new size options and reduced weight. The 120 may be a good fit if you are doing both fresh and salt.

Hey Folks,

Just wanted to let you know I decided to go with a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160. Not sure what config I'm going to go with, as far as gear goes, but that will be my "Weekend Plan" for Sat. ;)

Thanks again and best regards,
Rob

nice boat!....have fun and be safe.

Thanks!

Originally posted by Mr. Sandman
have fun and be safe.

Right O' there Mr. Sandman! :btu:

get a good butt pad

I eat kieyacks with me 23 feeter. love the screeming,,,razes heck with me props though.:D

lol cs:laughs: :laughs: :laughs: :laughs: :laughs:

HEY! That's not funny there capesams! :smash:

yep...u should see all my kieyak stickers I got on the side of my dog house:D

I say again... :smash:


;)

i Got a Ocean Kayak "Scupper Pro TW 'Beat' "

I haven't took it out yet (just got it for X-mas) it's not a long kayak but it's a wide one,stable could be used/will be used for fishing- but mostly wave surfing and cruising around to the islands of Narragansett Bay!

You shouldn't be out in the ocean with a SIT IN kayak with-out a spray-skirt... You really shouldn't be out in the ocean AT ALL with a SIT-IN type kayak...

Buy a High Impact Plastic SIT-ON-TOP kayak w/ at least 4 scupper holes in the bottom (scupper hole=drain hole) you can bump off any rock of your choice and never a scratch... sit on tops are 100% more safer- and more fun...
(ever sit in a SIT IN kayak in 100º temps? not fun)

Sit-on-top is kind of like a surf-board, you can roll it as much as you want and just hop back on it, no water gets in. and when ya get hot- just jump off it....easy to re-board in deep water to. :)
Lots of room in the Scupper Pro for a tackle/storage box on the back

-Mike

P.S.


BTW, Hey capesams
.... after Reading your post, From now on i'm going to carry a fiberglass piercing harpoon, LOL. ;)



Good Luck with the 'Yak, Rob. and let me know if you plan to kayak this summer in narragansett bay....maybe we could hook up and do some light tackle striper fishin' :)

mike

hey, rob good luck with your kayak. i hope u purchased a good pfd and paddle. don't leave the shore without them. i did really well this year and last fishing from my kayak. most of my fishing was done at night and with another fishing buddy. be prepare for anything, i had boats come really close to me while i'm blowing my whistle and waving my arm to let him know i'm here, but that was during the daytime. most of my nite excursion i rarely see anyone else outhere. we do have lights on the vessel and spare ones as well. my only advice to you is get to know your kayak before using it for fishing. do test paddles in coves or ponds and really feel out the kayak. i really went over board setting my kayak for fishing. i have two rod holders for drifting with live bait, a depth finder, made it really easy to find the humps and bumps where i can concentrate my fishing, couple of hand held radios, and my arsenal includes a good bait casting combo with eels or live buckies. hey good luck, i'll be in a gray kayak with fishing poles acting as antennas.

Hey breakfast fish... Thanks for the post!

I will always have a PFD on and keep the paddle on a leash!

I plan to do some paddling around a pond that is 15 min away from home to get my yak butt before I head out to the salt. ;)

I'd love to see a pic(s) of your yak! Can ya' post or email me if you have some?

Tight Lines,
Rob

Breakfast..that sounds like some rig. I have seen CC boats not rigged out like your kayak.

rob, i don't have any pics of my kayak right now, but if u have any question of rigging your kayak let me know. depending on what i'm chasing for the day or nite i will rig the kayak for it, but most of the time the rod holder is a must and the cell phone or hand held radio. i'll post some pics in the future of my fishing kayak if my computer is cooperating. good luck.

John, CEll PHone?? throw that sucker in the water !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:smash: :laughs: :laughs: :laughs: :cool:

Originally posted by clamdigger
John, CEll PHone?? throw that sucker in the water !!! Yeah... capesams's 23'er can't digest em'! ;)

Sounds good Breakfast... I'm sure I'll drop ya' a line when I get the yak and I look forward to the pics!

Tight Lines,
Rob

mike, yeah i remember the rules on your boat, is it the same with your newbie?????. i did throw a buck and change cell phone in the water and she wasn't please with that. oh what a mistake that was. oh if u fish with clammer don't bring a cell phone, especially if u're on good fish.(remember the night at dutch island when it was 40 degrees out and we were nail the fish). mike my sister needs a camera man at her wedding next year. i told her to call u and get ur butt working again. yes her date is next year. hey i did see you did week at the restaurant, what's the deal ur lettting the family spend ur money instead of yourself. oh, please try not to come on sunday between 9-11am it has gone a little insaaaaaaaaaaaaaaane. mike thanks for all your promo for the restaurant.

hey, rob about the cell phone thing........ yeah i'm married, and happy................... going on threeeeeeeeeee years. it's good to have some one cheering u on the other line when u got """skunked"""""" or have chased by a seal like two years ago, it's just great to have a way to communicate to someone about your experience out there especially in a kayak...... and helllllllll yeaaahhhhhhhh you will have some awesome experience out there . especially in a kayak no matter what ur age is. ask clammer how he feels when we fish together in the same area in a different vessel.

yo John ,you know I love YA, And its great how well the place is ///doing , all most people ask is that they are treated right & both you and JO are excellant ,The good food is a plus
YOu don,t see me like before @ reasons trying to keep things going & I don,t like crowds , never take it personal, your my Friend and thats will never change///
BUT @#$% cell phones///
I<m trying buddy, started at the Y this week, @#$%^%$ killing me, I,ve sure messed up this so called body'''

NOW getting to your sister, LEts see if we can get JEnn to do some photo sessions NOW///////// I sure wouldn,t have to worry about r/e///
I told you about Hooters and you passed, & I ask you about going on the 15th
Where are they going to live , I<LL have my MASS r/e license shortly ???
I,ll be around / your out by2pm
DId you go down and see the boat ?? frozen in solid
LAter miKE
:cool: :rolleyes: :D :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

hey, mike. nice to see that she still where the pants in the house. that's great about the choice u made for the ymca. maybe this summer u can pump iron with me. hey are u guys still doing the hooters thing. we've been doing the skiing thing lately with my bro and future bro-inlaw. do u skii??????????? we hit the wachusett mt. every tuesday nite. well, i'll pass ur number to my sis so u guys can figure out the photo thing. later jon

Originally posted by breakfast fish
hey, mike. nice to see that she still where the pants in the house. that's great about the choice u made for the ymca. maybe this summer u can pump iron with me. hey are u guys still doing the hooters thing. we've been doing the skiing thing lately with my bro and future bro-inlaw. do u skii??????????? we hit the wachusett mt. every tuesday nite. well, i'll pass ur number to my sis so u guys can figure out the photo thing. later jon =I<

S K I = I<D we @#$%^&%$ dead/////////////


:smash: :smash: :smash: :smash:

You shouldn't be out in the ocean with a SIT IN kayak with-out a spray-skirt... You really shouldn't be out in the ocean AT ALL with a SIT-IN type kayak...

one word
NO:smash: :smash: :smash:
You can take kayaks out on the ocean, if anything a sit-in would be BETTER, less drag, you can roll it if need be, its a pain in the A$$ to flip a sit-on-top back upright, also a sit-in has a V hull that can cut throught the waves while a sit-on hase a U hull that would make it harder to track.

my sit in fiberglass had horible tracking until i epoxyed and fiber-glassed in a homemade keel made out of marine plywood, could do that with a sit on top i bet.

ss- ive been in a kayak in the ocean plenty of times, and yes its a sit in. most sea kayaks are. have flipped it plenty of times and farther out than i would like to be but always was able to get back in and going again. sit-in are just not good for surfing, they're more of a means of transportation rather than surfing or diving, or just putting around.
i meant to reply earlyer but i geuss ive looked over this thread for a while.

I see :D

Well, i just go this new Kayak- Ocean Kayak~Scupper Pro beat TW (sure ya heard of it ;) ) Sit ON tops are more sporty IMO- i like the SIT-INs for long trips, as they are usually longer and made for long distance trips.


Sit INs are good for ocean, but not for what we have around here- you usually see them over in Alaska and stuff---- You need Spray skirts, etc.

This Yak of mine- i will do some fishing off, but mostly surfing- racing, etc..... this thing has the perfect tracks for surfing- it's a bit short so it will take a bit of work to get the chimes up on the crest of the wave, but it'll work :D

I need to buy some Thigh straps for surfing, and some scupper plugs for when on calm water-
I bought a $70 Ocean Yak paddle. should serve well :D
I dont like glass yaks- this yak can bounce off any rock of choice and not even scratch.

maybe this summer we can hook up and have a S-B Yakathon (lol)


Mike

Hey guys, how hard is it to fish from the kayak?

Striper SniperX
Sit INs are good for ocean, but not for what we have around here- you usually see them over in Alaska and stuff---- You need Spray skirts, etc.
what do you meen by this?
:confused: :confused: :smash: :smash:

the question should be how easy is it?
the answer to your question notaro is it is easy, very easy.

FnD, What i meant by that was exactly what i said- Touring Kayaks aren't meant for what we have around here, Narrow River- Narragansett Surf, ETC. I like Sit-Ins all im saying is SOTs are more Sporty, am i wrong? :D i been doing this awhile & i seen Sit Ins & Sit Ons alike have some nasty spills-

All i mean is, For Rob since he is new to Yakin' he sould buy a SIT ON TOP yak cause one of many reasons- And any Veteran paddler would agree that SOTs are the best for newbies.

Touring yaks are good for long distance, etc- But ever try surfing w/ a Sit In and flip- Smash your face on a rock? mouth full of sand?? the momentum is so much you can't stop it- So your face is dragged and hits every rock untill you beach (this is newbies,) SOME can flip it before they get pounded by the wave. been there- done that. :D SOTs you just bail right off of.

I see you are very defensive towards Sit Ins- don't get me wrong dude-----they ARE great!!! but not for newbies, Surfers or people looking to get out there as soon as they buy it.

BTW, :smash: < that hurts ya know:D


BTW, notaro- it's as hard as you make it- meaning it's very easy. Buy a stable Yak- Good Paddle take a course if ya want- Go out & have fun!


Mike

Christain, are you positive that it's easy to kayakfishing?

StriperSniper, must I be in extremely great shape?

Sniper, so I buy a stable kayak and fish on it? What water should I try? Onset or Back River?

im positive.

ss lives in rhode island, he doesnt know bout back river.
i suggest walloston and dorcester bay area. closed in so not to many big boats, waves arent that big and plenty of fish, blacks creek too.

o yeah, and to answer another question adressed to ss, as long as you can fit in the kayak your fine. my bro is taking a kayak trip at the yukatan and hes not that athletic and i definityly wouldnt say hes in "extremely great shape."

christain, i recalled that weir river has a boat rental area. most of them are canoes and kayaks. so im not gonna rig my things on it and let alone baits spill on my private and give me a two week of rashes. i gotta try kayak fishing. i have done kayaking on the lake before, but not on the sea with fishes.

:laughs: Hahaha, are you serious, christain? damn, i am not in extremely great shape either. have u ever heard of adam bolonsky? he is a 60 yrs old kayak angler! he looks like 30-40 yrs old to me, man!

hehe, i think ya got me wrong, im not what you would call over weight im more of the scrawny little stick size. im only 120 sumthin.

damn, 120? i weight 169, i think... :confused: Anyway, can we kayak fishing together soemtime?

i grew out of mine so prob not in the near future but we should fish sometime. :D

Cool, Christain. You can page me at this address, it is a two way pager, JosephTien@wyndtell.com or you can send me a AIM. My screen name is JunWah9.

now we have to wait 3 months till fish arrive.

Okay, that's alright. Can you REALLY WAIT that long or are you going to get agiated and aggravated? I can't wait. I'm going to lose me mind soon...:smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash:

hey, Notaro
if you want to try kayakfishing, try renting a yak, and trying it on a lake, that way you can get used to the arangement, without having to be concerned about capesams I eat kieyacks with me 23 feeter. love the screeming,,,razes heck with me props though. and if you want to try it further, you can goto CRCK at the end of the season, and get a very nice used boat for a good price. my $.02:happy:

fisn_n_dive- thanks for the tip. maybe i will try it for catfishing and bass fishing.


christain-don't forget about our fishing trip in may on the yak or beach.

i do half of my fishing in a rowboat, mainly trolling. you can always have your line out because your speed is prime trolling speed. it is easier to reach places that you cant with a larger boat and you have better control. they are sturdy too, i have taken my rowboat out pretty far and had some nice rewards

Hey Folks,

Just wanted to give an update on the yak...

I placed my order for a Tarpon 160, w/ rudder, and it should be in my garage this weekend!

:happy:

For accessories, I got a StS GTS seat to "replace" the factory seat, a straight flush mount rod holder for the front, an angled flush mout for the left rear, a RamRod for the right rear, drift sock, and an anchor - just in case. (Of course I got a padle, PFD, leashes, ... as well)

Lookin' forward to gettin' out there soon!

Tight lines,
Rob

nice rig...all you need now is a 200 Hp 4 cycle and you're all set.
:D

If you don't mind...what did it set you back?

Thanks Sand.

Actually, I was just going to tie a line to your stern and hope fer' da' best! ;)

It was right around $1,350. (I also got some clips and stuff that I didn't include in the list above.)

And, the folks I delt with were GREAT!
Kayak Fisihng Stuff.com (http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com)

I'll post some pics when I get it configured!

Rob

Thats pretty nice yak, I sat in one last summer and it seemed really sweet for fishing...that is not a bad price either. I think you did the right thing getting a quailty seat...that is probably the most important comfort item on a kayak.

Where do you plan to use it? I have always wanted to take a yak out along the elizabeth islands and work the nooks and crannies and quietly sneak up on some fish at daybreak. (on a nice day of course)

Hope you picked out a good pfd too!

Let us know how it works out for you...would love to see a pic when you get it.

Sand,

At first, I plan on using it in local lakes / ponds. I need to get my yak' "feet." ;)

There are also a few guys around here that fish the CT, Thames, and salt from yaks. I hope to hook up with them as well.

As far as a PFD, I got an Eagle Baja. It has a thinner lower back for the high back seats.

I'll be sure to post pics as I go!

l8r,
Rob

cool yak.

I know it's not a "real boat" but ... After a LONG wait, my yak' should finally be delivered this weekend!!! :D

I'll post a pic or two after we add the rod holders and such.

Looking forward to paddling around for some LMB on Sunday - I hope! ;)

Tight Lines,
Rob

Rob, congratulations on the new kayak. I hope you will share your experience rigging the kayak and fishing from it with the rest of us. I for one am interested in anything you learn or what you would have liked to change after the fact.

I have a tandem SOT that I would like to set up for fishing. I'm new to Striped-Bass.com and just introdused myself in the stripertalk forum.

Good luck with the new ride.

Nils

Hey Folks ...

Haven't gotten on the water yet but did take a "test drive" of the STS GTS seat in the garage. Man that thing is schweet! Can't wait to spend some time in it!

Thought I'd post a pic:
http://www.rmfsys.com/yak/yak_5.jpg

Nothing special but notice the angled flush mount and RAM Rod holders.
http://www.rmfsys.com/yak/yak_6.jpg

I'm STOKED! ;)

Tight Lines,
Rob

that's a cool looking yak and a nice set-up.

Sweet yak,

when are you going out

Nils

Hey NOW! Thats a fishin yak!

You will have some fun in that toy my friend. I think most people don't know how much fun it is to catch and land a decent fish in one of those things. There are a lot of guys out here that use them. They are very effective.

Thanks fellers!

Still have a few more things to mount before I take her fishin' but ... I feel a "sick day" coming on tomorrow. ;) I have to get out and paddle it around for a while and there is a nice lake near home that should do the trick! Besides ... They are calling for mid 70's tomorrow! :D

I'll post a pic or two when I get the rest of the stuff mounted. (RAM tube, deck loops, anchor & drift sock rigging, ...)

Tight Lines,
Rob

I bought the tarpon 120 from wilderness the other day. I have been staying in the mystic river and getting the feel for it and working on technique. I have been getting alot of info from a few different websites. I am enjoying this new expierence! Fits in the back of the pickup with a couple of tie downs. I caught a couple of schoolies from it yesterday on light tackle and it was a blast. This sot will be nice for fishing on the flats and going to different areas. I am only a begginer and have a long way to go but this seems like a nice way to fish. Be safe.:D

Hey Ridler,

Nice yak' ya' got there and congrats on the fish!

I took my T-160 out for the first time yesterday. Went to a local lake and managed 4 LMB. What a great platform to fish from!

I went in a shallow cove and pulled 2 out. There were 2 other "bass boats" outside that couldn't get in there. When I came out, one of the guys yelled over, "I knew that was a good spot!" ;)

Tight Lines,
Rob

congratlation on your new experience, ridler. nice yak, man. after college, im going to buy a yak or a motor boat.

That is also a nice boat , Rob. How did you make out? I wanted to get out today but conditions were very poor. I will be heading out morning nd fish the lockes. I am already thinking about altering the 120's hatch in the cockpit. It does make sense to put a square there to reach in in. I have been talking to some guys from a carolina message board and they have some ideas in the works. I am glad I bought a cheaper paddle and not carbonfibre. I scraped up the paddle just a wee bit. When I launch from the beach and not boat ramps I should be okay. I like the holder you have in your flushmount. I have been looking one also. I am in the process in setting up a trolling rod with Leadline and a modified butt. I have found most rod selections with 8-10" of butt , work better. Did you encounter any boat wake? What have you been wearing for clothing?

Hey Ridler,

I had a bit of wind on the lake and, as a result, some chop. All in all, it wasn't bad though. The yak'felt very stable.

I wore my waders, a dry top and, of course, a PFD. I have the Lotus Mildwater PDF with a mesh back. Very comfortable PFD!

I have a RAM tube I am going to install up front as well. Wanted to paddle a bit first though to see where I want to mount it. I think I'm going to put it on the vertical "wall" in front of the right rudder pedal. It's going to be my "working rod" holder and not for trolling so it won't have a rod in it when I paddle.

Let us know what mods you finally decide on making!

Tight Lines,
Rob