Kayak Question
 

If I want to get a kayak for fishing that I can also bring my 8 year old son with me, what is the best way to go?

Thanks!

My advice is get two kayaks your son will have more fun. My grandson currently 7 has been paddling for two years now start on lakes and ponds and bring a tow rope in case he gets tired.

One of the manufacturers sells a front hatch seat for a child. I don't believe it will be very safe for casting though. You could get a two person and just add rod holders. Ram/Scotty type. I found what I was looking for. The Malibu line sells this so your kids can come along. They seam to get good reviews as far as fishing kayaks go.

http://www.malibukayaks.com/gatorhatch.asp

Thanks for that info. The seat in the link has 2 built in rod holders and looks pretty good for a child. I've been shopping around for 2 yaks (a single and a tandem sit on top) so I could fish by myself, with my son (3 1/2 y.o.), or go out with my wife and son. I'll have to check out the Malibu tandem with that jump seat.

grow it John
 

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/...een.masks.kare

he'll love it...

I would think a tandem would be the way to go, but that front hatch seat is a great idea, and if he really likes it, you could always get him one when he' s old enough to paddle it himself.

That jump seat does look interesting :musc: and may be a good way to start out. I also see needing to wear a protective armored suit so I don't get a Point Jude tin in the eye :hs: :crying: :bl:

I'm thinking for next year but I wanted to plant the seed in my mind as far as options go - thanks!

well he will be 9 then, if he is anything like my son he could handle a yak on his own...If you are gonna drop $ on a yak for you, I would get what you want for you.. pick him up a 12' used for short money..that's just me

Tandems are great because it can get the kids into paddling and towards independency. Tandems can be paddled solo. You can paddle together to get from A to B spot and resume fishing. You can also have the rod in your sons hands while you paddle into a potential hot spot or blitz. And hopefully he will learn the paddle skills quickly and he can paddle you into the action. I think the best opportunity to groom a youngster into the sport of kayak fishing is by the use of the tandem.

One suggestion for a tandem would be Ocean Kayak's Malibu II. A Stable and reliable fishing platform with built in scupper drains. The Malibu is not a speedster, it's built with stability in mind for two paddlers. If you do choose a tandem kayak I would definitely purchase one with a rudder. It would make paddling and fishing smoother.

P.S. John- Think of this. If you have a member here on the Poo Poo list here he can be your official paddling slave. lol

Good ideas

What are you doing tomorrow?
(hehehehe j/k)

:jester: yeah, who needs a hobie when you could have a paddling slave?

I second the OK Malibu 2 Tandem for little ones. I have a Tarpon 140 I use for fishing, but lately I've had more fun going out with my son (5yo) in the Malibu 2XL. He holds the rod while I'm paddling ("hold on tight", I always say), and LOVES it. He's learning to paddle as well - a new member of the fleet in training.

John – if you want to give it a try we have a tandem WS T140. It’s not setup for fishing but you’re welcome to take it out on the pond with your son for a day to see how you like it before buying something.