Kayak Question

[JohnR]

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!

[ElSluggo]

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.

[tynan19]

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

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by tynan19

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.

[Raven]

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

he'll love it...

[Rockport24]

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.

[reelecstasy]

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

[ridler72]

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

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by ridler72

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.

Good ideas

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

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

[Rockport24]

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

[Tidalist]

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.

[JLH]

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.