Fishing kayaks

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moondawg

moondawg

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Jun 19, 2002
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Millington, TN
I know there's a few that fish from kayaks on here. Perhaps you could give some tips to us newbies ...like me.

What length is best....10 ft, 12 ft?

I personally like the sit on tops. Easier to get in and out.

Anything in particular to look at when getting a kayak?
 
I don't have one yet, but I have a couple buddies that do, and have fished out of a bunch more. One has a Jackson Big Tuna. It's a 14 ft that seats 2, but IMO it's way too big for smaller creeks, which is where we fished out of it last year. It is a very nice yak, and would probably be great for big water or ocean trips. My other buddy has a Wilderness Systems Pungo 10 ft. It's a nice yak that works well in the skinny waters, but it's a sit in, if he had it to do over he would get a sit on top and get one a little longer for added stability. 14 footers being too long, and 10 footers being too short means the 11.5-12 footers are about right. I want a sit on top, and am leaning twords a Wilderness Systems Ride 115. It's a little shorter than a 12 at 11.5, but it's wider than most yaks, which means it's very stable, and you can fish standing up if you wanted to.
 
Focus on simplicity. Don't feel like you have to spend a tone of money. I have a cheap 10' from Academy Sports. I flipped it the first time I had it out setting the hook on a fish. But, I have since learned its limitations and fish comfortably out of it, without a rollover since that first day.

Make sure you sit in one before you buy it. I have fished out of more expensive kayaks that were very uncomfortable compared to my cheap kayak.

Tadd Wholesale out of Lebanon sometimes has kayaks at a good price:

http://stores.ebay.com/Tadd-Wholesale-Supply

The perception pescador is a really nice 12' sit on top that offers a good combination of speed and stability. Tadd has some of the perceptions for sale on a fairly regular basis.
 
I currently have a heritage 12 and a Native Slayer 12. Both are sit on top. The biggest thing to me about a kayak is getting a good seat. You are not going to fish too long when your butt and back are hurting. The longer lengths in general track better when moving.Most short ones are harder to hold on course. I had a future beach that was 13'6"and sold it to Mossy Oak on here last summer. It weighed a lot was kind of hard for an old fart like met to load up on top. It was pretty stable and I have stood up in and fished. I got the slayer in the fall and only had it out one day on the Caney Fork,like it fine. I like the heritage also.
Search some of the kayak fishing forums and look at the riggings. That is what got me interested in them.
 
I have a perception angler 12.5 and a wilderness systems tarpon 100... Both SOT yaks. I prefer the 12.5 so the wife uses the 10. Both are quality built. I've had them for about 6 years... Before the newer fishing yaks so I can't compare them... I like the looks and feel of the natives and jacksons but haven't fished from them.
 
I have a Nucanoe Frontier 12. I mainly chose it because it gives me the option of bringing another person on board in case my daughter or wife wants to tag along. Its also very stable and you can stand up in it very easily. Thats said, if you never plan on bringing anyone along, there are several good ones out there and I have heard nothing but good about the Jackson line.
 
I have the Wilderness Ride 115 and absolutely love it. It's a bit more on the pricey side but I think it's well worth it for one reason: the stability. In the Summer I spent plenty of time standing up in this kayak fishing with spinning gear and even flyfishing without the least bit of worry that I'd flip it. Now... that doesn't mean I can't fall out of it! I haven't yet but I'm sure that day is coming so I don't stand in it during the cold months. It's wide too, 34" I think, so I don't feel crammed at all and I'm 6'3". The entire undercarriage of the kayak is one big dry storage area so food, dry clothes, wallet, keys, cellphone, etc. can go in there. Even fishing rods as it extends the full length of the kayak.
 
we have a ride 135 and a tarpon 120 both made by wilderness,and we love them you can fish any water with them and like midtennfisher said the ride is very stable.

I would recommend a sit-on-top.there are a lot of good kayaks out there and price is wide.wman mentioned the pescador,these are actally older model wilderness tarpons.a great kayak at a good price.

if your ever in Hendersonville swing by hook1 they have everything you can think of to outfit a fishing kayak.they also will let you try them out.

Tennessee kayak anglers has tournments for kayak fishin
 
Whatever you get make sure it had a quality seat or one can be put on it. Mine kills my back after only a hour. Not fun on a long outing.
 
Would anyone here be interested in doing a kayak/canoe fishing tourney? Me and a buddy of mine have been thinking of doing one. Possibly using Old Hickory and Priest as alternating destinations for it.
 
The Jacksons are Cadillacs, someday I will have one.

I have the perception I got from gander. I loved it until I used a buddies Jackson. No comparison
 
CamoGator said:
Would anyone here be interested in doing a kayak/canoe fishing tourney? Me and a buddy of mine have been thinking of doing one. Possibly using Old Hickory and Priest as alternating destinations for it.
Click to expand...
Tennessee kayak anglers have been having a few on old hickory,priest,and Williamsport.think they are having a benfit tournament mid feb.they have a web site and a facebook page.
 
I fish a Jackson Big Tuna. I'm 6'2 and 225 lbs and I can stand in it while casting an 8 wt for bass. Its really stable and the seats are really comfortable. I use it for lake and stream fishing. I wanted something that would be for all around use. If I were planning to float solo and mainly small water I would recommend something around 12 ft long. Just make sure it has comfy seats. I think Native kayaks are supposed to be pretty stable and comfortable too.
 
Get you a 12 ft SOT and you'll be covered for about anything you want to do. Mine is a 12 ft Field and Stream Eagle Talon that I got from Richard's a couple of years ago. Some say it's basically an older model Wilderness Tarpon, but I don't know.I researched for 6 months or so and kept an eye on Craigslist before finally pulling the trigger. The reviews for it are really good. No regrets, like it so much I got another one for the family when they went on sale last year after season. I can stand up on it and fish no problem, and it really shows it's worth in the White below Bull Shoals. They generate and I keep on catching. I also have the 12 ft Eagle Run SINK for cold weather, but much prefer the sit on top when it's nice (50 degrees+). Let me know if you have any questions.
 
Sorry to butt in here, but I read the mention of a kayak tourney, and wanted to let you guys know there are groups out there.

I own Kayak Bass Fishing TN. I host events on Percy Priest and Old Hickory on Thursday evenings in the summer. I also work with other groups in the state like Smokey Mountain Kayak Anglers, Chattanooga Bass Yakkers, and Tennessee Kayak Anglers.

Last summer we had up over 20 anglers at one Thursday event, and weekend events there are up to 30+ anglers. I expect an average of 18-22 anglers during the week this year, and up to 35-40 on the weekend events. Kayak Bass Fishing TN hosts the most and largest kayak fishing events in Tennessee.

Our next event is a Charity event at the Gallatin Steam Plant on February 22nd.

Our season opener is April 25th at Bledsoe Creek State Park.

Check out http://kayakbassfishingtn.com/ for a full list of events. We also have a Facebook page. All events are affordable and 100% payout, if you don't want to compete you are always welcome to come on out.

Jeremy Meier
 
Well you beat me to it Jeremy but I was going to spread the word about the upcoming tournaments.

I did a couple of these last year and plan to do as many as I can this year. Great crowd of people and great events. If this isn't enough to push you over the edge to buy a yak when you were thinking about it, I don't know what will!
 
Don't overlook a small canoe either. I have a 16' Heritage and a 12' Perception Scout (Academy). Both fishing yaks. I also have an old Dagger canoe. I find I take the canoe out quite a bit. Looking back I wish I had bought a 12-14' canoe. Just throwing the option out there.
 
Outstanding. I will absolutely be joining these tournaments. I just liked the page on facebook. I will do what is required to join and be ready to fish Feb 22!
 
I am a huge fan of the Jackson Kayaks as well. They are also made locally in Sparta, TN. I have fished out of several but the Jacksons so far have been my favorite.
 
I own two; an Ascend FS 12 & a Native Slayer 12. The Ascend was less than half the price of the Native. It is roomy, comfortable and Stable but it as responsive as a coal barge. It does not want to turn.
 
I have been agonizing over which Yak to get, I will be making my purchase within a month. Im down to 4 yaks

1. Jackson Cuda 12
2. Jackson Cruise 12
3. Wilderness Systems Ride 115
4. Native Slayer 12

I really like features on all of these boats. I like the hatch system and width on the Ride. I like the added fishing features of the Cuda, and love the Jackson high/low seat. I dont like how small Jackson made the front hatch on the Cuda. I like the bigger front hatch and huge rear well in the Cruise, same seat as the Cuda. I like the flat uncluttered floor of the Native. The Native does not have hatches to put gear inside the boat, which is a detractor, but it offers 2 huge wells front and back. All of these yaks are about the same $, but this is a tough decision. You can spend hours geeking on all the particulars and differences.
 
Kimberman , I would decide based on seats if you can live with the other features and $ are about the same. Your butt and back will appreciate it if you are in for several hours at a time.
 
I'm nearly dead to buy a yak, been eye ball'n them for a couple years now, found a place over in Normandy that rents them & they had a couple of the jacksons, thought it could be a good way to test drive one.

Even if the jacksons are high dollar the fact that they'er made rite here in good ol TN is about enuff to seal the deal, local jobs might get a boost from it.

Lets see some of your rigs how 'bout it ??
 

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