Looking for a Kayak(advice for a newbie)

[SavageRunner]

Now that I have a rig to haul a kayak I would like to get one. I won't be doing anything extreme in it like white water rapids or stuff like that. Maybe a little river fishing. I am thinking about the field & stream fishing kayak at Dick's sporting goods. Can the fishing kayaks handle anything more than a lake or slow river? Thanks

 

[KidVermicious]

Can the fishing kayaks handle anything more than a lake or slow river? Thanks

Kayaks are pretty forgiving, as long as you don't push it too far. But a "fishing kayak" has a much different hull shape than a whitewater boat, and behaves much differently in technical water conditions. I wouldn't take it on anything bigger than a class 2 until you know your boat and know what you're doing. You could definitely handle a swift river, and you'd probably be fine on class 1 and class 2- if you wanted, just remember to boat with a buddy or three.

 

[MyHigh]

OP check with some local boating stores, or REI if you have one. Find a place that allows you to rent different kayaks, if you truly are a newb to the sport I say this is your best bet. Kayaks are a wonderful way to experience the water however they are a bit of a speciality boat. In my opinion there isn't one that can do it all, you either have white water, flat water, then fishing. You can take a white water on flat but you will get tired fast, a flat just can't do white water without serious injury and a fishing is sketchy to say the least on moving water, however there are some that can handle some extreme conditions. I'm looking at getting the mirage pro angler from hobie cat. It's dam near as much as my truck but able to go past the breakers in the pacific, and fish within the mighty Columbia river, best part about it is hands free! All the power comes from your legs and frees up the hands for fishing.

I already have a white water, and flat water kayak both I love very much but both require a fair amount of concentration not to flip while in use, and the last thing I want to do is lose any of my fishing gear.

 

[SavageRunner]

Thanks guys, great advice. I will look into the rentals to see what will suit me best. Can't wait to get one.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Like ^^^
Also pls note that IF you capsize water would fill a sit-in kayak like this, unless it's compatible with a "skirt" (like this) that you would wear to seal the opening. For fishing you would not want to use a skirt; it would be too restrictive.

On the other hand a sit-on-top like this would not fill with water when you capsize. You merely get the boat upright, then get yourself back on it. Therefore, a sit-on-top could be used for fishing in rough water to rough for the skirtless sit-in.

Happy summer!

Some happy kayak fishermen...

Kayak fishing - Yellowtail in the Kelp - YouTube

 

[MyHigh]

^^^^ very good advise!

I did not even think to mention the benefits of a open sit on top kayak, I would have to agree a closed top kayak would not be ideal for fishing. Pure safety wise if you were to flip and have to wet exit ( pull the ejection handle on the skirt) water will come rushing in to fill the void you left and at that point there is not recovery, you must find land and empty it out. This might be okay if your close to land but not recomended if at all possible.

Kayak fishing is becoming a very popular way to fish, there are many many models models of yaks out there, width, length etc...
Safety should always be your number one concern when out on the water, for this reason I buy bright color boats, nothing green, camo, or light colors. As for life vest I have been kicking around the idea of getting the reusable inflatable vest just not sure if I want the auto inflate or the manual, I'm leaning toward the manual because I can't see any reason I'd become unconscious and not be able to pull the handle, but I do see myself taking a dip every now and then for fun or mistakenly and would be pissed having to repackage it every time I hit the water.

 

[SavageRunner]

I knew I could count on the members here for great advice. Safety is always top priority. Looks like it will definitely be a sit on top kayak.
I have a 2014 Train Edition but it doesn't have the cross bars for the roof rack. Does anyone haul theirs out the back window? I plan on ordering the rack by Drabbits next month but it'll be a month after that before I receive it. I don't want to buy cross bars to use for just a couple months. What would you do?
I do have a small trailer I could put it on and haul it but would rather haul without it if possible. Thanks for the great advice.

 

[KidVermicious]

You won't need load bars, I don't think. Get a couple foam Yoga blocks to keep the kayak off the paint and tie it down tight. Won't be ideal, but it'll work once or twice until you get your rack.

 

[ALBPM]

My wife and I have used closed top Sea Touring kayaks for the last 20 years to fish in the New Mexico lakes.
We went to San Diego and spent some time at Southwest kayaks. We took their safety classes to learn all the rescue techniques and then tried out different types of Kayaks to see what would work for fishing.

We ended up going to Seda Kayaks and buying two of their "Gypsy" models which are 15 ft fiberglass with 24' beam so they are very stable. These also have enough rocker so they ride over the waves instead of crashing through them. In other words you can surf in these kayaks..

I use a spray skirt only in winter when its cold and a wet suit just in case.
My wife and I have never rolled these and I have been out on a lake with 70 mph winds. Scary but
the kayak handled great.
Most Sea kayaks have sealed bulkheads front and rear for dry storage and to prevent the kayak from sinking if it fills with water.

I use the Yakima soft kayak saddles to transport since these have thin fiberglass hulls to keep the weight down.

Seda Paddlesports - Seda Paddlesports Online

I would love to get their "Glider" which is one of the fastest kayaks for distance racing...

Since you are in Georgia which has a coastline there should be lots of kayak shops where you can try out or rent different models to see what works best.

Buy some kayaking magazines and see what is out there before spending your money.


And by all means take a safety course to learn "Self rescue" and "Buddy rescue" techniques.

 

[hikenbike]

My wife and I have used closed top Sea Touring kayaks for the last 20 years to fish in the New Mexico lakes.
We went to San Diego and spent some time at Southwest kayaks. We took their safety classes to learn all the rescue techniques and then tried out different types of Kayaks to see what would work for fishing.

We ended up going to Seda Kayaks and buying two of their "Gypsy" models which are 15 ft fiberglass with 24' beam so they are very stable. These also have enough rocker so they ride over the waves instead of crashing through them. In other words you can surf in these kayaks..

I use a spray skirt only in winter when its cold and a wet suit just in case.
My wife and I have never rolled these and I have been out on a lake with 70 mph winds. Scary but
the kayak handled great.
Most Sea kayaks have sealed bulkheads front and rear for dry storage and to prevent the kayak from sinking if it fills with water.

I use the Yakima soft kayak saddles to transport since these have thin fiberglass hulls to keep the weight down.

Seda Paddlesports - Seda Paddlesports Online

I would love to get their "Glider" which is one of the fastest kayaks for distance racing...

Since you are in Georgia which has a coastline there should be lots of kayak shops where you can try out or rent different models to see what works best.

Buy some kayaking magazines and see what is out there before spending your money.


And by all means take a safety course to learn "Self rescue" and "Buddy rescue" techniques.

Very cool!! Nice shots. Looks like a great time. I gotta try this when my back gets better.