Fishing out of a kayak?

Things to consider--sit-inside or sit-on-top (advantages to both), the weight capacity of the kayak (do not exceed 70% of the stated weight capacity, so add up your weight plus weight of all gear), how you will transport and store a kayak. Budget for a good light paddle and a comfy PFD. Test paddle before buying if you can. Longer is faster, wider is more stable, find the happy medium. You can always add accessories like a sonar once you figure out if you like it. BOAT stands for Break Out Another Thousand, even if it is a small plastic boat. You have a great budget to start out with.

 

Do you plan on fishing rivers, or just lakes/reservoirs?

do you want to motorize, or have pedal drive?

How tall are you and how much do you weigh, and how much do you expect your gear to weigh?

How do you plan on transporting?

would you like to stand (provided the water allows) and fish?

 

also, have a look at this

 

Any of you know of a good app with local wrecks/reefs? I am getting into kayak fishing this year, mainly salt water in the south Jersey area. I would like to find my own areas to fish and I’m not into ‘spot burning’.

 

have you looked at navionics? i dont know if it has that off shore stuff.
https://webapp.navionics.com

 

I will definitely check it out, thank you.

 

looks like it does... cool.

 

Th

Stand would be a big yes.

at information helps a bit thanks!

 

Given your size, wanting to pedal, and plans to use a trailer personally would recommend the Old Town Predator PDL

https://www.austinkayak.com/products/26507/Old-Town-Predator-PDL-Pedal-Drive-Kayak.html



it retails at $2800 leaving some room for a trailer purchase, or other accessories.
My fishing buddy has one, and its an amazing yak. its big, and extremely stable. the seat is very nice. its heavy at about 120 lbs, but trailering it makes that bearable. has a ton of internal storage. it has a 500lb capacity.


my 2nd choice, and only because they don't have a pedal drive just yet (Pivot drive will be released as an add on later this year) is the Nucanoe Frontier or Pursuit.

Talk to owners here if you're on FB: the Frontier retails at $1600 (the pedal drive will be $1200)
https://www.nucanoe.com/nucanoe-frontier/
weighs about 85lbs
650 lb capacity!!! (folks take these hunting and bring deer back in them)

the Pursuit retails at $1700 (same cost for pedals)
https://www.nucanoe.com/pursuit-fishing-kayak/
weighs about 95 lbs
capacity 500lbs

both of these are much lighter. the decks are completely open and FAR more customizable than the old town.
you could either trailer these, or toss em in the bed of your tacoma using a bed extender. they are easy enough to manage for that because of the weight.

the pursuit is a small amount less stable than the frontier, but still very stable. it is a faster kayak because its not as wide.
the frontier is more stable but a little slower, also due to its width.

Pivot Drive info:


I own a Nucanoe Flint. (my yak is the banner on the FB page listed above ) its smaller and more nimble yak. I am 6'2" and 225. easier for one person to toss in the back of a pickup and go. its less stable and hard for me to stand in but others do it easily. probably because i am getting older... lol.
that said i can tell you the following:

Nucanoe is a smaller family run business. the owners are out of Washington State, and the Kayaks are made in Wisconsin.
the customer service is unbeatable. i can say that without any exaggeration. they are a top notch outfit.
I live in TX and the Owner, Blake Young knows who i am just through interactions on facebook.


Usually in the spring, local kayak dealers have Demos. go out and try some too. dont just take my word for it. i demoed a Nucanoe and was SOLD!

 

Have a peek at this Pursuit.

 

Update:
Sold it for $2,000. Put a deposit down today on a 2019 Outback!

 

That is what I really want. I am strongly considering selling my PA14 to get a new 19 outback. The space and weight limit on the PA is hard to give up though.

 

Try the PA 12. My dad has one and when he lets me take it out I really enjoy it. It's slower, but the stability and rod storage are hard to beat.

 

I just wanted to share my new setup on my new truck for kayak and rod holder on roof rack





Got the J kayak Carrier and I think that they are better



And here is what I got for rod holder. Love it!!!

 

That looks like an OEM roof rack correct?

 

Yes it is. They also have some aftermarket that are just like OEM, but cheaper. I have the cheap version, but cheap is cheap lol. I had to adjust the brackets a bit to get the screws aligned But at last, it worked

 

After months of searching for the right deal, I picked this bay boy up for $500 second hand and joined the yak club. She's a jackson big rig and its built for fishing. This picture was taken after wrestling this 100lb mammoth off my roof. I plan to use it for smaller rivers, where my drift boat won't fit, to get after Musky, Carp, and Smallmouth with a fly rod. I will also be taking it to the shore to target stripers and blues in the back bays and tidal creeks. I could not be more excited for spring!!

 

That sounds like a great deal on a nice boat. Enjoy.

 

Thanks! In full disclosure it belonged to a good friend who got tired of dealing with lowball offers on craigslist! hence the amazing deal.

 

I'm planning on starting kayak fishing and really leaning toward a Bonafide RS117.

Any advice from anybody?