Kayak Fishing

ksgrands · 05-17-2008, 09:03 PM

I think this will be my next adventure. Anybody doing it?, what kayaks are you using. I'm leaning toward a Hobie Quest. Always wanted a Hobie Cat as a kid living in Florida, but never got one.

**Bgeddes** · 05-17-2008, 10:22 PM

I kayak a lot. While I don't fish, I spend quite a bit of time paddling. As far as kayaks go, it's all personal preference. My boats are both Old Towns. I have been very happy with them. I have not paddled a Hobie boat, but I have seen them at shows. They seem fairly well built.

Many new rec boats are made with a single layer of plastic, they will not float by themselves if they are full of water. I prefer a kayak that doesn't need extra flotation. This is the season when most shops have demo days, you can paddle a bunch of boats in one day. Find one that fits you best.

You'll probably want an anchor system, that means a line that runs front to back with a pulley on it connected to the anchor.

I see lots of fish when I paddle, they'll even hide under the boat at times. The paddle doesn't seem to bother them much.

By all mean always wear you PFD when you paddle, so get one you can fish while wearing. Drop me a PM if you have any questions.

ksgrands · 05-18-2008, 08:02 AM

Yes, I hope to try some out before I buy one. Bunch of choices out there.

Gunnison · 05-24-2008, 10:13 PM

I have two Old towns.

1) 10.6 ft Dirago, a little tight/small for fishing but very eary to manage by yourself at 47 lbs.
2) 14ft 'Sportsmen' - very roomy for fishing but heavy at almost 60lbs.

ksgrands · 05-25-2008, 07:49 AM

Not a hotbed of kayak activity around here that I can see. Only 1 dealer close to home, he was very helpful, and I think I'll buy a Wilderness systems, Tarpon120 from him.

Luckyduck · 05-25-2008, 08:03 AM

I have a Heritage and a Great Canadian. The heritage is shorter and a lot more stable then the Great Canadian. If I am kayak fishing though I usually take my cousins tandem. I do this because there is more open room and the #1 reason, my dog loves fishing. He sits up front and watches me fish and loves playing with the fish I catch, in the motorboat it is better because he has more room to chase the fish but the kayak works. My dog is middle sized and 70 lbs

fundabug · 05-25-2008, 08:19 AM

Hey where you at in Western Ky? I live down in Hoptown. I have a Dagger Sojourn (It's a small one man open canoe about 14 feet long and 28 inches wide) and a 13 foot Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 sit on top fishing kayak. The canoe is almost the size of a kayak and it's quiet and fast. I've caught some of my BEST fish with that little boat, but I also just paddle for the sake of paddling. I do several overnight trips each year in Missouri and Arkansas. Current River, Jacks Fork, Buffalo River....are great. I bought my Ocean Kayak mainly for fishing. At the time I bought it, I used to take at least one trip a year down to the Florida Keys and I bought that boat for the Keys. I could throw it on the Jeep, pull over, throw it in the water, and fish wherever I wanted without having to rent a boat or guide or gas or launch fees. I've paddled down the Little River that runs to Lake Barkley through Cadiz, several times. Although, now it's been declared so polluted it is suggested not to get any of the water on your skin.

Kentucky Lake and Barkley are huge and it's easy to find a back bay all to yourself......Except for this weekend. I don't get on the lakes on Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day.....It's toooooo crazy and dangerous.

ksgrands · 05-26-2008, 10:04 AM

I'm in Madisonville. I usually fish with a Jonboat down there. I avoid the holidays as well. I had to work Sat and today. So, we hiked yesterday down there and avoided the crowds. Turkey Bay was packed. A group was going today.

ksgrands · 06-03-2008, 03:35 PM

I decided to buy local, and brought this home today:

Can't wait to take it fishing, thunderstorms tonight however, so it will have to wait.

sealion2288 · 06-03-2008, 04:59 PM

Great choice!! I've got a Tarpon 160...wished I'd bought the 120!

fundabug · 06-05-2008, 06:34 PM

Where did you find that locally? I've been trying to find a good store that sells paddling gear around here and I can't find anything between Evansville, IN and Nashville, TN. I bought my Ocean Kayak from Bass Pro in Nashville, but I really wanted a Tarpon and couldn't find anybody near Hoptown that sold them. I would have to have it shipped and that would have cost around $200!

Nice boat man....Where are going to take it first? Here's a couple of pics of my "little yak".

99XJburton · 06-05-2008, 10:20 PM

Picked up a hobie adventure 2 weeks ago for 800 bucks

ksgrands · 06-07-2008, 03:34 PM

Fundabug, I got it at Hoopers in Paducah. Austin Kayak online ships kayaks for $49. I hated to spend the money on a kayak I've never even sat in, at least I got to sit in the Tarpon before I bought. I missed all the demo events around here. Haven't had it out yet, been busy with work. We have a private strip pit I'll probably take it out in the morning. Some friends are going to KY lake soon. I'd like to see how it works out before I go to the big water. Maybe we can get them sometime, I don't know anybody else doing it.

Jeepinty · 07-02-2008, 02:14 AM

I fish an old school Wildeness System Ride and my wife fishes the newer T140 of course. We do fresh and saltwater, in and offshore. Love it, no registration or gas.

This a buddy of minein a sea container that ended up in the marsh after Hurricane Rita, it was pitch dark and we were having some fun.

itsge0ff · 07-12-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepinty

I fish an old school Wildeness System Ride and my wife fishes the newer T140 of course. We do fresh and saltwater, in and offshore. Love it, no registration or gas.

This a buddy of minein a sea container that ended up in the marsh after Hurricane Rita, it was pitch dark and we were having some fun.

Those fish are huge! Good catch!

05-17-2008, 10:22 PM	#2
Bgeddes Ridin' with the King Join Date: May 2005 Location: NEPA Posts: 1,204 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I kayak a lot. While I don't fish, I spend quite a bit of time paddling. As far as kayaks go, it's all personal preference. My boats are both Old Towns. I have been very happy with them. I have not paddled a Hobie boat, but I have seen them at shows. They seem fairly well built. Many new rec boats are made with a single layer of plastic, they will not float by themselves if they are full of water. I prefer a kayak that doesn't need extra flotation. This is the season when most shops have demo days, you can paddle a bunch of boats in one day. Find one that fits you best. You'll probably want an anchor system, that means a line that runs front to back with a pulley on it connected to the anchor. I see lots of fish when I paddle, they'll even hide under the boat at times. The paddle doesn't seem to bother them much. By all mean always wear you PFD when you paddle, so get one you can fish while wearing. Drop me a PM if you have any questions. __________________ '05 KJ CRD and '00 XJ Classic > Stock DDs '88 YJ Sahara > Weberized, HEI, Shackle Lift, Herculiner, more on the way

05-25-2008, 08:19 AM	#7
fundabug Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 442 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Hey where you at in Western Ky? I live down in Hoptown. I have a Dagger Sojourn (It's a small one man open canoe about 14 feet long and 28 inches wide) and a 13 foot Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 sit on top fishing kayak. The canoe is almost the size of a kayak and it's quiet and fast. I've caught some of my BEST fish with that little boat, but I also just paddle for the sake of paddling. I do several overnight trips each year in Missouri and Arkansas. Current River, Jacks Fork, Buffalo River....are great. I bought my Ocean Kayak mainly for fishing. At the time I bought it, I used to take at least one trip a year down to the Florida Keys and I bought that boat for the Keys. I could throw it on the Jeep, pull over, throw it in the water, and fish wherever I wanted without having to rent a boat or guide or gas or launch fees. I've paddled down the Little River that runs to Lake Barkley through Cadiz, several times. Although, now it's been declared so polluted it is suggested not to get any of the water on your skin. Kentucky Lake and Barkley are huge and it's easy to find a back bay all to yourself......Except for this weekend. I don't get on the lakes on Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day.....It's toooooo crazy and dangerous. __________________ 2004 Wrangler X 4.0 I6 Solar Yellow OK, so I messed up the quote in my sig....I was probably on the downhill side of a few beers when I did it......Somebody say something funny so I can get a new one.

06-05-2008, 06:34 PM	#11
fundabug Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 442 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Where did you find that locally? I've been trying to find a good store that sells paddling gear around here and I can't find anything between Evansville, IN and Nashville, TN. I bought my Ocean Kayak from Bass Pro in Nashville, but I really wanted a Tarpon and couldn't find anybody near Hoptown that sold them. I would have to have it shipped and that would have cost around $200! Nice boat man....Where are going to take it first? Here's a couple of pics of my "little yak". __________________ 2004 Wrangler X 4.0 I6 Solar Yellow OK, so I messed up the quote in my sig....I was probably on the downhill side of a few beers when I did it......Somebody say something funny so I can get a new one. Last edited by fundabug; 06-05-2008 at 07:29 PM..