Anybody here into kayaking? A buddy sort of got me started last summer when we started bowfishing together. We'd kayak from A to B so we could put the hurtin' on those dang carp. Anyway, I'm about to pull the trigger on one here at our local Gander (jack up the prices) Mountain. Don't know if anyone else has seen it but appears to be made by Peception and is called the "Angler." Its a sand color and has 2 rod holders in the back and a nicer Scotty rod holder up front. Comes with a "dashboard" and an anchor and a back hatch. Price tag is $600. I think I'm going to do it. Somebody try and stop me. :D I'm wanting to get back into fishing (the regular way) and figured a kayak would be a great way to get me back on the water. I also like a leisurely float down the river on a warm summer day.
They're a lot of fun if you don't burn yourself out going too far then having to go back again. I ran into that last summer on the river.
I have an Ocean Kayak Scrambler XT. Its a 12 footer thats a great fishing rig. I've been a 1/4 mile offshore on it in the Gulf of Mexico and in some really skinny flats water chasing tailing reds. It is also great exercise. That Perception is a nice boat. Enjoy!
I just bought a rowing shell instead of a kayak. http://www.adirondackrowing.com/Wherry.html I had a g/f that was a kayak guide and I could never get where I was comfortable with the inefficiency of paddling vs. rowing (I grew up fishing out of a rowboat and then rowed in college). I'll be using this boat for deer hunting next fall/winter when the snow pushes them down to the beaches. I wonder if I can shoot the DXT while sitting in it?
Remember that short fat boats are inefficient at cutting through the water. They're fine for floating and they're real stable but you're not going to paddle them any distance. If you're planning to paddle any distance with it you want something longer and thinner with a full length keel so that it tracks well and if you're going to be around any tidal currents you'll do well to have a rudder system.
Sounds like fun! Do you have any experiences with the kayak I am thinking about getting? Rybo- I've looked at some SOT's myself but the only thing that I wouldn't like is taking it out when its still cold. Well, for example...a couple weekends ago the temps were in the 70's but the water was still in the 40's. Guess I could always dress for the water but a SIT seems like its more my style. Kodiak- The rowing boat looks cool but its just not for me. The yak I'm looking at is 12' long and I hear it can be pretty fast. I'll have to see for myself. Thanks for the responses.
yes, I've paddled my buddy's Perception a few times. It tracks better than mine and is faster too. It cost a good bit more though. Mine is a more stable platform so there are trade offs. If money was no object and I could choose between them I'd go with the Perception. There are dealers that do demo days and such. before buying at a big box check around. You may find a try before you buy deal.
Rentals are another good option for trying out boats if you have someplace around. Just remember "fast" is a relative term. What you want is a boat that tracks true; that way you can make it "fast" for a longer period of time before fatigue sets in. You'll also want to look at gear stowage for what you're using it for. A lot of the less expensive boats have small hatches that you could never fit the gear a hunter would want into. Some are easier to mount rod holders to for fishing... Make a list of the things you want in a boat and then start looking at ones that fit that list best.
