Kayaks?

[Flyflinger]

Hello all,

I am thinking of getting a Kayak to fish the Bourbouse/Meramec rivers primarly. I tend to Flyfish 90% of the time but will spin cast when just hunting for smalies. I am looking for any advice on a good choice of Kayak. What to look for...what to avoid...

I will be using it strickly for fishing and have no desire to shoot the rapids. I just thought it would be a great way to cover some water and get away from the normal holes I can wade thru in a days time.

I am very exsperieced in a canoe and have been in a kayak a handful of times.

Any advice would be helpful..I am looking to spend under 900$

Thanks

Flyflinger

[jdmidwest]

You will need a good 12' Sit on Top. You sit higher on the water, usually more stable, and can carry alot of stuff. Wilderness System makes the Tarpon 120 that paddles and handles well.

[ollie]

Most important thing of all when looking for one is to TRY one out first! The Tarpon is a good choice. I own a Pam 100 and have for over 7 years now. With the money you have to spend you should be able to find a good one. Everyone has their preference so listen around and like I said try some out before you buy. Most paddle shops that are close to the river will let you and some that aren't have ponds you can try them out in. Good Luck!

[Nolan_Whaley]

Kayak is fine fun for fishing. I think the reason they are recommending the longer ones are for better tracking. I've just started doing some of this, and love getting on the rivers. We wound up with 9.5' Precision Tribe sit on tops. My only complaint has been tracking on that size. I have issues keeping it going the direction i want. I'd also think the 12' would have more storage, and maybe protect rods better. Fly gear is pretty compact unless you have a TON. I bought a chest pack instead of a vest, and a cooler with 2 small pouches and a gap between makes fine rod holder sticking out back of kayak, under bungies.

The version we wound up with is pretty light, and stackable, and that was part of our need. Great fun, highly recommended way to pass a day on a river!

[Gavin]

The Tarpon 120 is a good choice..have allot of friends who paddle them and they like em allot...doesnt hold much in the way of gear though and you cant stand in it for long......A solo canoe like the Wenonah Vagabond or a hybrid boat like the Native Ultimate would be a better choice if you want to haul more gear, beer, and camping gear.

Truth be known, I tend to prefer my 17' Wenonah Spirit II tandem to my solo canoe for overnight trips...Its a big stable barge that hauls a ton of gear. I have no trouble standing & fly casting out of it as I drift on down the river. At times weve had two anglers standing & fly casting out of each end and a load of camping gear in the boat as well. Cheers.

[Wayne SW/MO]

doesnt hold much in the way of gear though

Maybe compared to a canoe, but its fine for a day fishing. I have a Tarpon and I would recommend it, they're very popular. I wouldn't recommend it for a lot of standing however, or any 'yak in the 30" range. There are some wide SOT's available, but you will sacrifice agility and gain some more weight.

You can store a fly rod inside a 12' Tarpon

[rps]

Native Ultimate 12 on the right. Great boat. Since I bought it I've seen a similar, less expensive brand hit the market. Can't lay my hands on it but I think the outfitters near Pea Ridge carry it. Someone help me out wit the names of the model and the outfitters.

[Flyflinger]

Native Ultimate 12 on the right. Great boat. Since I bought it I've seen a similar, less expensive brand hit the market. Can't lay my hands on it but I think the outfitters near Pea Ridge carry it. Someone help me out wit the names of the model and the outfitters.

That is one fine looking boat!

[flytyer57]

Native Ultimate 12 on the right. Great boat. Since I bought it I've seen a similar, less expensive brand hit the market. Can't lay my hands on it but I think the outfitters near Pea Ridge carry it. Someone help me out wit the names of the model and the outfitters.

Ozark Mountain Trading Company.

I was there Tuesday. They have the Tarpon 100 on sale for $639. Not sre about the Tarpon 120's price. Probably around $899. I was thinking of buying a Tarpon 100 until I saw the Wilderness Systems web site and decided I'm gonna go with the Tarpon 120 since I do yak fish on Lake Norfork also.

I like the rail system on the Tarapon series yaks. Was looking at Ocean Kayaks, Prowler Trident 13 until I saw that track system on these Wilderness System yaks. That is a big selling point for me. You can use the track to mount a moveable mount for rod holders, fish locators, GPS etc. Sold seperately of course.

[eric1978]

Just curious...why do you want a kayak instead of a canoe?