Kayak Fishing

[Wayne SW/MO]

You definatly want something short. They make them, but they aren't cheap. The inflatables would probably work for you. A lot of it depends on where you'll fish, how athletic you are and what you'll be wearing..

[Stoneroller]

Austin Canoe and Kayak is probably your best option for kayak gear. There are other places out there: yakattack, hook1, colorado whitewater, etc but i've found ACK to have the BEST customer service from ANY company i've ever dealt with.

I have the stohlquist fisherman's pfd. Although, admittedly I rarely wear it. I make sure to wear it in whitewater or if the water temp is below 60, especially if the air temp is too. A kayak specific PFD will have no floatation in the lower back area so you can sit against the seat. It's also going to have more range of motion in the arm areas than a normal PFD.

The inflatable PFD's would be a good option. I just didn't want to have to deal with buying recharging cylinders if i were to take an unplanned swim. Although, clearly a PFD doesn't work if you aren't wearing, so if you will wear an inflatable PFD, then definately get on. Frankly there doesn't look to be a huge difference in features with those, so I'd look for a name brand you can trust that falls within your price range.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I have an Extrasport and while it wasn't cheap it has lasted me. It's about 15 years old and still doing the job. I think in this area the manual inflatable would work well. You'll probably never use it so I wouln't think the cost of CO2 would be a problem.

Before buying a SOT for use in Missouri it's a good idea to note where the scuppers exit the bottom. If the opening isn't recessed you run the risk of cracking one from catching on a rock.

[Stoneroller]

wayne that's a great point. i never really considered that because both my kayaks have recessed scuppers, but it's definately a design feature/flaw that you'll want to look out for in any potential yak.

[FishinCricket]

That Ol curmudgeon Wayne knows what he's talkin about, fer shure... Least ways til he starts talking the history of politics since the great depression...

[Lawman60]

I am happy that so many have responded to my query about Kayak Fishing. I have already received some valuable information from the posts. I hope this becomes a regular forum that we can check back on and get more information about this platform for fishing. I would like to see information and reviews possibly about different kayaks and rivers/lakes that are kayak fishing friendly. Maybe some experienced hands would be willing to share tips with those of us just beginning or considering kayak fishing. As I said I have already gleamed some valuable information just from the posts already.

By the way my screen shows me as Chestnut Lamprey and that is not me and I dont know how to get my own name in the profile area of the post. I even tried to edit my profile and add a photo and it would not accept my photo for some reason. Any help with this matter would be greatly appreciated too.

Thanks

Lawman60

[Flatbottom Boy]

Here is the kayak I bought this weekend. Again I'm pretty impressed and hopefully it was worth the money. This boat tracked very well even with a beginner in it like me I was able to shoot up river without any problems. It's set up for the fisherman well with two rod holders behind the seat and one in front of the seat. (I pulled that off for this trip) The storage behind the seat has indentations for a bucket or a milk crate. If you google this model and check out the modifications other have done to it, you will get a good laugh and some good ideas. A lot of guys are attaching the milk crate to the back with rod holders made out of PVC to allow for more rod storage. One guy even made a trolling motor mount and put his battery back there. (kinda thinking I woulda bought a square back canoe if I wanted a motor)

[Stoneroller]

there are a couple key design flaws with the fs12 ascend that bps sells, which, in my opinion are inexcusable.

1. There are no scupper holes in the seat section. which means all the water that ends up there, will not drain out and your butt will be soaking wet all day. great way to get chapped butt.

2. The scupper holes that do exist are about the size of my pinky. far too small to drain water quickly and effectively. They'll work fine for a small splash, but not for anything more than a pint or so of liquid. I don't like where they are placed as when the boat is loaded they tend to be at a level equal to the rest of the footwell, which leads to pooling of water in the footwell areas.

are these terminal faults in a boat that is half the price of a coosa or trident? the 2nd probably isn't a huge deal, but the first, no drainage where you sit, is a deal killer. the pelican castaway 100 suffers from this issue too.

[moguy1973]

I have the stohlquist fisherman's pfd. Although, admittedly I rarely wear it. I make sure to wear it in whitewater or if the water temp is below 60, especially if the air temp is too. A kayak specific PFD will have no floatation in the lower back area so you can sit against the seat. It's also going to have more range of motion in the arm areas than a normal PFD.

I too have the Stohlquist Fisherman vest...it seems like it'll be a great vest. The problem I have with the self inflatable vests is if I wanted to take a dip when I'm floating in the summer I'd have to take it off, which kind of defeats the purpose of having a vest on. A friend got an inflatable one and I asked him about that and he's just going to keep it on manual inflate. So I asked what happens if he flips and hits his head on something and gets knocked unconcious...no inflate, not good...The recharge CO2's are kinda pricey for them...

[Stoneroller]

I took at look at the inflatable vests when I was up at BPS yesterday. the manual inflation vests run around $90. which is the same price as the kayak fishing PFD's. But I can tell you, an inflatable vest would be much, much more comfortable in the summer heat. Get whatever you are going to wear, because a PFD is useless in the hold. Keep in mind though, a manually inflatable PFD will not save you if for some reason you are unconscious when you hit the water.