Sit On Top Kayak Suggestions

[TroutRinger]

I can speak a little about the wilderness system yak. They are a very good all around, but the non-elevated seat on mine puts you pretty close to the water. If you found an option or model that had the taller fishing seat, it would be hard to beat.

My son has a D10T Ascend which is the most stable yak I have ever been in, but it is also the most uncomfortable. I like to sit a little higher than my feet are, in his it feels just like sitting flat on the floor. Again, with an elevated seat this would be greatly improved.

I have the Ascend D10T. MeatintheFreezer pretty much summed it up though I don't mind the seating too much. The big plus with this kayak is that the whole top is flat making for easy customization. The back is large enough to store a full sized cooler if one was so inclined. The side compartments are great as is the dry container. It's hard to be for the money and does great on rivers and lakes.

[Guest]

I need the best seat available and the ability to stand up and stretch or pitch a jig.

[XP 590]

I need the best seat available and the ability to stand up and stretch or pitch a jig.

Another thing about the Old Town Predator is the seating. It has a big seat, a high setting, low setting, and the ability to fold it back completely out of the way. One customer posted a video of him standing on top of a cooler and the kayak was still stable. Again, there are tons of independent reviews and vids out there if this is what you are looking for. It is bigger, heavier and bulkier than many so I'm sure it's not for everyone. I'm not trying to sell you one, I'm just just convincing myself it's the right one for me!

[wetline]

I have the Jackson Coosa and love it. Very stable, easy to stand up in, and set up great for fishing. The seat has the high/low option and is ridiculously comfortable.

Not sure where you're located, but there's one on craigslist in St Louis for under a grand. It's been up for a few days, I'm amazed it's still there.

[LittleRedFisherman]

I can't compare, as I just got into kayak fishing myself last year, but I went with the Coosa also and love it. I stand and fish it some now, but if your wanting to set up higher, the high/low seat they offer give you options. I leave mine in the high position, but if I went down something knarly, i'd probably put it in the low position, but probably wouldn't have to. Here's a video I made while fishing on the Southfork last June....Love mine!

[Plastic_worm]

Without knowing what type of water you'll fish in mostly or how (fly/conventional) my response is very general. I have a cuda 12 and a native ultimate 14.5. Had the native since 2010 and just recently got the cuda. You can't go wrong with any of the Jackson's (cuda, coosa, and CRUISE....cheaper but same hull and seat as cuda). If you've been fishing from a canoe you'll shouldn't have any issues (turning, running) fishing from a 12ft yak (I started in a disco 169). If you ever fish flat water you'll appreciate the tracking of a longer boat. I like the high seat that the cuda offers (spotting fish, etc) and way better tracking than the Native ult14.5. Standing is more comfortable (feet in pontoons in native) in the cuda but not as stable. Native remedied this with the new Ult FX models. Biggest difference is class rivers you can safely paddle. I got the cuda to fish mild white water, away from shore, and off-shore in LA. You can't do that in a native. But the native is my best option for fly fishing...open area...and that's why I kept it.

In short I would look at the Cruise 12, hi/low seat, stand-ability, fishing accessory options, and REALLY price @$899.00 (coosa 1199, cuda 1299, and Native FX not sure but would expect to be 1k or more)

http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/recreational-touring-kayaks/2013-cruise/

There are other options (native slayer, moken, KC kayaks (looks like a canoe fishes like a yak...think native ultimate with scuppers) but these are what I've fished with in ozark rivers, AR/LA lakes/bayous and on the LA coast. Hope this helps.

You didn't ask but I'll add...if you can afford a rudder...get it...makes a huge difference. I notice more after I hook a fish and can steer away from the side of the river I'm fishing and not be dragged/carried with the current through the areas I want to fish while I'm landing a fish.

There is a used coosa and ultimate in the for sale forum.

[Bill B.]

I'm also looking forward to taking a test paddle in an Ultimate FX. The MSRP on the 12-footer is supposed to be about $1,300. Here's a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGL7_Y68PiA

[ColdWaterFshr]

Enjoyed the video, LittleRed. Where is the Southfork? Looks like my kind of creek.

[MOsmallies]

C&R... I would definitely suggest the Coosa as well for a river boat. Tons of storage, stable, turns quick, comfortable seat. Here's a write I did on all the mod possibilities a couple years ago. I love my Coosa!

Paul

MOsmallies

[Smalliebigs]

c&r....I have two Coosas and I love fishing out of them on rivers. The big thing is for me is it's a very stable platform to fish from with a high seat position. I have been paddling most of my life and am very agile and dexterous...I can stand and fish out it with no problem at all and do all the time.....I have heard some say it's not the easiest thing to do. I can lift them over my head with no problem but I work out all the time....pressing 70lbs over my head is no biggie but, I have heard some bitch about this. I have two solo canoes as well an OLDTOWN PackAngler and a Wenonah Vagabond.....I use the vagabond when I am packing more equipment....they all seem to have different advantages but, all three are good river hulls....none of the three would I recommend for lakes.

Call me and I will let you test ride a coosa if you want??? let's let the water warm a tad and we'll go hit a river....you can see for yourself what a coosa is all about.......let me know....I'm jonesing to go but, it looks like the snow is about to hit us pretty hard here for the next week.

Also sweet vid Brett....I always enjoy your clips, you do well with the olde GoPro. It's really cool to me to see a creek like that in Arkansas....it looks like the upper Bourbeuse or upper Meramec....cool stuff....thanks for posting. I really need to get down to Arkansas