Fishing kayak.

[top_dollar]

         I'm looking to get a new fishing kayak for camping/fishing the small rivers around here.  I've always used, in the past, an aluminum canoe (ouachita 17ft I think).  Unfortunately a tree limb fell on it and crushed the front end in!  I'm going to try to fix it, but that was just the excuse I needed to get a fishing kayak.  My question is this, is a 10 footer enough to camp overnight 1 or 2 nights? Or should I opt for the 12 footer? Also suggestions/reviews are welcome.  I'm not used to worrying about space as it was always just me in a giant canoe, now I gotta plan a bit better.  I'm leaning towards a perception pescador pro either 10 or 12 foot.

[Ham]

Perception Pescador is the best value on the market. I would go 12 footer. It is faster than the 10 footer and has more carrying capacity. Canoes can always carry more, but yaks are a lot easier to paddle. 

Edited cos my fingers and phone hate me.

[Al Agnew]

6 hours ago, Ham said:

Perception apes adore is the best value on the market. I would go 12 footer. After and more carrying capacity. Canoes can always carry more, but yaks are a lot easier to paddle. 

Ham, you know I'm gonna call you on that one.  Comparing a solo kayak to a tandem canoe is apples to oranges.  A SOLO canoe will paddle just as easily as any kayak.  It's paddling with a double bladed paddle that has the much shorter, gentler learning curve...and you can use a double blade just as well in a solo canoe as a kayak.  

But I agree with you...longer is usually better for a host of reasons.  Get the 12 footer.

[Ham]

Solo canoes are a little harder to come by and generally more expensive than yaks. Unless I specifically say solo canoe, I’m talking about tandem models. 

I know almost nothing about solo canoes and so have never paddled one. 

For 99.44 % of the population, they are going to be functional in a SOT kayak much faster than in a tandem canoe. 

Let me know if you want to argue that point. 

[tjm]

7 hours ago, Ham said:

apes adore 

Pescador 12?   (12') 64#  cap 375#  $689  -good choice as far as I could determine and about the smallest I would go.

Discovery 119 (11'9")  49#  cap  500#  $699

For an old fat man the solo canoe is 15# lighter, so easier to load and carry ~30% more at a ~$10 difference.  After   quite a bit of research and considerable self argument; I decided to stay with my 17' tandem aluminum canoe, which has never been as hard to paddle as it is to carry.  Not many of the kayaks carry enough weight, and as I found the better ones weigh in with tandem canoes ~80# .

 

[Ham]

Yeah, my phone was Super helpful then. 

I have not done much camping out of my kayaks. I use a 17 foot tandem canoe. I can’t hate on your decision, but it makes me sad somehow. 

I love boats. I love fishing. I’m starting to really dislike nasty, cold weather and heavy rains. 

C’mon Spring. 

[Gavin]

I have a 12’  fishing kayak, 15’ solo canoe, and a 17’ foot tandem. Not sure about storage on the pescador. It’s an old design, one of the first SOT’s but a good boat (Old WS Tarpon 120). You would really have to pack light to do a 3 day trip but overnight is fine. You won’t have room for a big cooler and a 30 pack  of beer.                        Would not want a solo canoe under 14’ long. I had a Disco 119 and don’t miss it. I like my 15’ Mad River allot better than the Wenonah Vagabond I used to have. It’s a fiberglass model from the mid 1980’s. Great paddling boat. 

[Devan S.]

I have a 10' fishing kayak, 10' rec. kayak(for the wife), 16' or 17' buffalo tandem, and 16' alumacraft canoe.

The 10' is too short for anything but a 6 pack and day drinking on the river(both were bought cheap enough that I don't view them as a loss as they make great backups). The 16' can be run solo reasonably easy or tandem if we don't get crazy with gear. I'm of the opinion a 14' solo would be the best of all and when one jumps up and slaps me in the face I will pull the trigger and buy it if funds are available.  

[moguy1973]

The Ocean Kayaks have generous storage inside them and great access to that storage due to their large rod pod center opening.  Can't really stand in them as they are a more narrow kayak, unless you opt for the Big Game.  I have an older 11.5' model and I've fit a small tent, two inflatable camp mats and two small sleeping bags inside mine, as well as a small cooler and all my fishing stuff I need for an overnight with a buddy without weighing it down too much.  Most kayaks don't have adequate storage inside that's accessible you will find though.  The hybrid kayaks seem to have a lot of deck storage like a canoe does while maintaining the kayak feel so I'd look at some like the NuCanoe or the Native Slayer models

[TroutRinger]

In that price range, I would consider a Sea Ghost 110 or Jackson Bite over the Pescador Pro. You can probably find dealers that carry the Bite and Sea Ghost (may be two different dealers) to test them out. I have heard good things about the Pescador Pro, but the Sea Ghost is very highly regarded. The Bite is brand new but Jackson makes great stuff.

Regarding the solo canoe comparison, they have their advantages and disadvantages compared to a SOT. Almost  any SOT in this budget will have a seat that is more comfortable than a canoe. I think Old Town has a model with a chair like seat in the $1200 range but that is the only one I’m aware of. SOTs are also easier to hop on and off when you’re fishing or getting out when dragging. They are also self bailing so your gear stays drier and it’s one less thing to worry about in the rain. Not certain on this, but I think most SOTs will be more stable if you want to stand and fish.  A canoe will have a higher weight capacity and are usually lighter. The weight is is really the only thing that has had me curious about them. That, and Al swears by them.