Fishing kayak.

[top_dollar]

                Last night my thumb was faster than my brain when it hit "purchase" on that Jackson Bite.  I really like the open floor plan.  I had a strong preference for the pescador pro 12 because it had open front and back wells, as well as being so light.  The jackson is about the same weight and had even more open space.  Also it has little ridges up front to lay 4 rods up front horizontally.  I dont much care for the little storage compartment up front on most of the kayaks.  I have several dry bags that i use on my trips, so i prefer to keep them tied down to an open deck.  That is a cool little boat, and at 799$ seems like a good deal for a cheapskate such as myself.

[Smalliebigs]

29 minutes ago, top_dollar said:

                Last night my thumb was faster than my brain when it hit "purchase" on that Jackson Bite.  I really like the open floor plan.  I had a strong preference for the pescador pro 12 because it had open front and back wells, as well as being so light.  The jackson is about the same weight and had even more open space.  Also it has little ridges up front to lay 4 rods up front horizontally.  I dont much care for the little storage compartment up front on most of the kayaks.  I have several dry bags that i use on my trips, so i prefer to keep them tied down to an open deck.  That is a cool little boat, and at 799$ seems like a good deal for a cheapskate such as myself.

NICE!!! Where did you find one?? or did you order online???... I was wanting to look at one

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 minute ago, Smalliebigs said:

NICE!!! Where did you find one?? or did you order online???... I was wanting to look at one 

Like you need another boat

[top_dollar]

20 minutes ago, Smalliebigs said:

NICE!!! Where did you find one?? or did you order online???... I was wanting to look at one

I ordered it online.  In fact it was difficult to come by.  The first to orders I placed replied saying it was sold out, but i found one available that will ship directly from Jackson kayaks.  I ordered though Delaware paddle sports.  I called the guy and he said he a few on order in granite color that would ship from Jackson in mid february.  Friendly Fella.

[Flysmallie]

This has turned about as intelligent as the old Ford vs Chevy debate. 

But I always laugh because most people in this world that are against kayaks have never or barely fished from one.

I have one. It's a cheap one that everyone tried to steer me clear of.

I have spent a fair amount of time in it and here is what I think.

• 12 foot is better than 10. I like to keep all my rods laying in front of me for quick access. Rods sticking up out of the air is only going to work in open water. 
• I like sitting down closer to the water. Learned to bass fish from a float tube so it seems pretty natural to me.
• I also have a canoe for camping trips.
• I don't ever try to stand in mine. I'm fine just sitting there.
• I find that getting out of and into a canoe is much easier for me. Old, fat, and bad knees from chasing quarterbacks many, many years ago makes it hard to get down there with your feet out in front of you.
• Much better at still water than any canoe. Yeah the canoe is faster but sucks in the wind and is much, much harder to hold in position. I am fishing so I'm not in any big hurry.
• Yes they are heavy but I see a bunch of you studs carrying those fashionable coolers that weigh 20 lbs empty. Man up and throw that up on top of the car, or in the bed of the truck or a trailer. lighter don't mean better.

These are just my opinions. I don't expect anyone to agree so please don't be insulted when I don't see your side. You know, the ones that never fish from one. 

[BilletHead]

                  Here is something some of you know about. If not you should check it out. If you are thinking of buying or pimping your ride canoe or kayak. I found this place one stop shopping. Prices are reasonable , shipping is fast sales and staff are great too. Sign up and they only send you something once a month. That includes a 10 to 20 percent coupon. One for your birthday also. 

   https://www.austinkayak.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ACK.com - Branded Coupon&utm_content=Austin Kayak&msclkid=9382ffa84bee16061eeaa3c9fa6ef7d3

   BilletHead

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Think of it like your first car that you paid for.  Get what you can afford, that seems to suit you for your conditions.  Lost of information to digest, and none is incorrect.  Buy used, figure out what works, what you thought would be better, and move up.  As Al once said, any boat is better than no boat. 

[Devan S.]

6 hours ago, Daryk Campbell Sr said:

Think of it like your first car that you paid for.  Get what you can afford, that seems to suit you for your conditions.  Lost of information to digest, and none is incorrect.  Buy used, figure out what works, what you thought would be better, and move up.  As Al once said, any boat is better than no boat. 

Probably the best suggestion out of all of them.......I started with a 10ft flatbottom paddled/drug a lot of miles on the Kings river. Never knew how much easier it was until I got my cheap 10' Ascend sit in kayak. Put many miles on that thing all over from the lake to class 3 water. Never knew how bad it tracked and how slow it was until I bought my tandem buffalo. Also never realized how nice it was to be 6'+ tall and 250lbs and be able to stretch out, stand up, and carry a lot of gear. Never realized how slow the buffalo was until I got the alumacraft aluminum canoe that's built for canoe racing. Now I'm torn between a paddle board and a solo canoe. 

I have days now when I am solo in the canoe that I wish I was in the kayak, days I'm in the kayak and wish I was solo in the canoe, days i'm in the kayak and wish I had a buddy or wife in the canoe with me instead. There isn't a right or wrong answer(unless you count paddling a flat bottom jon boat). Try a few out, get one you feel comfortable in, one you can haul/load, and use the fire out of it because it will likely be one of the cheapest form of entertainment you have over time. 

[Al Agnew]

2 hours ago, Devan S. said:

Probably the best suggestion out of all of them.......I started with a 10ft flatbottom paddled/drug a lot of miles on the Kings river. Never knew how much easier it was until I got my cheap 10' Ascend sit in kayak. Put many miles on that thing all over from the lake to class 3 water. Never knew how bad it tracked and how slow it was until I bought my tandem buffalo. Also never realized how nice it was to be 6'+ tall and 250lbs and be able to stretch out, stand up, and carry a lot of gear. Never realized how slow the buffalo was until I got the alumacraft aluminum canoe that's built for canoe racing. Now I'm torn between a paddle board and a solo canoe. 

I have days now when I am solo in the canoe that I wish I was in the kayak, days I'm in the kayak and wish I was solo in the canoe, days i'm in the kayak and wish I had a buddy or wife in the canoe with me instead. There isn't a right or wrong answer(unless you count paddling a flat bottom jon boat). Try a few out, get one you feel comfortable in, one you can haul/load, and use the fire out of it because it will likely be one of the cheapest form of entertainment you have over time. 

Yep, I'll say it again...any boat is better than no boat.  And I totally agree with your last sentence.  A good canoe or kayak should last you many years.  If you use it 20 times a year, after 5 years you've used it 100 times, and a $1000 boat has ended up costing you $10 a trip at that point, a whole lot cheaper than renting one.

Have to say I REALLY can't fathom the paddleboard thing. I've messed around on one and it's fun to mess around on, but for fishing it's gotta be the height of inconvenience to try to carry much of anything, a real pain in the butt to handle the long paddle while standing when you've got your rod in one hand and you're trying to position the craft to make the next cast, and I can't imagine standing on one while fishing fast-moving water.  But to each his own, I guess.

[Gavin]

Any is better than none and the search for the perfect do all boat is futile. If you are an avid floater you will probably have an assortment of boats that do  different things well. Looking for a used SOT kayak for my daughter. She will turn 12 in May and she is 5’ tall. If you want to sell a 12’ SOT I’m buying one between now and April 30th.