Kayak Info

[DJD]

I have 2 Perception 11' kayaks. They are the sit-in style. I'm happy with them. One was purchased new from ****'s Sporting Goods. What I like is the very large, open cockpit. They're almost like a sit-on-top in terms of fishability.

I'd be happy to meet up and let you try one out and see if you like it before you go out and purchase one. I'm always looking for an excuse to go out and paddle them around and wet a line. I'm in the Lexington/Nicholasville area. Just PM if you're interested.

I've had them on a few smaller lakes, the KY River, Elkhorn Creek, the Rockcastle River, Dix River and Hickman Creek. I've probably taken them through Class I and some Class II rapids with only one dumpout.

Michael

Thanks for the offer I might take you up on that. I have read about sit in and sit on. I would think the best is sit in? I would like to be comfortable with back support. Have you tried others? I have read about the sea kayaks as Bonefish mentioned as well.

[Bonefish]

One thing to keep in mind with the sea kayaks they do not turn very well, whereas, the smaller ones turn on a dime. The more of a keel a kayak has the straighter it will track. That is why the "play white water" kayaks turn so well in swift water because they have no keel. A white water kayak would dvive you crazy try to control it while fishing, and the long sea kayak would drive you crazy trying to turn it. I like the Otter because it has enough keel on it to track fairly straight.

[know1]

Thanks for the offer I might take you up on that. I have read about sit in and sit on. I would think the best is sit in? I would like to be comfortable with back support. Have you tried others? I have read about the sea kayaks as Bonefish mentioned as well.

Anytime. Just let me know.

I've never tried others, although my brother has used a Dagger Blackwater and a couple of friends had them as well. They are pretty similar to what I have.

A lot of people swear by the sit on type for fishing as you described, but I feel that I wouldn't be as comfortable on top. I've never used one, though. I think the ones that I have are a good compromise with the big cockpit.

The back support is pretty good. I've used them on several long floats down Elkhorn and the Rockcastle river.

Michael

[wkerber]

You need to check out Native Watercrafts Ultimate Kayak. It is hybrib Yak/Canoe. They have an Angler version, but too expensive in my opinion. I bought a regular and installed my own flush mount rod holders behind the seat and a drag chain system for less than $50 and it's good to go for fishing streams and small lakes.

http://www.nativewatercraft.com/

[TimE]

S.O.T without a doubt. Buy a Wilderness Systems Tarpon once and never look back.

[ON3 3Y3D WILLI3]

S.O.T without a doubt. Buy a Wilderness Systems Tarpon once and never look back.

I agree with TimE. I've fished out of several types and styles of Canoyaks and the Wilderness Systems Pungo and Tarpon Series are by far the best all around. I own a Tarpon 120 and fish it everywhere and anywhere. It is a sit-on-top model and in my opinion that is the only way to go with a fishing kayak. It may seem as though it's not as stable, and more likely to tump over, but I can actually stand up on mine for fly casting without fear that I'm going in the drink. The backrest is adjustable and comfortable and I have dozed off in mine more than once. I also have a Kayak Loader hooked to the hitch of my Tahoe so that I can get it on and off by myself. This has allowed me to go to different places more often without always having to take a buddy, two cars, etc.

Wilderness Systems is owned by a company called Confluence Watersports, the same company which produces Perception, Dagger, Wavesport, Mad River Canoe, and Harmony Canoes/Kayaks. That's not to say that all of these lines are the same with regards to their fishing style boats. IMO Wilderness Systems is the top of their line.

[DJD]

I agree with TimE. I've fished out of several types and styles of Canoyaks and the Wilderness Systems Pungo and Tarpon Series are by far the best all around. I own a Tarpon 120 and fish it everywhere and anywhere. It is a sit-on-top model and in my opinion that is the only way to go with a fishing kayak. It may seem as though it's not as stable, and more likely to tump over, but I can actually stand up on mine for fly casting without fear that I'm going in the drink. The backrest is adjustable and comfortable and I have dozed off in mine more than once. I also have a Kayak Loader hooked to the hitch of my Tahoe so that I can get it on and off by myself. This has allowed me to go to different places more often without always having to take a buddy, two cars, etc.

Wilderness Systems is owned by a company called Confluence Watersports, the same company which produces Perception, Dagger, Wavesport, Mad River Canoe, and Harmony Canoes/Kayaks. That's not to say that all of these lines are the same with regards to their fishing style boats. IMO Wilderness Systems is the top of their line.

I checked their website and was very impressed. What do they cost?

[Denver1911]

I checked their website and was very impressed. What do they cost?

Check with Appomattox River Company for pricing. I was able to get mine and pay about $100 to have it trucked to Lexington for about $100 below MSRP (Currently $750).

[Denver1911]

S.O.T without a doubt. Buy a Wilderness Systems Tarpon once and never look back.

What he said. I like my Tarpon 120 so well I'm selling my Outcast FishCat 9 Lite ... a good personal pontoon. It's in the classifieds on this site if anyone is interested.

[DJD]

Man I agree that Tarpon 120 looks awesome.

[Tim_T]

What he said. I like my Tarpon 120 so well I'm selling my Outcast FishCat 9 Lite ... a good personal pontoon. It's in the classifieds on this site if anyone is interested.

Denver, I just left you a message over there.