Tell us about your kayak 2024

SuperDuty reply :

Okay so there are lots of people getting into kayaks these days. Besides myself, I've got three other people who are currently researching for yaks the want to buy this spring. I thought it'd be nice to see a thread where everyone can showcase their kayak and tell us what you love, like, dislike, or flat out can't stand about it. Or about one that you owned prior.

Feel free to show us pics, tell us all about what you've got on it currently, or plan to add later. If you're planning to upgrade then go ahead and share what your next one will be and why.

And why not share what kinda waters you primarily fish, too.

I don't currently own a kayak. I've borrowed a cheap one off my BIL few times and have rented a few different ones. My plans are to pick one up this spring and I'm pretty sure it'll be either a Kaku wahoo or Zulu. Fishing lakes and streams but no white water action. Will also use it to bow fish out of.

Bird reply :

I love most everything about kayak fishing, the solitude, simplicity and efficiency of just throwing it in the truck and going. My boat actually has a motor pod.....Jonnyboats Bass 100 made by FeelFree.

My only gripe:

I lost the casting accuracy I had on the big standing platform of my Nitro but firmly sticking with the kayak.

VolFan reply :

Nucanue Frontier 12 and Pursuit - I love the huge deck space, and the ability to take my son along. The F12 is the most versatile boat out there. They can be heavy sometimes.

GTN reply :

2018 Jackson Big Rig Not the HD or FD. Paddle only but I really like the exercise! 14’ and 35” wide

its big it’s heavy it paddles like a barge(but that’s probably just me, 60 and out of shape) but it’s very stable and that’s the most important thing to me as I like to stand when fishing.

My wife has a Jackson Liska. Nice kayak but not as stable as mine. Paddles nicely.
I’ve added a crate with 4 rod holders, anchor trolley with clothesline reel for anchor line, Lowrance Hook2 5.
For transporting both kayaks I got a used jetski trailer the holds both kayaks side by side or when I’m alone 1 up the middle.

Brad Reid reply :

For competitive kayak tournament fishing, my guess is the new Hobie PA *** 360 models have jumped back into a strong lead as the best vessels. Holding water and positioning is a big deal and these vessels will do it better than any others. A guy or gal who specializes in fishing boat houses, around docks, etc. will be able to pick one apart with great detail and accuracy.

Well, from there it so much depends on how one fishes. I still have a Native Slayer Propel 10 and it is an absolutely outstanding kayak for anything but large lakes. You might need more speed to cover more water in those circumstances. But, one can throw a Propel 10 on the back of a truck, no trailer, no bed extender and be on the water very pronto. At 34" beam, it is very stable, almost as much as my much larger Big Rig was. And, oddly, it paddles very well if you need to kick the drive up to work across a weed bed. It was my first kayak and is still my favorite.

Just moved from Lake Athens, TX to Galveston Island . . . so I will need to learn how to fish for flounder, reds and sea trout. Can't wait to hit the bays and bayous.

Bass Ninja reply :

On 1/17/2020 at 10:59 AM, Bird said:

I love most everything about kayak fishing, the solitude, simplicity and efficiency of just throwing it in the truck and going.

I totally agree. I grew up fishing with my dad in a canoe, and the occasional trip on a boat with friends who had one. I still can't afford to get one yet, but I'm so obsessed with kayak fishing that I don't think I want one anymore. I just throw my kayak on my car in minutes, and it takes me about 7 minutes to unload and launch. Something about pushing off in the early, foggy morning, being closer to the water, the calm stillness while watching the world wake up around me just hits me on a spiritual level. As for my kayak, its an Ascend FS12T that I got used on FB Marketplace for half price. I raised the seat and added a trolling motor with foot peg steering, which is a huge upgrade for me. Its a good starter kayak...it paddles like a tank and doesnt track the greatest, but it gets the job done.

SuperDuty reply :

I love seeing how people have their yaks rigged up and all the different cool ideas out there. Keep them coming guys!

J Francho reply :

https://photos.smugmug.com/Family/Fishing-Journal/i-nw7vt3s/0/80963f73/X2/IMG_1037-X2.jpg

TnRiver46 reply :

On 1/17/2020 at 1:05 PM, Brad Reid said:

For competitive kayak tournament fishing, my guess is the new Hobie PA *** 360 models have jumped back into a strong lead as the best vessels. Holding water and positioning is a big deal and these vessels will do it better than any others. A guy or gal who specializes in fishing boat houses, around docks, etc. will be able to pick one apart with great detail and accuracy.

Well, from there it so much depends on how one fishes. I still have a Native Slayer Propel 10 and it is an absolutely outstanding kayak for anything but large lakes. You might need more speed to cover more water in those circumstances. But, one can throw a Propel 10 on the back of a truck, no trailer, no bed extender and be on the water very pronto. At 34" beam, it is very stable, almost as much as my much larger Big Rig was. And, oddly, it paddles very well if you need to kick the drive up to work across a weed bed. It was my first kayak and is still my favorite.

Just moved from Lake Athens, TX to Galveston Island . . . so I will need to learn how to fish for flounder, reds and sea trout. Can't wait to hit the bays and bayous.

Sweet! You will be dangerous in the salt with that thing.

Dens228 reply :

My current Vibe Seaghost 130..

I have a Vibe Shearwater on the way and will be transferring all this over to it but also upgraded my FF to a Garmin Echomap 73SV UHD

Hook2Jaw reply :

My current kayak is an Old Town Predator. It is the fastest kayak I've ever owned, and that's saying something -- I sold a Hobie Pro Angler to fund it. Switching from forward to reverse without input from my hand is a boon. The kayak tracks well, and that coupled with forward and reverse motioning keeps me in a very stable position.

Speaking of stable, it's very stable. Casting to the left or the right while standing is a breeze, and I can jack a jig hookset with ease while on my feet. The kayak only feels like its slightly tippy while leaning into a turn.

The Predator turns well. It turns as well as or better than any Hobie I've owned. I was worried about the radius upon purchase, because the rudder is narrow. It completely distracted me from how long it is. It moves a lot of water and puts you in the direction you desire, quickly.

It's 13'2", if I remember correctly, and has a good bit of well thought out storage. The integrated tracks on the cockpit plates as well the tankwell plates make mounting accessories quick and efficient. The front plate is gonna conceal my through hull fittings for my electronics, which I like. The hatch inside my drive is great. It's water tight and makes my drive float should I drop it. The tankwell width is a complaint.

Overall, I am very pleased with the performance of the Old Town Predator, and would recommend it to anyone.

Bird reply :

CRANKTHAT reply :

Grew up fishing and camping out of a canoe.

When moved out on my own did not have the lifestyle or money for a boat of my own. (To busy chasing skirts and drinking beer)

In my twenties I got back into fishing and camping.

Always streamside as was living in a area where much of the year the water was to shallow to allow a boat.

Did not mind as being a few miles from anything but wilderness suits me well.

Found a job working 3 days a week with great pay and had even more time to hunt fish and camp.

My boss did whitewater kayaking and took me under his wing.

Was hooked the first time out!

Lost the urge to fish and gave it up for the pursuit of adrenalin.

My life became snowboarding and whitewater in the winter and rice rocket riding and whitewater in the warm seasons.

Moved to mainland coast of North Carolina a few years back where the rivers are plentyfull and big the sounds and ocean are always acessiable, no snow and the roads are to straight for me to enjoy riding.

Found myself to be a fisherman again.

Started fishing out of one of my old whitewater kayaks.

Not ideal but it was what I had at the time.

I learned to surf the waves on the rivers and sound to get back and forth quicker.

Was a ton of work in a smooth rounded hull.

And even more so in the small rivers or in calm conditions.

Wanted to expand my traveling so I bought a field and stream eagle talon already set up and well used.

A good boat but tracking in the winds and the bigger waves make it not ideal for the ocean and bigger rivers.

Great for small rivers and streams plus it tracks well enough for most smaller rivers.

Stable enough and comfortable enough with a good seat to spend a few hours a day on.

Decked it out with night lights more rod holders and made a decent crate setup.

You really need the lights around me for all the stumps near shore + the boat traffic.

Realized I was tired of pushing the (tank) through the water and needed more beer carrying capacity so was keeping my eyes open for something else.

Had a yard sale come up on one of my Facebook feeds and noticed a kayak in the background.

Decided to have a look as it was only a ten minute drive.

The boat is a Prowler 13 ft by Ocean Kayak.

They only wanted 200.0 0 for it as it had sun fading, had not been used in a few years and the owner just wanted it gone.

200.00 was a steal.

I do not think the weight capacity is any more then the Field and Stream I own, but it takes all the weight much better.

Tracks better, takes the waves better, and paddles so much easier.

The front hatch design leaves little to be desired as it will take in some water on the rough days.

I installed a bilge pump as I like to go out a few times a week for extended trips and it is a concern.

I have only used the pump a few times when the weather has gotten out of hand.

I would think that their are better boats out there for the same price new but I am happy with it.

The canoe I started out my life in?

My mom is giving it to me next time I go to visit.

It is older then me.

Still in really good shape. (aluminum)

I am looking forward to some extended camping trips, being able to take the dog with me, and room for even more beer.

SuperDuty reply :

On 1/17/2020 at 9:45 PM, Dens228 said:

My current Vibe Seaghost 130..

I have a Vibe Shearwater on the way and will be transferring all this over to it but also upgraded my FF to a Garmin Echomap 73SV UHD

The shearwater definitely has my attention, too. I’m really kind of stuck between it and the kaku. Leaning more towards the kaku BUT I’m also worried about storage space, transducer mounts and some other things on the kakus. But one thing i love about the kakus is the wide open floor.
i think Vibe has really laid out the SW 125 very very well. I think it’ll be a top boat for 2020. Can’t wait to see your review once you get it.

CRANKTHAT reply :

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/fr/cp0/e15/q65/26060160_1800565099974516_4280612819802273083_o.jpg?_nc_cat=111&efg=eyJpIjoibCJ9&_nc_ohc=wDHnvVVehF0AX8Fa1Py&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&_nc_tp=12&oh=d97c16620c34d523ced8cec210fc1a22&oe=5E9D070E

A hosting site is a bit to much work for me.

Will see if I have any kayak pics posted anywhere.

Edited January 17 by CRANKTHAT
Info.

Dens228 reply :

On 1/17/2020 at 10:49 PM, SuperDuty said:

The shearwater definitely has my attention, too. I’m really kind of stuck between it and the kaku. Leaning more towards the kaku BUT I’m also worried about storage space, transducer mounts and some other things on the kakus. But one thing i love about the kakus is the wide open floor.
i think Vibe has really laid out the SW 125 very very well. I think it’ll be a top boat for 2020. Can’t wait to see your review once you get it.

I didn't get any of the center hatch add ons, and I'll be keeping my Bixby on the rudder of the Shearwater. That will give a lot of open deck in front of me.

SuperDuty reply :

On 1/18/2020 at 12:38 AM, Dens228 said:

I didn't get any of the center hatch add ons, and I'll be keeping my Bixby on the rudder of the Shearwater. That will give a lot of open deck in front of me.

Are you referring to the peddle drive and motor or are there other add on I'm not seeing?

I've watched a few videos on the Bixby but not sure if I like it or not. Seems to me that it would be awkward having it on my rudder. Also, maybe I'm missing something but, the Bixby can only be used with their own battery, correct? So you'd have to buy a spare battery from them for extended range.

I'm leaning more towards a trolling motor so I can control what battery I use as well as the power I want.

The majority of my needs will be paddling but I will want some electric power when I have long distances to go on the big lake.

Hawkeye21 reply :

I have the NuCanoe Frontier 12. I bought it for it's versatility. It's under 13 feet long so I don't have to register it in Iowa. It has an open deck so I have plenty of room for gear or whatever I want. The long gear tracks on the deck are great for seat adjustment and adding extras like a pedal drive or a second seat. I have the H2Pro pedal drive on mine and it's a great addition for fishing tourneys. NuCanoe kayaks have a flat transom which easily allows the addition of an electric or gas motor. NuCanoe makes great accessories for their kayaks like the bow mount adapter for adding a trolling motor to the front. My ultimate goal is to add a trolling motor to the bow of mine.

The Frontier 12 is wide and pretty big so I don't car top it. It's size makes it extremely stable though which is a big advantage because I like to stand and fish a lot. I did a lot of research when deciding on a new kayak and the Frontier checked off almost everything for me. I've been very happy with it and don't see changing from it anytime soon.

SuperDuty reply :

You really never see much talk about the Nucanoe. Not a bad looking boat.

One thing I have noticed is that very few manufacturers are putting much effort into producing nice looking colors. Maybe it's a difficult process that adds a lot of cost, dunno. To me, it seems like Feel Free and Kaku are offering the best colors of any of the makers. Kaku IMO, is the best looking boat on the market today. Bonafide is making some nice colors too even though they're solid. They look amazing with a wrap.

A few of the big name companies are putting out downright horrible colors and completely steering me away from any of their offerings just because of the appearance.

Dens228 reply :

On 1/18/2020 at 12:48 AM, SuperDuty said:

Are you referring to the peddle drive and motor or are there other add on I'm not seeing?

I've watched a few videos on the Bixby but not sure if I like it or not. Seems to me that it would be awkward having it on my rudder. Also, maybe I'm missing something but, the Bixby can only be used with their own battery, correct? So you'd have to buy a spare battery from them for extended range.

I'm leaning more towards a trolling motor so I can control what battery I use as well as the power I want.

The majority of my needs will be paddling but I will want some electric power when I have long distances to go on the big lake.

There's the peddle, the motor, and a storage option. You don't even know the Bixby it on the rudder. It is so small and light. Yes, you need the proprietary battery. Only time will tell if it will be worth the cost. I like the 9 pounds total weight of the battery/motor. I have yet to use even 25% or the battery life in an outing. My big test will be on Lake Tomahawk in Wisconsin this summer. I plan on some long treks to a couple of spots.

SuperDuty reply :

On 1/18/2020 at 1:12 AM, Dens228 said:

There's the peddle, the motor, and a storage option. You don't even know the Bixby it on the rudder. It is so small and light. Yes, you need the proprietary battery. Only time will tell if it will be worth the cost. I like the 9 pounds total weight of the battery/motor. I have yet to use even 25% or the battery life in an outing. My big test will be on Lake Tomahawk in Wisconsin this summer. I plan on some long treks to a couple of spots.

I thought I read somewhere that the Bixby would give 10 hours of constant use at it's lowest speed and roughly 1.5-2 at full speed. Of course this all depends on the weight it's pushing. basically one trip across a good sized lake and you're paddling back. I dunno, I'd want my motor to handle whatever I threw at it for a good 6-8 hours.

The one very nice thing about the Bixby is how small it is and out of sight. It would be ideal for a person who's just using it to free up their hands while their moving slowly along the banks. I just don't see it as a mode of transportation for long distances from one hole to the next.

Basically just boils down to what your needs are I reckon.

Tizi reply :

Agree with others, love fishing from my kayak, good exercise, solitude, and I am more in-tune with what is going on around me. Easy to transport and move around.

I have fished out of a Jackson Cruise Angler 10 for several seasons. It is a paddle kayak. Very happy with it. At the end of 2019, I purchased a Old Town Topwater PDL 106. I am in the process of setting it up and have not fished out of it yet (been snowing here lately). I will use the pedal kayak for larger waters and windy days. This also allows me to bring someone with me, since I have 2 kayaks.

SuperDuty reply :

Nice rig, Tizi!

Tizi reply :

Here are a few pics of my new ride:

SuperDuty reply :

Man that's pretty slick! I'm sure you've got plenty of great fishing outings in the near future in that dude.

Dens228 reply :

On 1/18/2020 at 1:22 AM, SuperDuty said:

I thought I read somewhere that the Bixby would give 10 hours of constant use at it's lowest speed and roughly 1.5-2 at full speed. Of course this all depends on the weight it's pushing. basically one trip across a good sized lake and you're paddling back. I dunno, I'd want my motor to handle whatever I threw at it for a good 6-8 hours.

The one very nice thing about the Bixby is how small it is and out of sight. It would be ideal for a person who's just using it to free up their hands while their moving slowly along the banks. I just don't see it as a mode of transportation for long distances from one hole to the next.

Basically just boils down to what your needs are I reckon.

That's probably about right. I don't fish a lot of big lakes, mainly quarries and strip pits. I mainly got it to keep up with the motor kayaks in the small tournaments I do.

SuperDuty reply :

Back to the top. Surely there is a lot more kayakers here than this. Come on let's see em!

kjfishman reply :

I have an Old Town Loon 126 sit in. Rigged with Lowrance Hook2 5x, transducer reads thru hull behind seat, anchor trolley 2, home made stake out pole, adjustable rod holders an 2 recessed rod holders behind the seat. Another rod holder on the removable work deck. The adjustable seat is very comfortable.

On 1/18/2020 at 1:52 AM, Tizi said:

Here are a few pics of my new ride:

HookInMouth reply :

Kaku Voodoo. Bought two of them.

Pros:

Very stable.

IMHO the best seat in the business (10" off deck or 24" off deck, or a standing platform for sight fishing).

Open deck.

Tracks well.

Good thick plastic. Durable and well made.

Paddles well for it's size.

Personal touch from the owner Kevin Hawkins. Very involved and available.

Cons:

Doesn't come with much in the way of holders. Just track. So you add pretty much everything.

Lists at 77lbs. Feels heavier. Awkward to move at times.

The open flat deck can get a wave to it in the summer sun. Some add foam to keep this from happening.

Sitting that high up you become a sail in the wind. Can be a tough paddle against the wind.

Couldn't be happier.

Bassjam2000 reply :

My current ride, a gen 1 Wavewalk, 10'2" long, very light, about 60 pounds give or take, very stable for standing and maneuverable. A true twin hull kayak, the bench seat down the middle makes for an upright sitting position making it very comfortable for them long days. It's for sale too for anyone interested near Chicago. Going to be hopefully upgrading to a native this next spring.

SuperDuty reply :

On 1/21/2020 at 5:03 AM, Bassjam2000 said:

My current ride, a gen 1 Wavewalk, 10'2" long, very light, about 60 pounds give or take, very stable for standing and maneuverable. A true twin hull kayak, the bench seat down the middle makes for an upright sitting position making it very comfortable for them long days. It's for sale too for anyone interested near Chicago. Going to be hopefully upgrading to a native this next spring.

Very unique ride!

Alex from GA reply :

I have a 10' Perception Pescador that I fish rivers and streams with. The only add on is a chain anchor. At 55 lbs it's too heavy for me to carry/drag up hills when I'm done fishing. I had a 9' Perception Keowee sit-in that weighed 35 lbs ,that someone wanted out of the back of my truck, that was perfect for my kind of fishing. Picture of the Pescador on the left.

Smalls reply :

I'm in a BigFish 105. My wife's Pescador is up top.

I've probably mentioned something about backflips and gymnastics on it once or twice here. Definitely stable. The seat is extremely well built, and really comfortable. Tons of room, even for a 10.5' kayak.

Sloooooooooow. Paddling an 8 hour tourney with it takes some recovery time for sure. A little faster now that I have into FeelFree and bought the rudder designed for it, though.

I like my boat, but there's a lot that really irks me about it. It just has "fantastic idea, poor execution" throughout it, and a lot of the reasons I bought it ended up being like that. It has a spot on either side for horizontal rod storage, except there's no way to actually get a rod into that spot. There's also a storage spot for a tackle tray on either side of you, but getting a hand down there requires being double jointed.

I absolutely love the sonar pod, though. One easily removable all in one graph-battery-wires-transducer spot. I don't think I could ever own a paddle powered kayak without a similar pod after having it.

I complain about it a lot, but it's not a bad kayak, especially for the price. FeelFree makes em big n sturdy, and I don't think I could sink it if I tried.

It'll also be for sale after this season ????

SuperDuty reply :

On 2/6/2020 at 4:47 AM, Smalls said:

I'm in a BigFish 105. My wife's Pescador is up top.

I've probably mentioned something about backflips and gymnastics on it once or twice here. Definitely stable. The seat is extremely well built, and really comfortable. Tons of room, even for a 10.5' kayak.

Sloooooooooow. Paddling an 8 hour tourney with it takes some recovery time for sure. A little faster now that I have into FeelFree and bought the rudder designed for it, though.

I like my boat, but there's a lot that really irks me about it. It just has "fantastic idea, poor execution" throughout it, and a lot of the reasons I bought it ended up being like that. It has a spot on either side for horizontal rod storage, except there's no way to actually get a rod into that spot. There's also a storage spot for a tackle tray on either side of you, but getting a hand down there requires being double jointed.

I absolutely love the sonar pod, though. One easily removable all in one graph-battery-wires-transducer spot. I don't think I could ever own a paddle powered kayak without a similar pod after having it.

I complain about it a lot, but it's not a bad kayak, especially for the price. FeelFree makes em big n sturdy, and I don't think I could sink it if I tried.

It'll also be for sale after this season ????

I've read they're slow and heavy but that is part of the tradeoff for going super stability.

So what's your next yak gonna be?

I'm still so much up in the air on what I'm going to get. I'm seriously starting to feel that I need two different yaks - one for creeks and rivers and one for the lake. I'll probably be buying my first one in March.

Michigander reply :

I have a 10' Viper that I got during a Black Friday sale. Due to my circumstances, everything has to be removable for transport and storage so nothing is hard mounted which is an interesting design challenge. I love fishing out of this thing.

clayton86 reply :

I’ve got the wilderness systems Atak 140 and 120. Last season was my first season with the 120.

the 140 is a “rocket” by fishing kayak standards I guess haha. I can cruise at 5.5mph paddling with my fiancé’s “where are you dinner is done” text as motivation lol. I use the 140 for duck hunting also I’ve had it out in Lake Ontario mid January busting through ice to shoot some ducks. It handles those conditions awesome was just a pain to load into the truck all iced over took 4 of us to lift it into the back of a Tacoma.

120 I’ve only had for a season both the 140 and 120 are incredibly stable I can stand and walk around on both. The 120 is more maneuverable for the creeks I frequent. Doesn’t track as well as the 140 but it’s 2’ shorter so that’s a given.

I've got a torqeedo 1103AC on order that will be able to be swapped between both kayaks.

M Bruns reply :

I have two kayaks. Started out with a cheap Aruba 10 from Walmart. It was well worth the money as it's served many purposes over the years. It let me fish ponds that have too much vegetation around the edges during summer and we also use it for hunting (top picture). Where it excelled was for retrieving ducks - it is quick, light, and easy to maneuver.

For an upgrade, we got a Nucanoe Frontier 10. The first drawback is it's kinda heavy. However, the seat is so much more comfortable, I can stand and cast/fly-fish in any direction, and there's tons more space. I added a makeshift fish finder dash and a pvc transducer arm (bottom picture).

The common saying in kayak purchasing is to save and buy your "second" kayak first. However, a cheap yak like the Aruba 10 (~$200) is great to finally get off the bank. Be warned, the sit-ins can sink when flipped. If I were to start over again, I'd look at the Lifetime Tamarack Angler, lots of good things said about it and it's a sit-on.

SuperDuty reply :

This spring I'm going to search high and low for places to demo some of the kayaks that are on my short list. I want a paddle kayak for the exercise and so I can use it in very skinny water. I also want one stable enough that I can easily stand and fight fish. But I want one that paddles well enough that going long distances isn't going to kill me. That's the hard part, finding that perfect balance of stability and paddle ability. For the longest time I had my heart set on a Bonafide SS127 because they're so well made and stable. Also really liked the FeelFree Lure. But I'm just afraid they would be so difficult to paddle that maybe I wouldn't enjoy them. I'm use to paddleing skinny yaks that move through the water with ease.

There are a few I have on my short list that I really want to try out and see how they paddle.

Bonafide ss127 and RS117

Kaku kayak wahoo and Zulu

WS atak 120

Feelfree lure 11.5 and the Moken 12.5

OT predator

And finally, I am also giving thought to a Hobie outback and the native propel max. The reason being is I have fished a lot while paddleing and sometimes it can be a real chore trying to deal with the paddle, the pole, and staying where I want to be. Having my hands free would be nice.

Smalls reply :

On 2/6/2020 at 5:56 AM, SuperDuty said:

I've read they're slow and heavy but that is part of the tradeoff for going super stability.

So what's your next yak gonna be?

In this price range that tends to be true. But there's definitely faster boats out there that don't sacrifice stability.

I haven't gotten that far, yet. ???? Definitely something pedaled. I have shoulder issues, so the whole paddling deal gets old real quick. Leaning towards a Titan, maybe even a Slayer. Kind of interested to see if FeelFree comes out with a Dorado V2, too.

On 2/6/2020 at 7:37 PM, SuperDuty said:

There are a few I have on my short list that I really want to try out and see how they paddle.

Bonafide ss127 and RS117

Kaku kayak wahoo and Zulu

WS atak 120

Feelfree lure 11.5 and the Moken 12.5

OT predator

FeelFree just released the lure V2, definitely worth a look.

Harold Scoggins reply :

BG2

michaelb reply :

I have 5 kayaks (+ 3 paddle boards + 2 canoes) and have been kayak fishing for about 15 years. But last year I finally bought one specific for kayak fishing. I wanted a paddle kayak, since I also bike a lot during the summer, and so wanted a boat that was reasonably fun to paddle. Fishing on a large lake, with ever present winds and waves, I also wanted something that could handle chop and rough conditions. So, with a leap of faith, I ordered the Kaku Wahoo 12.5.

I was attracted to this boat based on the unusual and aggressive hull shape. I also really liked the look of the open deck, without any clutter at my feet and simple rails that I could rig as I wanted. I wanted a stadium seat as well.

Overall, the boat has been great. Standing up while fishing is a game changer; I get grumpy now if it is too windy to stand. The kayak is fun and easy to paddle, and it definitely rides up and thru waves and wake with ease. It does not paddle like a wide slow barge at all (I have another boat that paddle likes that). I can hit 5 MPH if I am working really hard and can cover .5 miles averaging 4 mph; but the cruising speeds of this and most fishing kayaks is 2-3 MPH.

It is stable enough to stand and fish and I love that. But that definitely involved a learning curve too, to get my balance and confidence. My guess is that the wahoo may be slightly less stable than some of the other wide boats here; a price to pay for a boat that paddles so nicely. I am pretty sure I will manage to fall in some day; when the anchor line is slack, and then the boat moves with a new wind, hitting the end of that line is a sudden stop of the boat underneath the feet. For testing, when I fall the boat mostly stays upright. this would be good for the gear on top; but in a strong wind it also means the boat could be sailing away. If I flip it, it takes some work to get it back right side up.

I like a lot of the boats mentioned in this thread and would love to try them too. But the kaku is the perfect blend of paddling and fishing for my needs.

LadiMopar reply :

My first yak on its maiden voyage...Feelfree Lure 10

And the upgrade last season to the Feelfree Dorado 125 with peddle and motordrive:

Both of these are super stable, the Lure 10 doesn't track quite as nicely as the Dorado but it has a generous deck; the Dorado weighs in at 125 lbs before the 50lb 12V 75AH Battery [so definitely needs a trailer]...but the wiring is fully integrated, comes with LED lights [port/starboard - stern -and fully lit cockpit for safety], built in battery box with integrated USB charging, retractable transducer arm...and the best seat I've ever seen in a yak. The peddle drive comes standard, but I added the motor (40# thrust), which just slides into the housing in the peddle drive. My only complaint is the motor is a tad loud compared to a standard 40# thrust trolling motor..

VolFan reply :

Im going to tske some flack for this - but many of these things are so far from why I got into kayak fishing that it loses me. My Nucanoe, that I could put an outboard on - weighs in at 70+ pounds. I can carry it and car top it. All of the wiring and add-ons and weight just turn these into small bassboats, not as much the simplicity and mobility that I love about kayaking. I also only fish dry flies...????

PS - If you're not in a Nucanoe, you're not in the best yak.

CHIP-MAINE reply :

had one and bought a pelican from dicks last year for the rest of the family. like the pelican better for fishing. easy to carry and great for fishing.

the reel ess reply :

I used to take part in the bassboat rat race at the local big lake. It got to be more work than reward. So I bought a canoe. After using it a few times, I wanted a kayak. I just sold the bassboat. Practically gave it away. I know the guy I sold it to. It's now his permanent yard art.

I bought a Perception Sport Pescador SOT, which was really the previous generation Wilderness Tarpon. It was an entry level model I got on sale at Academy for $500. I still have it and use it for small or very shallow places. Its light and easy to throw in the truck and take off at the drop of a hat. But it has limitations. You can't stand and fish. It's a little less stable than the expensive ones, but not so unstable you worry about flipping. It has a molded in seat and thin seat pad, which I removed and a back rest (a must for fishing). I use a stadium cushion. Even so, it will put your butt and feet to sleep after a few hours. Another downside is, since you sit low to the water, you can get a wet butt in rough water or if you have to paddle hard. Not nice in cold water.

I bought a Feelfree Lure SOT from a buddy for the bigger places. It has a stern mount, foot steered, 36 lb thrust, saltwater trolling motor with variable speed control. It keeps me from having to paddle for miles and is a bit more hands-free. You can stand and fish. It even has a standing brace, which I don't use. The drawback is it weighs almost double what the Pescador weighs. It has a wheel in the stern, but that's because it almost has to. It really needs a cart or a trailer (someday). I had to buy it because I got the whole package for less than the kayak alone costs new. But it's a load and requires some motor and battery setup when I put in and take out. It takes a little longer to get ready and I have to recharge the battery.

TimberTodd reply :

I have 2 2017 Nucanoe Frontiers. I bought them for the stability and open deck plan. I can easily place my tackle bag in front while fishing and have easy access to my gear. I made my rod storage in the back so I can house 4 rods. Tried the crate with rod tubes but didn't like them standing straight up. The drawback is skinny water and remembering they are sticking out the back to catch tree limbs. The Frontier isnt a speed demon and takes a little to get moving but I can paddle at a comfortable pace all day. I do wish they would have put scupper holes in front so one could be used for mounting the transducer. The Yakattack transducer arm works well though. I also wish they would have put in hull access in the back for ease of mounting options like more rails. The dowel on the side of the rod storage holds my safety flag which is made out of a broken rod I found laying on the bank.

SuperDuty reply :

On 2/8/2020 at 10:28 AM, VolFan said:

Im going to tske some flack for this - but many of these things are so far from why I got into kayak fishing that it loses me. My Nucanoe, that I could put an outboard on - weighs in at 70+ pounds. I can carry it and car top it. All of the wiring and add-ons and weight just turn these into small bassboats, not as much the simplicity and mobility that I love about kayaking. I also only fish dry flies...????

PS - If you're not in a Nucanoe, you're not in the best yak.

I've tried but I just can't like the Nucanoe's. There are several things I don't like about them. The lack of hull access, their appearance reminds me of a canoe, they don't have storage or handy pods for mounting FF easily, they just seem as bare bones as it gets. The flint is on the skinny side for stability and the wider model is so dang wide it'll paddle like a sofa. I've read several people who like them but they just aren't for me. I think there are better options on the market for me.

James Engle reply :

I’ve got a pair of old town predator PDL’s. Awesome awesome boats. My previous kayak was a native slayer 10, it was much slower, less stable, cheaper quality, and my customer service experience from the remaining dealers closest to me was poor. I went to old town and haven’t looked back. I will say the kaku voodoo has always caught my eye and I would love one of those one day. The nucanoe lineup is a similar style as the voodoo so you might like them as well.

VolFan reply :

On 2/9/2020 at 8:18 AM, SuperDuty said:

I've tried but I just can't like the Nucanoe's. There are several things I don't like about them. The lack of hull access, their appearance reminds me of a canoe, they don't have storage or handy pods for mounting FF easily, they just seem as bare bones as it gets. The flint is on the skinny side for stability and the wider model is so dang wide it'll paddle like a sofa. I've read several people who like them but they just aren't for me. I think there are better options on the market for me.

If you havent paddled one properly set up, I cant help you. The Frontier 12 paddles great for sit on top with it's stability, and fishes like a plastic bassboat. Never had a problem mounting ram mounts on the rails for fish finders - but I dont be cause I like a clean deck for my dry fly fishing ????. Not sure what you want for hull access - the front hatch is huge.

SuperDuty reply :

On 2/9/2020 at 11:09 AM, VolFan said:

If you havent paddled one properly set up, I cant help you. The Frontier 12 paddles great for sit on top with it's stability, and fishes like a plastic bassboat. Never had a problem mounting ram mounts on the rails for fish finders - but I dont be cause I like a clean deck for my dry fly fishing ????. Not sure what you want for hull access - the front hatch is huge.

I'm sure they're a fine yak, I just don't care for them. You certainly don't see many out there.

michaelb reply :

On 1/17/2020 at 10:49 PM, SuperDuty said:

The shearwater definitely has my attention, too. I’m really kind of stuck between it and the kaku. Leaning more towards the kaku BUT I’m also worried about storage space, transducer mounts and some other things on the kakus. But one thing i love about the kakus is the wide open floor.
i think Vibe has really laid out the SW 125 very very well. I think it’ll be a top boat for 2020. Can’t wait to see your review once you get it.

What about the kaku has you worried about storage space? The front hatch provides access to the entire front of the boat (including under the deck, but I have not really tried to peer under there to see if it passes through all the way). The hatch behind the seat is small in diameter but also opens up to a large storage area. The well in the back is large as well for top side storage.

I love the rails, but I do wonder if they are too short and/or I would more of them, say in the area next to the seat and/or behind the seat. I love the yakgear paddle holder, but the paddle mounted takes up one entire front rail. You mentioned a transducer mount (inside the hull is probably the best overall option for the kaku), I am thinking about getting a cheap fish finder and mounting it on the rail behind me to keep it out of the way; so I would have to turn around while paddling, but could look back when drifting and fishing.

The kaku has insert mounts around as well, including the ones on the back for a trolling motor mount. But there are also two inserts inside the foot area, so vertical on the front of the standing area. I drilled a cup holder and bolted it on one (I really like have a fixed cup holder, something the kaku does not have built in). I have a tie down on the other bolt hole right now, but I do wonder about using that to bolt the fish finder in the front and not putting it up on the rail.

SuperDuty reply :

On 2/10/2020 at 11:18 AM, michaelb said:

What about the kaku has you worried about storage space? The front hatch provides access to the entire front of the boat (including under the deck, but I have not really tried to peer under there to see if it passes through all the way). The hatch behind the seat is small in diameter but also opens up to a large storage area. The well in the back is large as well for top side storage.

I love the rails, but I do wonder if they are too short and/or I would more of them, say in the area next to the seat and/or behind the seat. I love the yakgear paddle holder, but the paddle mounted takes up one entire front rail. You mentioned a transducer mount (inside the hull is probably the best overall option for the kaku), I am thinking about getting a cheap fish finder and mounting it on the rail behind me to keep it out of the way; so I would have to turn around while paddling, but could look back when drifting and fishing.

The kaku has insert mounts around as well, including the ones on the back for a trolling motor mount. But there are also two inserts inside the foot area, so vertical on the front of the standing area. I drilled a cup holder and bolted it on one (I really like have a fixed cup holder, something the kaku does not have built in). I have a tie down on the other bolt hole right now, but I do wonder about using that to bolt the fish finder in the front and not putting it up on the rail.

Not bulk storage but other storage that many other kayaks do offer. Things like tackle box storage near the seat, pods for mounting FF batteries or for junk gear, built in cup holders, etc. I see the wahoo as just a bare minimum offering with no extras that you get on some of the other yaks. Also the yaks that have the removable pods make it super simple to add FF to and keep everything easily accessible and hidden. No so when dealing with scupper holes.

I think wahoo makes a great product which is well built. I think it would really shine in a river setting.

I'm starting to think I need two yaks. One designed mainly for river fishing and one for lake fishing. I think the wahoo would be a contender for rivers since it wouldn't be running a FF or a TM, and the ss127 for lakes. Those two would be on my short list.

Choporoz reply :

J Francho reply :

I dig that color.

Choporoz reply :

Thx -- tho I'm not too color conscious -- I went with the camo dealio for the MD180 as much as for the color

kykayak reply :

I have the Bonafide SS127. Which is basically my first fishing Kayak. I've had it for about a year and a half and Its been everywhere with me. A couple trips to Florida fishing the swamp and salt flats. Locally, larger larger lakes in Kentucky down to small streams.

The pros: Stability, large deck, storage.Fishes great on creeks with faster moving water.

The cons: I can only think of one, but it's a big one. The kayak always wants to face the wind. Any wind above 5 mph will drive you nuts. If you are fishing down a bank with the wind to your back will turn you to the wind within seconds of putting the paddle down. I bought a power pole micro to help with this issue. I believe its almost needed for this kayak if you face windy conditions.

J Francho reply :

On 2/22/2020 at 10:49 PM, kykayak said:

The kayak always wants to face the wind.

That is actually a design feature of that boat. I would prefer to face the wind in most situations, as casting into the wind, running your bait back is a big time. I could see it being really annoying if you weren't expecting it, though. It could be worse, I have a Jackson Coosa that spins when confronted by any breeze. My Wildy Commander goes stern to the wind. The Hobie Compass is so low profile, it kind of chugs along where ever you put it.

High winds are always a problem with kayaks.

Bassjam2000 reply :

On 2/24/2020 at 9:47 PM, J Francho said:

High winds are always a problem with kayaks.

Very true of course, but I’ve read a number of reports of this particular kayak not tracking well and causing that problem worse than most yaks

J Francho reply :

I've been in a lot of boats. It's not noticeably better or worse than most. I've been in MUCH worse. I've been in much better, as well. To me, it performs like a fishing kayak. As always, hull design and cockpit layout with respect to all aspects are a trade off. For example, my Commander is fast, tracks straight, is decent in wind, has a huge capacity, can easily be powered, has one of the better dual seating options without being a fussy tangle prone design, and just plain looks good on the water. That said, it has no sealed storage or built in anything, other than the seat. Everything has to be rail mounted and put in it's own storage container.

Hook2Jaw reply :

On 2/9/2020 at 9:34 AM, James Engle said:

I’ve got a pair of old town predator PDL’s. Awesome awesome boats. My previous kayak was a native slayer 10, it was much slower, less stable, cheaper quality, and my customer service experience from the remaining dealers closest to me was poor. I went to old town and haven’t looked back. I will say the kaku voodoo has always caught my eye and I would love one of those one day. The nucanoe lineup is a similar style as the voodoo so you might like them as well.

#predatoryinstincts represent!

Harold Scoggins reply :

On 2/24/2020 at 9:47 PM, J Francho said:

That is actually a design feature of that boat.

Yep. Forward to 1:30

michaelb reply :

On 2/24/2020 at 9:47 PM, J Francho said:

That is actually a design feature of that boat. I would prefer to face the wind in most situations, as casting into the wind, running your bait back is a big time. I could see it being really annoying if you weren't expecting it, though. It could be worse, I have a Jackson Coosa that spins when confronted by any breeze. My Wildy Commander goes stern to the wind. The Hobie Compass is so low profile, it kind of chugs along where ever you put it.

High winds are always a problem with kayaks.

I don't see how weathercocking in the wind would be a design feature; it may be a result of other design choices they made. The physics get complicated, but if the bow is turning into the wind, that suggests the bow is heavy. I assume you are not standing? You would think they would design the boat to be neutral in terms of trim. Boats that are "designed" for this feature have adjustable sliding seats, so you can adjust the trim based on the conditions. So you slide forward and trim forward if you paddling into the wind and slide backwards and trim to be the back if you are running/surfing with the wind. What if you try carrying a gallon of water and putting that in the farthest back spot on the back? Moving gear around to adjust trim is a core part of canoe tripping based on the conditions.

Also, you describe this happening right as you stop paddling. That can be a different effect, based on how the boat tracks and how you are paddling. the boat will spin away from your last paddle stroke. this isn't usually a major issue on most kayaks but is a major issue on canoes, particularly solo canoes. You may want to learn to feather your last paddle strokes, or just come in with half strokes and then quarter strokes and then barely any stroke at all and see if you can get the boat to glide forward in a straight line (many reviews though of the bonafides suggest they can't really do this and they don't track straight like this).

The simple answer though to holding your position in the wind is to anchor or power pole (on the rear, as you are presumably).

Smalls reply :

On 2/25/2020 at 7:52 AM, michaelb said:

I don't see how weathercocking in the wind would be a design feature; i

Because of the way bass feed, most fisherman cast into the wind. So having a kayak that weathercocks into the wind is usually how they design them.

J Francho reply :

@michaelb have you paddled a Bonafide?

GTN reply :

On 2/25/2020 at 9:58 PM, J Francho said:

@michaelb have you paddled a Bonafide?

Do you have a Bonafide? I was really wanting one but wanted to test drive one first but couldn’t find anyone in Roch area. So I bought a Jackson Big Rig

J Francho reply :

I do not, but I've spent some good seat time with some fishing in one.

NYWayfarer reply :

I have a DSG exclusive Pelican Tracker kayak. This will be my fourth year with it.

My favorite things about it:

Lightweight. At 38 pounds I can lift it with ease and place it on my car roof or hanging brackets in my garage.

Fast.

Tracks well.

I can use it in late fall with a cover.

Things I don't like about it:

Limited storage

Only 2 rod holders

Sit in kayak, can't stand in it.

Seat can be uncomfortable after 4 hours or more of fishing.

While I can upgrade, I find this kayak is fine for what I need. I got it for under $150 and it was money well spent.

kykayak reply :

On 2/24/2020 at 9:47 PM, J Francho said:

That is actually a design feature of that boat. I would prefer to face the wind in most situations, as casting into the wind, running your bait back is a big time. I could see it being really annoying if you weren't expecting it, though. It could be worse, I have a Jackson Coosa that spins when confronted by any breeze. My Wildy Commander goes stern to the wind. The Hobie Compass is so low profile, it kind of chugs along where ever you put it.

High winds are always a problem with kayaks.

I didn't realize it was a design feature of the boat. I have a love/hate relationship with my bonafide. When the conditions are right for the boat its effortless and a pleasure to fish out of. But, when the conditions are not ideal I'm in for an all day fight.

kykayak reply :

On 2/25/2020 at 7:52 AM, michaelb said:

Also, you describe this happening right as you stop paddling. That can be a different effect, based on how the boat tracks and how you are paddling. the boat will spin away from your last paddle stroke. this isn't usually a major issue on most kayaks but is a major issue on canoes, particularly solo canoes. You may want to learn to feather your last paddle strokes, or just come in with half strokes and then quarter strokes and then barely any stroke at all and see if you can get the boat to glide forward in a straight line (many reviews though of the bonafides suggest they can't really do this and they don't track straight like this).

The simple answer though to holding your position in the wind is to anchor or power pole (on the rear, as you are presumably).

Depending on the conditions, if i'm fishing with the wind It's almost necessary to make a complete stop in order to not make a compete turn within seconds. The power pole helps a lot if you are in shallow water.

Leftymuk reply :

I have traded in my Hobie pro angler for a Blue Sky Boatworks 360 Angler........after talking with Jackson Kayak about their up coming 360 Bass model I have got mine completed.....lost the plastic decking in favor of 1/8 aluminum with custom SeaDek matting ....lost the pedal drive for a front mounted Motorguide xi5....added a Lowrance Elite 9 ti and led lighting all by YakPower with FPV lithium batteries and the new YakGear stakeout pole setup along with a bunch of other mods......

HookInMouth reply :

On 2/26/2020 at 8:12 PM, Leftymuk said:

I have traded in my Hobie pro angler for a Blue Sky Boatworks 360 Angler........after talking with Jackson Kayak about their up coming 360 Bass model I have got mine completed.....lost the plastic decking in favor of 1/8 aluminum with custom SeaDek matting ....lost the pedal drive for a front mounted Motorguide xi5....added a Lowrance Elite 9 ti and led lighting all by YakPower with FPV lithium batteries and the new YakGear stakeout pole setup along with a bunch of other mods......

Wow. Nice setup. I see YakGadget Quickstop Anchors on the back. How do you like those?

Brad Reid reply :

Well, I knew it was going to happen sooner or later, that I'd add a pure paddler to my little pedaler, my Native Propel 10. And, what sort of "flipped the switch" for me was the dramatic price drop I have been noting in posts. It all sort of started when some pedalers with good names appeared on the market with low price points. Old Town was one, then Hobie came out with a pedaler in the $1500 range, others. So, it was just a matter of time before fishing paddling kayaks dropped. The other day I was looking on a well known kayak retailer website, saw that the 2020 Native Ultimate 12 FX Pro was listed at $899. I called one of their nearby shops and the man told me they'd be shipped in a week, that he would apply some demo days discount dropping the price to $850 +/- TTL.

I bought one. No, don't necessarily follow my make and model decision, just expect, rather demand, that if you do buy a paddler that it not be priced like pedalers. Some makes and models have a way to go in this respect and need to bite the bullet and adjust their retail prices. Well, I say they should if they notice their sales are declining. If not, no, I guess.

So the FX Pro is 12'2", 30.5" beam, weighs 60 w/o, 65 with seat, has a hi-lo seat adjustment and the seat can be trimmed a bit forward/back, adequate gear track, an anchor trolley, pre-configuration for an optional rudder. What I don't know is whether it'll come with a bow hatch cover. One photo shows it, another doesn't . . . and the specs on Native's website don't mention it. Oh! The Native rudder? Over $300. So, I'll begin without it and see if I think I need it. Some recent year models have had under-seat storage for two Plano boxes. Hard to say whether the 2020 does or doesn't.

Brad

Dens228 reply :

While patiently awaiting my now delayed Shearwater I'm contemplating the Bonafide SS127. The Shearwater delay is already going past my first two tournaments.

HookInMouth reply :

On 2/27/2020 at 8:41 PM, Dens228 said:

While patiently awaiting my now delayed Shearwater I'm contemplating the Bonafide SS127. The Shearwater delay is already going past my first two tournaments.

I'm going to a local shop tonight to look at a couple 2019 Model year SS127. They have two, a Hondo Orange and a True Grit Sand. Since the colors have been discontinued for 2020 they are 25% off. Honestly, I'll probably by both at that price. I'm keeping my Kaku Voodoo though haha.

J Francho reply :

@Brad Reid that's a really nice hull you got! I think you'll be fine without the rudder. The double tunnel style hull tracks well, and is similar to my Commander. You'll just have to dust off your paddling skills. Congrats!

Brad Reid reply :

On 2/27/2020 at 9:51 PM, J Francho said:

@Brad Reid that's a really nice hull you got! I think you'll be fine without the rudder. The double tunnel style hull tracks well, and is similar to my Commander. You'll just have to dust off your paddling skills. Congrats!

J Francho, for sure. And, since this is meant to be a "throw it back in the bed of my truck and tie it down" and get on the water in minimalist form, I think the rudder might be overkill. Most reviews on this kayak that I have read said it tracks well without the added rudder owing to what you mentioned: the double tunnel hull form.

I am like a lot of kayakers where I love paddling and pedaling depending on the situation/location.

I'll report back once I get this kayak, get it "wet" and see how she performs.

Brad

michaelb reply :

Does the Fx pro have scuppers? If not, doesn’t that make it a hybrid canoe? I would love to own/paddle one but there are other solo double paddle boats out there like the placid boatworks rapidfire that i would get first (if $ no object).

J Francho reply :

The Rapidfire is a pack canoe. The hull on the Native Ultimate or Wildy Commander are very different (it's a kayak) than any pack canoe I've been in. Two different classes of craft, each with their own pros and cons.

kayaking_kev reply :

I have a cheap Old Town Vapor 10 sit in kayak that I got before I started fishing 3 years ago and it's what got me addicted to fishing while seeing all the fish swimming in the rivers I was paddling.

I only paid $300 for it new and have put it through major abuse by using it in shallow rivers where it often scrapes against rocks on the bottom, but it's held up nicely on hundreds of trips and I haven't flipped it yet. It's pretty light and easy for me to put on top on the car or in back of my truck. I modified it with some rod holders, paddle keeper, and few other small things.

I was wanting to buy a Native Slayer a few months ago, but I had a brain surgery that left me handicapped in my left foot and was unsure if I could even operate a peddle kayak, so I spent the money on a bunch of rods and reels instead. I hope to be able to find someone with a peddle kayak this year that will let me give it a try to see if I can do it or not, but regardless I would probably still take the Vapor 10 with me on the shallow rivers, just because I wouldn't be able to use the peddle drive and it would take a lot of abuse. With my current kayak I'm able to go on the river when most won't because it gets to low and they don't want to damage their nice kayaks scraping on the bottom. I've dragged mine for miles and it's still going strong.

I have been thinking about getting a cheap Lifetime Tamarack though, just to have a sit on top for lake fishing, just to feel a little safer.

HookInMouth reply :

I beat the snot out of kayaks. My Voodoo's look like I fish on a cheese grater.

Nothing like a 25 yard "scoot" in shallow water to let the fish know you're coming.

NH Bass Nut reply :

On 1/21/2020 at 1:06 AM, HookInMouth said:

Kaku Voodoo. Bought two of them.

Pros:

Very stable.

IMHO the best seat in the business (10" off deck or 24" off deck, or a standing platform for sight fishing).

Open deck.

Tracks well.

Good thick plastic. Durable and well made.

Paddles well for it's size.

Personal touch from the owner Kevin Hawkins. Very involved and available.

Cons:

Doesn't come with much in the way of holders. Just track. So you add pretty much everything.

Lists at 77lbs. Feels heavier. Awkward to move at times.

The open flat deck can get a wave to it in the summer sun. Some add foam to keep this from happening.

Sitting that high up you become a sail in the wind. Can be a tough paddle against the wind.

Couldn't be happier.

Great info re: the Voodoo and Kaku in general. I am in the process of upgrading from my former FF Lure 11.5 and the Voodoo and new base model Zulu have my interest. Regretfully the nearest dealer is 500+ miles away so shopping research has been via the web. You mentioned the deck wave issue under cons and I have noticed that in older (pre-2019) posts/videos but heard the issue has been addressed. I was wondering how old are your Voodoos? Thanks for any additional input!

Patrick Reif reply :

I have 2 Jackson Coosas. I bought both used. The last one had been on the water 4 times and the guy sold it to me for $700.

There are enough pictures of kayaks without needing to post mine.

When in the process of designing it to fit your style of fishing, start off small.

I personally don't like the rods sticking up along the milk crate. I float under too many trees for that to be an option and I've snagged my crankbait on the rods when casting and backlashed so bad the rod was done for the rest of the float.

My personal favorite modification was to simply tie a rope to the forward carrying handle and attach a carabiner to the other end. Make the rope long enough to latch the carabiner to the cargo loop in the bed of your truck, and you have an easy to use transport rope that doubles as a tow line when you attach it to your PFD and wade holes along your river.

I honestly treat my kayak as a ride down to my favorite wading holes, then it's just a floating rod and tackle storage platform.

The two most important things you can buy with your kayak is a quality PFD and the best carbon fiber paddle you can afford

HookInMouth reply :

On 2/28/2020 at 4:12 AM, NH Bass Nut said:

Great info re: the Voodoo and Kaku in general. I am in the process of upgrading from my former FF Lure 11.5 and the Voodoo and new base model Zulu have my interest. Regretfully the nearest dealer is 500+ miles away so shopping research has been via the web. You mentioned the deck wave issue under cons and I have noticed that in older (pre-2019) posts/videos but heard the issue has been addressed. I was wondering how old your Voodoos are? Thanks for any additional input!

The key lime is an early model and the orange crush is a later model. The key lime was a demo at a (somewhat) local dealer who had stored it outside. I picked it up last year about this time and we literally had to sweep snow and ice off of it to get a look at it. That's the one I've noticed the wave most on. It's worse in the sun after a long day of fishing and then kind of returns to normal. I could get rid of the issue with some yoga blocks but it just hasn't bothered me enough to do so yet.

The orange one was purchased brand new from ACK last year at this time. I've not noticed as much wave to the deck on this one. It gets a slight wave in the hot sun but quickly returns to flat after it gets into the garage. I think the issue is mostly fixed on the Voodoo, but if you're concerned with that, I wouldn't say it's entirely cured.

I'm really not sure how that slight wave compares to other kayaks on the market? Do they all do it slightly? Just the ones with the flat open decks? Just the Kaku offerings? People with more experience might be able to answer that.

I can say that the plastic is solid. There's not a lot of deck-flex in these things, at least in my opinion. The plastic is sturdy. So I don't think it's an issue if poor materials or thin plastic.

Brad Reid reply :

On 2/28/2020 at 12:36 AM, michaelb said:

Does the Fx pro have scuppers? If not, doesn’t that make it a hybrid canoe? I would love to own/paddle one but there are other solo double paddle boats out there like the placid boatworks rapidfire that i would get first (if $ no object).

michaelb,

No, no scuppers and you are correct that it is really a, more or less, canoe with "fishing" kayak features. Native also has a Ultimate FX Propel 13 which is a bit longer, same general construction . . . but has the Native pedal drive. It is also not recommended as an offshore vessel since it can't shed water.

So, the Ultimate FX 12 Pro one has you seated or standing a few inches lower below the water line since there is no bilge area comprising two skins of plastic with space between the hull's bottom and the cockpit floor. This is an advantage for stability as your center of mass is a few inches lower. The disadvantage is any water sloshing in from the outside, waves or rain or prop wash from a boat, stays inside the vessel. I'll likely use it only in rivers, lakes and Galveston Bay staying pretty close to the perimeter in the last two circumstances.

I'll carry a sponge.

And, really, almost all fishing kayaks are "hybrids" and not very pure. Some are part stand up paddleboard, some part canoe, some part jonboat, now a few in catamaran orientations.

Back to the Native Ultimate FX Pro 12, it has:

a high and low seat adjustment, and removable, too;

lots of gear tracks;

rod stagers;

much lighter weight than most other 12 footer kayaks;

standard anchor trolley, underseat storage, front bow hatch cover, etc.

Lots of vessel for $854 brand new.

I'll use it as my minimalist choice and for specific circumstances.

Brad

Harold Scoggins reply :

On 2/25/2020 at 7:52 AM, michaelb said:

I don't see how weathercocking in the wind would be a design feature

You're correct, it is not. All kayaks experience weathercocking, some more than others depending on the shape of the hull. All kayaks have a bow and stern, the bow creates a high pressure zone as wind travels along the side. The stern creates a low pressure zone, therefore presenting less resistance and allowing the wind to push it around until the bow is turned into the wind.

"I only believe in Science."

Dens228 reply :

Well, the Shearwater I pre-ordered early December is cancelled, I ordered a Bonafide SS127 at 10:00 at this morning and got shipping notification at noon.

I know the shipping issues with Vibe is out of their control with the virus in China but I can't base my summer of fishing on the uncertainty.

I can't wait to see how the SS rigs up, I already have some ideas.

Jason.Domingo reply :

Me and the wife picked up new Slayer Propel 10’s. For her its the perfect size since shes only 5’ tall. I dont mind it either. Nimble boat although it just strikes me as a bare bones peddle kayak. Im a sucker for storage compartments sadly lol.

Boomstick reply :

On 1/18/2020 at 1:52 AM, Tizi said:

Here are a few pics of my new ride:

I just put a downpayment on a Topwater 120 non PDL today. This one is for my youngest son. Ironically, I mentioned to the guy at the shop how I met my savings goals, nothing broke too badly this year so I'm getting kayaks for myself and the kids. On my way home, my truck got stuck in "auto" and feels like the front may be stuck in 4x4 low while the back is normal. Probably a new transfer case

Anyway here's what I do plan to buy, assuming this doesn't set me back too badly.

Myself: Bonafide SS127

Accessories: Yak Attack Swingblade rudder, YakAttack BlackPak, YakAttack Leverloc Anchor Trolley, Anchor Wizard, 3 track mounted rod holders, and a Yak Attack Landing Net.

For my oldest son: Crescent SUP+

Accessories: Cooler, Milk Crate & Rod Holders, a short handle net since he's closer to the water, a couple paddle holders and rod holders

For my youngest son: Old Town Topwater 120

Accessories: YakAttack BlackPak, YakAttack Leverloc Anchor Trolley, Anchor Wizard, a Yak Attack Landing Net. Didn't need the track mounted rod holders because this kayak comes loaded with three already.

And then build a Harbor Freight trailer by adding PVC Pipes to the bottom, some truck rails and pool floaties to store a second kayak up top. Eventually I will get some kayak racks to hold the SUP up top as well but I can initially put that in the bed of my truck.

HookInMouth reply :

On 2/27/2020 at 9:44 PM, HookInMouth said:

I'm going to a local shop tonight to look at a couple 2019 Model year SS127. They have two, a Hondo Orange and a True Grit Sand. Since the colors have been discontinued for 2020 they are 25% off. Honestly, I'll probably by both at that price. I'm keeping my Kaku Voodoo though haha.

Only bought one of the SS127 on Saturday. I'm just so happy with the Voodoo that it didn't make sense to buy both. So we just grabbed one for the wife. She went with the True Grit Sand. The SS127 is pretty impressive. Can't wait to give it a try and compare it to the Voodoo.

Dens228 reply :

14 hours ago, HookInMouth said:

Only bought one of the SS127 on Saturday. I'm just so happy with the Voodoo that it didn't make sense to buy both. So we just grabbed one for the wife. She went with the True Grit Sand. The SS127 is pretty impressive. Can't wait to give it a try and compare it to the Voodoo.

My SS127 is being delivered to my house tomorrow morning.......excited to start rigging it up for the season.

HookInMouth reply :

13 hours ago, Dens228 said:

My SS127 is being delivered to my house tomorrow morning.......excited to start rigging it up for the season.

Congrats man.

They've really thought of everything with those things. Everything has a function and place. It's a stark contrast to the Voodoo where nothing has a place haha. Don't get me wrong, I love my Voodoo. Just a different line of thought with the whole "ready to fish out of the box" vs the "blank slate customize it to fit".

Warm weather can't get here quick enough.

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