Why are kayaks a thing? 2024

billmac reply :

Let me clarify. Obviously you can fish from anything that floats. But kayak fishing seems to be a "thing" now, in a way that canoe fishing doesn't seem to be. I have kayaks, canoes, rowboats, and now a bassboat. I think for me I would much rather fish from a canoe than a kayak, but that's fine if someone disagrees. I'm just wondering why there seems to be an emphasis on kayaks.

Allen Der reply :

Kayaks are generally shorter, more stable and easier to paddle for one person. I have a hybrid kayak which is essentially a one person canoe

Yakalong reply :

I have a boat and a kayak. Both have there places when to be used. However, there is something about catching fish from the yak. I love it.

billmac reply :

Has anyone told you that you look just like Al Lindner?

billmac reply :

I like my kayak but I like being higher up when I'm fishing. I've been known to stand in my canoe (don't try this at home kids).

Darren. reply :

Hmmm. I, too, have a hybrid. I came from a 15, or was it 16' Grumman

aluminum canoe. I MUCH prefer my Native Ultimate 12, exception being

I cannot take another person or two with me.

My hybrid is much more stable. I made pontoons for the canoe, which

definitely helped. But I just prefer the kayak.

Dens228 reply :

A kayak, especially a SOT made for fishing, is much more stable than a canoe. Plus the way they are made now are extremely able to rig up in various configurations.

I'd love to have a boat, and may get one in the near future but absolutely love fishing out of my kayak. Including the part where 5-10 minutes after pulling into the parking lot I'm on the water.

TOXIC reply :

Easy answer: A way to get out on the water in a craft that can be customized for fishing that doesn't cost you 30k or more. I'm 6 foot 300lbs and have fished from a Kayak........I have a 21 foot boat with a 250hp outboard. My preference is the 21 footer and all of the associated costs that go with it. There's a long list of pros and cons with a yak. To each his own, getting on the water is the important thing.

Shane Y reply :

I love my kayak. I have buddies with boats (nice ones) and really enjoy fishing with them....but I much prefer going out in my bonafide ss127 kayak. Especially when my wife is with me in hers. I like the way that it forces you to slow down and really take it all in. Plus I know of a few places that most boats cant get to that holds some big ones. The main thing for me though is just enjoying time on the water. When me and the wife get out enjoying life in our kayaks its like nothing else exists.

kenmitch reply :

I fish out of a fully rigged Slayer 10 propel and see no real advantage a fully rigged bass boat has over me other than they can get there faster. I guess the only other advantage the boat has is being able to fish in nastier weather if one chooses. Moving faster in the water doesn't mean you'll catch more fish in the end.

I very seldom stand in my kayak, but when I do it's godlike as all I can see is the water. I prefer to just sit and put around while enjoying my time on the water.

J Francho reply :

I had a canoe years ago, and it worked well, but compared to fishing out of a rigged up, fishing kayak, it's no contest. The wind doewsn't blow you around as much, better storage, can stand easily in certain models, easier to rig electronics, less fuss to transport. A canoe is still fun to take out for a "nature paddle," but not for fishing.

Brad Reid reply :

I have both: two kayaks and one canoe. But, while I fish out of different kayaks, there is only one canoe for me as regards fishing. While a lot of people talk about standing and fishing from kayaks, few do. Even then, for extreme ease, it is relegated to just a few bigger and wider kayaks like the Jackson Big Rig, the Hobie PA 14. But, neither of these are even close to as stable as my Meyers Sportspal S-15, not even close. As a matter of fact, two men can stand simultaneously in my canoe at the same time. I often paddle standing going out for over a mile, then back standing, too. I sit to rest or re-tie or eat lunch.

Here's the deal, I think. Kayaks for fishing have rapidly moved toward pedaling over paddling. And, now they are rapidly moving toward various battery power sources. And, most kayaks generally handle better in wind than most canoes. And, kayaks are just generally deemed sexier than canoes.

But, for camping with lots of gear, tandem fishing with partners/kids, lighter weight/portaging, standing ability, small outboard motors and/or trolling motors, the skinniest possible water coverage, no kayak in my book comes even remotely close to an S-13 or an S-14 Sportspal. Made of aircraft quality aluminum, they'll last a life time.

Here is the S-13. Brad

TnRiver46 reply :

Wind at 10 mph or above, kayak. Wind below 10, canoe. I can put way more stuff in wide open space in my canoe. And I can walk around and get to it, mine is an alumacraft and easy to stand it. I don’t like having to reach back behind me to get tackle in a kayak but I would still choose it on a windy day. I like Sit on top kayak for summer and cockpit kayak for winter . I maybe just maybe have too many boats??

NYWayfarer reply :

I have both a canoe and a kayak. I prefer the kayak. The kayak is much more stable, easier to maneuver, faster and everything I store in it is easy to reach.

JLBBass reply :

On 3/4/2019 at 11:19 PM, J Francho said:

I had a canoe years ago, and it worked well, but compared to fishing out of a rigged up, fishing kayak, it's no contest. The wind doewsn't blow you around as much, better storage, can stand easily in certain models, easier to rig electronics, less fuss to transport. A canoe is still fun to take out for a "nature paddle," but not for fishing.

^^^THAT^^^

Love my Yak!

J Francho reply :

On 3/4/2019 at 11:50 PM, Brad Reid said:

While a lot of people talk about standing and fishing from kayaks, few do.

Pretty much everyone that kayak fishes, stands. That's provided they have a boat made for standing.

Shane Y reply :

I'm 6'1 and over 200 pounds. I stand in my ss127 kayak very comfortably. Even on pretty rough waters

Choporoz reply :

What was the question? Why a kayak over a canoe?

I've fished from canoes only a half dozen times - and always rented boats....so, I haven't any experience with better equipped, more stable canoes. That said, my preference for kayaks is strong:

-Much more stable (to me)

-I generally fish alone -- handling a canoe on the water alone, for me, was difficult at best....terrible, if windy

-As challenging as car-topping a heavy kayak can be, I don't think I could handle even a 'light canoe' any better.

--- mostly the second point -- first couple times I rented a canoe to fish for bass, I ran into significant windy afternoons and had an extremely difficult time just transiting, never mind, fishing

kenmitch reply :

On 3/5/2019 at 12:02 AM, J Francho said:

Pretty much everyone that kayak fishes, stands. That's provided they have a boat made for standing

I can stand in mine, but choose not to. My kayak gets pulled around too easily by a fiesty bass and often have to back peddle to keep control. First reaction for me when a bass strikes is to back peddle....Unless I'm in open water in a rare occasion.

J Francho reply :

I've had pike do that in creeks. I'm more an open water bass angler, so not as much an issue.

There's always this move:

TOXIC reply :

I fish the Potomac. It can be 3 miles wide at some points. In a casual day of fishing I may travel 15-20-30 miles hitting spots/creeks, etc. Even on a calm day the river can be testy with current, boat traffic and wind. Most Kayak fishermen launch where they are going to fish and stay fairly close to that area all day. I could never cover the water I fish in a Kayak. I have nothing against a Yak, it just doesn't fit my style of fishing. I will admit there is a certain amount of pleasure from running down the river, kind of like riding a motorcycle, could you get there on a skateboard? Sure. Different strokes for different folks.

kenmitch reply :

On 3/5/2019 at 2:42 AM, TOXIC said:

Most Kayak fishermen launch where they are going to fish and stay fairly close to that area all day

I guess it depends on the waters being fished. Last week when I caught my 7 lb'r my brother asked me how far from the ramp it was. Google maps said a little over 1.5 miles as the crow flies. I usually do 5-6 miles per outing when I'm just fishing.

If I'm sonar logging the lake even more. I'm probably up to 800 acres or so of Lake Perris. Maps are outdated in areas of the lake I fish. Water level was down for a decade and the lakes terrain was altered to enhance fish habitat during the last year of dam reinforcement.

J Francho reply :

I cover about 5 or 6 miles, and fish as I go. Toxic is right, running fast in a boat is fun. Even in the boat, the farthest I ran was around 10 miles tops. Gas is too expensive, and mine guzzles it.

TnRiver46 reply :

On 3/5/2019 at 1:54 AM, Choporoz said:

What was the question? Why a kayak over a canoe?

I've fished from canoes only a half dozen times - and always rented boats....so, I haven't any experience with better equipped, more stable canoes. That said, my preference for kayaks is strong:

-Much more stable (to me)

-I generally fish alone -- handling a canoe on the water alone, for me, was difficult at best....terrible, if windy

-As challenging as car-topping a heavy kayak can be, I don't think I could handle even a 'light canoe' any better.

--- mostly the second point -- first couple times I rented a canoe to fish for bass, I ran into significant windy afternoons and had an extremely difficult time just transiting, never mind, fishing

Sounds like you won't need this tip anymore but when canoe fishing solo, don't sit in the back seat. The front seat is way closer to the middle and will balance it out waaaay better. I stand up in mine and push pole upstream through some unbelievably shallow shoals. All the weight is on the push pole and allows crazy shallow draft. As for the car topping, all fishermen should drive a pickup truck! Or any red blooded american man for that reason (as I type this from my work van hahaha). I can pick up my girlfriend's sit on top kayak and literally throw it into the bed of my truck. One ratchet strap or truckers hitch in a rope and off to the river !!!

Fishing Rhino reply :

On 3/4/2019 at 11:09 PM, kenmitch said:

I fish out of a fully rigged Slayer 10 propel and see no real advantage a fully rigged bass boat has over me other than they can get there faster. I guess the only other advantage the boat has is being able to fish in nastier weather if one chooses. Moving faster in the water doesn't mean you'll catch more fish in the end.

I very seldom stand in my kayak, but when I do it's godlike as all I can see is the water. I prefer to just sit and put around while enjoying my time on the water.

I second the motion. I have a square stern canoe with a trolling motor, and a Z-8 Nitro. I catch more fish out of the canoe, but that is because I have two great fishing holes within five minutes of my door that I would not, even if I couid get on them with the Nitro.

It's not just the speed with the bass boat, but I can bring more gear with me, and fish in more comfort with the Nitro. The canoe, with two of us in it, and more gear than we could possibly need is a bit cramped. After a few trips in the canoe, the Nitro feels like a luxury liner.

Brad Reid reply :

On 3/5/2019 at 12:02 AM, J Francho said:

Pretty much everyone that kayak fishes, stands. That's provided they have a boat made for standing.

J Francho, it might be sort of a regional thing and a lot depends on wind. Texas is just so windy! But, we had close to 100 kayaks on Lake Athens a few weeks ago and when you looked out over the water, almost everyone is seated. There are certainly exceptions and also it depends, as you know, on the presentation. Tough to flip seated.

I even stand at times in my little Propel 10 but more to move a little blood around than to fish. From my Bluesky 360? I stand the whole time but even seated, it is more or less like standing because the seat is so high.

I'd sort of characterize that particular canoe, the Meyers Sportspal, as the vessel with the most range of applications for the most types of water, depth, TMs and outboards.

I love them all! I need to narrow it down to one "ride" sooner or later.

Brad

Boomstick reply :

A kayak seems generally faster and more maneuverable and thus easier to row than a canoe. Plus you can get them decked out for fishing out of as well.

jbsoonerfan reply :

On 3/4/2019 at 11:09 PM, kenmitch said:

I fish out of a fully rigged Slayer 10 propel and see no real advantage a fully rigged bass boat has over me other than they can get there faster. I guess the only other advantage the boat has is being able to fish in nastier weather if one chooses. Moving faster in the water doesn't mean you'll catch more fish in the end.

I very seldom stand in my kayak, but when I do it's godlike as all I can see is the water. I prefer to just sit and put around while enjoying my time on the water.

You see no other advantage? That's like comparing a motorcycle to a truck.

MN Fisher reply :

When I was looking to get an inexpensive boating option I looked at three options

Kayak

Canoe

Jon Boat

I went with the canoe for several reasons

1) My knees aren't the greatest and sitting low in a kayak for a period of time then trying to stand would have been...interesting. That made the kayak a non-starter for me.

2) With a jon-boat, if the motor died (out of gas/dead battery/etc) rowing like an old rowboat is your backup and I've never been a fan of rowing.

3) With a canoe as a solo angler, I get plenty of storage, paddling if the TM fails is much easier than rowing, with the stabilizers I added this winter I can stand up/move around, and with the seat mod I don't have to sit halfway to the keel - I can sit normally like in a full-size bass boat.

A future mod may be a live-well with easy fill/empty capability (I've already laid out a base design on paper).

For me and my fishing, a canoe was the best call over anything else given my financial situation.

kenmitch reply :

On 3/5/2019 at 7:15 AM, jbsoonerfan said:

You see no other advantage? That's like comparing a motorcycle to a truck.

I can carry 8 rods, but I only have 7. I can carry more tackle then I'd ever need. I can go thru the timber instead of all the way around. I go thru the really shallow water instead of around it.

I've caught many a bass behind the bassboaters as they troll thru my spots.

To be fair tho I did think of one other advantage. It's easier to tick in a bottle on a bassboat.

DogBone_384 reply :

On 3/5/2019 at 7:55 AM, kenmitch said:

I can carry 8 rods, but I only have 7.

Good thing Tackle Warehouse has a big sale every Spring!

billmac reply :

Are there any kneeling kayaks?

flyfisher reply :

i have been a kayak fisherman for over 15 years and i originally did it as a way to get on the water around me which is mostly electric only or rivers. Since then i have had lots of kayaks and while I love kayak fishing, i love fishing more. If i lived in an area where i would do well with a regular motor powered boat, that is what I would get. I grew up fishing out of a canoe and I will take a modern kayak over a canoe every day in any conditions. Just having scuppers is a great reason to use a sit on top kayak, especially in rivers or rough water. I am able to stand and fish if i so choose but i rarely do given my current kayak has a raised seat. On the rivers though, i am standing the majority of the time as it allows me to see better and fish areas more thoroughly. A few corrective strokes with the paddle keeps me moving in the right direction.

Junk Fisherman reply :

On 3/5/2019 at 7:15 AM, jbsoonerfan said:

You see no other advantage? That's like comparing a motorcycle to a truck.

I agree. These guys are fooling themselves if they feel there is little advantage to fishing out of a bassboat compared to a kayak.

Kev-mo reply :

Kayaks are a 'thing' because a whole industry has been built around it. It's just that simple.

jbsoonerfan reply :

On 3/7/2019 at 5:36 AM, Junk Fisherman said:

I agree. These guys are fooling themselves if they feel there is little advantage to fishing out of a bassboat compared to a kayak.

I pick my battles wisely, that's why I decided not to debate. LOL

kjfishman reply :

I have a bass boat and a kayak and was kayak fishing before it was a thing and before I could afford a bass boat. Gets you into places you can't go into a boat. There are a few productive small lakes I can go to and have the lake to myself. Kayak fishing forces you to be a minimalist because you can't take all the rods and tackle you carry in your bass boat. Making you a better fisherman in the long run. If I had to give up my the yak or the bass boat I would give up the bass boat.

Russ E reply :

A kayak is a lgood low cost way to get off of the bank.

I have a bass boat and a kayak.

I agree a kayak can get you into a few places a bass boat can't go . To me that is only helpful a small portion of the time. The bass boat may not be able to navigate as well n tight quarters, but I can cover a lot more water with it.

Last year I put in around 800 hours on the water. 790 of those hours were in the bass boat.

If I had to get rid of one, it would without a doubt be the kayak.

flyfisher reply :

I do think it is all relative to where you live. Within an hour or so drive of me i have probably 15-20 electric only lakes and maybe 3-4 that are not restricted. That made my choice for me.

I also don't buy into the whole i can get to places that boats can't. While it is true per se it isn't that much of an advantage around here.

Russ E reply :

On 3/7/2019 at 10:41 AM, flyfisher said:

I do think it is all relative to where you live. Within an hour or so drive of me i have probably 15-20 electric only lakes and maybe 3-4 that are not restricted. That made my choice for me.

I also don't buy into the whole i can get to places that boats can't. While it is true per se it isn't that much of an advantage around here.

I agree. There are very few electric only lake within 50 miles of me. there are 5 reservoirs and a couple dozen mid size lakes. In addition Kansas is a windy state. That is why my bass boat sees a lot more action.

flyfisher reply :

wind is the worst part of fishing out of a kayak for sure

Darren. reply :

On 3/7/2019 at 11:08 AM, flyfisher said:

wind is the worst part of fishing out of a kayak for sure

Wind is the "bane".... Ugh.

WRB reply :

S-13 looks interesting until the hull thickness of 1/32" (.032)!

The 1st kayaks out west were white water river and the 1st fishing kayaks were ocean models that soon became known as the plastic navy they are so popular. I can't recall seeing a canoe on the ocean.

I have fished out of everything but a kayak and would own one if I was 20 years younger.

Tom

Dens228 reply :

Even though I fish out of a kayak I agree, the advantages with an actual boat are large.

I fish tournaments that allow both, if fishing conditions are good I can hold my own, if the fish aren't biting well and you need to find them the boat guys kick my butt pretty much every time.

billmac reply :

Just watched a youtube video of Roland Martin fishing out of a kayak, but it looked more like a mini catamaran. It was definitely a sweet setup. I think it was from Blue Sky Boatworks. Unfortunately it costs a little more than I paid for an old bassboat. I think if I was going to go small, I'd go with something like a Sundolphin.

J Francho reply :

None of these fish would be possible, if not for my kayak. There is no way to access these waters with my bass boat.

TOXIC reply :

So the next big question is paddle or peddle and why?

J Francho reply :

Row or sell? Think you mean PEDAL!

Peddle pedal kayaks, but still sell them a paddle.

Depends on the boat for me. I have no issue paddling my Commander 140, but I enjoy pedaling my Compass. It's an advantage to be able to hold position while fishing, or even troll, keeping the rod in your hand instead of the rod holder.

I'm convinced Jacob would not have lost the two lakers he had on if he had a pedal drive.

Brad Reid reply :

On 3/7/2019 at 9:24 PM, billmac said:

Just watched a youtube video of Roland Martin fishing out of a kayak, but it looked more like a mini catamaran. It was definitely a sweet setup. I think it was from Blue Sky Boatworks. Unfortunately it costs a little more than I paid for an old bassboat. I think if I was going to go small, I'd go with something like a Sundolphin.

I own one of the Bluesky 360s and it is a wonderful expansion of kayaking to boating where the gap will be filled. No doubt about it. When I stand it feels about like walking around on the deck of a bass boat. Very cool, and an electric motor is due out soon where it plugs directly into the spot where the pedal drive goes.

The big advantage for me? It slides right up onto the bed of my Toyota Tacoma and I use a bed extender to keep it balanced. No trailer required. It has built in wheels to roll the thing into and out of the water. The "tongue weight" is so light, an 8 year old boy could manage it.

Brad

fishwizzard reply :

On 3/7/2019 at 10:18 PM, TOXIC said:

So the next big question is paddle or peddle and why?

Both have their place. I don’t think I would want a peddle yak that was too cumbersome to paddle if I needed to. I have a Slayer 10 and leave the peddle drive at home maybe 50% of the time. I fish a lot of small, shallow spots and being able to park myself in the middle of a pad field is how I do most of my fishing in these spots.

J Francho reply :

The Mirage Drive actually works well in pads. It sweeps the pads aside, rather getting them wrapped up in a prop. You can feel them, and there is some Resistance, but I rarely get stuck. Slop, that's another story. The Mirage Drive can also go shallower than prop drives, without pulling the drive, since the fins can rest snug to the hull. Here's mine in inches of water, drive deployed:

TOXIC reply :

On 3/7/2019 at 10:31 PM, J Francho said:

Row or sell? Think you mean PEDAL!

Peddle pedal kayaks, but still sell them a paddle.

Peddle, Pedal, Puddle, Poodle, it's all Greek to me.

Brad Reid reply :

There is nothing more "finesse" than grabbing a paddle kayak, a couple of rods and a tackle bag and heading out. I find the great advantage here is, for most of us, the less fuss it is to get on and off the water, the more we get out, the more we fish.

On my Propel 10, I always carry along my paddle. I pedal most of the time, use the paddle whenever I want to get into slop, fish in the pads. For this particular kayak, I fasten the two thwart bar locking tabs but leave the third unfastened so I can just grab my pedal drive and lift it out of the water.

The first two NTXKC kayak angler events, the first on my home lake? They were won by paddlers!

Brad

fishwizzard reply :

On 3/7/2019 at 11:52 PM, J Francho said:

The Mirage Drive actually works well in pads. It sweeps the pads aside, rather getting them wrapped up in a prop. You can feel them, and there is some Resistance, but I rarely get stuck. Slop, that's another story. The Mirage Drive can also go shallower than prop drives, without pulling the drive, since the fins can rest snug to the hull. Here's mine in inches of water, drive deployed:

Yea, Other than instant reverse, I think the flipper design is far better than any prop design will ever be.

I bought my kayak maybe four or five years ago now? Any case it was before the market really blew up and before Hobie had come out with their reverse system. I still place a ton of value on the ability to hands-free and instantaneous reverse however. I generally fish very close to cover with relatively light tackle and the ability to instantly reverse myself and whatever fish I’ve hooked into more open water comes in handy for me all the time.

Harold Scoggins reply :

On 3/4/2019 at 11:50 PM, Brad Reid said:

kayaks are just generally deemed sexier than canoes

So, that's why all those girls are waving at me from the bank, and here I thought it was because I was flexing my arms as I slowly paddled by them.

jaimeastin reply :

I've been kayak fishing for years, kinda before it was the big thing it is now. There is a reason it took off and somewhat of reason it is going through wrong way.

Kayak fishing changed the game for me. Gave me access to lots of water. The best part I could keep it at my condo, put it on my SUV, go just about anywhere and launch. My first kayak was and is 12 feet. Very stable, sit on top, and I rigged it up weighing about 70 pounds.

For many people, especially living in cities and such, don't have the space to store a boat to drage around. My kayak lived on .y vehicle and I fished around 4 times a week. I was going right after work. Not major prep needed. Even if I didn't have my kayak, I coipsosd it in less than 10 minutes.

jaimeastin reply :

Where I believe that the industry of kayak fishing is going wrong is that the kayaks are too big!

I currently have 4 kayaks right now. I have 10-12 feet, sit in and sit on top. I had a neighbor give me a huge 16' that I passed along. The beauty with kayak fishing is that you can get out there and anywhere quickly and safely. Another nice thing was DIY rigging.

The new kayaks are huge, heavy, slow, pre rigged, motorized, pedal driven, electric motorized, require two people, trailer, truck bed, etc. For me all the things that I loved about kayak fishing are being lost with these "fishing kayaks". At this point, you may as well use a canoe or row boat because storing and setup is so much more envolved. You may have to register it.

Believe me... I was the guy going fishing in a 12 foot or less with about 6 rods and other gear. Kayak fishing got me very strong. In my upper body. I could take a good headwind and punch right through. I never need to stand up or have a big seat.

At the end of the day, use what gets you out there. For me, I love kayak fishing over boat fishing. Fishing out if a boat seems lazy. I like fishing out of my float tube more than my boat. However, I have been fishing out of my boat more than all mainly due to being rear ended and me ultimately having back surgery. We got the boat just so I could fish pre surgery.

I fish anywhere and almost out of anything... Or just than bank. Just go fishing.

Hawkeye21 reply :

On 3/8/2019 at 9:16 AM, jaimeastin said:

Where I believe that the industry of kayak fishing is going wrong is that the kayaks are too big!

I currently have 4 kayaks right now. I have 10-12 feet, sit in and sit on top. I had a neighbor give me a huge 16' that I passed along. The beauty with kayak fishing is that you can get out there and anywhere quickly and safely. Another nice thing was DIY rigging.

The new kayaks are huge, heavy, slow, pre rigged, motorized, pedal driven, electric motorized, require two people, trailer, truck bed, etc. For me all the things that I loved about kayak fishing are being lost with these "fishing kayaks". At this point, you may as well use a canoe or row boat because storing and setup is so much more envolved. You may have to register it.

Believe me... I was the guy going fishing in a 12 foot or less with about 6 rods and other gear. Kayak fishing got me very strong. In my upper body. I could take a good headwind and punch right through. I never need to stand up or have a big seat.

At the end of the day, use what gets you out there. For me, I love kayak fishing over boat fishing. Fishing out if a boat seems lazy. I like fishing out of my float tube more than my boat. However, I have been fishing out of my boat more than all mainly due to being rear ended and me ultimately having back surgery. We got the boat just so I could fish pre surgery.

I fish anywhere and almost out of anything... Or just than bank. Just go fishing.

I don't see how kayak fishing is going wrong with this direction. They are giving people what they want. There are more options than there ever have before and that's good because now people can buy what fits their needs, not just buying what's available.

There's nothing stopping anyone from fishing from a small kayak. Some prefer light, small and fast. Some prefer more space and stability. Some want to put a motor on it. The best think about kayaks is that there is something for everyone.

Choporoz reply :

My biggest reason for choosing kayak over boat was/is storage. I live in a townhouse without a garage and the only boat storage options are miles from my house, over $100/month and nearly all uncovered and without electricity. So, several years ago, I saw kayak as my best option. I grew to love it. I like fishing from a boat, as well - and do it often. But, as much as ease of storage and overall cost of ownership, I've also come to appreciate the time saved on general maintenance. I'm not mechanically inclined and don't enjoy tinkering, routine or even preventative maintenance, very much. Wouldn't be so bad if I could do it in an attached garage, but doing everything off-site, or paying someone else to do it isn't appealing, either.

jaimeastin reply :

On 3/8/2019 at 11:32 PM, Hawkeye21 said:

I don't see how kayak fishing is going wrong with this direction. They are giving people what they want. There are more options than there ever have before and that's good because now people can buy what fits their needs, not just buying what's available.

There's nothing stopping anyone from fishing from a small kayak. Some prefer light, small and fast. Some prefer more space and stability. Some want to put a motor on it. The best think about kayaks is that there is something for everyone.

My kayak is like 70+ lbs. It is still fast, carries a lot of weight etc.

I look at the accend kayaks and they are super stable and slower. Many people complain about weight. I seem them as boats more than kayaks.

I get that many people want them. I listed pro's and cons. For me, this direction is just more involved that was simpler kayak fishing was/is.

I have seen it, performed it... I get my kayak out, rigged, and paddled off faster than a lot of the other ones, even pedal drive. Getting back out, I am also fast. Get home, I would then hoist it up on my paitio ceiling using a pully system. That was when I lived in a condo. Now I own a house and I just put it in the back.

Finally, looking over the years, a lot of the fun was rigging it up. Cutting and running things. Now all is done and people are afraid of their kayaks. This the same in all industries though. No real slight, just the costs of innovation.

I have GAS, GEAR ACQUISITION SYNDROME. I am always looking for something. When I see these kayaks, I like them, but I see more limitations for some of my personal application.

As you said, thankfully we all have a wide variety to select from. In the end it gets us all fishing. All because it is not my cup of tea does not mean it is not good for others or the industry. Their direction is just where I chose to stay or course or turn away, however you want to see it. We all get to some water to fish.

TnRiver46 reply :

On 3/7/2019 at 11:13 AM, WRB said:

S-13 looks interesting until the hull thickness of 1/32" (.032)!

The 1st kayaks out west were white water river and the 1st fishing kayaks were ocean models that soon became known as the plastic navy they are so popular. I can't recall seeing a canoe on the ocean.

I have fished out of everything but a kayak and would own one if I was 20 years younger.

Tom

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3pTVaM8rkW5pJLvm9

canoe serves me pretty well in the ocean. We just stay inshore or paddle up bays and mangroves

Paul Roberts reply :

Well, I've "fished" out of a lot of boats. I think the largest was a 65ft trawler in the Great Lakes. Right now, I'm steeped in small waters. For most of them I've grown pretty attached to my snug little float tube. And boat control doesn't much more precise there.

However, I finally picked up a yak, so that I can more efficiently handle, and cover, larger waters. Not much larger waters, though. But speed and sea-worthiness (wind/chop) helps a lot when tackling larger waters. I've stayed with a small yak -a 10fter- for ease of transport, as I have to hike in to some of my waters.

I must say, though, I really miss standing up when fishing. My 10fter I can stand up and paddle around in, but, I don't trust myself fishing, when I'm really focused on my lure and the goings on "out and down there". I'd really need a larger yak for that. I really like the looks of that Meyer's Sports Pal @Brad Reid posted. Looks slow, but, certainly faster than a float tube.

The real deals for standing and fishing, though, are a dock, and a bass boat (a floating dock that'll do mph).

Like @jaimeastin said, "I'll fish anywhere and almost out of anything". And I can tell you I've learned the "almost" hard way -more than once, unfortunately. Except maybe for that lawn chair mod that @J Francho posted once upon a time. That image is forever burned into my brain. I think I knew that guy. I think we've all known that guy. Let's hope none of us, are that guy. Highly doubt he's still around to tell that tale though.

Sam reply :

Wife and I decided to give her father's pick-up truck to son and we purchased a trailer.

This is what happened:

1. No City of Richmond property taxes

2. No Commonwealth of Virginia license plates.

3. No Commonwealth of Virginia safety inspections.

4. No insurance premiums on the pick-up.

5. No car washes.

6. No pick-up truck repairs.

7. No new pick-up truck battery.

8. Son took old pick-up apart and could not get it together again. Sold it for junk.

And we love our trailer. Hauls so much more than a pick-up and is easier to load and unload.

Same is true when you compare a bass boat with a kayak.

crankbait2009 reply :

For me, I started out with a jon boat that I converted to a decked/carpeted/lighting bass boat. Over the couple years that I owned it, I was always fishing alone. It was quite overkill for me. To go along with that, the maintenance, and the process of getting it in and out of the water was becoming less enjoyable. I don't mind fishing alone, but the boat was two large for just me and the type of fishing I was doing.

So I sold it for a fishing kayak. I haven't regretted that decision yet. Kayaks are smaller, no batteries to charge (unless you have electronics), next to ZERO maintenance. Everything I need in one tight package. Plus, I can get that kayak in to places a boat cannot go. It's great for a solo angler.

I have an Amish kayak (no electronics), so there are no trolling motor, or depth finder batteries to charge. My set up is very simple. A long way from the jon boat.

After all that, I didn't really answer "why a kayak" ????

Why are kayaks a thing? 2024

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