Yakers what kayak do you run? 2024
InFishingWeTrust reply :
What kayak do you run? What's the pros and cons of it? I have realized theres no such thing as the perfect kayak. Theres always pros and cons for every yak . what unique rigging methods do you use? I currently run a nucanoe pursuit. Got it over the winter so far been a good vessel. Water has been to cold to test its limits though. Had a freedom hawk 14 and loved it. Liked it so much I consider getting another just to have it.
Dtrombly reply :
Following... I'm new to this and looking at the Feel Free Lure 10 at the moment.
Choporoz reply :
2014 Wilderness Tarpon 100 (10' SOT) - since Jan 2015. Use it average of twice a week from Easter through Thanksgiving. Came with 4 tracks installed. Self installed sonar transducer is through-hull. Anchor trolley installed on port side.
Pros:
Weight/Car-topability. I have a cart, but rarely need it.
Cost (<$500 new with paddle, light/flag, rod holder)
Durability - I do not baby it...at all...and it is in great shape
Tracks well
Storage layout: Crate area behind seat is perfectly sized and located; two hatch accesses are where I want them (one up front where I put FF battery, and one between my legs)
Accessibility - I can put it in nearly any water; NOT having pedals, fins, prop, transducer arm can be a bonus in shallow rocky rivers, pad fields and extremely heavily weeded water
Cons:
No propulsion other than paddle (this will be the sole reason for getting a second kayak this year)
Cannot stand in it
Not nearly as fast as longer yaks
Seat blows (I use a boat cushion and it helps immensely)
Could use a little more 'accessible' storage - I like the layout of what I have, but could always use a bit more
InFishingWeTrust reply :
On 4/11/2018 at 9:29 PM, Dtrombly said:Following... I'm new to this and looking at the Feel Free Lure 10 at the moment.
My buddy has one and loves it. I would check for some used ones to. Can find nice set ups for a good price. Especially if you fish smaller rivers. I fish the Shenandoah mostly and can get a good amount of wear on it in a season.
boostr reply :
FeelFree Lure 11.5.
Pros: Comfy height adjustable seat, The most stable platform for standing and sight fishing, tracks ok for what it is, wheel in the keel, It can carry a large load.
Cons: It's a barge to paddle into the wind unless you get the peddle drive, not to large SUV roof topper friendly due to weight, but fine for smaller suvs and cars and pick up trucks
J Francho reply :
Commander 140
Pros:
Can Stand
65 lbs.
can take a little kid or dog easily
gear track the full length of the boat
two seating positions
I actually usually leave the seat at home, and use the perch
very fast hull
dry ride for a kayak
preset up for trolling motor conversion or rudder
Cons
it's 14' long, so it can be tough in tight spaces
not a true sit on top, so not self bailing
No "hatch" or dry storage
hull is wide, so you'll need at least a 130cm paddle
I use a 140cm
Other than that, the typical cons that come with any fishing kayak
Darren. reply :
Native Ultimate 12 (2008 model)
Pic below of older motorized setup. Better setup now,
but don't have current pic.
Pros:
- Massively customizable
- Stability, esp. secondary stability
- Ability to stand and fish
- Bare boat only 55-57#, easy to load
- Hybrid between kayak/canoe
- Easy to paddle
- Easy to outfit with trolling motor setup
Cons:
- No scupper holes (minor issue to me)
- Umm, can't think of much else
TimberTodd reply :
2017 12' Nucanoe Frontier
Pro
Very stable and comfortable
Can stand
Lots of room
several seat height options
Cons
By no means a speed demon.
At almost 80 pounds it is car toppable but a workout.
KayakFish107 reply :
I used to have a sun dolphin excursion 10ss. While it was a cheap kayak, it was great to get started with. However, I quickly learned that I’d want to try a sit on top. A friend of mine gave me an offer on it that I couldn’t refuse, so I sold it and then got a great deal on a Ascend 10T for the same price I sold my sun dolphin for. Was able to upgrade for nothing! Anyway, I haven’t got it on the water yet, but I can already tell some pros and cons.
pros:
-tons of space
-seat seems to be a huge upgrade
-gear tracks
-nice handles on the sides and bow and stern
cons:
-20lbs heavier than my previous one
-more difficult to car top
-seems like it’ll be slower but I wouldn’t know for sure!
Thought I should add: I’m 5’10” and 145, so pretty light!
Hawkeye21 reply :
Pelican Catch 120 bought 2016.
Pros:
Light weight at 69 lbs.
Easy to customize.
Comfortable seat.
Easy to stand in.
Stable.
Affordable. Bought mine new for $599.
Cons:
Doesn't have gear tracks but the new models do. I added my own.
I don't think it's as fast as other models.
I don't think it tracks as well as other models.
Doesn't have the ability to pedal.
MinnowzNuttin reply :
Im paddling a Wilderness Systems ATAK 140 that I purchased in Jan, 16.
Pros:
Extremely stable, I'm 5'11" 300lbs and can stand and fish easily.
Fast, the atak 140 is one of the fastest stable big kayaks I've paddled. On flat water I cruise at 3.5mph without paddling hard and with a little more effort can cruise at over 4mph.
Wind, it sits low in the water and has a very low profile hull that cuts through the wind and waves with ease. Most of the other big kayaks catch wind like crazy and are turds to paddle in the wind.
Seat, the hi/low adjustable seat is extremely comfortable. I've been in it from sunrise to sunset many times without it getting uncomfortable at all.
Capacity, with a 550lb capacity I can easily fit my big butt and all my gear in it without fear of overloading.
Shallow draft. This kayak sits high in the water. I can go so many places those peddlers cant go. If I have a few inchs of water over an log or shallow spot I can typically make it over it without problems.
Cons:
Weight, It weights 95lbs empty and mine is well over 100lbs rigged so its sometimes a pain in the back moving it around.
At 14' long its a bear in skinny water and tight areas but doable.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I have an Ocean Kayak Big Game Prowler II. I don't a lot of experience with other kayaks, so I'm going off solely what I've experienced with it.
Pros
Not overly heavy, I car top it without too much struggle and have carried it for pretty good distances on my shoulders where dragging wasn't an option.
Paddles and tracks fairly well. I'm sure my technique and form aren't the best and not sure if I have the best paddle for me because the guy I bought it from was much smaller than me and it seems a bit short.
Front storage is nice for keeping rain gear and food/drinks in.
Seat has several adjustable settings and is pretty comfortable.
Cons
I hate the rod pod in the center. It's worthless for most bass fishing rods and I'm not flexible enough to grab anything I put in there from the seat. It just eats up a ton of space that I can't use for much other than a drink and plier holder.
I can't stand in it and stability does not seem good for a big kayak. Honestly just a touch above a canoe in the stability department. I've flipped it once and it really did not take much to do it.
No rod holders built into the hull, although the newer models do have them.
Overall, it's been good for what I paid for it, but I wouldn't even consider it for half of what retail is.
Ersteman reply :
I have a $200 (sale price) Future Beach Voyager Angler Sit in 9.4 Kayak that I bought from Dunham's like 3 years ago. Still going strong. Got the paddle on sale at Dick's for like $50 and the life jacket from craigslist. Bought the car top carrier from amazon. Put an extra towel in the middle so it doesn't scrape the roof of the car and I tote it with a 4 door sedan. No trailer; minimal fuss. Kayak is 42 pounds so I can carry it myself and not have to worry about it being on top of my car. Yes, it's light and gets blown by the wind, but I don't fish in the wind or if it is windy, I hit the protected banks. Plenty of space for me at 6'2" 240, and room behind me for my backpack that I wear while fishing and room for a small fishing bag in front of me. 2 rod holders and a drink holder as well. One of the best purchases I've ever made.
Dens228 reply :
I have a Wilderness Radar 115 with a Lowrance Hook7 and Boonedox Landing Gear
Pros:
Electronics setup
Stablility
Tracks well
Cons:
Front hatch is useless
Center hatch is useless unless you DIY a container in there
No back hatch
I give the kayak a 9.5 out of 10 though......the hatch issues aren't that big of a deal
Shane Y reply :
I have a vibe sea ghost 130. I am 6'1 and 205 and I can stand and cast in it. It's not rock solid though and will turn over, but with that said I was standing in it the second day I had it. I have fished out of a jackson cuda hd and my vibe feels just as stable. The place I got mine from also carried feel free yaks. The owner said the feel free lure would be more stable than my sea ghost but at the same time a lot slower. I fish lakes a lot and I think the only kayak I would go to ( if I could afford it) from this vibe is a hobie pro angler. I'm not to experienced in a lot of other brands and I do home repair work so obviously I'm on a budget, so as far as bang for the buck I'm extremely happy with this kayak. I fish some rough waters in it and I feel good everytime out. I have also heard really good things about the bonafide ss 127 kayaks. For a pontoon type hull they are supposed to be really fast and very stable. The guy that had them said they are just as fast as my vibe if not faster. But again the price reflects everything. For me the vibe coming with everything I need to hit the water and fish at a decent price was the winner for me..
Tracker22 reply :
JK big rig, motorized. Need I say more...
TimberTodd reply :
On 4/12/2018 at 9:28 PM, Shane Y said:I have also heard really good things about the bonafide ss 127 kayaks. For a pontoon type hull they are supposed to be really fast and very stable. The guy that had them said they are just as fast as my vibe if not faster.
I like the looks of the Bonafide and would look into them if I was adding another vessel to the armada
.
sdsc357 reply :
Emotion Renegade XT
Pros:
Cheap
Light
You can stand and fish
Wide body, stable
Cons:
Does not track well
Waddles
Too many curved surface, hard to add anything
A joke of a seat
Perception Pescador 10
Pro:
Cheap
Tracks well
Light
Pretty comfortable seat
Cons:
No stand up fishing
Not much, I would have kept this if I didn't get the Pro version
Perception Pescador Pro 10
Pro:
Stand up fishing
Stable
Tracks well
Built-in rails
Nice seat
Cons:
Kinda heavy
Poor rod holder design (I cut it out and added my own)
clayton86 reply :
ATAK 140
pros
insanely stable
high weight capacity
fast for as big as it is 3.5-4mph with out even trying I’ve hit 5.5mph on a sprint several times and it wasn’t hard I’m just fat and out of shape to keep it going for much more than 30 seconds lol.
Built like a tank I’ve had mine for 3 season now used it for everything from shallow skinny rivers, big lakes, diver duck hunting on Lake Ontario in January “dodging” ice bergs
though it is said to be a flat water boat it handles the nasty stuff with ease. Twice I’ve been duck hunting and been caught in 5+ foot waves the last time this season it was 5+ with occasional 10 according to the weather bouys page and mixed duration. Little scary but the ATAK held up and got me back safe guys on the pier videos said that it was a major selling point to them wanting a kayak that it didn’t flip during my trek back to safety. Though I wouldn’t recommend doing that in any kayak but the wind and shifted and it got bad fast.
Seat is extremly comfortable I did a tournament last year that was 5pm Friday-10am Sunday all night and day I only left the kayak to go number 2 and pound some hamburgers Saturday night.
Sheds wind extremly well. Watch guysbin ataks when it’s windy they “stay put” so to speak I heard it just a day ago fishing with a buddy in the wind he was jealous I was “staying put” as he got blown all over in his pursuit.
It has a removeable skid plate
the flex pod is nice and conveinent for your electronics just two latches and you can take it with you or swap between other wildy boats woth the flex pid
I think it’s sexy looking
cons
its built like a tank it’s heavy
the Metal carry handles can get hot in the sun
the cup holder area on the 140 doesn’t have a drain and can fill up with water at times. Not cool when you put your phone in there occasionally.
Its fast so you leave your friends or gf behind when on paddle trips (could go in the pros section also)
WildmanWilson reply :
2018 OldTown Predator PDL.
This is my first kayak so I’m not much good at the pros and cons. I wanted a peddle kayak to stay on structure and didn’t have to fight with while fishing. I fish medium to large lakes and wind is always a concern and I’ve done well so far.
So...
Pro. Fast and stable. Can fish hands free and the instant reverse is a huge plus.
Con. Price. It runs around 2700. Pretty heavy at around 117 pounds.
Graham reply :
I just picked up a Pelican Catch 100. It’s a 10 foot sit on top fishing kayak. Really like the 10 foot size as I can easily handle it by myself. I believe it weighs about 60lbs. Since it is a bit shorter it does not track as well as some yaks I’ve used. It’s pretty perfect for the applications that I use it for though (primarily smaller lakes, ponds, and flats). It’s designed really well and is a little more squared off, giving it a bit more stability. Standing in it is definitely doable in still water but with any chop things get sketchy (and I have a good sense of balance). Overall a very nice kayak in the 600$ range, comes with rod slots and a decent amount of space for tackle...etc. the dry storage in the front of the boat is the main thing I don’t like about it. If you put smaller objects in it they will slide all the way back in the kayak as there is no piece that separates the storage from he rest of the hollow body. This can easily be fixed, but just something to note. Anyways, awesome kayak for the applications I described.
CenCal fisher reply :
I have been fishing out of a pescador 12.0 pro for a little over a year.
Pros:
Light 65 lbs
You can stand if the water is calm
lowrance ready
It's easy to maintain a steady 3mph on long journeys
great seat
Cons:
The molded rod holders are useless
The rear hatch is close to useless
If you use the tackle storage under the seat you need to plug the scupper holes otherwise your tackle box will be under water
I like humminbird
I don't feel it is currently the most competitive kayak in its price range
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
Just like everyone who own pescador pro.
i got pescador pro 100.
PRO:
cheap
very light weight
easy to maneuver
pretty comfort seat
The storage is good for short trip not a whole nine yard.
Con
not very stable for standing, even at highest seat I can flip this kayak with ease.
The two rod holder is a joke and useless without some modification.
the reel ess reply :
Pescador Original (Not Pro). The old Wilderness Tarpon Mold, so it's a bit behind the times in technological advancements.
Pros:
- Good entry level price. Gets you just about anywhere you want to go for about $500.
- Good Rod Holders
- Decent seat back support
- Tracks well
Cons:
- Not stable enough for standing. I tried a stadium seat in it for comfort and it was way too tippy and moved me too far forward. I use a stadium cushion now.
- Seat is low in the boat. If I wasn't using the cushion, my butt would be wet most of the time (no cold weather use without a cushion)
- Lower seat is just a pad on the kayak form so the old behind is numb after a couple hours. Sometimes I get out and stretch my legs for a few minutes and resume fishing.
I'm just about in the market for a new one. I might keep this one for fishing buddies and sell my daughter's. A stadium seat is a must. I'm considering if I want a pedal kayak. Some of the places I fish are mostly too shallow for the prop or fins. I know you can take it out, but that's a lot of money for something you can't use a lot.
YoTone reply :
Slayer propel 10.
Pros:
Propel drive. ease of pedaling vs paddling is very nice especially in windy conditions or in current. in shallow waters i can just pull up the propel drive and paddle.
Wide enough to be a very stable platform to stand on.
Tracks to mount extra stuff like paddle holder and extra rod holders, ect.
Light enough to car mount with ease. this was one of the main selling points. I can strap it on and be ready to go in 5 minutes.
Cons
Expensive. I kind of dont like telling people what i paid for it when they ask.
Can be tricky to steer and fish at the same time. it can get tricky to use a right hand retrieve while steering with my left. its doable but can be annoying. i wish i could mount the steering on the right so i can hold the rod with my left and steer. thinking of actually buying a left hand retrieve baitcaster to see if i could adjust to it.
NYWayfarer reply :
Pelican Tracker 100 Angler (DSG exclusive) sit-in kayak.
Pros:
CHEAP ($229 on sale)
LIGHT (38 lbs)
fast
stable
Cons:
Only 2 flush mount rod holders
Very little storage capacity (Front and rear storage hatches are basically bowls with a plastic cover. I put my anchor in the rear one, front is empty.)
2 piece hull (would prefer roto-molded)
Hull scratches easy and being made of multiple thin layers I feel it will wear out quickly.
Fishingmickey reply :
I run a Hobie PA14, still have a Diablo Amigo, looking at the Hobie Compass hard.
Pro's: Storage!!! I can take everything and the kitchen sink with me and do. It is very comfortable. Best seat in the business bar none. Pedal at 3 mph all day long. Very dry, super stable. Handles wind well. More fish-able water when it is breezy then a paddle yak.
Con's: Try to go fast for long periods it will flat wear you out. Turns like a 53' semi trailer. Rudder doesn't respond until you get some speed up. I use a paddle for pointing the boat in the right direction or when moving very slowly. If your stopped wind will push you around. You almost have to have a trailer or a long bed pick up to haul. Just about have to use a boat ramp for launching. unless you have a gradual firm bank. It is flat heavy.
FLSTYak reply :
Lure 13.5, super stable for all the flippin' we do here in FL.
IgotWood reply :
I have a Hobie Outback, and a NuCanoe Flint.
I love the Hobie. It's a solid boat. The 180 drive is nice, and of course pedaling is a nice way to fish while underway. It's fast. I can stand up on it just fine, even in some chop, but the deck is small and you cant really move while standing. The seat is SUPER comfortable, and adjustable. The front hatch is big, and offers plenty of storage, and it stays pretty dry in there too. I fish flats a lot, which is why I bought the NuCanoe. I always get stuck in the mud with the Hobie.
The NuCanoe Flint is great!!! $999...It's light (63lbs), the seat is very comfortable. The deck is flat and wide open, and absolutely no water pools on the deck. It handles chop very well, paddles as good as any other quality kayak, and it tracks like a laser beam. The stability is fantastic. First time out I stood right up on it. The deck is spacious which allows you to move around while standing to adjust your position. Plenty of storage on the deck, but none inside. I bought the Flint specifically for fishing the flats and a couple of tight bass spots.
Since I've bought Flint, I haven't used my Hobie once.
Dranrab reply :
I have a Hobie Revolution 13. The hands free fishing that pedal kayaks allow just can't be beat. Mine is an older model with the old style seat and no reverse. My butt gets sore after a few hours, and that's my biggest complaint. Not having reverse is easy to manage. The kayak is stable enough for standing, but the floor shape makes it awkward. This boat is fast! I have had it over 7MPH according to my GPS. It's hard to maintain that speed, but it'll cruise 3.5 effortlessly all day. I have a bum right shoulder, so I can accomplish with the pedal yak what I could never do with a paddle yak.
haggard reply :
Sundolphin Journey 10 SS ("Last Resort")
Pros
- sit on top
- small (10 ft) and light weight (44 lb) so it's ridiculously easy to get on the water
- cheap ($185)
- light & cheap enough to throw in the truck and have it ready at all times
Cons
- doesn't track well from what I hear (haven't tried it out yet)
- seating looks not comfy
- no access to the inside of the hull (for mounting stuff)
2018 Hobie PA12 ("(no name yet...)")
Pros
- sit on top
- pedal drive
- fin drive system allows more natural sitting position (sit higher with legs lower than propeller drive systems)
- quality materials
- stability
- attention to detail (ex: molded-in threaded brass fittings for anchor trolley; pull cord to hold fins up against hull if you're in shallows and need to paddle)
- through-hull plugs for fish finder cables
- extras included (ex: recessed transducer area at bottom of hull, with cover plate)
- integrated rudder
- integrated skeg
- paddle included
- dry seal for front hatch
- comfortable and highly adjustable seat (height, lumbar) with great back support upper & lower
- light weight, easily removable drive system (I think it's around 8 lb)
- rail system for mounting things
- spacious mid & rear decks
- 12-sided rails offer resistance to slippage (compared to round/tubes), yet offer 12 mounting angles
- short enough for good turning radius and maneuvering, yet long enough for reasonable speed and stability (I hope... haven't actually be on the water with it yet)
Cons
- expen$ive
- proprietary rail/mounting system
- heavy. It's a bit of a beast. 105 lb empty; 128 lb fully rigged.
- Papaya Orange is going to hurt my eyes in bright sunlight
- need to pull a cable to go between forward and reverse; propeller systems are more instant
Miller High Life 12' promotional yak ("Banana Boat")
Pros
- cheap ($30 used at yard sale)
- bright banana yellow
- Miller High Life promotional decals
Cons
- cheap ($30 used at yard sale)
- bright banana yellow
- Miller High Life promotional decals
kjfishman reply :
Old Town Loon 126. Didn't by the angler version rigged it myself. Loons are made from Polylink 3 and will last forever. Super comfortable adjustable seat. Weight capacity 450 lbs so even a big person can safety use.The 126 tracks really well and is fast. They aren't inexpensive but will last a lifetime.
charliepff reply :
My wife and I both run Jackson Coosa HD's. We bought them for a few reasons. We can stand and fish off them easy. They had large compartments to store everything in including fishing rods.The one big item that sold me was the fact the center console was removable. Our lab goes with us on every trip for the most part. With the center console removed he can sit in front of me all day long and watch the ducks. Also, on a plus side. Now that we are use to them we can do pretty well in the white water around us also.
fishwizzard reply :
On 4/13/2018 at 10:34 PM, YoTone said:Slayer propel 10.
Pros:
Propel drive. ease of pedaling vs paddling is very nice especially in windy conditions or in current. in shallow waters i can just pull up the propel drive and paddle.
Wide enough to be a very stable platform to stand on.
Tracks to mount extra stuff like paddle holder and extra rod holders, ect.
Light enough to car mount with ease. this was one of the main selling points. I can strap it on and be ready to go in 5 minutes.
Cons
Expensive. I kind of dont like telling people what i paid for it when they ask.
Can be tricky to steer and fish at the same time. it can get tricky to use a right hand retrieve while steering with my left. its doable but can be annoying. i wish i could mount the steering on the right so i can hold the rod with my left and steer. thinking of actually buying a left hand retrieve baitcaster to see if i could adjust to it.
I also have a Slayer 10 and agree with all of this, esp the part about the Left hand rudder. I use RH retrieve reels as well and have to keep a little tethered hand paddle on my right side if I need to maneuver while fighting a fish. My only other beef with it is how much it spins in wind/current, but it's a 10' long by 35" wide boat, so it is to be expected.
I bought it like 2 years ago and I don't know if I would buy it again today, the market has blown up so much that there are a ton more options now. I didn't use it as much as I wanted to this past season, but I am going to use it hard this year and see how I feel about it in the winter.
Subaqua Adinterim reply :
For the last 4 years I have been fishing out of a 12' Hornbeck, which is a canoe/kayak hybrid. Prior to that, I had a 10' WS Tarpon, which I sold after using for several years.
Pros:
Very light - made out of Kevlar - 18 pounds - which is beneficial for carrying, transporting and storing
Wide open layout - I like this so I can put stuff in the open space in front of me
Stable for sitting - 29" wide so as long as I keep my butt on the seat it's good
Comfortable - I use a thin closed cell foam seat with a high back on top of the foam seat, so fairly comfortable; could be better
Fast and maneuverable
Cons:
Fragile - should never be dragged across rocks or gravel; Kevlar is tough but scratches on rough surfaces
Stability - can't stand up
Comfort - I would like to be more comfortable and sit higher
Cost - was $1400 a few years ago, I think about $1700 now
Has rope at front and back for carrying - doesn't happen often, but this rope is a magnet for a hook
I duct tape the exposed rope inside the boat to avoid this since I don't use the rope for carrying
Looking to get a Nucanoe Frontier or Flint to supplement my Hornbeck. There is no perfect kayak; however, they are coming out with more and better options every year.
nighthawk25 reply :
I have a Native Titan 10.5 that I got a couple months ago.
Pros-
Stable
Has lots of gear tracks
Super comfortable seat
Propel drive is a big plus
Plenty of space in the back
Storage under the seat and on the sides
Cons-
Kinda expensive (not like a Hobie though)
Heavy (I use the landing gear, couldn't do without it)
The vertical rod storage is only usuable with the landing gear if you get a clip of some kind that mounts on the landing gear
Overall its a solid boat and seems well made.
BassnChris reply :
I have never fished from a kayak and have only been on one once before. We just picked up 3 Vibe Sea Ghosts for my wife, son and I.
Have not been able to get them out on the water yet......hopefully I will this weekend and I will get back to this thread with the pros and cons.
InFishingWeTrust reply :
On 4/17/2018 at 12:54 AM, BassnChris said:I have never fished from a kayak and have only been on one once before. We just picked up 3 Vibe Sea Ghosts for my wife, son and I.
Have not been able to get them out on the water yet......hopefully I will this weekend and I will get back to this thread with the pros and cons.
Cant beat them for their price point. Buddy has one he likes it a lot.
Hawghead reply :
I have a Perception Sport Striker.
Pro's
Two seating positions, both are molded, very little back support(con)
High weight capacity
Good stability, not good enough for me at 6'5" to stand and fish.
Cons
Fairly heavy
Basically a barge
Poor Tracking
Hatches aren't the best, but I dont use the dry storage a whole lot.
Just upgraded to a Jackson Big Rig
Pros:
Gear Track abound
Lots of useful fishing features
Great seat- will allow for all day fishing without needing a chiropractor(very important to me)
Great stand ability (very important)
Got it used for a really good price ????
Will be able to use the ample storage and great hatches, now that I can fish for longer periods of time thanks to the great seat.
Cons:
Its massive, gotta rig up a ceiling storage solution to get it to fit in my garage
Heavy
Jim Mac reply :
Nucanoe Frontier 12 footer.
Very stable and versatile.
kenmitch reply :
On 4/13/2018 at 10:34 PM, YoTone said:Slayer propel 10.
Pros:
Propel drive. ease of pedaling vs paddling is very nice especially in windy conditions or in current. in shallow waters i can just pull up the propel drive and paddle.
Wide enough to be a very stable platform to stand on.
Tracks to mount extra stuff like paddle holder and extra rod holders, ect.
Light enough to car mount with ease. this was one of the main selling points. I can strap it on and be ready to go in 5 minutes.
Cons
Expensive. I kind of dont like telling people what i paid for it when they ask.
Can be tricky to steer and fish at the same time. it can get tricky to use a right hand retrieve while steering with my left. its doable but can be annoying. i wish i could mount the steering on the right so i can hold the rod with my left and steer. thinking of actually buying a left hand retrieve baitcaster to see if i could adjust to it.
On 4/16/2018 at 8:02 PM, fishwizzard said:I also have a Slayer 10 and agree with all of this, esp the part about the Left hand rudder. I use RH retrieve reels as well and have to keep a little tethered hand paddle on my right side if I need to maneuver while fighting a fish. My only other beef with it is how much it spins in wind/current, but it's a 10' long by 35" wide boat, so it is to be expected.
I bought it like 2 years ago and I don't know if I would buy it again today, the market has blown up so much that there are a ton more options now. I didn't use it as much as I wanted to this past season, but I am going to use it hard this year and see how I feel about it in the winter.
I also have the Slayer 10. I have a 2pc paddle and carry 1 part with me all the time. I also hold rod with left and real with the right hand. I use the paddle if needed to maneuver with my right hand. Works great if I just want to pivot and not move forward or back or make really sharp turns while underway. Calm water and a overly feisty bass make for some really fun fights. I caught a super feisty 4.5lb LMB that literally pulled me in circles for a couple minutes. The Slayer is kind of pricey but so are all the other similar options. The seat is a little noisy at times but it's really comfortable. Been out close to 30 times so far this year as the weather has been nice in SoCal so far.
Skew12 reply :
This is a great thread
LadiMopar reply :
On 4/14/2018 at 3:17 AM, FLSTYak said:Lure 13.5, super stable for all the flippin' we do here in FL.
Feelfree Lure 10, incredibly stable, moderate price; got mine at reduced fishing show price of $899.
Weight 70 lbs.
Weight capacity 375
Width 36"
Best feature the gravity seat! Can fish for 6+ hours without feeling stiff or sore which is critical for me. Have physical limitations due in large part to a serious car accident so good back support is crucial.
Plenty of leg room for me (5'11") and my gear. Good storage inside the hull for extra rods or gear.
Foot pegs are solid, well designed and easily adjustable.
Did I mention the amazing gravity seat?
Easy to move with their ingenious "wheel in the keel", no need for a cart.
This is my second season with this yak and the only small draw back is the tracking can be a tad skewed in a stiff breeze.
flyfisher reply :
Atak 140 is my current kayak
pros
stable
fast
Great rigging options to keep it simple or go overboard if you want
very shallow draft
flex pod
Open deck area
Cons
seat attachment sucks
heavy
rear rod storage is good for travel but not in use on the water
I have owned lots of boats from a bunch of different manufacturers and this is the first one where i haven't thought about upgrading after a year or two. I do want to add a river boat to my arsenal though and am looking at the nu canoe flint.
Montanaro reply :
Feelfree Lure 11.5
Pros
- Stability and padded standing platform
-Gravity Seat with pockets
-Room and storage
-Wheel
-Replaceable parts
-Dry
-Comfortable
Cons
-Heavy
-Seat can wear out and collapse when sitting on it
-Keel durability (have to use gator skin patches now)
-It is a barge
-Front hatch storage is fairly limited
-Wheel does not do well "off road" as it tips kayak
-useless "bait cup holders" that I awkwardly store my drinks in
Anyone ever not install their seat but instead use a cooler? Would like the drink and panfish storage but afraid it wouldnt be good for generating paddling power.
Dtrombly reply :
Pelican Catch 100. Have only used it once but these are the pros/cons gathered so far.
Pros-
-comfortable seat
-padded standing area
-good sized tankwell for storage
-lockable front hatch
-adjustable foot rest
-gear tracks
-4 flush mount rod holders
-paddle holder on each side
- lightweight and affordable
-stand up assist strap
Cons-
-not super fast
-stand up assist strap is too short and difficult to reach from the seat
-front hatch storage is the length of the kayak
https
kjfishman reply :
I have an Old Town Loon 126 sit in rigged for fishing with 3 rod holders soft side tackle bag secured behind the seat, anchor trolley, stake out pole home made and a fish finder.
Pros
1. The sit in kayak makes for a kayak that I can use year around. Cooler in the summer warmer in the fall winter because your legs are out of the weather.
2. Made from 3 layer Polylink 3 so it is extremely durable. My previous yak was a Loon 138 made from the same stuff bought in in 1999 was still going strong when I sold it last year and bought the 126.
3. Fast and tracks well.
4. Reasonably light 56 lbs.
5. Removable console with USB power outlet for storing keys wallet or what ever. I could even fit the battery I use for the depth finder in the console if I wanted.
6. Lighter than most sit on yaks.
7. Great resale value. i sold my 1999 Loon 138 for close to what it cost in 99.
8. Rated for up to 450lbs .
9 Very comfortable adjustable seat.
Cons
1. Probably couldn't stand in it.
2. Not inexpensive but you tend to get what you paid for in the long run.
Sabamnim reply :
Perception Pescador 12.5 foot. Rugged with Garmin fish finder, anchor trolley, etc.
Abby reply :
Old Town Vapor. It is the 10 foot angler model. I have duck hunted out of it with no issues. I like it but due to a knee injury I have a hard time getting in and out of it. Looking to get a sit on yak. I fished this morning in it and caught a few bass and pike.
XF15-Loader reply :
Picked up a SeaGhost 110 this spring. I don't think I'm qualified to list pros and cons since it's my first kayak. There are some things I've noticed about it that drive me nuts but all in all, I love it. It tracks well, is fast enough for me and was well priced for a yak with a rudder and transducer scupper. If I ever bought another kayak, I'd probably look at a Bonafide...and a trailer...lol.
boostr reply :
Lure 11.5
DogBone_384 reply :
I have two Lure 11.5s, a ‘14 and a ‘18 w/Overdrive.
Pros:
- ALL DAY comfortable seat.
- Overall fit and finish is excellent.
- Stable as rock.
- Wheel in the keel, makes it easy to transport short distances. I still use a scupper cart when transporting longer distances.
- FeelFree’s customer service is top notch.
- Good storage, though I’ve never stored rods in it.
- Overdrive is well engineered, including optional electric motor.
- Take the seat and accessories off and it’s light enough to lift on a pickup truck ladder rack.
Cons:
- Rudder is almost mandatory. Try paddling/pedaling a bath tub.
- Wheel in the keel: axle wears out after a couple of years, especially if you trek across beach sand. I’ve replaced my ‘14’s twice.
- When Overdrive is installed you can’t open the front hatch with the Overdrive unit in the down position. A minor gripe, only a problem loading stuff when kayak is in truck bed.
Janderson45 reply :
I fish out of a wilderness systems ride 115x. I believe my model has been discontinued or replaced, but not positive. The removable console was nice at first, having everything centrally located in front of you is nice, and the console works perfect with smaller lowrance fish finders and an HDSI skimmer transducer. I upgraded my sonar to a Humminbird helix 7 SI, which is a nice upgrade over the lowrance, but requires a whole lot of modification to the removable console. Luckily it's a $30 plastic piece, so I didn't feel too bad about drilling, cutting, and generally destroying a couple of them until I found a workable solution.
Nothing much bad to say about it really, it's pretty heavy and fairly slow, but that's par for the course with these stable fishing kayaks. Standing and fishing is not a problem at all, I actually refuse to fish sitting down in my kayak which is why I never went with a hobie or similar mirage drive type boat. I use it like a paddle board all of the time when fishing and scouting new water, only fell in once and that was my own fault, not the kayak. You'll fall off of it before the kayak will ever capsize in my experience.
An anchor trolley, and quality stake out stick are essential to me. I use my kayak in a lot of very shallow water, the stake out stick works perfect to lock me down on a spot assuming it's not too deep (over 6') or really hard bottomed. The trolley allows your to position the bow of the boat in any position that you want. For spots that the stake out stick won't work I have a kayak anchor wizard mounted on my slide tracks up front that is also effective... if I didn't decide to buy a full sized bass rig and was planning to fish out of my kayak for the foreseeable future I would have put a mini powerpole on it.
Crankinstein reply :
I have a Nucanoe Flint I just got for this year and it's a really nice yak. If anyone wants more info check out my youtube channel by my name "Kevin Weber" and you can see several videos on it.
Pros:
-Under 1k in price
-Great features: paddle holder built into handle, 4 flush rod holders, square stern for transom mounted trolling motors or power pole micro, good scuppers, stern hatch, gear straps, Plenty of rails, open layout
-Tracks well
-Light 70 lbs
-Great size 11.3ft is a great intermediate length for a kayak in my opinion
-very stable
Cons:
-Range not as far as a peddle yak
-Average speed
PECo reply :
I’ve owned eight or nine kayaks, all of which have been used for fishing. My favorite is a Hurricane Santee 116 Sport, which isn’t a “fishing kayak”, per se, but is the easiest and most fun to use:
thinkingredneck reply :
I have a Field and Stream SOT 12 ft that I modified.
PROS
moderate to low price
fairly maneuverable. Easy enough to paddle
Self bailing
fairly stable
good rod holders by seat
CONS
had to replace seat, it sucked
foot pegs broke, had to rivet them
front storage compartment is useless
not quite stable enough to stand in
rocket rod holder is not great-- replaced it
side handles tore apart after 3 years
a regular milk crate won't fit in back compartment
kayl. reply :
Native Ultimate FX 15 Tandem
Pros:
Flexibility- easy to change between tandem and solo set up depending on if I'm taking a kid along or not.
Stability- easy to stand and fish
Capacity- I've fit me, my wife, and our 3 kids (2,5,8 @ the time) without issue.
Built in gear tracks
Comfortable seats (adjustible high/low)
Built in anchor tracks on both sides
Cons:
No scuppers
No built-in rod holders or real storage
Wind will really blow you around
My setup time once I've unloaded is about 15 minutes
At full msrp ($2000), you're not far away from a peddle kayak
I'd love to buy a peddle kayak too, but I want to be able to take my kids at times, so it'll be an additional kayak, not an upgrade. Also, I don't know which peddle yak I want. Looking at the Old Town Predator PDL, Jackson Coosa FD, and Native Slayer Propel models.
Fishingmickey reply :
On 6/8/2018 at 4:21 PM, kayl. said:
At full msrp ($2000), you're not far away from a peddle kayak
I'd love to buy a peddle kayak too, but I want to be able to take my kids at times, so it'll be an additional kayak, not an upgrade. Also, I don't know which peddle yak I want. Looking at the Old Town Predator PDL, Jackson Coosa FD, and Native Slayer Propel models.
Hobie Compass is at $1950.
kayl. reply :
On 6/8/2018 at 8:27 PM, Fishingmickey said:Hobie Compass is at $1950.
Blasphemy, but I don't want a Hobie and it isn't a tandem
moguy1973 reply :
I have an older Ocean Kayak Trident 11T that I got back in 2011ish. It's a great all around kayak. Not super wide so I can't stand up in it, but it has a ton of internal storage that is easily accessed by the Rod Pod and front hatch. I've had sleeping bags, tents, rods, camping gear all stored neatly inside where they all stay dry during my overnighters. That's the best part of my kayak I think. The thing it could use is an elevated comfort seat. I'm usually sitting in a wet seat which isn't the most enjoyable thing. Other than that it does everything I need it to do and I've caught many fish out of it.
PECo reply :
On 6/8/2018 at 4:21 PM, kayl. said:I'd love to buy a peddle kayak too, but I want to be able to take my kids at times, so it'll be an additional kayak, not an upgrade.
I owned a Hobie Pro Angler many years ago. It really is more of a boat than a kayak. I used to put a passenger on the back in a lawn chair. I even took my elderly mother for a spin around a small, calm lake on it, once. You have options other than a tandem for the occasional outing with the kids.
Tripp86 reply :
I run a feel free moken 12 Stable enough to stand and fish agile enough for smaller rivers
Tizi reply :
Getting ready to pull the trigger on a Bonafide SS107. Anything I should be concerned about on this unit?
J Francho reply :
On 6/9/2018 at 5:31 AM, Tizi said:Getting ready to pull the trigger on a Bonafide SS107. Anything I should be concerned about on this unit?
No matter the model, get some seat time before buying.
Hook2Jaw reply :
Hobie PA14
Pros:
Fast, stable, incredibly low draft. I can face sideways, backwards, you name it. I can take my dogs out on it, I can take your sister out on it. The seat is incredible, the storage in awesome and excessive. I could carry most every rod and reel in my arsenal. I have pull-out plastic storage drawer under the seat for all my soft plastics and terminal tackle, and 6 3700 boxes in the crate behind the seat.
Cons:
Expensive and heavy.
Your sister always wants to go out on it.
Fellow PA guys, straighten your rudder for cutting tight turns and give your fins enough kick to move you good and forward and then cut the rudder right or left. Congrats on your newfound agility.
Tizi reply :
An OfferUp deal came up I could not resist. Got the Cabela's Advanced Angler 120 for $500. 1 year old, only needed to be cleaned up. Super happy, saved about $1,000 over buying a new Bonafide.
kenmitch reply :
On 6/21/2018 at 12:24 AM, Tizi said:An OfferUp deal came up I could not resist. Got the Cabela's Advanced Angler 120 for $500. 1 year old, only needed to be cleaned up. Super happy, saved about $1,000 over buying a new Bonafide.
Nice! Those savings can be put to good use for accessorizing it. Dang stuff adds up very quickly.
Tizi reply :
Good point! I ordered a good carbon paddle, anchor kit, crate, landing net, pole holder, scupper plugs, and have a 5 inch Humminbird to install. Can't wait to use it this weekend on the lake.
Going to build a scupper cart to move it. It is heavier than I expected.
J Francho reply :
Hopefully soon, my Hobie Compass will get here!
Brad in Texas reply :
I live on the water, have kids/grandkids, so we need a few vessels. Lake Athens is chock full of vegetation making my Propel 10 tough to use. So, I also have a paddle only Big Rig.
And, my first love, a Meyers Sportspal S-15 which stays down at the water where I fish it back in my cove area.
But, when the Bluesky 360 catamaran-styled kayaks, if we can even still call it that, came out, they had this pre-order deal where one could be purchased in advance for about 2/3s of MSRP. I knew that I would never "later" pay retail price if I could have had one for the lower price, so I bought one. It should be here in a few weeks.
Pros:
1. It has built it cart wheels to move it;
2. The pontoons snap off as do other parts for storage or transport;
3. It has an actual bass seat up on a pedestal;
4. It has a really large rudder with controls operable from either side of the seat;
5. Built in horizontal rod/paddle staging on its exterior and rod storage inside the pontoons;
6. Seat swivels a full 360 degrees;
7. Comes with vertical rod holders;
8. Bags for Plano boxes off the side of the seat, another "dry bag" on the back of the seat;
9. A platform in front and in the rear to stand, I think 36 square feet in total;
10. Jackson's Pedal Drive, 12 to 1 gearing and it is the one that "kicks up" if you run into a log or something;
11. Electric motor ready, multiple mounting options for a standard TM, fish finders, etc.
I'm likely missing as much as I have listed.
Cons:
1. Might not be allowed in "kayak" competitive fishing contests;
2. High seat and rider will catch a lot of wind;
3. 48" wide meaning it won't be easy to paddle.
I'll write a separate report once I get it and test it on the water.
Brad
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