I recently posted asking about canoes and had a great response, thanks for all the advice and offers, and was able to pick up a canoe. Now my questions are about kayak fishing. I have a trip to the tetons coming up this summer with friends and was going to rent a kayak. I got looking into it and would like to maybe buy a kayak but can't spend a ton and I'm not sure what to look for. I would like a kayak I can also use for Utah Lake, Strawberry, and other local spots. I have never kayak fished but think it sounds awesome.
My questions/requirements are these:
What size kayak?
What style, sit in or sit on? I know sit on are more stable but I would like something fast as well. Some sit in have larger openings which would be nicer for getting in and relaxing during a long day fishing. Is this really worth worrying about?
I need something with dry storage wells for packing camping gear. How much storage will I need?
I'm sure I'll have a bunch more questions but any help and advice will be greatly appreciated. I'm very much looking forward to a backcountry kayak trip and will post a report on it when we get back.
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My 2 cents. If the water and weather is warm I like sit ons. However I own 2 sit in because I live in Utah and we seldom get both of those. A 10-12 foot kayak has quite a bit of storage space. There's always dry bags that can bungeed on if needed for longer trips. I use backpacking tent, stove and other gear to minimize the space needed. Size of the kayak will partially be based on your size. If your 6'4" a 10 foot isn't going to be practical. One of the hassles with a kayak is transporting it with a vehicle. A lighter kayak is a lot easier to deal with, especially if you might be doing it alone.
My favorite kayaks for fishing are pedal not paddle kayaks because you have your hands free to fish. The downside is they are real pricey with only a couple companies making them. They also aren't the best for lots of real shallow water. I've only rented them twice but was real impressed.
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Riverdog, if you don't mind me asking which sit in kayaks do you own and would you buy them again? Do they have a big opening that is easy and comfortable to get in and out of and that you can relax in for a long day of fishing?
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I have an Emotion Bliss and Wilderness System Pungo 120. The bliss is 10'10" and weighs 39 lbs. It doesn't have enclosed storage space. The Pungo is 12 feet and weighs 49 lbs and has 2 storage spaces. My son usually uses the Bliss if we both go but I'll use it by myself because it's just so light and easy to handle. As for long days of fishing as much as I love fishing I never spend more than about 5 hours a day fishing no matter what type of fishing I do. But I'm fairly comfortable. The Pungo is a bit easier to get in and out of but the Bliss isn't an issue. I'm 5'10"and about 175lbs
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Let me start by saying we own 2 kayaks. I hate em.
Not only is my center of balance out of balance with these contraptions, but I'm never at ease in them. To me it's like riding a bike - ok when moving, but stop and try and do something and you feel out of sorts. That said, my wife loves to paddle around in them for fun.
I also owned a square back canoe, which I loved to fish from. Even had a small 2hp that would putt me around. Waaaaay different.
There's no room in the kayak for storage, no access to the little storage you do have, and heaven help you and your gear when you tip (which is almost standard practice).
Each autumn we visit the Tetons and mess around on the lakes there. I've fished there a few times from the canoe and it was grand. Not so from the kayak.
But my canoe also had oars and oar locks. With that set up you can actually troll - I'm not kidding. Also you can move easily even against the wind. If one is alone in a canoe with just a paddle that is almost impossible. I've used my canoe at Strawberry a lot but you do have to usually get off the lakes by 10:00am or the rollers will get ya. But by that time I'd often have enough for the smoker.
My 2 cents.
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There's no question that you don't have the space of a canoe. You can and I do troll with a kayak in lakes and the ocean. Just put your rod in a rod holder and go. Don't see much difference than what I did in the past with a canoe in the same situation. Maybe the positioning of the rod holder and rod you have a little less room not to get in the way. The only time this was a problem for me was in a small tandem rental once. I think the advantage of a kayak is it's typically faster and easier to maneuver. That can be a big deal if covering 10 miles a day but not such an issue if out fishing for a few hours. I've tipped over in a kayak exactly once. I was chasing fish in the breaking surf and lost track of the waves and turned over on a sit on top model. Never been even close to tipping besides that lapse. My son is 14 and has been kayaking since age 5, mostly solo since age 8 including ocean camping trips. I've had to tie us together battling a 25 mph headwind but he's never came close to tipping yet. Now there are some smaller lighter canoes that are almost as fast and maneuverable as kayaks. I'd suggest people try out fishing and covering some ground with some weight from a both kayak and canoe and see what fits your style. There are definitely trade offs but for overnight camping and fishing trips I'd be hard press to return to a canoe.
I really do love the pedal kayaks and would get a couple if they weren't so darn expensive or if I lived close to the ocean. Besides having your arms free to fish they handle rougher water and wind much easier. They are also faster and easier to cover longer distances.
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I have had a 10' Old Town Angler (sit inside) for two years that I've mounted electronics on. I love it . . . for use in Utah water. It's easy and light enough for even an old fart to throw on top of the pickup and head out. I took it to the Texas coast this winter and it was a hoot to hook into a 5 lb black drum and try to land it while being twirled in circles like a fair ride, but it was not really a practical vehicle for shallow bay fishing for reds, spots, etc.
This winter I'm leaving it home and taking my boat instead. I'll probably buy a sit on top kayak to use and leave in storage down there for bay fishing, since they are much better for sight fishing and a necessity if getting on and off for wade fishing.
For use in Utah, I would recommend a sit inside.
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I have about 6 kayaks. My preferred for fishing is a sevlor inflatable. Is light, compact, and I fish rivers and lakes. Ran the snake, weber, ogden last year. Wipers, Tigers, trout fishing are all fantastic. Use PVC and make yourself some trolling rod holders. Gonna add my kite I use for skiing to the mix this summer for adding speed to the process.
It is a bit different fishing, and takes a couple of trips to get the "rythm". Highly recommend a piss bottle.
Enjoy.
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I would go with a SOT kayak for sure depending on your price depends what you should get. Most come with a hatch fore storage but u can also put a crate on the back for storage. There alot of fun and you can trick them out alot with rod holders, out riggers, electronics, anchor system, motor ect. In the colder months i just wear waders. The longer one you get the better the tracking and speed you will have.
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[#000000][size 2]I appreciate all the feedback, good info. My next question is does anyone know who rents kayaks in Utah County besides BYU and UVU? Or does anyone know where I can try out different models of kayaks before I decide to buy, is there such a place?[/size][/#000000]
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2 of my friends and I have sit on top kayaks and absolutely love them. for lake fishing they are ideal, lots of storage, rod holders and stability. We have mostly gone to UL, we have been caught in some pretty nasty wind/waves and Ive been extremely impressed with how my yak handled. I have a 13.5' and my friends have 10-12 footers mines mine is a little slower but not by much. One friend bought his from cal-ranch for 400-500 if i remember right and the other bought his from Sportsmans for a little more. I found mine on KSL, if you cant find any you like there check out cal ranch or sportmans.
this is the only pic i could find atm
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I don't know where you can rent kayaks.
But I really want to rave about mine.[
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I have a trophy kayak by future beach 10.5ft. in length and I love it. It is a SIM and I have no problems with storage tipping etc.
It has a dyhedral shaped bottom(whatever the heck that means. its super wide and stable) making it sturdy. It has 2 built in rod holders that I have mechanically attached pvc into to create a rack of anything I need behind my head.
I have never fallen in. Heck I have stood up and peed off that thing. It is crazy fast and light weight. fantastic for a 1 man short trip.
I will admit the first couple fish I caught were hard to manuever my paddle and tackle box to successfully land it but after fish 3 I could do with with ease. I bought mine new and dicks sporting goods for around 350.
At first It took me 25 mins to rope to my dodge durango but with a rythmn I can do in 5. I definitley suggest this kayak. It was made for fishing.
I friggen peed off it. . . . i mean c'mon
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