Kayak Fishing???

[FishinB80]

I have thought I have seen people talking about fishing out of their kayaks on here so I wanted to get input on what the best setup would be or if it is worth it. It looks like a lot of fun and you can get to many places but maybe I should just invest in a drift boat. Any help?
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[lucabrasi]

What do you want to do? Lakes? Streams or Rivers? One more than the other? They will all work in current but if you are going to be on moving water for the most part go drift boat, lakes I would go kayak. A sit on top vs. a sit inside I find a lot more versatile for fishing and spending hours on the water.
The Hobie kayaks are great. A little sticker shock up front but for all it comes with and what you would add to others it isn't to bad. It has also got the mirage drive which will let you troll with your hands free. They are a bit cumbersome to load on top of a suv solo but it can be done. I think it is called Idaho White Water or Idaho Water Sports in Burley, they have many of the Hobie models on display for sale. Many other fishing kayaks out there to paddle. Ocean Kayak and Malibu and Wilderness are all great ones. Easier to load for sure and you can outfit all of the above with fish finders, lights, and just about anything you can think of which makes a good project. After lots of time on the Hobies I have found that no matter how slick and swift the mirage drive is there is just something about paddling that is cool. You can do that with a Hobie no problem. Their Quest is essentially the Revolution without the mirage drive. the Hobies also have a sail attatchment that is a riot. Personally I would rather spend my afternoon in a kayak than a pontoon or drift boat but that is just me and they are all good ways to be on the water and all fun projects to outfit.
Do make sure you spend a bit more, even if used and get a good one than the bargain one at Sports Authority or Costco. If that's all you can spend to get on the water, then by all means do so but if you can spend a bit more for a better build that's the way to go as with anything. Also the paddle is something to look at if you get a paddle driven one. A bit more money for a light paddle will make you happy in the long run.
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[windriver]

There is some information on the kayak forum up on the forums tab.

Windriver
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[lucabrasi]

I forgot, there are a couple of river fishing kayaks out there now. Jackson Kayak has the Coosa and Liquid Logic has the Coupe and the Duece Coupe. I think this is the second season for them so if you are thinking rivers these may be worth considering. Both are high quality companies and would work well in current and be just fine on flat water if not trying to cover long distances.
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[FishinB80]

Thanks a bunch for the info. I would be a beginner but I knew a guy who caught massive cod in the pacific off of California north coast in a kayak and I watched a guy catchin bass somewhere on tv from a kayak. It looks like a lot of fun. Where would be a great place to learn the ropes on kayaking?
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[FishinB80]

And also I would like to fish lakes, rivers, streams, etc. if it is possible.
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[lucabrasi]

I am not sure what to tell you there. I just went but have been around the water my whole life and have done other water sports and activities. Mine are sit on tops and not sit insides and those were all SOT that I mentioned. SOT you just fall off of, sit inside you got to get out of the boat upside down or roll. You should start on a lake and practice a recovery for sure as they can be a challenge to get back on if you tip over (sit on top). Perhaps getting back on is not an option and you just hang on and kick it back to shore. Depends on conditions, your ability, fitness, and the boat to a degree. On lakes, I have only tipped once and that was with a sail, My wife and kids have not tipped (yet) but my father in law tipped first day out but he has a, shall we say a rather high center of gravity compared to us. You will probably tip on a river with any riffles or eddies and current of any challenge but shore is closer on a river than it most likely will be on a lake so you just need to get you and your boat to shore. Rivers are a whole different beast as you can get pinned between your boat and a rock or deadfall or the bank or what have you. Hit a deadfall and a good chance you go over. You got to pay attention on a river for sure. Not as much lazy time.

Definately get a lesson on a recovery or the very least watch lots of videos and practice if you get a sit inside. Recovery is not necessarily a roll but rather be able to get out of the boat when you are upside down. Don't do it the first time alone with a sit inside . Have someone right there strong enough and compentent enought to help. Also, they can fill with water and getting back in on the water is probably not recommended. I would think any good whitewater shop has lessons or can point you to someone who does them. .

The wider the boat, the more stable, longer will generally track better and narrower will be faster. The Hobies come with a seat and a rudder. Lots of bang for the buck if you think out the sticker shock. Some of the others come with a seat, some don't and all the others I am pretty certain the rudder is extra. The Hobie rudder is hand controlled so you can controll it while using the mirage drive but doesn't work to well when paddling so you just flip it up. The other rudders are all foot controlled so you can use with a paddle. They help for long paddles and in the wind but don't feel you need that upgrade right off the get go. You won't really use, want, or need a rudder in current.

I would still go SOT for a fishing kayak and think that would be what you would be most happy with for sure if just starting out and a beginner. I have been doing for quite a while now and really have no desire for a sit inside but that's just me. Or, just get a paddleboard.
Whew!
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