Kayak fishing

[Fly Right]

I am thinking about purchasing a SOT fishing kayak. I will need to car top it so weight is a factor (looking at the +/- 70 lb range or lighter)
Also I am in good shape but 62 years old. Standing is an option however I will probably sit most of the time. I would be a kayak rookie and stability is a very important consideration. I would appreciate any advice from
YAK fishers, especially how fishing in the wind affects you.

Much appreciated

[Idadon]

Stability usually equates to beam width. The wider the beam the harder to maneuver. I'm 66 and just gave up my Nucanoe but sure do miss it. I have a buddy with a Hobie fisherman and I'm looking at those too. If stability is a great concern there are outrigger kits available but they get in the way of fishing. The only problems I ever had was entering/exiting my Yak. Not so agile anymore I guess. If you want to invest the money, a Hobie with the drive unit is my choice. Much faster. Back to my buddy, he goes miles offshore in his after salmon. Just watch out for the Great Whites!

[itsbenlong]

I was doing some research into SOT Kayaks a month ago and really liked the new Wilderness Systems ATAK. It has a really comfortable seat which also flips up so you can lean against it in a standing position for more comfort and stability. However, it weighs around 85lbs which is probably a bit heavier than you were wanting. I just thought I would mention it because I wanted something lighter as well, but all the pros to this Kayak made up for the weight.

I don't have any great knowledge of Kayaks by the way....Just happened to really like this one.

[Cutthroat]

I am thinking about purchasing a SOT fishing kayak. I will need to car top it so weight is a factor (looking at the +/- 70 lb range or lighter)
Also I am in good shape but 62 years old. Standing is an option however I will probably sit most of the time. I would be a kayak rookie and stability is a very important consideration. I would appreciate any advice from
YAK fishers, especially how fishing in the wind affects you.

Much appreciated

I have also been looking at fishing kayaks. I'm 68 and am in good shape. I also want light weight plus stability. I have found four that fit our criteria:
Feel Free Moken 10 Angler...61 lbs.
Native Watercraft Slayer 10 Propel...59 lbs.
Native Watercraft Ultimate 12 Angler...49 lbs.
Ocean Kayak Trident 11 Angler...56 lbs.

Good luck to you in your search.

[njbeast]

I have a 14.5 Wilderness Tsunami that I fish in lakes and use for kayak camping. Weighs 50 lbs. and I throw it up atop my Jeep Cherokee. Throwing much more than that onto the roof will be tough. This is not a fishing kayak so it is not as wide as those mentioned above which may be a little harder to balance. If you are going to sling that much weight up above your head you might look into a kayak elevator. You load it at chest height. Many kayak places have demo days where you can try out various models, although they do not normally have fishing kayaks.

[golfish]

I have had quite a few kayaks since 2006. My latest is a Eddyline Caribbean 14, I got it to drop down cliffs at Big Sur because its so light. I Fly fish the ocean and the delta or forebay for stripers when I can't fish steelhead. Love it at 50lbs. compared to my OK Trident 13 at over 65. Edddyline just came out with a 13.5' kayak you can stand in that is 13.5'x34" and weighs 68 lbs. They are more pricey than most because they are thermo-molded but they are very light and paddle great.

I recommend Headwaters Kayak out in Lodi, talk to Dan. There are more options than the ones listed. And of course check out norcal kayak anglers forum.

Here's some kayak fly fishing porn...

[Fly Right]

Thanks everyone for our input......much appreciated. I am looking seriously at the new Jackson Cuda LT. Still shopping and doing my homework however that boat is currently at the top of my list......stable, light, fast and responsive. I will be using it mostly in lakes, and delta sloughs for LMB, smallies and stripers. I may do some inshore salt but plan to avoid open water.
Hope to see you out there one day

[golfish]

Thanks everyone for our input......much appreciated. I am looking seriously at the new Jackson Cuda LT. Still shopping and doing my homework however that boat is currently at the top of my list......stable, light, fast and responsive. I will be using it mostly in lakes, and delta sloughs for LMB, smallies and stripers. I may do some inshore salt but plan to avoid open water.
Hope to see you out there one day

That's a great thermo molded boat too, lots of jackson team guys around here too. The center of gravity is higher with all these new lawn chair type seats but if you're only still water they are great. Good luck on your search, demo as much as possible and get the best paddle you can afford.

[Fly Right]

That's a great thermo molded boat too, lots of jackson team guys around here too. The center of gravity is higher with all these new lawn chair type seats but if you're only still water they are great. Good luck on your search, demo as much as possible and get the best paddle you can afford.

Thanks...
Per your suggestion I am checking out the Eddyline C135. It looks like a great boat that is built with a more durable thermo material. The only draw back to the Jackson Cuda LT is the thermo hull is less likely absorb impact and stay intact.

[golfish]

That boat is sweet, I'm trying to decide if I need a dedicated boat for stillwater, I may head out to Lodi to demo one. It's pricey though, could get a Hobie instead.