BigBendFishing.Net

How do you use your Kayak? Do you fish from the boat or use it to get to a wading spot? What about trolling?

d. all of the above
Ken, if I read into your question I’m guessing that you imagine fishing from the kayak is an option but not a primary function. No, fishing from the kayak is how I use it. In fact, when I’m around oyster bars prime for wading I find myself staying in the boat. I like to wade the bars but given that I’m in a lounge chair already why get out? It’s comfortable, stable, easy to paddle, quiet, and the logistics of fishing are easy. There are a few things to get used to but if you already know how to fish it’s easy. I don’t even deal with rod holders. I carry two rods that I lay forward and switch at will. You can cast 270 degrees around you. There is essentially no comparing my kayak to a canoe. Stability in the kayak is a non-issue. You have to try hard to turn over. Profile to the wind is so low that you don’t get blown or turned around. It drifts one way or the other. Anchoring is also easy.
If you want more info obviously I’d be happy to help. Paddle.net is a great site for a lot of info. Here’s their url to 80+ reviews on my boat.
http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showRev ... l?prod=235

Oh yeah, trolling. I've done it off the beach and off the oil docks at St Joe mostly for Spanish. It works fine but it's not my preference. Although I missed it this year next fall I will be in St Joe using it to troll for those 30lb kings that come in close. That I want. I also want to try to negotiate a big Cobia in it. I'm not sure how that would work out. I have caught bull reds and decent sized sharks in it. Damn fun.

Thanks, Littoral.
I keep going back and forth between a canoe and kayak. I have done a lot of canoeing so I kind of lean that way but I also see lots of benefits to the kayak. I think I would prefer a sit-on-top model (big ass), what do you think about the Tarpon 160?

Tarpon 160 is what I want....
or Perception Bimini....
Some sites for ya.....
http://www.paddle-fishing.com/
http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/


Littoral......Look at the header picture, I love that rod holder.... http://www.castandpaddle.com/index2.html

Another one Ken.....http://www.stillwaterboats.com/sbsunset.html

Canoe/Kayak and you build it too......

Littoral...rigged Pungo for you....
http://www.paddle-fishing.com/rigs/ddpungo140.htm

Ken, so yes, I read into your question that you’re experience is comparing to a canoe. No comparison at all. When I canoe there is a degree of tension at all times because of its lack of stability. Not so with my kayak. I wasn’t making a sales pitch when I said I felt like I was in a lounge chair. No comparison at all. None.
The beauty of fishing out of a kayak is simplicity. That’s significant to me because that’s essentially why I go fishing anyway. I spent a lot of time pouring over what to rig and what boat would work for me. I’m 6’4â€

My kayak weighs 43lbs and can be had now for $395.

Where? Not the angler is it!?!

Not the angler -which you don't want with it's generic pre-rig anyway.
Here's the fine print -but not much.
It's actually $399.
You have to pick it up in Panama City.
I think it's only available in yellow (or worse, maybe orange)
The reason that you have to pick it up is they want $200 to ship to you or they'll ship it free to the nearest store, PC. Unless you have a store closer?
http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/wcs/ ... d=13079153

Thanks for the info.:

I agree completely about the benefits of keeping it simple. I have a 14' jon boat that I keep at my pond; no trailer, no motor. Maintenance consists of turning it upside down periodically and dumping the accumulated crap out.

I just don't think I could go with a sit in kayak. I'm a little claustrophobic.

The stability of a canoe has never bothered me. Done lots of fly fishing standing up in a canoe.

The canoe shop will let you try anything for free. And actually I'm remiss to have not made that point first. Don't buy anything until you tried it.

Where is this "canoe shop" you speak of ?

Orange Ave, just east of Springhill Road on the south side of the road. Closed Tuesdays.
(I call it Springhill Road because but I don't remember the road name after it changes over Capital Circle)

I clicked some links and read reviews today. The Tarpon 140 looks very nice... I like the tank well. It's not on Wilderness Systems web site yet so I don't know if it is readily available.

I didn't see the 140 either. If I bought another boat it would be high on my list.
Two thoughts,
1. My boat is 12’1’’ and I find I can play a fish all the way around the boat with a 7’ rod. If the boat was longer and the fish ran under the boat I’m not sure how I would handle it. I’d like to hear what people who have bigger boats say about it.
2. I agree that being confined in a kayak is not appealing. On my boat, with the cockpit size, the only part of me that is inside/under are my shins and feet. I don’t feel claustrophobic but I'm not real prone to it anyway.