Looking at getting a Kayak to be used mostly for fishing around New Bern and such. I think I want a sit on top, maybe 12' (since I'm 6'1" and 200lbs).

Anyone else Kayak or have any suggestions for a used Kayak to keep my eye out for?

2/4/2012 11:04:56 PM

you should page the paddling legend Johnny Swank



In my experience:

I really liked sit on tops better than cockpit style kayaks, roomier, gets less hot, and you can lounge if you are just lazily paddling compared to a cockpit where you have to sit up a little straighter. But if you are planning on fishing when its a little cooler then a cockpit will keep you way drier, which is a pretty important consideration.

Unless you are thinking about just poking around on smaller creeks then you might want to consider something bigger than 12'. I'm sure you could get into some fairly windy spots around New Bern and a few extra feet will make it easier to paddle and more stable, not to mention more deckspace to strap all your stuff on. When my family bought kayaks, we started with these smaller ones (13' or so) that were also fat and stable and pretty quickly started considering upgrading to something a little longer and sleeker, and I'd say we were recreational paddlers at best.

lastly don't forget about canoes. In a lot of cases its personal preference. For me, fishing from a canoe is more natural than a kayak, I think its because you are sitting up a little higher and that makes it easier to cast and you can see a little farther. They are a bit more unstable and they don't do as well if you are paddling in windy areas so you have to factor that in.


I'm pretty sure some used one would pop up on craigslist in the New Bern area every now and then

2/5/2012 9:59:58 AM

B0j0s just rigged one up with a fish finder and rod holders in the last few weeks

he hasn't taken it out a lot yet though

2/5/2012 10:04:08 AM

I definitely agree with getting one a little longer. 12' is actually pretty short for a kayak. I had a 12' one for about a day a few years ago & tried it out in a mill pond. I found out really quickly that that's not enough boat. We use 14' ones in the bogue sound but they really need to be more like 16' for that kind of water. 14' works fine in a flat river (the tar).

2/5/2012 10:14:55 AM

if you're gonna fish, i'd suggest a kayak made specifically for fishing. it'll come with rod holders, storage spaces designed with bait/tackle in mind, and it'll be better set up to allow the addition of a sonar unit if you want. water depth is the most important data to have on the water, so i'd try to put a cheap sonar unit on there. the Wilderness Systems Pamlico 120 seems to be popular. Native Watercraft makes a lot of good fishing kayaks too. the models with the foot pedal propulsion stuff are getting more popular for fishing because they leave your hands free to cast.

i wouldn't kayak fish out of New Bern proper, but some folks do fish around the bridges in kayaks. imo, you'd be better off sticking to the creeks along the Neuse. you're less exposed to the wind and can start fishing pretty much right at the launch spot. i've seen right many kayakers in Upper Broad Creek. lots of good (read less pressured) spots in the Pamlico and Bay Rivers as well.

2/5/2012 10:25:54 AM

I have a similar question... looking for a good beginner kayak, nothing too expensive, and able to support a big person (I'm about 245... will probably be more around 225 once it gets warm enough to kayak a lot)... I'm under 6' though and have short legs

I'd like to take it out on rivers, but also be comfortable taking it out on lakes for recreation and exercise.

I've been looking at the wider, shorter kayaks because... well, i'm kind of wide and short... thoughts?

2/5/2012 11:07:09 AM

OP: my gf has a 15' sit on top that she's looking to get rid of. only problem is that it's in storage in VT, so you'd have to get it shipped (or go pick it up). If you're interested, give me a holler.

2/5/2012 1:50:20 PM

Quote :

" if you're gonna fish, i'd suggest a kayak made specifically for fishing. it'll come with rod holders, storage spaces designed with bait/tackle in mind"

This is true, but the kayak cost alot more. Its is cheaper to do it yourself and save a 200 bucks. Here is a Picture of mine which is sorta for sell.










[Edited on February 5, 2012 at 3:33 PM. Reason : more pics in gallery]

2/5/2012 3:32:08 PM

Last summer I bought an Emotion Glide kayak from REI having never paddled before. While not exclusively for fishing I enjoyed taking it out to Jordan and Falls Lake. I do go out with a small rod and lure and cast around a bit. My father bought a fishing kayak from Dick's though that he enjoys a lot.

2/6/2012 3:22:49 PM

I love kayaking. I've only done it a few times at my friends lake house on Gaston but I didn't want to come off the water. I think the coolest place to take it would be down a stream where somebody picks you up at the bottom, through swamps and millponds (Merchant's Millpond is great - did it canoeing though) or just going around the sounds.

If I had an SUV or truck, I'd definitely buy one. I think you can rent them at Lake Johnson, so I'll probably start doing that when it gets warmer.








[Edited on February 6, 2012 at 3:31 PM. Reason : Merchant's Millpond is beautiful. so much to explore. and you can camp there. ]

2/6/2012 3:29:02 PM

Quote :

"I have a similar question... looking for a good beginner kayak, nothing too expensive, and able to support a big person (I'm about 245... will probably be more around 225 once it gets warm enough to kayak a lot)... I'm under 6' though and have short legs"

Do not buy a cheap kayak.
By cheap I mean anything that's less than around $6-700 MSRP.
Cheap kayaks have poor designs and tend to be heavy. If you buy a cheap one it will probably make you think that kayaking in general sucks.

Instead, keep an eye on craigslist for lightly used ones. If I could do it again I wouldn't have bought a new one, I would've bought a nicer used one for the same money. Also, if you buy a used one and don't like it you'll probably get close to what you paid rather than taking the initial loss when it turns from new to used.

Quote :

"I've been looking at the wider, shorter kayaks because... well, i'm kind of wide and short... thoughts?"

Wide and short sucks for open water. You want a kayak as long and lean as you can get away with if you plan on using it in something like a lake.
For instance, we have two kayaks the same length but mine is wider by se7entythree's by about 3 inches. I thought it would be better for me because wider is often more stable and I don't have as good balance as my wife.

After spending some time in both I've realized I was wrong. Rowing hers takes maybe 60-70% of the energy mine requires and hers tracks way better. In addition to the length and width, hull design plays a big part, but in general with kayaks of the same length you can expect the narrower one to perform better on open water. It's funny, hers is actually more stable too.

On the flip side I can maneuver mine a tiny bit better in tight spots and I have slightly more room for gear, but those are the only advantages. Hers is also lighter and they both cost the same.
I'm ok with the kayak I have, but if I could do it again I would look for one designed like hers or maybe bought the same kayak.

So...look for a used one that's at least 12', 14' would be better unless you plan on going in narrow rivers. The Old Towne Loon or Wilderness Systems Tsunami would probably work for a heftier person. There are a bunch of models out there and little design differences can make big differences. If you can, test them out before you buy.

2/7/2012 10:32:55 AM

mine is a women's ll bean kayak, and is only 32.5" wide & 38 lbs, btw. it is more stable than fumbler's but would be way too cramped for a man i think. i'm 5'5" & fumbler is 5'8". my brother (6'1") can't get in it at all. i kinda wish it had the retractable rudder instead of such a big keel (for turning/maneuverability) but it does go straight & fast very easily. i <3 my boat

2/7/2012 11:04:56 AM

Great advice so far I'd say. Yeah, for what you're talking about, a sit on top is what I'd roll with myself. Get something at least 12', and I'd probably want something about 14' or so. You can either buy a new fishing kayak already equipped with mounts and such, or get something else and add what you need. There's a world of homemade rigged up stuff out there on the interwebs about homemade fishing gear, and that' probably what I'd do.

This is going to be a heavy boat, no matter what, so some wheels might come in handy too.

Feel free to hit me up if you want any more info, but like I said, this thread's already delivered. Good jerb folks!

2/7/2012 12:22:47 PM

oh, forgot to mention, i've ordered random parts from topkayaker.net a few times before for an old sit on top we have at the beach. the guy who runs the site is very knowledgeable & willing to help you out if you have questions. they have tons of little random whatnots you might want to add or replace on your boat.

2/7/2012 1:40:21 PM

So, what about a river like the Haw around Orange / Chatham Co . . . not quite whitewater but not really flatwater, how do some of the larger kayaks handle there?

7/2/2012 3:30:28 PM

Found a Wilderness Systems Tsunami 14.5 with rudder on sale for 920 (typically 1450). Good deal? Seems a decent fit for what I'd like to do with it - backwater and mid-size rivers with the capability for multi-night trips, with some occasional activity on pond, lakes, and coastal areas.

http://www.wildernesssystems.com/product/index/products/touring_performance/touring_performance_tsunami/tsunami_145r_touring/

really want to get out on the French Broad trail: http://wnca.org/paddle/

7/14/2012 12:23:18 PM

May I ruin that for you?

http://www.folbot.com/

Now you wont want anything else

7/14/2012 10:21:45 PM

the haw can be insane and is extremely rocky, like huge rocks id imagine a large kayak in the haw would be difficult to maneuver after even a modest rain

the eno is probably more of the "not whitewater, not flatwater" than the haw but the eno is generally pretty skinny

7/15/2012 4:41:32 AM

Bump

11/2/2012 10:08:38 PM

I've got an 8' yak board, comes with fishing basket, paddle - $160...would be great for someone under 6' and 180lbs

works just fine, i'm just too big for it

11/2/2012 10:29:00 PM

Doing a one nighter at Congarree national park. Hopefully the waters high enough! Anyone been in that area?

http://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm

11/2/2012 11:24:55 PM

bump

looking for something for lakes and reservoirs. gets very windy, so stability is a must. prefer sit-in style, but open to sit on top

3/9/2014 6:00:27 PM