(Part 2) Top products from r/kayakfishing

i have been hearing some people having issues with the fins breaking on them . Considering they are one of the few companies making "Fin" style drives that are not hobie and this is their Freshman model using said drives . i might wait it out till a revision or just their next pedal drive boat entirely . just my 2 cents . Pelican might have amazing customer service and their warranties might over the drive but i honestly do not know anything about that .

Feb 2020 Vibe will be releasing a Fin style drive with an amazing looking kayak called the Shearwater 125 that i have been drooling over but those are the only 2 fin style drives i know outside of Hobie.

https://vibekayaks.com/blogs/news/meet-the-2019-maverick-120-hybrid-kayak

There are other options around $1200 for pedal drives kayaks as the market is starting to get aggressive.

Riot Mako 10 & 12 are both around that price range .

https://www.amazon.com/Riot-Kayak-Impulse-Pedal-Neptune/dp/B07WQ6V41Q?ref_=ast_bbp_dp

also Evoke kayaks is comming out with an amazing pedal drive called the Breakway 125 thats is also supposed to MSRP at $999

https://evokepaddlesports.com/breakaway-125/ .

Keep mind these kayaks i posted links to are a fraction of the price of a hobie so dont expect the same quality but there are beginning to be more options which is always exciting .

Do what I did and go inflatable. I got this kayak from Amazon.com two years ago and love it:

http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Elements-AdvancedFrame-Convertible-Inflatable/dp/B000J2O5VE/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1346888517&sr=1-2&keywords=advanced+elements

It fits easily in my 2 door Accord coupe (back seat or trunk) and can also be checked as luggage and flown anywhere in the world you'd like to take it. You should see the looks and questions I get when inflating before putting in. It amazes people especially because it's 2 person & 15 feet long. It's got a 500lb weight limit & approved by the NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association).

Edit: Me and a buddy of mine heading out fishing:

http://i.imgur.com/orOI4.jpg

I think it's all in what you make of it. I've been kayak angling for a long time and went through phases of getting more and more complex, and then simpler and simpler. My rig has a fish finder, still, but I find myself only carrying 2-3 rods now, and a small selection of tackle. Preparation time is reduced because I now use a trailer, so I just need to hook up and go. I can be on the water almost instantly, no carrying gear from truck -> kayak. I think it's a sport that lends itself to simplicity. Not every fishing kayak has to be outfitted like a bass boat. I focus mainly on predator fish now, like pike and gar, and I love the challenge of large fish in a small boat. I wouldn't give up quite so easily. Shameless plug for my book, where I talk in depth about simplicity. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510711120/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks! That might be my best bet. It's a really great kayak for day trips and stuff and I don't really want to sell it because it's exactly what I want when I just wanna go paddle out.

Also, I mounted a Scotty anchor pulley on the console. I think I'm gonna strap a couple crab pots to the back and use the pulley to lower and retrieve them down in spots that don't get crabbed much.

The foam pads work great, but i never trusted the tie-downs. Use the foam pads, but get a set of better straps. If you really like your yak, get these. If you are a little more cost conscious, have used these in the past and have never had a problem.

That does not sound like a very good deal at all. I would pass and keep shopping. If you have cross bars on your roof rack you can get J-bar style kayak holders for really cheap, and along with a good set up straps by just fine. I like Old Town boats, I have a higher end model from them and it has been great. The big thing is make sure you can put a decent seat on whatever you get, because most of the cheaper models don't have a good one.

I don't expect the cheap J-bars I have to last very long, but so far so good a couple of seasons in. Here's what I use... J-bars, straps, paddle, paddle and other gear leashes, PFD. For rods, you can start by getting a milk crate with a couple of PVC rod holders and lashing that down behind your seat. It will cost near nothing and work fine. Rod holders for trolling/live lining you can add once you get used to your boat and know what you want.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009XGK65G/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I8ZJPHS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 x2 (I'm paranoid)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AI4HNC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BD19D8U/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C1TY1FS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You look to be on the right track. I just bought a fishfinder for my kayak.

This is the battery I bought

Along with this charger

I also picked up this waterproof box that I've seen a lot of people use to put the battery in. Do a google search for DIY fishfinder battery box.

Good luck, I'm on the east coast so I have to wait for it to warm up before I get everything on the yak

Poly Pro Carlisle $67
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AI69LU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

NRS Chinook $98
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B5ATUNC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is what I use and love them. Spend the extra $35 you have left on a whistle and a PFD strobe light.

Love my Thule cam straps. I’ve used cheapo ones prior and will never go back.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002MBP7I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UWUzDbB299GW3

Similar to another poster I use this Figure 9 carabiner, it is simple and works well.

http://www.amazon.com/Nite-Ize-C9L-02-01-Figure-Carabiner/dp/B000QGJN60/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1463638211&sr=8-2&keywords=figure+9+carabiner

I usually clip the carabiner to the side handle grip. I also have an anchor bag and then use the carabiner to clip the bag to my milk crate incase I flip. I read about someone having the anchor self deploy when you flip but I wasn't sure about the safety I guess it's a trade off between getting tangled vs your kayak drifting away.

are you talking about a flush mount like this?

or one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/Thule-830-Stacker-Kayak-Carrier/dp/B0001FUAXQ/

This is the one I use, I have oval bars. I can get two boats on the roof of a Mazda two. Ones a 12', the other is 11'. Provided you ratchet them well and use a front and back tie down to the back and front bumper of the car, its totally doable.

https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Striker-SSP1-Planer/dp/B000ALGFP8
Amazon.com : Sea Striker SSP1 Planer : Fishing Downriggers ...

I use my canoe chair in my kayak. So if you have a canoe or find yourself in a canoe often you could try this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018S0R38/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9fF6Bb3H6WT2Y

It’s not an elegant solution but it works.

Gel pad seat works well, I used one after a hip injury. https://www.amazon.com/Yakpads-PS-BLK-Gel-filled-Paddle-Saddle/dp/B000PZRUC6

I used this inflatable roof rack for my Volvo with no roof rack. It held my heavy 15.5' Kraken with no problem.

https://www.amazon.com/Malone-HandiRack-Inflatable-Universal-Luggage/dp/B001F5AHKC