Going to get a Kajun Custom in the morning!

[Shark Bait]

This will be my first kayak. I have been waiting for two years to get one. Any tips on rigging? Time to do some fishing!

[Racechaser]

Yeah demo it before you buy it to make sure it's what you want. In my opinion it's a great second yak but not your first or only yak. At least tall to people who have one now before you buy.

[ReelThrill]

As RC said, demo as many boats as possible before you make a decision.

[Nobody]

This will be my first kayak. I have been waiting for two years to get one. Any tips on rigging? Time to do some fishing!

Sounds like his mind is already made up. My advice to you is the same I give to everyone on rigging their kayaks, take a sharpie pen with you on your first few trips out before you add anything permanently. Make sure you know exactly where you want things BEFORE you drill any holes!

Once you know where you want to put things, then get more advice from those who know.

I do not consider myself any sort of expert, but I do know a thing or two and I am always willing to share info.

[papawd]

DEMO DEMO DEMO, I agree with Joe go out and fish paddle around and think where Ya want everything to go cause once Ya drill holes they are there ....I can help if close to Baton Rouge area ....

[SteveGundlach]

I bought mine last month & love it. I hope you enjoy yours as well.
I enjoy flyfishing and standing in my yak is very important to me. Another nice thing about the K-12 is the reversible seat which gives you about 12" additional height when seated & in very calm conditions, if you have a good sense of balance, you can stand on the inverted seat like a casting platform and enjoy a REALLY good vantage point.
One con is its bulk, which can make for quite a workout if you are battling a headwind, especially in open water. I am adding a trolling motor to add to my range and ability to handle more adverse conditions.
Good luck & let me know if you would like to get together for a paddle.
Steve

[snake doctor]

I do not consider myself any sort of expert, but I do know a thing or two and I am always willing to share info.

Joe,
You are really nicer than your screen name and tag line "I don't play well with others" indicate.

[Shark Bait]

What about a Redfish 12? How are these? I know there half the price of the Kajun Custom.

[Blue in Green]

Some questions to help narrow it down:

1.) How big are you? Some boats only work for smaller people.
2.) How much do you like to stand while fishing? How important is stability, it comes with a price.
3.) How important is speed; ease of paddling? Again, it comes with a price
4.) How will you be carrying it?
5.) What is your price range?
6.) Have you tried a hobie? Many people swear by the pedal yaks (native propels included)

Definitely demo, demo, demo. In the club we have every variety of yak and we are all able to tell you their praises/faults

[Shark Bait]

1.) I am 5'9", 170#'s
2.) I like to stand about 50% of the time. I like to bass fish a lot, so standing first thing in the morning is important.
3.) Speed is not real important. I just don't want to wear myself out trying to go a mile from the landing.
4.) I have a half ton 4 door Dodge. Probably get a hitch extender.
5.) Really don't want to go over the $1200 range.
6.) Never tried a Hobie. Not wanting to spend that much just yet.

I am probably going to the demo day at BR beach tomorrow, but the guy's at Massey's said they may not be there. The carry the Redfish and I may not get to try it.

[Blue in Green]

Yeah, hobies are hard to get for under $1,200 (wait until you get addicted)

I know a lot of people like the native ultimates, fairly stable and cheaper than the kc. Also the seat is awesome.

[Blue in Green]

Oh, and Nick (about your size) stands in his redfish 12 so it's doable.

[Shark Bait]

Thanks for the info. I am going to do a demo before I make my final decision.

[ijuswannafish]

Thanks for the info. I am going to do a demo before I make my final decision.

Definitely try everything you can get your hands on. They will have alot of different yaks there. You might end up liking something you did not even consider before demoing it.

[Shark Bait]

ijuswannafish,
How is the Trident. I looked at the 13ft. It looks nice.

[ijuswannafish]

I really like the Trident. It moves throught the water very good. I wish I had a 13 instead of the 15. Definitely try one out. I can not stand in it because I have an oversized mid section but Gnatless has the 13 and he stands in his all the time. I would just recommend upgrading the seat so it does not hurt your backside on long days. It is a very stable boat even though I have flipped mine twice, one rookie mistake and one careless.

I also had a Kajun Custom. It now has a new owner who loves it alot more than I did.

[Speckled_Tiger]

Wilderness Systems Ride 135. /thread

[Cobia 1]

Demo, demo, demo, and then demo more! Don't be confused by the price when comparing to the kool-aid (hobie).
Price of yak
Price of seat
price of paddle
price of other stuff
hobie is all inclusive and sometimes the shop will "deal" on the price.
oh yeah, demo some more!!!!

[revredfish]

Try a prowler big game - can stand and fish and not too bad to paddle.
Redfish is a good boat but think you would need to go bigger for standing
Kajun is great for standing and fishing - freshwater is probably the best place for it but anything over a mile is quite a paddle. Look into an extra long paddle if you go that route.

[Nobody]

Joe,
You are really nicer than your screen name and tag line "I don't play well with others" indicate.

Just my way of reeling them in before I crush em

[yak-aholic]

The Native Ultimate 12 is a great freshwater boat if you're not gonna be out in rough water. Otherwise, I like the OK Trident line. They're great paddling boats and I have stood and fished out of the 15 that ijuswannafish has. Out of the boats I have demoed, the OK Trident 13 is high on my list of paddle yaks. I'm actually leaning toward the Hobie Outback as my next yak, but I'll have to wait until I get the funds.

[Nobody]

Massey's will let you demo their boats. Talk to Blake
they usually demo at Bayou St John

[Nobody]

Sounds like what you need is a Native Magic.

[Blue in Green]

Didn't they stop making the magic? Could still find one used of course.

[babboa]

Didn't they stop making the magic? Could still find one used of course.

Massey's website still shows they have a couple of them in stock. And they are pretty cheap.

[yak-aholic]

The Magic is a discontinued model, but there are plenty of new Magics out there. Of course, the supply is getting thin. Make sure that you buy a 2010 model if you do buy a Magic. They had to re-design the scuppers due to cracking on the older models. I have a Magic 14.5 and absolutely love it. Standing to fish is not a problem. I was practicing throwing a 3.5' radius cast net from it last Saturday and while I can't throw it out to the end of the 20' rope, I can get it to open up.

[efauve777]

I second Revredfish, I am 5'-9" 170lbs. I have a prowler big game and can stand with absolutely no problem. I fish standing up more than sitting down. I also have a hobby revo. While they are great for peddling it's not exactly great for standing and fishing. The prowler big game is definabtly easier to paddle than the kajun kayak and you get are able to stand and move around in it very well

[Shark Bait]

Speckled_Tiger was right! I got the Wilderness Systems Ride 135 Angler. I love this thing. Can't wait to get it in the water. Thanks to everyone for the input. Hopefully I can get on the water with some of you guys in the future.

[unclewillie]

Congrats on the new yak

[Shark Bait]

Thanks. Took it out on a pond this evening. Having the rudder makes a huge difference. I even took my kids with me one at a time. Very stable! It is going to take a little time getting used to standing up. But I am very ready to put some fish in that thing.

[Speckled_Tiger]

Speckled_Tiger was right! I got the Wilderness Systems Ride 135 Angler. I love this thing. Can't wait to get it in the water. Thanks to everyone for the input. Hopefully I can get on the water with some of you guys in the future.

Can an admin sticky this please?

[magicman]

Must be a relative of yours. Just don't try giving him advice on where to fish or eat!!!!

[tefishmaster]

We don't know where they fish, but we know where the EAT :hide: :lol:

[magicman]

Does anyone know if they actually fish? Has anybody seen their boats in the water? I think fishings just the excuse to go you know where to eat!!

[swamppro]

I noticed both of them put on some extra weight since the last tourney? Maybe Huddle House needs to make a low fat menu? hahaha