Inflatable boat/yak

[95GTSpeedDemon]

I live in tickfaw/hammond and trying to find spots to fish from the bank with fish has been daunting.
After walking for atleast a mile with all my gear through a tickfaw state park trail to catch only one keeper bass, im in need of some change.
The problem is i dont have a truck or trailer to tow a small boat/yak.
Since inflatables can be taken in my large 4 door without a problem, its sounds like a avenue to explore. Can you lend any tips or advice about inflatables?

Thanks!

[pistol]

Kayak Roof rack 4 cars

[tugowar]

+1 on the roof rack.
A truck is not required. Nice for certain battlewagon yaks, but not needed. I carry a 12ft Native Ultimate atop my VW Rabbit.
I suggest you don't limit yourself with an inflatable. You can find fish, but you'll also find logs, limbs, oyster beds, commando launches, etc.

Welcome to the addiction! You'll find that kayak fishing is one area in which you literally get what you pay for.
I strongly suggest you attend a demo day. DEMO, DEMO, DEMO. Retailers such as Masseys (N.O. and Northshore), Pack & Paddle (Lafayette), and the Backpacker (B.R.) hold demos every month. I wound up driving from Slidell to Lafayette to get what I wanted and how I wanted it. Couldn't be happier.

Demo before spending one dime.

[yak-aholic]

Where's Psycho Joe with his pic of his old Magic 14.5 on top of a Ford Escort??
Yakima and Thule both make some really good roof racks that are specifically designed for your car. Go to their sites and do a search. Or you can call one of the 3 kayak dealers mentioned above and let them help you out.

[elementfiftyfour]

As you can probably tell not many folk here have much, if any, experience with inflatable yaks. I agree with their advice though, an inflatable in the river is probably not the best set up.

Do an internet search for river kayaks and you will find a lot of advice and styles. Most yaks that are suited for river fishing only weigh about 60lbs so they are quite easy to toss on the roof of almost any vehicle. They are also generally shorter so you can steer them better in the space constraints of the river.

I will make a suggestion that the Jackson Kayak Coosa is an awesome yak and is specifically designed for river bass fishing.

Good luck searching.

[Redwolf]

Altho I have heard there are some decent inflatables on the market (maybe Hobie inflatables), ALL the ones I have seen are not worth a flip, I would highly recommend against it. Everyone I have ever seen paddled looks more like a topwater lure "dog-walking" thru the water.

[bigredbobber]

There are at least 2 decent brands of folding kayaks that are skins over the solid frame, but their hypalon bottom material will easily shred and leak the first time you go over an oyster bar.

Boats like that are designed more for sand and ocean than bayou and marsh. Plus cost is crazy.

Unless it's a PFD or raincoat, stay away from any boat from Stern that requires an air pump. Tracking is bad unless you are just creeking with tubers.

[95GTSpeedDemon]

Thanks for the replies; i was very concerned about an inflatable on a river. its loaded with trees. I will look up the sites and go to a demo day first. How bad is it to paddle upstream in a kayak?
a 10ft flat boat is a freakin chore!

I looked up masseys. When i saw the prices i choked a little. Are they so much more equipped that the price goes up alot from say what academy has to offer?
Example: http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/outdoors/marine/kayaks&start=8&selectedSKU=0142-02305-0306
$250 vs ~$700

[elementfiftyfour]

Are you a big guy, average sized or a light weight? This is a rather important factor to consider when looking for a new kayak. The one you linked to might be a bit small if you are much more than 200 lbs.
Also, I would suggest looking into the Sit On Top (SOT) kayaks rather than the the Sit In kayaks for fishing. You can fish from a sit in kayak but a SOT give you much more flexibility to customize it for how you like to fish.
I am assuming you would probably like to stand up while Bass fishing so you can get better casts into the cover as well, pitching would be pretty difficult when you are in a Sit In kayak.

As you can probably expect, a kayak will be a bit easier to paddle upstream compared to a flat boat. It won't be a breeze but it can probably be done as long as the water isn't really rushing.

As far as Massey's goes, they have great products and they know it. If you want a great kayak then you will have to definitely pay the extra buck for it.
With that being said, there are other dealers that carry a range of quite capable but less pricey yaks.
Check out West Marine, Bass Pro, Cabela's, Craig's List and the For Sale boards here on this forum.

[95GTSpeedDemon]

I'm 6' 2" and ~160lbs. I would prefer to stand while fishing, so the SOT does sound like a better option.
Are there any downsides i should pay particular attention to when shopping the cheaper units?

Economy is kicking my industries butt, so i dont have a bunch to spend.

I found these on craigslist.
Ocean Kayak - Scrambler - A single seat, 11’ sit-on-top kayak with many extras: scupper plugs, double paddle, adjustable seat back, carrying handles, two sealed storage compartments, cargo restraint straps and attachment points. Great for fishing and sightseeing and is very stable. The forest green color has superior resistance to sunlight. Very little scuffing or fading. http://neworleans.craigslist.org/boa/2237522106.html

Wilderness Systems Tarpon Kayak - Two seats with adjustable backs, deck rigging & drain plug, Originally Purchased at Buffalo Peak Outfitters. Good condition.
http://jackson.craigslist.org/boa/2294060421.html

[pistol]

I would call the guy in jackson see if he will meet you somewhere and let you demo it. the two seater is cool see if you like it