Kayak advice

[Yakfishr]

Hi. New guy to the site. I live ibn Galvez. I have been yak fishing with an Ocean Scrambler XT. I feel kind of cramped though and want something new. I like the Prowler 13, Trident Prowler 13, Tarpon 120 to this point. I have looked at so many reviews my head is about to explode. Now to the points:

Are the Prowlers too large for marsh fishing...would I be better with a Prowler 11 for sight casting?

Does anyone use the Malibu Pro Explorer, Stealth 12? If so, hows the hull slap.

I think I really like the Prowlers but, that Rod Pod/Mod Pod gives me mixed feelings.

Thanks in advance-

[Joker]

Welcome Fellow Galvez kayaker!!!! I have a Tarpon 140 and I love it. Fast, glides straight, cuts through the wind, plenty of storage

[Cobia 1]

I had a Malibu x-factor and it was ok as far as hull slap. Depending on your size and your intentions on where you are going to fish. X-factor is good in open water.

[Yakfishr]

I had a Malibu x-factor and it was ok as far as hull slap. Depending on your size and your intentions on where you are going to fish. X-factor is good in open water.

Thank for the feedback. I am not real large. 5'6" 165 lbs..

[Yakfishr]

I think the X-factor will be too big for me. I keep reading about boats that have a good mix of speed with stability. Seems like the boat with the best reviews that is under 13 foot is the WS Tarpon 120. Is that boat a great all around boat. I want to get a kayak for the marshes but, would also like to get off shore a bit.

Thanks-

[ReelThrill]

What about the Ride 135 Angler?

[fishtaco]

Don't forget about the Jackson Coosa. I use to paddle a Tarpon 120 and I much prefer this boat regardless of affiliation. http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/kayak-fishing/coosa/

Just click on the link in my signature if you want to see pics/vids of the boat.

I believe the Backpacker is having a demo day this Saturday at the LSU lakes between 10 - 2, good opportunity to test a lot of boats. Call them to make sure they bring kayaks you want to try out though. 225-925-2677 - http://www.backpackerbr.com/index.PHP

[valvguy1]

I think the X-factor will be too big for me. I keep reading about boats that have a good mix of speed with stability. Seems like the boat with the best reviews that is under 13 foot is the WS Tarpon 120. Is that boat a great all around boat. I want to get a kayak for the marshes but, would also like to get off shore a bit.

Thanks-

I would say the T120 is a good boat for paddling - fast. I would classify it's stability as not great - due to hull shape. It's give and take. When you say sightcasting - do you envison standing and sightcasting or sitting and sightcasting? I don't think anyone is going to do much standing in any of the Tarpons.

[rcajun]

Once I convince the wife I need to upgrade and have a spare boat I am going coosa I think.

[Kingfish]

I'm on my second prowler because it is a great offshore boat and perfectly adequate for marsh fishing. Whenever I hear the "too large" complaint I just chuckle. I've never been able to not go anywhere in the marsh because it was too large. I had an original Prowler 15 and replaced it with a Trident 15, but I'm a bigger guy(6'1", 240).
What are your issues with the rod pod? It comes in very handy, especially in the surf. I went outside the breakers in Florida earlier a few weeks ago and slid two 7' rods into the hull on the way out and in. I also store the rods in the hull ready to go when I'm travelling, either on the roof racks or on a bed extender. Great feature.
Every boat is a compromise of some sort. If I was only fishing in the marsh I'd get a Native or something similar. If I were just offshore i'd get a Hobie Adventure or a Phoenix 160. But the Trident really lets me do both well, and it's relatively quick.

[valvguy1]

I had a Malibu x-factor and it was ok as far as hull slap. Depending on your size and your intentions on where you are going to fish. X-factor is good in open water.

I agree with Bruce. The X Factor and Fish N Dive have similar hulls. The FND was designed to be used in the surf and beyond. Hence the "hull slap" which is a product of waves hitting against the flared bow. Except for open water or really windy days you aren't going to see much slap in the marsh.

I'd agree with Taco though...... go try the other boats. I was dead set on a Freedom Hawk until I tried one at the Demo Days. I liked the features but when they say 250 rating - they mean it. I was too heavy for that platform. From there I moved onto a FND..... 600# weight capacity. Everything was good except, frankly, I wasn't in good enough shape to paddle and my range was like zero. Eventually I bought a used Outback and now have a much extended range. All set right? Not. I like to fly fish and a Mirage Drive isn't a good platform for that. It's all a trade off. I don't think there is a platform that is ideal for everything.

[valvguy1]

I had a Malibu x-factor and it was ok as far as hull slap. Depending on your size and your intentions on where you are going to fish. X-factor is good in open water.

I agree with Bruce. The X Factor and Fish N Dive have similar hulls. The FND was designed to be used in the surf and beyond. Hence the "hull slap" which is a product of waves hitting against the flared bow. Except for open water or really windy days you aren't going to see much slap in the marsh.

I'd agree with Taco though...... go try the other boats. I was dead set on a Freedom Hawk until I tried one at the Demo Days. I liked the features but when they say 250 rating - they mean it. I was too heavy for that platform. From there I moved onto a FND..... 600# weight capacity. Everything was good except, frankly, I wasn't in good enough shape to paddle and my range was like zero. Eventually I bought a used Outback and now have a much extended range. All set right? Not. I like to fly fish and a Mirage Drive isn't a good platform for that. It's all a trade off. I don't think there is a platform that is ideal for everything.

[Yakfishr]

Thanks for the replies.

Hey Fishtaco: What does "regardless of affiliation" mean when talking about the Coosa.

[Branch_Office]

Don't forget that BackPacker will be at and bring a fleet of yaks for us at Family Day on Aug 6th. Members will have their boats too so a nice selection of yaks to view and try.

I agree with Kingfish about the chuckle in regards to being too large. I drive the PA and love it and it is pretty large but it is also pretty darn comfortable to be in all day!

[Yakfishr]

Hey Kingfish. I am a little concerned with the Rod Pod getting in the way of my legs. I like the storage capability but I worry a bit about that open hole in the middle of the deck. Could water get in the Rod Pod easily if the boat capsized? I would prefer if it latched better..with a gasket. I know there are trade-offs will all kayaks. Just trying to pick the best one for me so I don't have to buy another in a year or so.

[Yakfishr]

Don't think I can make the demo Day this weekend. Anniversary...kayak hopping won't go over well. Hey where is Family Day on Aug 6th?

[Branch_Office]

St James Boat Club off Hwy 61. Open to all ...members and non members and their families. Free food and games for the kids. Watch the forum for details coming up.

[valvguy1]

Don't worry about going all the way up in size to a PA. Most PA owners have other "short comings" they are trying to make up for.

:hide:

[Branch_Office]

Are you talking about my fishing ability AGAIN! Them is going to be catching words if you keep that up....

[fishtaco]

Thanks for the replies.

Hey Fishtaco: What does "regardless of affiliation" mean when talking about the Coosa.

I'm on their kayak fishing team.

[Kingfish]

The rod pod does have a gasket on my Trident 15, as does the front hatch. When I'm in Florida I pratice surf launches and landings, and re-entry after flipping. You'll get a little water in the hull, but not enough to affect performance notably. Just make sure the gaskets are sound and the straps are tight. This is probably true of most kayaks with open hull hatches.

I've never flipped a kayak in the marsh, only in the surf. I guess the rod pod can get in the way depending on what your doing with your legs, but for me the benefits outweigh the negatives.


Hey Kingfish. I am a little concerned with the Rod Pod getting in the way of my legs. I like the storage capability but I worry a bit about that open hole in the middle of the deck. Could water get in the Rod Pod easily if the boat capsized? I would prefer if it latched better..with a gasket. I know there are trade-offs will all kayaks. Just trying to pick the best one for me so I don't have to buy another in a year or so.

[tefishmaster]

Family Day with Backpacker Demo... Lot's of yaks to try out for free plus you can met a lot of members, and we'll even feed ya and your family. :yes:

[Yakfishr]

Well I pulled the trigger and bought a Tarpon 120Angler. Austin kayak has free shipping no and Wilderness Systems is giving a rebate. Good deals. They just got a shipment in yesterday and they had the color I wanted. (Mango). I will be selling my OK Scrambler XT here soon.

[Branch_Office]

Great choice! After demoing a bunch of yaks that is what my wife decided to get and she would not trade it for anything. She will not even try my Pro Angler she would rather paddle. I can tell you she is just as fast as pedals and has been fishing with me at the camp while shrimp boats and crew boats are going by and she did not feel threatened in any way by wakes.

That is the size and color she wanted. Orange / yellow is one of the best colors for visibility on the water there is for safety reasons. I have sat on the deck at my camp and watched 3 or 4 yaks of different colors go out together and the yellow / orange can be seen much farther than even red or others.

With our new club flag (yellow) on top you will be good to go!

Congratz....

[Yakfishr]

Thanks. I haven't received my new kayak yet but, I must say to this point I am very impressed with Austin Kayak. They had my kayak order filled and shipped in less than 2 hours.

[jpfalgout27]

Thanks. I haven't received my new kayak yet but, I must say to this point I am very impressed with Austin Kayak. They had my kayak order filled and shipped in less than 2 hours.

I also just ordered my first kayak from Austin Kayak and it shipped Friday and made it to Hammond yesterday. Should be at the house tomorrow! Their customer service is excellent. I emailed them a few questions abouth the Trident 13 and they were lightning quick to respond. I purchased the package deal which came with a paddle, life vest, and the Trident 13 Angler model but the write up said it had the rod pod and not the mod pod like the 2011 Angler edition has. One email cleared that up and they edited the web page within minutes to include the right info (the mod pod). They also gave me a phone call to let me know they shipped out my kayak which I wasn't expecting. So I've been impressed with them from a customer service stand point so far. Now I'm just waiting patiently for the arrival of my kayak tomorrow! Hope you enjoy your new kayak Yakfishr! Our two kayaks were basically brought into this world at the same time from the same place! Haha!! I can't wait to dip mine in the waters of Bayou Lafourche!

[Yakfishr]

Hey. The Trident 13 is a great kayak. What color did you get? I was torn between that kayak and the Tarpon 120. I fish down in Leeville and Golden Meadow.

The shipping tracking info says my yak is in Dallas right now. Have fun-

[jpfalgout27]

I got the Trident in camo because I plan on taking lots of wildlife pictures and would like to duck hunt out of it if possible as well. I figured the mod pod would come in handy for my shotgun! So being incognito is a quality I was looking for as well.

Had to go into work tonight before it was delivered so I'll get to inspect it tomorrow morning! I'm ready! Did you get your kayak in yet? Let me know how you like it. I looked at the Tarpon 120 (as well as a million other kayaks) but went with the Trident for the mod pod with it's easy attachment features as well as the storage. Super excited about it. I feel like a junkie right now! Everyone is right on about the addictive nature of kayaking!

[yak-aholic]

That mod pod should be easy to put some sort of shotgun rest on it. I used a regular Scotty rod holder on my Pelican to hold my Ruger 10-22 for a squirrel hunt a while back. Worked like a charm except that it was almost too close to me. Now that I have my Native Magic, I'll be rigging something else up before taking my boy out this fall.

[Yakfishr]

My Kayak will be delivered on Wednesday.

[jpfalgout27]

I'm definitely going to look into rigging up some kind of gun mount to mine at some point. That would be nice to have it secured onto something while hunting. I'm definitely not going to leave it lying down on the kayak when I'm not holding it and obviously it'll do me no good to stash it in the mod pod while hunting. I saw a guy on YouTube who rigged up a shotgun holder for a 4-Wheeler onto the side of his kayak. I'd rather have mine mounted in the middle so it's not dangling over the side.

[yak-aholic]

here's a link to the report I posted of the squirrel hunting trip with my "gun mount."

http://www.bckfc.org/showthread.php?2056-Squirrels-in-a-yak&highlight=squirrel

[jpfalgout27]

That looks pretty cool and simple enough! I got my kayak in today. I have the Scotty Triple mount, 3 rod holders and one extension. I'm sure I can rig up something on the mod pod to hold my gun. I'll probably fool around with it tomorrow after I play in the bayou with my kayak. I'll let you know what I come up with. Thanks for the idea!! I think it will work for me!

[Yakfishr]

I received my Tarpon 120 today from Austin Kayak. They really package their yaks nice for shipping. The kayak looks great in mango....can't wait to take it out now. Lots of people seem to shy away from the tarpons due to their weight. This kayak didn't feel much heavier than my OK Scrambler XT. I think a lot of what seems to be ignored is how difficult it is to pick-up and handle different kayaks. I was expecting the weight of the Tarpon 120 to be really heavy...that was not the case for me. I guess time will tell but, it seemed the hull shape and handle placement made carrying it easier. C YA on the marsh.