Quote from: brimo on April 24, 2012, 01:32:50 AM
Don't go cheap on the paddle either and ensure you get the right length.

+1


I'm no professional by any means...but I almost feel like a good paddle is more important than the boat. Probably totally wrong there, but you can REALLY feel the difference between a good paddle and a crap paddle.



edit: forgot to add...we have two of the sit on top Sea Kayak brand kayaks. We keep them down at the weekend place on the Frio. They're pretty durable, but probably not what I would want for what you plan on doing. Plus...they weight a TON. The good thing about them is you'll let anyone take them down the river and bash them into rocks, as we've yet to break one.

My old man has some sort of Hobie Kayak that has cool flipper things that you can paddle with your feet, so he can fish with his hands, but I can't remember what it's called at the moment....

Thanks for info Le P.

Saw a Perception 12' Sport for $599 today.  On sale from $799. Any experience with these?  It was all set up for fishing.

Lethe.. You're a douche!   

Went down to San Marcos today to try out a handful of kayaks.

Wilderness Tarpon 100, 120, 140

Jackson Cuda and the Cusa an the Riviera.

And a few others.

I think the Wilderness 120 would be perfect.

Although, the guy also told me that he had a few canoes that were only about 35 lbs.  So half the weight and ability to carry 1-3 people.. I may start check these out too!

BTW..If you haven't been there, San Marcos is a cool little place!!

Quote from: WarrenJ on April 23, 2012, 08:36:16 PM


The Wilderness Systems Tarpon has a real good reputation among kayak fishermen on the Great Lakes and offshore.  Its rotomolded - made like a garbage can - not as light as a kevlar or other composite boat but they are carefree and can take a vast amount of punishment. 

I have a 12' Pungo by Wilderness Systems and a 138 Loon from Old Town.  I have had them over 10 years and have paddled probably a couple thousand miles in them.  I like the material of the Old Towns better than the Wilderness System boats as it has built in flotation  (crosslink-3)  The WS boats use foam or compartments for flotation.  The Old Town material floats enough that extra flotation is not needed. 

I like the carefree features of the rotomolded kayaks instead of having a composite boat that you are worried about every little scratch and bump.  I hunt and fish out of my boats and have used them pretty hard for over a decade and they are still going strong.  There is no denying that the composite boats are faster and lighter, but for how I use mine, I prefer the rotomolded boats.  Tougher and cheaper.  Thats not saying that I wouldn't take a 17' composite sea kayak if someone gave me one!

I'd like to get a 14' Tarpon for larger water fishing and longer distance paddling.  Its probably one of the best values for a hard use sit on top.  The hull design is more like a sea kayak than my Loon, which is pretty wide and has a very large open cockpit.  It works real well for fishing rods, decoys, bowfishing equipment and 100 lbs of bleeding slimy carp piled ontop of my legs.  I've done plenty of 10 mile paddles in the Loon, the 14' Tarpon would probably be a rocket in comparison.

Since we bought the kayaks, I sold the canoe and the 14" Motorboat hasn't been in the water since.  I found that once I started motorcycling several years ago, it took the place of paddling.  I am making a point of paddling at least one night a week this season.  I can be in the water in about 5 minutes from the time I decide to go so its pretty convenient.

So what do you do with all that Carp?  Fertilizer or home made Gefilte fish?

I filleted them down, cut as much of the mud line out as possible and pressure cooked them to pieces.  Then I made them into patties with bread crumbs, spices, etc.  They still tasted like carp.

The best recipe I have heard of for carp is planked carp.  You nail a carp to a clean cedar plank, put it on the roof for 3 weeks, throw away what is left of the carp and eat the plank.  They are pretty good smoked, but I don't know if I want my smoker smelling like carp when I smoke other things in there. 

what do you do with the patties? grill?  Pan fry? Bake?

pan fry

IZ - I have this: http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Pelican-Castaway-116-Fishing-Kayak&i=432312&aID=505P1A&merchID=4006

It has been very good, I fish and free dive out of it. It can carry a lot of gear, dry storage in front and bulk in the back. Tracks staight and is easy to manage.

Quote from: IZ on April 28, 2012, 04:47:50 PM

Although, the guy also told me that he had a few canoes that were only about 35 lbs.  So half the weight and ability to carry 1-3 people.. I may start check these out too!

I wanted a kayak for a while, then thought about a canoe. I picked up a Old Town Camper 15, only used a couple times off craigslist for $450 (list is $1550), with paddles, seats and wheels. Its 57 lbs but easy enough for me to carry by myself. Its need to be able to take someone with you if you want.

My dad just picked up 2 Pelicans for the lakes back up in MI.

Scoot..good deal. Ive been checking out Canoes but I think ive narrowed down the kayaks to the Wilderness Tarpon 120 or the Necky Vector 13.

Basically..speed vs comfort.

Before I bought my canoe the kayak I was most interested in was the Tarpon 140. 

I was checking out the Wilderness site



I am now HIGHLY interested in the Wilderness Tsunami




Damn you IZ 

140 is an option too.

I'll have to check on the Tsunami LeP.

Btw.. When you coming down to Austin again?

Quote from: IZ on May 08, 2012, 07:41:28 AM
140 is an option too.

I'll have to check on the Tsunami LeP.

Btw.. When you coming down to Austin again?

The Tsunami is a sit in, rather than a sit on top like your looking for. I've been thinking of doing some multi day kayak trips, and it'd fit the bill 

I'm in and out of Austin every now and then...but generally on short notice (as in...hey can you drive go to San Marcos and pick something up today---short notice).

I'm sure we'll be down there this summer some though...to visit the in-laws. I'll let you know.

Also...I'll be stuck down there the first week of July for about 5 days...doing work stuff.

Have you looked at the Field And Stream SOT.  Sold through Dicks Sports for early $500s.  That in conjuntion with a Sports Authority 20% off coupon could make for a sweet deal!