G'day everyone! Have just started to dabble in a bit of kayak fishing and am absolutely LOVING it! Have been a mad fisher-miss for a few years now and since starting on the kayaks, I'm wanting to spend my hard-earned (some days not really) money on a kayak. Was wanting to know what would be the best brand to go for?!
Hi ToriJean2, welcome to TBX, there are a couple of kyakers on the forum I'm sure one of them will be able to help you out
Hi ToriJean, I can understand your love of kayak fishing, it is something that I got into a few years ago and found it to be one of the most enjoyable types of fishing I had ever tried. As for your question "what would be the best brand to go for", there are far too many criteria that need to be considered before making that decision. Where you intend to fish will determine the type of kayak best suited for your needs. If you only intend to fish calm water like skinny creeks, rivers, lakes and estuaries, then you wont need a four and a half metre offshore unit. A smaller kayak in the 3 to 3.5 metre range is easy to handle, especially in skinny water, but lacks the gear carrying space and speed of the longer vessels. You also need to consider whether to go for a sit on top (SOT) or a sit in kayak (SIK). Both have their advantages and disadvantages, a SOT being virtually unsinkable and easy to paddle or pedal, easy to remount should you fall off, but they lack the overall stability of a SIK. I went for a SIK (Glide Horizon from BCF) as it suited my needs at the time, very stable, lightweight at 20 kgs, easy to paddle and just enough space for the minimum amount of gear I carried - pic below. The disadvantages with a SIK is that they will sink and in the event of me falling out of it, I was prepared to let it sink because there was absolutely no way that an old bugger like me could possibly get back in. Once you have determined the type, then you can consider the brand. A top shelf unit like a Hobie will set you back thousands, but a cheapie will get you to the same spots, not in the same style though. Consider how you are going to transport it and the weight of loading it on a vehicle, plus the extras such as a trolley, whether it is already marketed as a purpose built fishing kayak with rod holders, bait tank and all the other bells & whistles they come with. A lot to consider ToriJean and if you are hellbent on getting one, I would suggest that you visit some of the dedicated kayak dealers and be guided by their knowledge and expertise. I sold mine not so long back, simply because I couldn't refuse the offer presented to me. If I was to consider buying another one, I would go for a canoe instead, something like the Old Town Discovery 119 https://oldtowncanoe.com.au/project/discovery-119/ Why? Because it would suit the type of vessel I would need for longer trips, especially those requiring the gear carrying capacity for overnight stays. In saying that, I am also considering a small tinny - decisions, decisions. Good luck with whatever you get, it is a great way to fish. By the way, welcome to forum. Jeff
Will have to take pics of the kayaks I bought my son and I You can stand up on them as well as storage in the back for swag etc. Holes in the floor for rod holders. Only downside is no room for an esky to keep drinks cold, but bought fish nets (catch holders) to hang off each side, drinks stay cold in the water
where about's are you located most kayak shops have trial days out on the water, you can test out a heap of different boats and brands that will suit your style/budget/storage space......and on the seventh day, hobie created kayaks!
Torijean, first welcome to the forum, nice to see another lady on here. My wife just brought a very nice SoT from complete angler, the pricing was better then BCF. She paid $899 ,but it came with heaps of storage,and rod holders and seems very stable. It does have a very wide beam, good luck Pete
