Hey everyone! I've been doing a little bit of thinking and having a lake just a block away from my place makes me really want to try out a light kayak. I really have no idea what to look for but I do know I'm not interested in those ones that you just sit on top of. I was hoping maybe someone could give me an idea of what to look for in a kayak. I don't need anything super spectacular and if possible I'd like to keep it at $300 or less. This might be crazy, but who knows. Like I said, something light would be great so I could just carry it to the lake and do a little fishing. 

 

Thanks in advance for the help! 

Find a local shop that sells kayaks.  Most will have some sort of demo day. Paddle as many boats as you can.  You'll learn more about what you like and don't like in one day of paddling that you will from weeks of reading.

 

My fish kayak was a Perception Sport 9.5... not a bad start boat.  Easy to load/unload, haul, very stable, and tracks ok for a smaller boat.

Hey everyone! I've been doing a little bit of thinking and having a lake just a block away from my place makes me really want to try out a light kayak. I really have no idea what to look for but I do know I'm not interested in those ones that you just sit on top of. I was hoping maybe someone could give me an idea of what to look for in a kayak. I don't need anything super spectacular and if possible I'd like to keep it at $300 or less. This might be crazy, but who knows. Like I said, something light would be great so I could just carry it to the lake and do a little fishing. 

 

Thanks in advance for the help! 

 

For $300, you will have to look at a big box store, or Craig's List. My first was about $350 from a big box store. Within a year I upgraded to a Native Ultimate 12. You should be able to find a decent sit on top (SoT) on the used market, for what you want to do. Otherwise, to get a real fishing yak, you'll need to save your $$. Also keep in mind you will need a decent PFD (life vest) and paddle. Believe me when I tell you, the paddle that came with my $350 yak was heavy and awful to paddle with. Pooped me out so fast it wasn't even funny. Now I have a graphite paddle. Much better.

 

Just a couple things to think about. Others will chime in with more advice.

Why don't you want a sit on top kayak? That's the best type for fishing.

I'll keep it short and sweet......

 

1. Your budget is not very realistic given that you will need other things.

2. That price is going to limit the quality and reliability long term of certain brands

3. Seat time seat time seat time

4. You'll most likely find out that the money you saved initially in going the cheap route could have been saved a little longer and used towards a better kayak

 

With that said, try these threads that may have more content regarding this topic area.....

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/121104-need-kayak-advice/

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/120956-bass-fishing-on-a-kayak/

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/119680-kayak-question/

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/119567-basics-of-kayak-buying/

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/119235-looking-to-buy-my-first-kayakplease-help-bps-d10t-sot-kayak-pelican-icon-100x-etc/

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/117084-which-kayak/

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/118110-question-about-mini-x-kayak/

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/115057-bps-ascend-d10t-kayak-vs-malibu-mini-x-kayak/

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/117387-need-a-light-kayak/

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/114350-looking-to-buy-a-kayak/

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/114014-buying-a-kayak-this-spring/

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/110213-first-kayak-purchase-please-help/

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/110674-need-help-deciding-on-canoe-or-kayak/

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/110096-kayak-recommendations/

Hi, I just started kayak fishing this summer and to be honest you really really really should go to some stores and sit in them and try out the seat. As others have said I think the seat is one of the most if not THE most important thing to consider.

 

I bought the Ascend FS10 from Bass Pro Shops, and the seat it comes with is so comfortable that I have actually spent 12 hours on the water in comfort.

 

It costs 499.00 but look at it this way...you will have this thing for a lot of years and will love the freedom it gives you to fish otherwise inaccessible places.

 

**edit** I see you are in Erie, PA. I checked online and there is a Dick's Sporting Goods there you can check out. The one by me here in NJ has a pretty big selection of kayaks.