I have been kayak fishing for a while now, and sold my jon boat last night. Now my girlfriend of 5 years is freaking out that i sold it.I need a decent kayak for her, she does not go with me all the time, maybe 10 times a year. I'm looking for a cheaper SOT kayak (under 500?) that she wont get wet in to make her happy lol. any suggestions? must be pretty stable.

Look on Craigslist. Always kayaks for sale there.

I have been kayak fishing for a while now, and sold my jon boat last night. Now my girlfriend of 5 years is freaking out that i sold it.I need a decent kayak for her, she does not go with me all the time, maybe 10 times a year. I'm looking for a cheaper SOT kayak (under 500?) that she wont get wet in to make her happy lol. any suggestions? must be pretty stable.

 

Hit your local BJ's (if you have one). They carry a Pelican fishing kayak (my first one) for around $300. Decent kayak for the money, and saves you a few bucks just-in-case.

Hit your local BJ's (if you have one). They carry a Pelican fishing kayak (my first one) for around $300. Decent kayak for the money, and saves you a few bucks just-in-case

 

Thanks for the tip, a local store has a pelican Castaway 100 on sale for $249 bucks. I'm tempted to go buy it,and since she has never been in a kayak  before no big loss if she don't like it.

Thanks for the tip, a local store has a pelican Castaway 100 on sale for $249 bucks. I'm tempted to go buy it,and since she has never been in a kayak  before no big loss if she don't like it.

 

Mine isn't a Castaway, but I believe it is nearly identical, just a color difference. A good choice for little money. Be forewarned, if she loves it, she'll want a better yak!!

Mine isn't a Castaway, but I believe it is nearly identical, just a color difference. A good choice for little money. Be forewarned, if she loves it, she'll want a better yak!!

 

i too have a pelican kayak, a icon angler X120 I have made an agreement with her that i will buy her a kayak, but i get the next upgrade  . i have my eye on a Jackson Big Rig, but at 1400 dollars she might not be too happy about it lol. I won't break the news until after i buy it 

 I won't break the news until after i buy it 

 

Atta boy. Apologize after the fact LOL. It'll work for a few purchases, then she'll get smart, you'll get married, and the charade will end. Heh.

Atta boy. Apologize after the fact LOL. It'll work for a few purchases, then she'll get smart, you'll get married, and the charade will end. Heh.

shes already too smart for me...." you know if you saved up half the money you spent on fishing tackle in 6 months, you could have bought a ring 10 times" is something i hear quite often,

http://perceptionsport.com/kayaks/PRS_Pescador_120

 

Bought this one in red for my girlfriend on craigslist for $350 with a paddle and some rigging already done. Perfect yak for her, and she paddles it without any problems. They go for $500 new at Academy. 

shes already too smart for me...." you know if you saved up half the money you spent on fishing tackle in 6 months, you could have bought a ring 10 times" is something i hear quite often,

 

Heard this one more times than I'd like.

http://perceptionsport.com/kayaks/PRS_Pescador_120

 

Bought this one in red for my girlfriend on craigslist for $350 with a paddle and some rigging already done. Perfect yak for her, and she paddles it without any problems. They go for $500 new at Academy. 

 

I would really like to know how this boat performs.  I have been looking at it and like it, but I want something that paddles easy and is fairly fast.  I currently have a 11' sit inside Necky and want something that is as easy to paddle as the Ocean Kayaks.  $350 is a steal.

I would really like to know how this boat performs.  I have been looking at it and like it, but I want something that paddles easy and is fairly fast.  I currently have a 11' sit inside Necky and want something that is as easy to paddle as the Ocean Kayaks.  $350 is a steal.

 

The pescador is a great fishing platform and very easy to paddle and steer. It's not super wide, so standing isn't really a viable option, but it is still a great boat. My kayak for saltwater is an ocean kayak trident 13 and the pescador is just as nice to paddle. There are tons of reviews out for the pescador, so you don't have to take my word for it.

My only suggestion is to get her one that you would like to fish in.  If you buy her something that is cheap and it does not make her comfortable or feel safe then she will for sure never do it again.  Are there any places in the area that you could rent from?  This seems like a better option until you know that she will be going with you on a regular basis. 

check out those ascend kayaks at BPS, they have a really nice 12' SOT for less than $500

and as stated, craigslist is a great option.  i'm looking for a yak for my wife as well, about the same situation as you.

Is she going to be fishing, or just out for a paddle with you?  If the latter, perhaps a SINK is another viable option.

 

re: the SOT options - My experience has been that a lot of the cheaper SOTs are fine as far as ergos and stability, but the hull design leaves a little to be desired.  Bought a relatively inexpensive SOT for our kids to use ($300ish) and it tracks really poorly.  Literally, I can follow behind them by a boat length and see the boat fishtailing side to side with each stroke.  Makes for a lot more work to go the same distance I go.

 

If we're fishing, they take the SOT.  If they're just going to paddle/swim/goof off while I fish, we bring our Old Town SINK and they paddle that.

 

That said, if you're just looking for a cheap option in a SOT, start with looking at used boats.  Aside from that, set what you want to spend and get the most boat you can afford (lest she think you're skimping on her).

 

One other note:  The Perception Pescador is an excellent value.  The hull is actually the exact same hull as a past model of the Wilderness Systems Tarpon, a well-respected fishing platform.  For the money, it's an excellent buy.

X3 on the pescador. This is the kayak that I am currently paddling, and I have nothing but good things to say about it.

Well guys, i wasen't planning on buying one so soon but i made a trip to bass pro tonight to pick up some soft plastics and walked over to the kayaks to find the Ascend D10T on sale for 329 bucks because they discontinued the color. I was hesitant at first so i had them take it down for me to check out, i sat in it and loved it, even more than my own yak.It is alot wider than what i am used to paddling and the bottom is flat so i am pretty sure it will be plenty stable,also the guy at bass pro was very knowledgeable as he owned 7 yaks of his own and told me all the good things about it along with some of the complanits and how to fix them easily if i would like (not typical of a salesman). Needless to say i we will be at the lake tomorrow for her first voyage! Thanks for all the suggestions, and wish me luck trying to get her in it hahaha.