I have been looking for a month or so now for my first kayak. I have a canoe, which I'm selling, because I want to try the kayak thing. Well, most of what I've seen has not been what I'm looking for, and what I am looking for is $500-800. I know that's not expensive for a yak but I'm in my Nitro most of the time; I just like to float some small water once in a while and kayak fishing really looks fun. Well I saw this thing at Tractor Supply on clearance for $250...I couldn't help myself; cheap paddle and all. I might use it 3 times per year. I do plan on getting a portable fish finder, like the HB 571 HD Di. There are some small areas I have been wondering what was in them for structure.

Oh well, I own it now. Who knows, maybe an upgrade will be in order in a couple of years if I really like it. This will get me out in one for now at least.

Anyone have any experience with this brand/length?

 

 

 

 $250?  Nice!  How much does it weigh?  

two things i can say is that you are gonna have a wet butt because it looks like the scuppers are right under the seat and two that seat is gonna probably need be changed because here is no way that's comfortable.  that being said, for a few trips a year i am sure you will have a blast

A fishing buddy just picked up the same boat this season. 

Great boat for that cost.

 

Just go ahead and take marine goop to seal it up, he had a ton of leaks prior to doing that, but since its been bone dry.

 

Great lil barge for ponds and small lakes for sure...

two things i can say is that you are gonna have a wet butt because it looks like the scuppers are right under the seat and two that seat is gonna probably need be changed because here is no way that's comfortable.  that being said, for a few trips a year i am sure you will have a blast

 

Yup definitely a summer boat!

A fishing buddy just picked up the same boat this season. 

Great boat for that cost.

 

Just go ahead and take marine goop to seal it up, he had a ton of leaks prior to doing that, but since its been bone dry.

 

Great lil barge for ponds and small lakes for sure...

leaks where? on the seams?  if i buy any kayak, no matter the price, if it leaks where it shouldn't i am taking it back to try another one to see if it has the same issues

It's 30" wide and only 44 lbs; much lighter than my canoe. Ya, I'm planning on taking every fitting, clip and hatch off and sealing everything.

Congratulations.  Now get out there and fish from it!

leaks where? on the seams?  if i buy any kayak, no matter the price, if it leaks where it shouldn't i am taking it back to try another one to see if it has the same issues

 

Its actually a common issue with those boats. Seams leak in the scuppers if IRC...A ton of people have talked about it on forums.

I think the reason people dont care and just fix it themselves, is these boats are sold at Walmart, and in that price range you are bound to have problems but they make a great great cheap fishing boats for people who dont use them daily I guess.

 

My buddy loves his, but he also leaves it chained to a tree at our local lake...It sees it as a disposable fishing platform.

Congratulations.  Now get out there and fish from it!

Thats it!

 

Some people will spend a ton of money on the best gear possible ( me ) when others just want to get into the sport first with something nice and cheap to see if they really like it...

 

Hell, if I couldn't afford a yak, I would use a pallet to fish off of if it floats!

It's 30" wide and only 44 lbs; much lighter than my canoe. Ya, I'm planning on taking every fitting, clip and hatch off and sealing everything.

 

If it's 30" wide I'll bet you can stand in it. 

If it's 30" wide I'll bet you can stand in it. 

That's what I'm hoping!

Selling the canoe and buying the kayak is a pretty bad idea imo, but to each his own.

Selling the canoe and buying the kayak is a pretty bad idea imo, but to each his own.

I think I was ready for something smaller and lighter; maybe easier to paddle. My canoe is a 14', 41" wide Lincoln; as in Town Car! It's comfortable but it's the USS SmokinAl ; lots of drag and lots of work to paddle. I'm an old man now and need to be able to scoot along from spot to spot.

14' long 41" wide? That's a barge!

^^^That's what I'm sayin!

  For $250.00?  Lets say it leaks, big deal, patch it up!  Seat not so good?  It should be easy to find other padding or other sit on top kayak seats to put on it.  I'm going to have to check out the local Tractor Supply store and see if they have any for $250.00.   A $250.00 kayak is at the price point I would not be scared to customize it by drilling holes in it to install stuff.  

 Looks like it could be a cool pond/strip pit fishing machine!  

I have the journey 12 SS, I've taken it out on Chickamauga lake a couple times now since buying it a few weeks ago. I'm not sure what the differences between cheap journey kayaks and high end kayaks are, but the journey hasn't given me a reason to think about an upgrade beyond a kayak made for standing like the old town predator. Pretty much anything else such as a seat can be upgraded. Overall I'm more than impressed with the kayak.

I have a Journey 12 and really like mine too. I got mine from Walmart for $399. I've added a crate (Pepsi crate free from Big Lots for the asking) automatic anchor line reel, and an anchor trolley. Removed the stickers and added some paint and a sticker of my own. Next comes a side image fish finder. Lol

nice 'yak! Perhaps look into the "Deeper" portable fish finders if you own a smartphone.

Selling the canoe and buying the kayak is a pretty bad idea imo, but to each his own.

I went with the canoe first and it was too hard to handle alone. I'm a lot happier with a fishing kayak. I still have the canoe but I never use it unless I take a crowd down the river. Then they use it.

Selling the canoe and buying the kayak is a pretty bad idea imo, but to each his own.

Not all canoes are created equal