I'm thinking about getting a Kayak this summer for boating as well as fishing purposes. (mostly fishing) I'm looking around the area of $400, $500 being my max. I would like a compartment to store tackle. (although I could use a backpack)

I'm looking for somthing like this:

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131664&cp=2367826.2672651.2674153.2291570&pg=3&searchSort=TRUE&s=A-StorePrice-DSP&parentPage=family&searchId=2291570

Suggestions? Any help would be great.

Thanks

Matt

Fishing from a kayak is impractical at best.  Unless you are getting something like trout, and using the same lure and rod all day.  I would say get a used canoe instead of a yak.  Although, at the beach last year, we ran into a yak rental place, and they had some fishing yaks.  better, had a place for a cooler, and some tackle.  But, they still didn't seem to be adequate for bass fishing.  Get a canoe, or an old beat up jon.  Much better IMHO.

I have an Old Town Loon 138 that I enjoy fishing from. If you are looking for a "sit inside" kayak for fishing it helps to have one like the Loon that has a longer cockpit, which makes it easier to handle fishing rods & tackle. For overall length I wouldn't go too much shorter than 13 or 14 feet long for stability, paddling speed, and gear storage.

Thanks for the tips guys. I found this one that a really like:

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131660&cp=2367826.2672651.2674153.2291570.694713&pg=2&parentPage=family&searchId=694713

Got 3 rod holders (thats more than plenty for me) a large cockpit and rear storage thing.

Check here before buying any kayak or canoe

http://www.paddleva.com/

Don't even think about buying a fishing kayak without visiting http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com

I sold both of my fishing kayaks and bought a 1544 modified v G3 w/ a 15hp Yamaha and trailer.  I can now stand up, move around, stretch my legs, and move 20mph.

I do not regret selling them for 1 second.  Hate them.  I'll go one step further and say that I catch way more fish from my G3.

Just make sure you like being so restrained before you jump in.

I sold both of my fishing kayaks and bought a 1544 modified v G3 w/ a 15hp Yamaha and trailer. I can now stand up, move around, stretch my legs, and move 20mph.

I do not regret selling them for 1 second. Hate them. I'll go one step further and say that I catch way more fish from my G3.

Just make sure you like being so restrained before you jump in.

I agree with you 100%.  Im looking for a used gheenee to park at my parents house.  Only I dont hate kayaks.  I find mine as more of a necessity.

For people like me, who fish electric motor only lakes,  dont have/want a trailer hitch on their car, and cant park a boat in my neighborhood (hoa rules).  Kayaks are the way to go.

Heres a trolling motor mount Im working on.  I will be able to steer it with my feet.  Wont be doing 20mph, but ill settle for 10 (maybe more).

Ah, kayaks: people love 'em or hate 'em. I'm in the love 'em camp.

But a kayak will never do what a motorized boat costing at least ten times as much can do. Ideally, it's a complement to a bass boat, not a replacement. If you fish mostly big lakes, a kayak is pretty useless. If, like me, you enjoy looking at maps and finding small and often unnamed ponds and fishing & exploring them, then a kayak is perfect. I've caught some tremendous fish in places I've carried my yak into and, except for the occasional shore angler, I've had the ponds all to myself. (I'm a solitude junkie.) The yak is also ideal for days when I come home from work and have only an hour or so to fish. Throw it on the car then throw it in the water and get to it.

Like Hoosier, I have a O.T. Loon with an open cockpit and have no trouble at all changing lures and rods. I've got a rod holder, paddle clips, and Eagle fishfinder on my yak, as well as wind socks for controlling drift. Great fun.