I am looking to get my first sit on top kayak.  I am looking at the 11' 6" 60lbs Pelican Castaway Kayak from Dicks sporting goods.  It is on sale or $480.  Does anybody know anything about this yak?  Any suggestions for other yaks?  What are things I should look for in a yak?

Just my 2 cents...

I do alot of saltwater fishing in Florida and just started bass fishing.  I own a Native Ultimate 14.5 which is sort of a cross breed between a canoe and yak (easy to stand and cast in).  For bigger water and longer distances, I have a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160.  Both are a bit on the steep side in terms of cost 850ish to $1000.   Both are great for bass fishing.

While I'm not a big fan of the Pelicans, $480 seems like good price and I'm sure it will do what you need.  If you're looking for a smaller boat, there are many 12' options out there.  Check Craig's list and kayak fishing forums in your area.... you'll find some great deals there.  If you have a kayak fishing outfitter in your area, you might want to check them out too.

Good luck to you

Mike

If your looking for a quality SOT you can keep for a number of years, look at natives/tarpons/ocean kayaks/heritage/or hobies.. i researched this for quite a while before deciding on a heritage redfish 12..  

If your looking for a fishing kayak, i personally think this is the way to go.. but  that is again my opinion..  if your not doing much fishing on it.. who cares..  

check out www.kayakfishingstuff.com .. a great link, and tons of help if you have questions.

If your looking for a quality SOT you can keep for a number of years, look at natives/tarpons/ocean kayaks/heritage/or hobies.. i researched this for quite a while before deciding on a heritage redfish 12..

If your looking for a fishing kayak, i personally think this is the way to go.. but that is again my opinion.. if your not doing much fishing on it.. who cares..

check out www.kayakfishingstuff.com .. a great link, and tons of help if you have questions.

Great suggestion for Kayak Fishing Stuff.  They are about 45 min from my house and that's where I got my yak.  

I would definitely tap into these guys.  Great bunch and can help with the selection.  I cover some bigger water sometimes and my kayak is just for fishing.  I got the Hobie Revolution with the Mirage drive.  It works so great that you can fish or rig up gear while peddling.  When you're way out in a reservoir and your buddy had to paddle all the way back to the take out, you smile and are glad you have the peddle drive

Personally I would never get a pelican SOT after seeing my bosses.  It is a solid yak but has serious tracking problems and is not a very streamlined design and takes a lot of energy to get it up to speed.  My boss did get a brand new heritage redfish 12 angler edition kayak and the thing is awesome.  We take it out in boston harbor fishing for stripers for 12 hours at a time catching 34 inch hogs almost every weekend.  I absolutely love heritage and have a 12 ft sit in model myself.  They run about 700 bucks but my buddy got a steal on his for 550.  Good luck picking out your yak!

oh and the seat in that kayak is wicked uncomfortable I have sat in that seat and thought it was terrible

After getting advice from a couple of different forums, and kayak review sites.  It looks like I should be choosing between a redfish 12 and a tarpon 120.  Thanks for the advice, and I can always use more on what kayak to choose.  I am still gonna give it couple weeks of thought before I purchase one.

if you ever want to see the redfish 12 in action, your more than welcome to try mine out..  although, i have to admit i really wouldn't mind having a tarpon as well..

I have a Prowler Big game, and it fishes very comfortably.  Standing is not an issue, as it has a stable, 34" beam.  It isn't the fastest hull in the world, but I bought it to fish from, not race.  If you get a SOT, get the rudder option.  I would not live without it.

d**n son u have more electronics and gear on that kayak than in my car!!!  

LOL, yeah, not your typical fishing yak.

Here are some close ups:

And a jigging "money shot" for you:

Thats awesome!  I notice everyone puts the gear behind them.  Is it easily accessible?

Yes, it is pretty easy to get at on this model.  Its literally sight behind me, and even in rough Lake Ontario chop, I can get to it without getting up.  The old milk crate is the ticket.

Here is pic that shows where everything is in relation to me:

There is also a big hatch just in front of the seat, where I keep my cooler, emergency and 1st aid kit, binoculars, a dry bag with my DLSR camera and lenses, and whatever little creatures have taken up residence in there.  Well, I might be kidding for the last one.  There is even a molded aerated recirculating livewell that can be fitted to the center hatch!  I think its about a $200 kit.

heres my striper setup

two front mounted rods one for trolling one for casting

small cooler in the back for a snack attack

my freshwater setup is completely different

heres mine.. not done yet.. looking for a crate set up..

i keep everything in front for easy access..but keeping extra stuff in a crate i think would be essential..

Eddie, what brand/model rod holders do you have in the triple RAM mount up front?

Close, not RAM.. it's Scotty all the way..  check out kayakfishingstuff.com.. they have it for sale..

OK, I have four of the monster Scotty holders now, but I picked up a smaller universal unit.  That is probably what you are using.  The smaller ones work much better for me.  I was just wondering if you were using another brand that I missed.

Sweet rig, btw