I’m really wanting to try this.  I was just about to pull the trigger on an X10 Twin Troller when I ran across the kayak bass fishing and TourneyX sites.  Looks great, but the X10 isn’t an approved vessel.

 

My ultimate goal, Lord willing, is to find a circuit that awards a bass boat.

 

Im in north Alabama.

 

Im now considering the Blue Sky Angler 360, as it is an approved KBF vessel.

 

Im disabled but stable, financially and I have the time to pursue this...I want to at least try.
 

Guidance?

I'm 48 and I've had some type of bass boat since I was 16, granted it was about 2002 before I started buying nice new boats but anyway I bought a kayak this past Sept and love it. Boat hasn't gotten wet since and it's pretty much sold. 

 

I fished one tournament out of my bass boat and that was in 2008. I'm terrified of speed on the water. I'll ride my Harley 85mph in rush hour traffic but water speed terrifies me. I sat at the launch until everyone left and their wake calmed and with a big (I think that boat had a 225 HP on it) engine creeped 35 mph to my first spot. Someone was already there. Every spot I went to was taken. I turned around and went home.

 

Kayak is a little more even playing field. I've got really into the KBFTN trail and the monthly TNKATT tournaments as well. We actually have a couple people with the Blue Sky Anglers and they are KBF legal.

 

My best advice is to get out on the water with minimal to no gear and get used to your vessel and then add your gear and get acclimated and most of all - PRACTICE taking pics of fish on that hawg trough before it counts! I thought the hawg trough deal was a no brainer and did not practice. Rude awakening for me. TourneyX and FishDonkey have practice things to get used to it.

 

My first fish was the jumpiest 12.5" fish I'd ever caught. Could not lay him in the boat or he'd been gone. So I have the fish in my left hand - realize I can't take a pic thru my waterproof case thingy - try to get phone out of that tight case with one hand - fish opens mouth and curls tail right as I snap each pic, it was a nightmare and I had to keep stopping and pulling him thru water to make sure he was ok. Took me forever and I look back in my old pics and have 17 photos of that first fish and 16 of them wouldn't work. I was so flustered a few didn't even have my identifier in the pic.

 

Here's what I've learned:

1) Get fish grip with a tether and let him tire himself out safely in water.

2) While he's in the water go ahead and take care of anything that requires 2 hands. Like removing phone from case.

3) Wet your hawg trough. I heard it calms them and does seem to help a bit.

4) READ the rules of whatever trail you're on beforehand. Different trails have different rules. Some boards aren't approved, it seems Hawg Trough and Ketch are for all though. Some you can't lay the board on your lap, some can't be on the deck and some can't be on the gunnels. In no case can you lay the board where it will bend.

I believe @Brad Reidhas (had?) a BSA 360.  Maybe message him if he doesn't see this post.  @dickenscpagave some good advice above.  There are LOTS of extremely stable yaks out there now.  Fishing kayaks are evolving incredibly fast right now.  Lots of yak fishermen on here, so let us help with any specific questions. 

12 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I believe @Brad Reidhas (had?) a BSA 360.  Maybe message him if he doesn't see this post.  @dickenscpagave some good advice above.  There are LOTS of extremely stable yaks out there now.  Fishing kayaks are evolving incredibly fast right now.  Lots of yak fishermen on here, so let us help with any specific questions. 

Yep Blue Sky isn't your only option. One thing though, there's a give and take to everything. You can get a regular kayak that's SUPER stable. If stability is your main concern I would go pedal over paddle. Anything super stable is gonna be a bear to paddle. Pedaling evens that up for me.