I can’t give you any perspective.  A Yak has never fit my style or places I fish.  I did have a 2 man pvc Bass Hunter I used on the electric only small lakes around me but with my main fishing switching to big bodies of water, rivers and really big lakes there’s really no option for a Yak.  I still can launch and retrieve my 21ft bass boat easily and if it ever gets to the point I can’t, then my fishing days are going to be limited to being a coangler.  

2 hours ago, 813basstard said:

Do what you want but everytime I see someone pull up at the ramp and make 58 trips from the truck to the kayak to make it work, I realize it ain’t for me

hahah...that is the achilles.  I have gotten d**n fast.  but I am a sprinter..not a marathoner.  I think it's 6 trips for me. 

     I launch my PA14 from the trailer. I do have to load and unload, it may take me maybe 15-20 minutes for everything.  Everything being, Milk crate w/9 rod holders, Engel 19 cooler with 4 rod holders, 1103 Torqueedo trolling motor w/controller and battery, Electronics are a Garmin 93 w/live scope and three batteries (one for the scope, two for the graph (one is a back up), one tackle bag, 8lb dumbell anchor w/60' of rope, and 15 rod's and reels. 13 vertical and 2 horizontally stored.

     I am not one of the newbie or ramp hawg kayak'ers take takes up ramp space to load and unload. I have a 30' bow line rigged up from the kayak to the trailer. I back down, float off the kayak, pull forward a couple of feet, remove the bow line and either beach the kayak out of the way or tie it up (out of the way) at the dock and reverse when pulling out.  I am d**n near as fast as a experienced two man bass boat launching.

Fishingmickey

 

On 12/21/2022 at 11:39 AM, Choporoz said:

for me, pedal vs paddle was really night and day.  I know some who paddle, lobe it and do well - in fact our current club AOY is a paddler.  I paddled for 3 years.  After getting a Hobie, fishing from a kayak was 100 times better for me.  

This is what I came to add. Pedal drive really is a world of difference. Both the kayaks you listed are great boats, autopilot too. 

 

Especially in an Old Town with instant reverse, getting your spot blown out by being pulled in wouldn't happen.... heck, if you've got one pulling so hard that it's gonna pull you far enough to blow out your spot in a PA or a Sportsman, you've got bigger problems to worry about than your spot being blown out haha. 

 

12 hours ago, Koz said:

Then they are doing it wrong. This is why you still need a kayak cart even if you trailer your kayak.

2x. Set up right you can have no trips, with the right kayak. I find launching a boat off a trailer to be a little more stressful than the kayak process, but it is pretty marginal. Getting the kayak launching system sorted out and down for the first 5-10 trips sucks pretty bad, though. 

 

14 hours ago, Deleted account said:

Oh, the kayak for sure...

Oop, here he comes, the guy with no kayak fishing experience here to make a snarky remark about kayak fishing again. 

7 hours ago, Scott804 said:

Oop, here he comes, the guy with no kayak fishing experience here to make a snarky remark about kayak fishing again. 

Oh no, I have lots of kayak fishing experience, just none as an adult. Merry Christmas...

A kayak is hand down my favorite way to fish. It is a quick and minimalist way to get on the water. A couple combos and 5 lures I'm good for an entire day on the river.  On a lake a boat is way better. 

Appreciate all the perspectives. Doesn't seem like it but it does help haha. 

 

If I go the yak route I'm going to consider the pa14 and the longer old town and possibly the slayer series.  I'm leaning heavier to the peddle drive systems vs the autopilot but I need to figure what I'm doing first. 

 

As for loading/unloading my 2000acre lake I fish majority of the time is on my neighborhoods private street and we have our own launch so I'd keep it rigged/loaded all the time even during the tow to the ramp. Going to any of the other lakes I'd plan to rig it in the prep area and launch it loaded.  To be honest,  it will be easier to launch a kayak on a trailer than my boat, our ramp is kind of shallow and angles away from the dock so I have to keep it hooked to the winch stap, get into the water knee deep, climb the boat and trailer and drive the boat off. Not bad when I'm in shorts in the summer but d**n near miserable in the winter months. 

 

A lot of aspects of kayaks I like but as someone mentioned I'm worried I'll miss having the big motor and all the space. I feel like in a few years my wife will want a family boat to tow the kids and this will have to go anyway. Not sure if I should milk the years now or get used to a kayak sooner among all my other reasons. 

6 minutes ago, Functional said:

Appreciate all the perspectives. Doesn't seem like it but it does help haha. 

 

If I go the yak route I'm going to consider the pa14 and the longer old town and possibly the slayer series.  I'm leaning heavier to the peddle drive systems vs the autopilot but I need to figure what I'm doing first. 

 

As for loading/unloading my 2000acre lake I fish majority of the time is on my neighborhoods private street and we have our own launch so I'd keep it rigged/loaded all the time even during the tow to the ramp. Going to any of the other lakes I'd plan to rig it in the prep area and launch it loaded.  To be honest,  it will be easier to launch a kayak on a trailer than my boat, our ramp is kind of shallow and angles away from the dock so I have to keep it hooked to the winch stap, get into the water knee deep, climb the boat and trailer and drive the boat off. Not bad when I'm in shorts in the summer but d**n near miserable in the winter months. 

 

A lot of aspects of kayaks I like but as someone mentioned I'm worried I'll miss having the big motor and all the space. I feel like in a few years my wife will want a family boat to tow the kids and this will have to go anyway. Not sure if I should milk the years now or get used to a kayak sooner among all my other reasons. 

the PA14 in perspective is just a tiny boat.  you can stand and face in any direction and cast.  on a trailer you can launch like a boat.  

 

there is a huge population putting electric motors on those things.  I seen a guy with one on each end.  one for pushing him to a spot..and the front has the spot lock and things.  the sky is (and the $) is the limit.   and you live near the spot they make those custom OTW trailers.  the gold standard. we can't get them in CA because they are so far away.

47 minutes ago, Functional said:

Appreciate all the perspectives. Doesn't seem like it but it does help haha. 

 

If I go the yak route I'm going to consider the pa14 and the longer old town and possibly the slayer series.  I'm leaning heavier to the peddle drive systems vs the autopilot but I need to figure what I'm doing first. 

 

As for loading/unloading my 2000acre lake I fish majority of the time is on my neighborhoods private street and we have our own launch so I'd keep it rigged/loaded all the time even during the tow to the ramp. Going to any of the other lakes I'd plan to rig it in the prep area and launch it loaded.  To be honest,  it will be easier to launch a kayak on a trailer than my boat, our ramp is kind of shallow and angles away from the dock so I have to keep it hooked to the winch stap, get into the water knee deep, climb the boat and trailer and drive the boat off. Not bad when I'm in shorts in the summer but d**n near miserable in the winter months. 

 

A lot of aspects of kayaks I like but as someone mentioned I'm worried I'll miss having the big motor and all the space. I feel like in a few years my wife will want a family boat to tow the kids and this will have to go anyway. Not sure if I should milk the years now or get used to a kayak sooner among all my other reasons. 

have you tried launching the boat with a rope?  This is how my dad solo launches.  50’ rope tied to the winch post and hooked to the bow hook. Back the boat in until it starts to float the rear, then give it a little pop and hard stop in reverse. The boat slides backwards off the trailer and he pulls up until the winch post is not over the water.  Grab the rope and pull the boat to the dock or shore. 

 

On 12/26/2022 at 11:05 AM, casts_by_fly said:

have you tried launching the boat with a rope?  This is how my dad solo launches.  50’ rope tied to the winch post and hooked to the bow hook. Back the boat in until it starts to float the rear, then give it a little pop and hard stop in reverse. The boat slides backwards off the trailer and he pulls up until the winch post is not over the water.  Grab the rope and pull the boat to the dock or shore. 

 

I’ve seen this go awry a few times and had to help the person that attempted it. The rope gets caught on something 

i've been fishing a lot.  most weekends for the past 3 years.

 

i see more mistakes from boaters backing up trailers than kayakers holding up the ramp due to slowness.    one time i had the luxury to go as slow as i wanted, because a guy dropped his rear wheel off the side of the ramp.  i just slipped my kayak next to he\is kelly-whampusly parked trailer and did my thing while he pondered his predicament.  

22 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i see more mistakes from boaters backing up trailers

Oh I think its safe to say that blunders from unprepared or lackluster boat owners at a public ramp isn't an uncommon sight.  Certainly isn't here in MN.

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve seen this go awry a few times and had to help the person that attempted it. The rope gets caught on something 

Tried it twice, have a bent guide post due to it. Still to this day I have no idea what the hell the guide rope caught and wrapped around but it is more work than how I normally launch. My only problem is my home ramp, everywhere else is fine. 

13 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve seen this go awry a few times and had to help the person that attempted it. The rope gets caught on something 

If you keep your rope laid out flat on the deck it should be fine. Only issue is if the rope sinks and hits the trailer, but if your have your stuff together and don’t dawdle then it’s also fine. 

I went with a kayak based on available fishing locations near me and that decision has held strong for a couple decades now.  To me, the question isn't pedal pr paddle it is paddle or powered.  Before motors became more reasonably priced a pedal kayak was always on my radar but I never really liked using the pedal option.  Two years ago I was tired of paddling upriver to get to fishing spots and floating back and went with a motor and wish I did it sooner.  A motor on a kayak that paddles well is the best of both worlds to me.  I currently have a wilderness systems ATAK 120 with a Newport Vessels NK180s motor and it has been fantastic.  is it as stable as a hobie PA, nah but it is plenty stable enough for me to stand and fly fish or turn and do whatever I need to do out on the water.  I even use the motor as a rudder when floating downstream while I stand and fish.  

There are also days I take it out without the motor and it does great for that too.  My dad got the Old Town with the spot lock and it is a good lake boat but really slow in comparison to my set up.  I do like the spot lock anchor function though and have seen him use it in rivers very effectively.  I think for lakes if speed isn't a big deal then it is a great option.  For me it is way too slow and not a great set up for rivers which is what I prefer to fish.  

Bottom line is dont make a change to make a change but rather have a purpose.  I am in the process of saving for a jet boat myself to better fish the rivers I like to frequent and hopefully in about a year or two it will be reality and most likely the kayak will be relegated to less frequent smaller bodies of water use.  

10 hours ago, flyfisher said:

I went with a kayak based on available fishing locations near me and that decision has held strong for a couple decades now.  To me, the question isn't pedal pr paddle it is paddle or powered.  Before motors became more reasonably priced a pedal kayak was always on my radar but I never really liked using the pedal option.  Two years ago I was tired of paddling upriver to get to fishing spots and floating back and went with a motor and wish I did it sooner.  A motor on a kayak that paddles well is the best of both worlds to me.  I currently have a wilderness systems ATAK 120 with a Newport Vessels NK180s motor and it has been fantastic.  is it as stable as a hobie PA, nah but it is plenty stable enough for me to stand and fly fish or turn and do whatever I need to do out on the water.  I even use the motor as a rudder when floating downstream while I stand and fish.  

There are also days I take it out without the motor and it does great for that too.  My dad got the Old Town with the spot lock and it is a good lake boat but really slow in comparison to my set up.  I do like the spot lock anchor function though and have seen him use it in rivers very effectively.  I think for lakes if speed isn't a big deal then it is a great option.  For me it is way too slow and not a great set up for rivers which is what I prefer to fish.  

Bottom line is dont make a change to make a change but rather have a purpose.  I am in the process of saving for a jet boat myself to better fish the rivers I like to frequent and hopefully in about a year or two it will be reality and most likely the kayak will be relegated to less frequent smaller bodies of water use.  

poetry bud. 

 

i want to buy a motor.  especially have this past trip.  the tidal currents were so strong.  i stopped to retie, and by the time i looked up, i was kinda disoreinted and lost.  it blew me so far down current and around a corner.  i intinctively headed upstream and found my group.  i was .90 miles from the launch and by the time i got back at the end of the day, i was gassed.  GASSED!!  

 

i will get the same Newport.  what battery did you go with?  and does it last a long time?

i do however think a power pole on the back of my kayak would have kicked  buttee..

7 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

poetry bud. 

 

i want to buy a motor.  especially have this past trip.  the tidal currents were so strong.  i stopped to retie, and by the time i looked up, i was kinda disoreinted and lost.  it blew me so far down current and around a corner.  i intinctively headed upstream and found my group.  i was .90 miles from the launch and by the time i got back at the end of the day, i was gassed.  GASSED!!  

 

i will get the same Newport.  what battery did you go with?  and does it last a long time?

i do however think a power pole on the back of my kayak would have kicked  buttee..

Look hard at the new one they just came out with.....3hp equivalent.  It is a few hundred more and does require a 36v battery set up though.  As far as mine goes, I have 2 Ionic Lithium 30ah wired to give me the 24v needed.  It lasts me all day fishing with no issues.  the bigest thing with these batteries and motors I have learned is going down to like 80% throttle changes top end about .4mph but extends battery to almost double. I fished with my dad last year on the susquehanna in the summer and water was low and my motor was chopping grass all day long and we fished about a 3 mile stretch back and forth probably 5 times and I still had battery at the end of the day.  I have also done 12-15 miles on a lake with battery left as well.  The Ionic has a bluetooth monitoring app as well so you don't need to wire anything else in to check out what you have left.

If I had to do it again, i would probaboy go with the 24v single battery though jsut for the weight and size savings even though they only come in a 50ah and that would be overkill for my needs for sure.

 

It was seriously the best purchase I have made for my kayak other than a stakeout pole and worth every penny.

2 hours ago, flyfisher said:

Look hard at the new one they just came out with.....3hp equivalent.  It is a few hundred more and does require a 36v battery set up though.  As far as mine goes, I have 2 Ionic Lithium 30ah wired to give me the 24v needed.  It lasts me all day fishing with no issues.  the bigest thing with these batteries and motors I have learned is going down to like 80% throttle changes top end about .4mph but extends battery to almost double. I fished with my dad last year on the susquehanna in the summer and water was low and my motor was chopping grass all day long and we fished about a 3 mile stretch back and forth probably 5 times and I still had battery at the end of the day.  I have also done 12-15 miles on a lake with battery left as well.  The Ionic has a bluetooth monitoring app as well so you don't need to wire anything else in to check out what you have left.

If I had to do it again, i would probaboy go with the 24v single battery though jsut for the weight and size savings even though they only come in a 50ah and that would be overkill for my needs for sure.

 

It was seriously the best purchase I have made for my kayak other than a stakeout pole and worth every penny.

absolutely . lithium is a must and i would go with a 24 volt single battery. i fish the susquehanna alot  in summer from a kayak. i use a torquedo because i often fish alone so i put in and the motor upstream to where i wanna fish the drift back down go back and forth etc. ive used the same setup a couple times on small lakes and it was enjoyable. i still wouldnt want to be without my boat. when its windy , fishing bigger water etc . just more comfortable to fish out of for long periods.

6 minutes ago, padon said:

absolutely . lithium is a must and i would go with a 24 volt single battery. i fish the susquehanna alot  in summer from a kayak. i use a torquedo because i often fish alone so i put in and the motor upstream to where i wanna fish the drift back down go back and forth etc. ive used the same setup a couple times on small lakes and it was enjoyable. i still wouldnt want to be without my boat. when its windy , fishing bigger water etc . just more comfortable to fish out of for long periods.

I looked at torqeedos and was gonna get one and right at that time the NK180s was released and half the price pretty much so i went for it and so far so good.  

2 hours ago, flyfisher said:

I looked at torqeedos and was gonna get one and right at that time the NK180s was released and half the price pretty much so i went for it and so far so good.  

yeah when i made the leap torqeedo was the only game in town. the goood thing is its an all in one package,

13 hours ago, padon said:

yeah when i made the leap torqeedo was the only game in town. the goood thing is its an all in one package,

Yeah and that is part of the reason I went with the NK180 as well, more flexibility on battery options and way cheaper to upgrade batteries as well.  The upgraded 915 is roughly a 30ah which is almost a grand to buy alone or $500 as an upgrade.  I know I got my 30ah batteries for roughly 600 including the charger.  

Both good products really at this point more of a preference and what you want to spend.  I haven't heard of any major issues with the NK180s nor have I had any issues with mine in 2 years so I am good.

2 hours ago, flyfisher said:

Yeah and that is part of the reason I went with the NK180 as well, more flexibility on battery options and way cheaper to upgrade batteries as well.  The upgraded 915 is roughly a 30ah which is almost a grand to buy alone or $500 as an upgrade.  I know I got my 30ah batteries for roughly 600 including the charger.  

Both good products really at this point more of a preference and what you want to spend.  I haven't heard of any major issues with the NK180s nor have I had any issues with mine in 2 years so I am good.

for sure. if i was to buy over again i may go that way. when i bought mine torquedo was the only option. im happy with it but think the battery is way over priced.

On 12/21/2022 at 10:45 AM, Functional said:

Having the boat with the gas motor does prevent me from fishing some of the lakes when I'm at my parents that are electric or oar only.

 

There's no electric only lakes near me that I know of but...... could I take my boat to an electric only lake and simply not start the outboard?

 

Regardless, there's no way I'd get rid of a boat the get a kayak.  

 

 

Added: I launch and load my boat by myself all the time with a rope.  Where I tie the rope depends on the location, and how crowded the ramp is.   I'll time myself tomorrow from the time I put my truck in reverse until I'm in the boat.   

25 minutes ago, Woody B said:

 

There's no electric only lakes near me that I know of but...... could I take my boat to an electric only lake and simply not start the outboard?

 

Regardless, there's no way I'd get rid of a boat the get a kayak.  

 

 

Added: I launch and load my boat by myself all the time with a rope.  Where I tie the rope depends on the location, and how crowded the ramp is.   I'll time myself tomorrow from the time I put my truck in reverse until I'm in the boat.   

You can here in Pa. I can’t say for N.C. Just don’t start the big motor and your good to go.

Where are all these electric only lakes people are always talking about? I’ve never seen one