Thoughts ? Wondering if I can install those electric rod anchors. And any other features you all would recommend ?

 

Walmart Kayak

11 minutes ago, biggin said:

Thoughts ? Wondering if I can install those electric rod anchors. And any other features you all would recommend ?

 

Walmart Kayak

I'd contact the manufacturer

customercare@lifetime.com

6 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I'd contact the manufacturer

customercare@lifetime.com

That's what my wife said ! LOL

1 minute ago, biggin said:

That's what my wife said ! LOL

Smart lady

 

Anytime I have a question like this - my first stop is the manufacturer...if they don't have a definitive answer, that's when I pop into forums to ask.

Done. I emailed them just now. 

Just now, biggin said:

Done. I emailed them just now. 

did you make sure to include the model - Lifetime sells several different lines of kayaks

I did. The link I showed here I sent them.

I’ve been told to stay away from that type of seat, don’t know if they are changeable.

11 minutes ago, padlin said:

I’ve been told to stay away from that type of seat, don’t know if they are changeable.

I read a review about it. The replacement doesn’t match

Save up and get the Lifetime Yukon.  It's a little bit more expensive, but it's 10x's better.  It's what I've been fishing out of for the past 5 years and I'm firmly convinced it's the best value in a fishing kayak out there.  

1 hour ago, Bankc said:

Save up and get the Lifetime Yukon.  It's a little bit more expensive, but it's 10x's better.  It's what I've been fishing out of for the past 5 years and I'm firmly convinced it's the best value in a fishing kayak out there.  

Sounds nice! Kinda leery on having one shipped. Rather go to Dicks locally and if there’s an issue it can be returned. 
 

Probably just hit some large lakes close by.

Got a Pelican Blitz 100X

 

18 hours ago, biggin said:

Sounds nice! Kinda leery on having one shipped. Rather go to Dicks locally and if there’s an issue it can be returned. 
 

Probably just hit some large lakes close by.

Dicks sell the same kayak as the Yukon under the name Teton Pro 116.  It's usually a bit more expensive from Dick's, but it's the exact same kayak.  I got mine at Walmart from their website and had it shipped to the store.  I actually had it shipped to the Neighborhood Market store nearest me and just picked it up out back when it came in.  

Not sure about the others, but I have tried a friend's Teton Pro 116 and was surprised how well it performed.

 

Have you considered shopping for something used? You can often get more for your $ if you shop around a bit. 

20 hours ago, Bankc said:

Save up and get the Lifetime Yukon.  It's a little bit more expensive, but it's 10x's better.  It's what I've been fishing out of for the past 5 years and I'm firmly convinced it's the best value in a fishing kayak out there.  

100% on this! for 30 bucks its a no brainer - get it shipped to store if possible. You will undoubtedly have a much better experience on the Yukon. 

 

It drags a little in the water, but crazy stable. I stand and paddle sometimes. 

I have a Yukon angler 116 and love it. I'm a bass boat guy for the most part and don't know a lot about kayaks, but this thing works well for me. I have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of it the last 2 years.

bought a Peilcan Blitz from Dicks yeasterday. $475 all said and done.. 60 days warranty provided no abuse. 

 

Gotta go on Pelican website and see what they have for a warranty. They're in Canada

5 hours ago, NJBasstard said:

Not sure about the others, but I have tried a friend's Teton Pro 116 and was surprised how well it performed.

 

Have you considered shopping for something used? You can often get more for your $ if you shop around a bit. 

Considered a used one but wasn't comfortable with used plastic 

6 hours ago, Bankc said:

Dicks sell the same kayak as the Yukon under the name Teton Pro 116.  It's usually a bit more expensive from Dick's, but it's the exact same kayak.  I got mine at Walmart from their website and had it shipped to the store.  I actually had it shipped to the Neighborhood Market store nearest me and just picked it up out back when it came in.  

I just see Lifetime Tenton Pro 116 on Dicks website, not Yukon.

1 hour ago, biggin said:

I just see Lifetime Tenton Pro 116 on Dicks website, not Yukon.

Yeah, it's the exact same thing sold under two different names depending on which store is selling it.  And I've seen the Teton Pro 116 from Dick's cheaper than the Yukon from Walmart from time to time in the past.  But usually, the Yukon is the cheaper one, so that's generally the one I recommend.   And while I haven't tried all of the kayaks out there, I honestly believe these are the best deal in a fishing kayak that you can find.  You're going to have to double the price to find a better one.    

On 6/6/2023 at 4:07 PM, biggin said:

Thoughts ? Wondering if I can install those electric rod anchors. And any other features you all would recommend ?

 

Walmart Kayak

 

What features?

 

It's a kayak, not a mini bass boat.

29 minutes ago, CrashVector said:

 

What features?

 

It's a kayak, not a mini bass boat.

Add ons. I picked up a Pelican Blitz 100 X and seen some add ons to make it easier to use. Doing some basic add ons, handles instead of molded ones, adding pad eyes, laynards, etc.... 

there are lots of things you can do to kit out a kayak and you can do most of them to any kayak.  Different boats require different adaptation for each modification.  The original kayak you posted would have been tough to add a shallow water anchor.  There was no flat place on the back to do it so you'd have needed to fab a mount for it.  Some boats have predrilled holes with brass thread inserts for SWA.  Same goes for any other mod.  It sounds like this might be your first kayak.  My advice is to fish it a couple times and see what you need from there.  My layout and style doesn't work for everyone, so you have to find what works for you.

 

Also, there are cheap way and there are expensive ways to make the modifications.  A milk crate with some walmart rod holders bolted to it and held in with a couple bungees was the standard for a long time.  Now you could have something like a Yakattack blackpack that runs $130.  The world is your oyster and you could spend thousands in mods (not counting any electronics!) before you realize that it isn't what you like or need.  So my recommendation for anyone just starting to fish from a kayak is to keep it cheap and simple to start.  Add on things when you find the need, and figure out what you're preferred setup is.  Below is a picture of your boat (I think).  Looks like some decent dry storage, but only a small front well so a crate isn't in your future.  I agree on the handles, but see how you get on with the T-handles first and how you like to launch and load.  A paddle holder would be high on my list as would an anchor setup.  That's a small and lighter boat so any kind of wind and you're going to slide around a bit.  And both can be moved to a new boat in the future if you need.  

 

 

Thanks for your input. Yeah l agree completely just go and fish and go from there. Mainly for now the crate will be the biggest improvement for now. Gonna do a large lake soon. Waiting for more consistent warm weather 

Exactly.  Add things as they become necessary.  Otherwise you'll add things you don't use enough to justify the space they take up, let alone the cost.  Space on a kayak is a premium, so don't waste it.  Be deliberate.  It's really easy to wind up with a bunch of stuff that's always getting in your way that you rarely use after the first few outings with them because they seemed like great ideas at the time.    And then you're creating problems by trying to solve problems you don't even have.  

1 hour ago, biggin said:

Thanks for your input. Yeah l agree completely just go and fish and go from there. Mainly for now the crate will be the biggest improvement for now. Gonna do a large lake soon. Waiting for more consistent warm weather 

can you even fit a crate in it?  The rear looks like a dry hatch that sits above the well.  It could be the photo angle and it actually sits down in (in which case you're good for a small crate).  I think you're going to be using 3500 planos and soft bags.  The KVD speed bag for worms is a great kayak choice.  $10, mostly waterproof, fits 20 bags of soft plastics or more depending on the plastics.  I used to keep soft plastics in hard boxes (but still in the bags) but that was a waste of space.  Two speed bags (if you need two) under the front mesh and a couple 3500s in the rear.  Then use the center hatch well like a day box.