Should have bought a boat - maybe

[Susky River Rat]

Just some food for thought. With the right boat you can get just about anywhere a kayak can. Unless you hoof it into a remote spot creek or pond.  The other issue could be  obstruction in the water you have to get out of your yak to get around or over. So if you are worried about that do some homework on boat styles and what may fit best for you. Not everyone needs a ranger/nitro/skeeter. 

[Koz]

2 hours ago, Susky River Rat said:

Just some food for thought. With the right boat you can get just about anywhere a kayak can. Unless you hoof it into a remote spot creek or pond.  The other issue could be  obstruction in the water you have to get out of your yak to get around or over. So if you are worried about that do some homework on boat styles and what may fit best for you. Not everyone needs a ranger/nitro/skeeter. 

My kayak weighs over 200 pounds fully loaded. There’s no way I am portaging over trees and rocks!

[FryDog62]

This would be a faster, portable boat: 

 

[Susky River Rat]

@Koz yup sounds like you should have bought a boat lol. To me that’s the only advantage of a kayak. 

[volzfan59]

I tried kayak fishing, didn't care for it. Sold the yak and went back to fishing from a boat. Like has already been mentioned, there are several rigs that will come in under your 2000 lb towing capacity. Just a suggestion, if buying new, spring for the trailer brakes if offered. They really do help.

[flyfisher]

7 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

This would be a faster, portable boat: 

 

There are quite a few skiffs out there I have looked at myself and they are definitely intriguing to say the least.  SUper shallow running and durable.

[FryDog62]

On 4/10/2024 at 3:08 PM, flyfisher said:

There are quite a few skiffs out there I have looked at myself and they are definitely intriguing to say the least.  SUper shallow running and durable.

Yep, but I’ll stick with my yak for now - creature comforts, electronics, etc all good 👍

[Crow Horse]

One of the intangibles that I didn't see mentioned (apologies if I missed it) is the experience while on the move from spot to spot in a yak. You "see" far more in a yak than you will cruising along in a boat. For me, fishing is an overall experience and although the actually fishing is a major component yet not the only component that I value.

Like everything in life, there are trade offs and compromises. You'll have to make an assessment of your needs and recognize that whatever you decide on might not check all the boxes.

[TnRiver46]

I have couple boats and many kayaks , but my kayaks are bare bones as well as my canoe . No motor no battery . That way you can use the big boat on lakes when you need that stuff and use canoe/kayak in shallow rivers when battery and motor aren’t required . Granted, I will go vice versa and kayak/canoe on the big waters and boat in shallow rivers sometimes , just depends on what is biting and where 

 

I been trying to get @Kozto buy a truck for years…… even back in the genesis coupe days. imagine the possibilities 

[J Francho]

I run both. Heck at one point I had three kayaks and two boats. I'll always have a kayak. At some point I'll be adding a monster boat to the mix, plus I'd like to get a light pack canoe. 

[Alex from GA]

I have always had a boat and bought a kayak to fish places I couldn't get to when I moved to GA in '99.  I've drug my kayak over more places than I wanted to in the years I've had it.  Every year I fish for the GA Bass Slam mostly in the kayak in small river/streams a boat can't go.  Fun both ways.

[Choporoz]

20 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

 

I been trying to get @Kozto buy a truck for years…… even back in the genesis coupe days. imagine the possibilities 

With today's news that the Bronco could go up in flames at any time, maybe he'll listen to you now😅

[Bird]

I went from Bass boats to Coleman Crawdads, fishing kayaks, bass raider, back to a Bass boat.

Still use a Bass Raider on small lakes when the wife and I go camping.

A bass boat is physically much easier than any, but storage is the biggest consideration. Imo

I personally would not own a bass boat if I couldn't get it in the garage, that simple.

 

[BrianMDTX]

What a good topic!

 

All I have is a small inflatable (Sea Eagle Packfish 7). I was going to get a kayak but do not have room in the garage with two cars (a boat was out of the question due to storage as well). 
 

I mostly fish ponds where I am the only angler on the water. I fished a small reservoir today and was sharing the water with many kayaks and several bass boats. I struggled a bit getting back to the boat ramp when the wind picked up, but other than that, I caught fish. Granted, I couldn’t see anyone else that was out of my sight, but I only saw two anglers on two different boats catch one fish each. One was a crappie and the other a small bass. 
 

I’d love a nice fishing yak or a boat, but it’s not going to happen at this stage of my life. C’est la vie. The important thing is…I’m out on the water and not stuck on the bank. And this reservoir is nigh on impossible to fish from the bank. 

[Jimmy Wallhanger]

I'm going to pick up a bass tracker classic 40th anniversary edition tomorrow for many of the same reasons. 

 

I just want to be able to boot around and stand and pitch t rigs and skip docks without having to worry about falling into the water. 

[Motoboss]

I hear you @Koz

I went all in with my Autopilot 120  as well and really liked it but never loved it as I found it cumbersome, slow and uncomfortable.

I decided to move down instead of up.

 

Having had several bass boats, V bottom Trackers and jon boats I thought the AP would be “the” answer. It wasn’t. Before getting in too deep financially I sold it, mainly to the hip issue it created from the restrictive seat position. After several months, steroids and therapy I decided on a canoe which shouldn’t create the same issues and definitely way less expensive, even with a 2.5hp outboard. Hopefully the health issues have been addressed and the seating position is much more forgiving and standing is way easier and confident. I was pretty shaky standing in the AP for any amount of time and the Sportspal is much more stable due to the wide flat floor.

 

My brother-in-law is trying to GIVE me a 16’ Lund and/or a 20’ pontoon boat but I want nothing to do with either. I’m over boat maintenance, license plates and insurance cost associated with a full size boat. I can carry a 2.5hp motor, use as needed or paddle the canoe when out leisurely fishing with minimal cost and hassle. At most a trailer would be useful but the canoe is 57# and fits on my truck. You have trailer already so you’re ahead of the game.

 

Is it the end all/do all? No but a better option (for me) with less hassle and frustration and less expenses. Oh, it’s a Sportspal  13’ square stern I found for $150.oo. Still in the process of refurbishing but should be done soon and it will get me on the water, both lakes and rivers, with or without power. And I can carry a passenger.

A good compromise.

[Zcoker]

Where I fish, no boat could ever make it out there let alone be allowed out there, which is in the Florida everglades. Sometimes the water levels get so low that it becomes very hard for even a kayak let alone a boat....mere inches! There's canals and so forth where boats can go but not way out deep in the marshlands, unless by airboat. The kayak was my only route. I don't think I'd even consider a yak if I lived around a bunch of nice big open lakes, no way. Just makes sense to get into something that is practical for the area fished, imho. 

[casts_by_fly]

On 4/20/2024 at 12:35 PM, Motoboss said:

My brother-in-law is trying to GIVE me a 16’ Lund and/or a 20’ pontoon boat

 

Man, I need a brother in law like yours!  I'd take a 16' lund being given to me in a heartbeat.

[Motoboss]

14 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

Man, I need a brother in law like yours!  I'd take a 16' lund being given to me in a heartbeat.

True story, he completely gutted his ‘04 16’ Pro V Angler, replaced all the wood, carpet, new stereo and seats. Almost finished it before he left town for a year, while it sat outdoors with a cheap tarp over it,,,,in Michigan. By the time he had gotten back to it the tarp was trashed and the boat full of water,,,sitting for several months destroying the whole interior.

He moved to a new place a parked the Lund and the pontoon boat (same story only the rebuild was two years old) in the yard where they have sat now for going on three years! Of course the 90hp motor on the Lund has been sitting for just as long  and would need gone through also.

 

 

I have no desire to rebuild either. Even for free!

[Fishingmickey]

13 minutes ago, Motoboss said:

True story, he completely gutted his ‘04 16’ Pro V Angler, replaced all the wood, carpet, new stereo and seats. Almost finished it before he left town for a year, while it sat outdoors with a cheap tarp over it,,,,in Michigan. By the time he had gotten back to it the tarp was trashed and the boat full of water,,,sitting for several months destroying the whole interior.

He moved to a new place a parked the Lund and the pontoon boat (same story only the rebuild was two years old) in the yard where they have sat now for going on three years! Of course the 90hp motor on the Lund has been sitting for just as long  and would need gone through also.

 

 

I have no desire to rebuild either. Even for free!

Beware of the free boat, they are always more expensive then you think.

 

[A-Jay]

17 minutes ago, Fishingmickey said:

Beware of the free boat, they are always more expensive then you think.

 

Yup ~

Just like there's no such things as a free puppy  . . . . 

A-Jay

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, Motoboss said:

True story, he completely gutted his ‘04 16’ Pro V Angler, replaced all the wood, carpet, new stereo and seats. Almost finished it before he left town for a year, while it sat outdoors with a cheap tarp over it,,,,in Michigan. By the time he had gotten back to it the tarp was trashed and the boat full of water,,,sitting for several months destroying the whole interior.

He moved to a new place a parked the Lund and the pontoon boat (same story only the rebuild was two years old) in the yard where they have sat now for going on three years! Of course the 90hp motor on the Lund has been sitting for just as long  and would need gone through also.

 

 

I have no desire to rebuild either. Even for free!

 

Alright, I guess I'll do the needful.  What's his address?  I have to go to wisconsin this weekend anyway.  I was going to fly, but for a 'free' boat I guess I'll drive.

 

54 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Yup ~

Just like there's no such things as a free puppy  . . . . 

A-Jay

 

The cheapest part of every dog is the day you pick it up.  No matter what breed or how expensive it is.  Also I'm picking one up Saturday.

[Motoboss]

9 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

Alright, I guess I'll do the needful.  What's his address?  I have to go to wisconsin this weekend anyway.  I was going to fly, but for a 'free' boat I guess I'll drive

Sorry I’m sure it’s a “brother-in-law” deal

[TnRiver46]

I have several free boats, sure they need some fixin here and there but the payment schedule is undefeated. There is always a back burner option 

[Boomstick]

With the kayak, you have to approach fishing differently and be a little more targeting in your approach. You might make an educated guess where the fish are using all the data that’s available to you and if you’re wrong, you get skunked. But when you’re right, it sure feels good.

 

I just upgraded to a pedal kayak for this season. I got the Old Town Bigwater 132 PDL which might be the fastest sit on top fishing kayak or if not it’s pretty close and I can maintain 4mph for a while. I just got it out the first time on Sunday and only had a few hours but being able to make small adjustments by pedaling and not needing to anchor was game changing. Instead of setting up at spots that let me produce, I went spot to spot and threw a square bill until I got bit, then worked that area some more.