Bazoo Posted August 19 Author Share Posted August 19 Thank you all for he the canoe info. I'll definitely have to learn about those too. I have a feeling, that would be more my speed. Outriggers will most likely be something I'll add to either canoe or kayak. I do like the idea of a canoe being able to handle a little bit of a load, because I hunt as well. Might open up a few other doors for hunting opportunities. How do canoes handle larger people? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted August 19 Global Moderator Share Posted August 19 Depends on the canoe, I’d get one with molded plastic seats instead of the wood with cross hatched webbing, I’ve seen the screws pull of that kind at the rental shop more than once there are a few times when I would rather use a kayak, when it’s windy and when I need to cover longer distances Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User BrianMDTX Posted August 19 Super User Share Posted August 19 @Bazoo If you hunt (assuming deer lol), a canoe will most definitely be an asset. Quiet approaches to areas most can’t reach and you can pack out a deer in a canoe. It sounds like a canoe may fit both of your needs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason413 Posted October 22 Share Posted October 22 I know this is from a few months ago but if you're still looking, the Jackson Big Rig FD is on sale for $2700 (2024 leftovers). Great deal for this kayak if you are still looking. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazoo Posted October 23 Author Share Posted October 23 Thanks. I'm not in the market for one yet, I'm still researching it. I will likely go with outriggers no matter what I do though because of my balance issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gera Posted October 30 Share Posted October 30 On 8/15/2024 at 2:16 AM, Bazoo said: I am clueless about kayaks. I am in the researching and learning phase. So let me tell a bit about myself and what I think I want, then have at me with suggestions of what I need. I have a 2 man bass buster plastic boat. I want a kayak so that I can fish places that I can't move my boat to the water because it's either too heavy or cumbersome. I am 6'5" and 330 pounds. The top requirement for me is stability. I have a balance issue because of a neurological condition. I feel off balance sometimes and will fall when standing on occasion if I don't have something to grab onto. So... where do I start? I would start by setting a budget, you can definitely find a kayak that will suit your needs just need to identify how much are you willing to spend.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuivre Posted November 9 Share Posted November 9 Before making a firm decision, you might want to see if you plan to fish kayak tournaments. They are very popular and the type of people who fish them are generally much friendlier and down to earth than the glitter boat crowd. Most competitive guys and girls have an electric motor on it or at least a pedal drive. If you just want to putter around- it isn't as important. Don't get a 10 foot kayak for your size-that is way too small. Oared inflatable catamarans became obsolete in the 1980's. There are many possibilities for a guy your size- many kayak anglers are big guys. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazoo Posted November 19 Author Share Posted November 19 Thanks for all the suggestions. I have done some research, and I'm still thinking on it. I tend to think on things for years before I make a decision. I am also considering giving the idea up and just resigning myself the bank or my bass buster. I don't know that I enjoy the boating aspect of fishing at all honestly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User BrianMDTX Posted November 19 Super User Share Posted November 19 @Bazoo I began a search several years ago as I was tired of being stuck to the bank, but A- I did not have a lot of storage room in the garage (and didn’t want to hump anything all the way around the house into the backyard); B- I didn’t want anything overly heavy as I’m no longer a spring chicken; and C- I wanted something easily transportable. I eventually settled on an inflatable: a Sea Eagle Packfish7. But truth be told, I had a lot of long-term issues with it tearing seams. But Sea Eagle did me a solid and upgraded me to a Sea Eagle 285fpb, an inflatable pontoon-style boat. I have used it all summer without complaint. It’s built to last, it’s not overly heavy (and with the wheel assy they sell you can pull it easily), it’s easily stored and transported, it has a wooden floor and elevated swivel seat, and it can be powered by either electric trolling or small outboard motors. I have nothing bad to say about it. It slides (inflated) in the bed of my pickup but would fit (deflated) in the trunk of my car. I can carry 5 rigs easily and while I won’t stand in it, others do. I fish a lot of ponds where 75% of the bank is unfishable due to trees and brush, and I get a lot of envious stares from bank anglers. Something like that may be just the ticket for you. When seated it’s extremely stable. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The one that got away Posted November 21 Share Posted November 21 I would keep an eye out on FB marketplace for the next couple months before the prices go up in the spring. I have an older Old Town canoe that I used for many years before I bought a Bonafide SS107 last spring (2023). I stand in the Bonafide, but I could also stand in the Old Town Guide by moving midway and spreading the feet to each side (the canoe was 36" wide). Never stand in windy conditions or wavy situations. A good sit on top kayak is light years more comfortable to fish out of, but you have to manage your gear more efficiently. Most of the bigger guys I see in tournaments lean towards the Nucanoe Unlimited. It's a big, open layout and the rigging options are almost infinite. It also has a swivel seat, which gives you better access behind you. There's other good options out there as well. However, you are going to want some type of electric motor, or at least a pedal system, for a sit on top fishing kayak. Most of them don't paddle well. You can go all out and get a bow mounted Motorguide xi3 (although they have recently stopped production), or an electric motor on the stern. Some of those are very pricey, but if you watch some YT videos, you will see a lot of ingenuity with a $100 40lb trolling motor operated from the seat via a pulley system. Go with at least a 12' kayak for better stability (I have since replaced the 10'7" kayak with a used SS127 which is 12'7" long and feels like a completely better and more stable kayak). Also, never lean or reach for anything that falls over the side. Use your net to get whatever falls overboard. Any kayak (or canoe) can flip, but thinking before reaching will almost eliminate that possibility. Buying used will save you a good amount, and you won't take as big a hit if you end up selling it. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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