Which kayak? Tarpon 120 or 140?

[mtncat]

Hi All. Im new to this forum and fairly new to yak fishing. About 3 years ago I picked up a tandem islander at costco,rigged up a crate and went bass fishing with my son. Now I'm hooked! I want to get serious fishing the North coast. Southern Oregon and Norcal. Im a serious Salt water and freshwater fisherman, ab diver and have surfed for years so I am comfortable in the water. Looking around at yaks, the wilderness systems look good. Thinking the 120 or 140 tarpon. Anyone have anyideas either way. Or can you direct me to a better yak. I'm in far Northern Cal so not alot of dealers in my neck of the woods. Great to be part of this part of this forum and thanks in advance.
tightlines

[Pern]

WTTM!!! (welcome to the madness) as the greeting goes here  .  My last yak was a T120 and I have paddled the T140, honestly both yaks are exceptional just a little weight, length, and width difference, they track well, and are easy to maneuver.  I personally like the T120, it's light, fast, and very maneuverable.  I can easily pick it up over my shoulder.  This is just my opinion though I'm pretty sure someone here will chime in on some pointers on their respective yaks.  The best way to "feel" your yak is to demo-demo-demo.  Hookup with your local yak shop for one and maybe this will help steer you towards your boat.  Good luck.

Pern

[KayakJames]

I upgraded from a 140 to a 160 and couldn't be happier but alot has to do with personal preference. All tarpon boats are great so whichever you choose I'm sure you will be happy

[hallsworth]

I have a tarpon 120 and I love it I wouldn't want anything longer I do.a lot of fishing in the delta and have to make quite a few turns but if you Re going to mostley the salt you might want somthing long.

[mtncat]

Thats awesome.Thanks for the replys. Im thinking i'll be fishing mostly salt  and maybe Lake Shasta or Whiskeytown. Hunt for kokes or kings

[agarcia]

I've been yakfishing for close to 8 years now and diving off them for about 3-4.  Between both those boats i'd go with the 140.  Most people wouldn't consider it but imo size is a safety measure.  The more efficient and straight paddler is gonna be easier to return to your launch when it gets ugly.  Aside from that, when your loaded down with fish, gear, abs and dive gear you're gonna want the boat with a greater load capacity.


I've dove the T160i, was not my favorite.  Tippy anchored/leashed in swell and downright sucky in mixed swell.  The front hatch was barely big enough to get my long blades into and my 90cm gun didn't fit at all.  Best paddler I've been on though.

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[PISCEAN]

I'm with Art in that for our NorCal ocean I prefer a kayak of 14ft or more. I've enjoyed paddling my T140 for the last 5-6 years. I chose the WS boat for its solid construction and thick hull plastic which works to make a stiffer, more responsive kayak. Also less likely to get, ahem, punctured.

[Weimarian]

Hands down t140... I've been threw them all (except the raptor) Owned over 20 yaks and still have 8.... T140 is my favorite all around fish/play boat

[steveislost]

I've got the T-140.

Love it when it is windy and choppy because the weight of the 140 keeps things steady and stable.
Hate it when having to paddle long distance with flat calm conditions and you are trying to keep up with other people in smaller or lighter kayaks.  An example is heading back from the opening of the port to the boat launch with a couple of other guys and I am paddling my ass off to keep up and they are gliding along chatting and cruising after a couple of strokes, taking a cell phone call, heading over to the shore line to check out the holes and back out to the center, re-arranging gear, all the while I can't stop speed paddling just to keep up.
Love it at the mouth of the American River anchored up during Salmon season and there is cross wake pounding you from all sides, the current is ripping, and you are surrounded by other boats.  I've even been hit on the shoulder by a wake from an asshole in a big ass cruiser who passed by within ten feet of me, at speed.  Still feel comfortable knowing that my beast is going to stay centered and solid.
Hate it when paddling down any sort of rapids or current and trying to do anything but go straight.  Way too long and heavy for any short manuevarable actions.  Everything is magnified because of the length and weight so even if you get it to turn, its hard to keep from over turning and ending up being pushed sideways down the current and unable to straighten back out.
Love it out in the blue when you can take swells, chop, and acrobatic maneuvers trying to sort gear or fish, and having a stable platform that isn't jiggling underneath you like a skateboard on ice.
Hate it after a long day of paddling and having to pull that pig up a hill or worse having to carry it up some steps then having to load it on the car.  65 lbs dry weight is a lot and gets heavy quick when you start adding gear.
Love it because I can add all the gear I want plus the kitchen sink and still have plenty of room.
Hate it because you can add and add and add more stuff until you can't actually get into the cockpit anymore.
Love it because I can go anywhere with it and not be limited.

[mtncat]

Oh man.. I didnt expect so much response!. All of your input is great. It confirmed my thoughts on the 140 as a seasled. WS kayaks looked like the right stuff. I dont get much chance to demo stuff up here. Miss living by the coast. My old haunts were in the bay area..Tubes. birdsnest,Princeton Harbor,HMB, Mendo..So all your experienced opinions are gold to me. Thanks alot!! tight lines

[kayakjack]

Get the t-140 !!

[tallpaul]

I like my T 140 a lot. I don't think it's a pig at all, I think it moves through the water pretty well. The weight is only a factor while loading, so I focus on it's characteristics in the water. I have great confidence in chop and swell, and it has good stability and enough storage. I've never met an owner who didn't like his boat.

Can't compare with the 120; never paddled one. But it will be slower!

[BANJOTAD]

Hey mtncat,
Welcome aboard,
I'm down in Redding.
 so any time you want to hit SHASTA OR WHISKEYTOWN or COAST or any where in this neck of Nor Cal, post a hook up and some of the Redding/Red Bluff crew may want to join you.
The WS tarpon line is a great boat, but you may prefer to pedal than paddle.
Consider a Hobie Mirage product if you want hands free propulsion. (I upgraded to a Hobie Revolution after paddling an Ocean Kayak product)
Like others here have said, demo as many makes/models as you can, if you can. (I don't think Yreka even has a yak shop )
Hope to see you on the water,
Tad
 

 

[mtncat]

Yeah Banjo .. we dont have a shop up here.Is there one in Redding? Do you yak fish for kokes at whiskytown? Ive done real well there in a regular boat trolling with downriggers at 90 feet. Some real hawags a few years ago.

[BANJOTAD]

Yeah Banjo .. we dont have a shop up here.Is there one in Redding? Do you yak fish for kokes at whiskytown? Ive done real well there in a regular boat trolling with downriggers at 90 feet. Some real hawags a few years ago.

Yeah there is a new shop in town that has had some demo days, But I had to go to Sacramento to purchase my Hobie.
Have caught Kokes and trout at Whiskeytown on the Yak
Tad