NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Fishing Zone => Kayak Fly Fishing => Topic started by: beaurummel on March 26, 2012, 10:05:20 PM
-
Brand new to the sight and thankful that it exists. I am a longtime fisherman, newish fly fisherman, looking at possibly getting a kayak but have become unable to make a decision on what to buy (pontoon. vs Kayak) or which brand (Wilderness Systems Ride or Native Ultimate). Here's where I'm at with the whole thing. I live in SoCal so there are some lakes, and a LOT of open ocean to fish. I prefer to fish rivers when I can so I would want something that I could take down a river once in a while. I'm not looking to run heavy rapids but something that could handle more than a riffle would help. I LIVE to fly fish so I would like to stand up but am realizing it isn't really a necessity....but It sure would be nice. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. The ultimate question is does such a mythical kayak exist, one that I can stand up in while in the ocean, lake, or river. And if it exists can it handle the beating a river like the trinity or Kern would give it?
Oh and to complicate matters even further....I'm a big guy, 6'2" 240 so that plays a part too!
Thanks in advance for weighing in....
-
If I were you, I would check out the Jackson Cuda. Its 14' feet long and has a wide platform that you can stand on, but can still handle the ocean. One of the guys on the headwaters fishing team uses one and he is a fly fisherman. Here is a link for more information: http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/kayak-fishing/cuda/ (http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/kayak-fishing/cuda/)
The best thing to do would be to demo one.
-
Santa cruz raptor. Thats what its made for. Your size not a problem. My buddy is 6'5" & 265lbs
-
Check with Southwind Kayaks in Irvine. They have a demo model at their store.
The photo is of Rickey Mitchell, www.paddleandflies.com (http://www.paddleandflies.com) who has written a couple reviews on the Raptor.
http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=163534&p=1640801&hilit=santa+cruz+raptor#p1640801 (http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=163534&p=1640801&hilit=santa+cruz+raptor#p1640801)
a posting showing photos running the Brazos river on a 4 day camping trip.
Thanks :smt006
-
On this site that could be a loaded question as a lot of it comes down to personal fit. I am a newbie to this as well but, my decision had a lot to do with my hauling options for weight (corolla) and my storage (one bd. apt w/ a small patio). I was seriously looking at both the Jackson and both Rides (115 and 135). I think they both would have been great. I don't know much about the Raptor but, looks stable as a rock and they are coming out with a SOT version. Me, I would check it out for your app and size but, like I said everybody has a favorite.
O yea, I got a Ocean Kayak T11 when all was said and done and I use it everywhere from small creeks to the ocean. I love it but, I don't think a guy your size would like it.
Good hunting and go paddle a few then let us know what you get. :smt001
-
So i will jump in here, as I have owned a native ultimate 14.5 and have used in in river/lake and saltwater.
I specifically bought for the ability to stand and fly casting for bass, trout northern pike from north Idaho, Minnesota and the Carolina's. It did and is truly a great boat for this type of fishing (while not standing) class 3 rapids were not a problem.
As for saltwater I did quite of bit of casting for bonefish and turbot in flat water/Marsh like settings and some red fishing in Texas again the boat worked great for sight fishing in these easy waters.
Recently I relocated to Santa Cruz, and tried the boat out of capitola, Santa Cruz harbor, Davenport and bean hollow. While I was able to surf launch/land and did not run into difficulty (I owe most to my experience of 15 years of rubber boat handling with the navy) this boat IS NOT something for even moderate swells in the hands of a newbie.
So, since I have purchased an ocean kayak prowler 13, have added floatation. And feel much more secure on the ocean. I still use the native for flat water or tandem fishing /paddling, but when I am on the ocean, I'm on the OK. As for standing, I have seen others in the bay, it's something I don't plan on trying.
And for reference I run about 230lbs, and and bring all the safety gear-pfd,radio,first aid,GPS AND compass etc.
Hope that helps
Mike
-
I have a Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5, a Freedom Hawk Pathfinder, and a Nu Canoe Frontier 12.
Yes, really.
Each has positives and negatives. The Ultimate 14.5 is long and fast and not easy to stand up and cast from. However, you can load more stuff into it than you will ever need.
The Freedom Hawk is heavy and slow, but as stable to stand on as a picnic table. You will not win any races in one, and you'll be exhausted if you have to paddle it more than a couple of miles at a time.
The Nu Canoe is a whole different animal, not really a canoe, not really a kayak. I have not fished out of it yet, but I will report here on it soon.
If you have any questions about any of these three kayaks (or my other three that I have not named here LOL) PM me.
Good luck,
Brett
-
k largomoundkeyexpress.mpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T24BN7BulTw#)
-
thanks to everyones replies. opened some doors to some things that I hadn't even considered yet. I think I am between a Cuda or a malibu stealth. So now, which way does everyone think I should go. Anyone had the cuda/stealth on a river yet and how did it handle?
-
I just took my stealth14 down the lower sac river on Monday. Thing handled like a champ. Not the best play boat for surfing in the river but never came anywhere near being unstable.
-
Ideally kayak for stillwater or ocean, pontoon/raft for rivers with rapids. If just one then a kayak. The Scadden X5 in the classifieds is a nice option if you want to stand, with that boat you can reverse the frame and put on a outboard and run it zodiac style. I'm considering getting the U-shaped pontoon since I have the same frame.
The pontoons are nice in a river because you can wear fins and keep yourself oriented while being able to cast. Also just going to the shallows and standing up to fish is nice, no getting in/out like a kayak. In any case consider getting a switch rod, the extra length is nice when sitting low on the water.
I'm finding that lake fishing off my SUP is fun and casting so easy, something like a Diablo Sup-Yak might fit the bill, they have got my attention. http://www.diablopaddlesports.com/ (http://www.diablopaddlesports.com/)
I'll be looking at paddlefest to see what the latest expedition/fishing/touring SUP is.
-
I have a Hobie angler pro...You can stand up in it just fine as long as it is reasonably calm. It uses a mirage pedal system, so as long as you don't get too shallow it should be fine.. The turbo fins will stage up close to the bottom for shallow water or kelp depending on where you have the pedal positioned or simply release out of the boat and can be stored in the back behind the seat. It can also be paddled but due to the the wider beam which allows you to stand, you need to reach out a bit more than normal to paddle it. You can also put pontoons on many other yaks for stability but I have not tried to stand up in one with pontoons. Good Luck :smt001
-
The Cuda has a standing platform and it seems that is what you are looking for. I would PM Paddleboy84, he has taken the Cuda out a number of times.