? about kayaks

Hello everyone this is my first post. well i went out kayak fishing out of stillwater cove for my first time 3 days ago and now i am hooked. i have fished from the shore and caught a few rock fish everytime i go but me and my buddies must of caught over 150 fish, 95% of them were coppers. got my first vermillion also. but anyways now i have to buy my own kayak instead of borrowing one. i have been looking at the cobra fish n dive because it is very roomy and has the storage hatches right in your lap (the one i use had the hatch up in the very front, i found it difficult the get equipment out while bobbing in the ocean). i am not worried about going fast i just want a nice stable yak that i could possibly dive out of also. if i could just get some of your imput on thoughts and ideas i would be greatful. btw i am 5' 10" and 150lbs. thanks Vav

Having owned a Fish n' Dive, I must say it is a nice kayak to have for hauling gear. I used mine for crabbing primarily and was hoping to use it for scuba diving as well (that never happened so I sold the yak eventually). Works fine for fishing or drifting around but not for trolling. If you like to troll for salmon, stripers or trout, I'd recommend a longer and narrower kayak.

And having worked in a kayak shop for a few years, I noticed that first time kayak buyers always go for the stability of a kayak first but in a couple of years, tend to exchange them for a narrower "faster" kayak. I often tell my customers that  most recreational kayaks don't flip over....and if it does, it's mostly user error (most don't relax their hips enough while paddling). And the other thing is that stability is quickly learned - just like riding a bike. The more you paddle, the more you get used to it and in the end, stability is no longer an issue.

Anyway, take an intro to kayaking class and learn about "kayaking" first before you get in to the fishing part of it. Then take your time and demo as much kayaks as you can and if the shoe fits, go for it.

Good luck and welcome to the madness!

Having owed a Fish n' Dive, I must say it is a nice kayak to have for hauling gear. I used mine for crabbing primarily and was hoping to use it for scuba diving as well (that never happened so I sold the yak eventually). Works fine for fishing or drifting around but not for trolling. If you like to troll for salmon, stripers or trout, I'd recommend a longer and narrower kayak.

And having worked in a kayak shop for a few years, I noticed that first time kayak buyers always go for the stability of a kayak first but in a couple of years, tend to exchange them for a narrower "faster" kayak. I often tell my customers that  most recreational kayaks don't flip over....and if it does, it's mostly user error (most don't relax their hips enough while paddling). And the other thing is that stability is quickly learned - just like riding a bike. The more you paddle, the more you get used to it and in the end, stability is no longer an issue.

You won't get a better response than that!!!

Anyway, take an intro to kayaking class and learn about "kayaking" first before you get in to the fishing part of it. Then take your time and demo as much kayaks as you can and if the shoe fits, go for it.

Good luck and welcome to the madness!

the ocean kayak tridents, have a big hatch right between your legs and are stable yet paddle reasonably well.  I paddle a t15 and my son a t13.

I paddled a FND for a long time its a killer boat, that being said i now cruise a tarpon 160. FND is so stable you give up alot of speed, speed may not seem that important at first but from experience i can tell you when the wind kicks up and its time to boogie you prolly dont want to be paddling a barge.

not trying to dis the fnd i love it, just do your homework and paddle alot of boats before you make a decision

just my 2 cents

Listen to the experts; but after lots of reading I settled on an Ocean Kayak T13.  Rod pod between your legs for easy stowage - many favorable reviews in all types of water.

Having owned a Fish n' Dive, I must say it is a nice kayak to have for hauling gear. I used mine for crabbing primarily and was hoping to use it for scuba diving as well (that never happened so I sold the yak eventually). Works fine for fishing or drifting around but not for trolling. If you like to troll for salmon, stripers or trout, I'd recommend a longer and narrower kayak.

And having worked in a kayak shop for a few years, I noticed that first time kayak buyers always go for the stability of a kayak first but in a couple of years, tend to exchange them for a narrower "faster" kayak. I often tell my customers that  most recreational kayaks don't flip over....and if it does, it's mostly user error (most don't relax their hips enough while paddling). And the other thing is that stability is quickly learned - just like riding a bike. The more you paddle, the more you get used to it and in the end, stability is no longer an issue.

Anyway, take an intro to kayaking class and learn about "kayaking" first before you get in to the fishing part of it. Then take your time and demo as much kayaks as you can and if the shoe fits, go for it.

Good luck and welcome to the madness!

I've never owned a FnD but have fished with others that have, at 150# I think you'd soon prefer a narrower yak with less wt capacity,

Well after your recomendations i have looked at the OK T13 and love it. good storage and lots of great reviews on it. is it just the 2011 model with the rod pod and center hatch or was it made for the 2010 model as well? thanks for the good coments. Vav

Make sure to look at all comparable boats just to be sure. T140 cobra explorer and Malibu kayaks as well, but the trident is a great boat too

Well after your recomendations i have looked at the OK T13 and love it. good storage and lots of great reviews on it. is it just the 2011 model with the rod pod and center hatch or was it made for the 2010 model as well? thanks for the good coments. Vav

both years should have the pod.  There are two pods, one soft, one rigid.  The rigid is way better, so try to get one of those.

The 2011 T13 has the new rod pod cover which has multiple mounting options for equipment.  The P13 has the older style rod pod over which is smooth.  If you were to get an OK with the older rod pod cover, you can buy a new one from several sources - cheapest I've found is at Austin Canoe & Kayak.

95% of the fish you caught were probably gophers, not coppers.