What made you choose your kayak

 

  Many moons age, I was the first Hobie outback on display at a International Sportsman's Expo in San Mateo, (Maybe my first or 2nd one) way back when.  It was really expensive then.  Many years later (2004) my co-worker Danny mentioned he had just got 2 OB's one for him and his wife.   At the time I was banking good money, (And single) and after listening to him talk about fishing from it, I ordered my first hull (04)
Still have my 3rd hull (Hull crack replacements) my 08'

OK, Prowler 15, Mooch told me to. I bought a Prowler 13 too for the kids/as a spare. Still have both. I reckon I outta think about replacing mine, but it still floats, and not one to give up on a boat on account of a buncha scratches.

After going kayak fishing for the first time in 2009, I loved it. A friend of mine( Mike/Mickfish) found a used 2009 wilderness systems Tarpon 120 w/ FF, Paddle, PDF and an anchor for $600. So I jumped at the opportunity. And since then also bought a Malibu mini-x for my kid but think he likes the tarpon better! I love my Tarpon but want to upgrade the FF someday thinking about lowrance HDI model

First yak, Hobie outfitter tandem. Had seen the hobies somewhere around 2008 and thought that was the way to fish. Bought the Outfitter when I saw one cheap. Now using a Cobra Maruauder in addition to the Hobie. Big, heavy, super stable and SLOW. Saving up for  a Hobie adventure, or Revo. or an OC T 4.7 depending on the frame of mind when I get to that point.
Seems like kayaks are just like surfboards or power boats. You really 'NEED' 3 or 4 for all the different uses and conditions.

howzit everyone,
catching up to this forum. Anyone using OK Scuppers?

howzit everyone,
catching up to this forum. Anyone using OK Scuppers?

I use them for work on occasion.  They are a bit tight on my hips, but I always look forward to paddling the scupper pros since they are a rather fast SOT. 

thanks for replying ATD.
I love my Scupper and am hoping to move up to Bay Area soon. Have used one for about 6 yrs back in Hawaii. Was just concerned about how low it sits to the water. Everything gets wet on a scupper

Here's a catch from a couple weeks ago.
 

howzit everyone,
catching up to this forum. Anyone using OK Scuppers?

I use them for work on occasion.  They are a bit tight on my hips, but I always look forward to paddling the scupper pros since they are a rather fast SOT.

I didn't choose my yak, my yak choose me.for the type of fishing I like to do I went with hobie pro angler.I like to bass fish so I like my hands free and if you know bass fisherman most of us carry a bunch of rods and lures

Day 1.  Loaner Tarpon 140.  I went WS and never looked back.  I ride a T120 sometimes, but mostly it's the T160.  I liked the seat, because it didn't hurt my back.

Aaron.

My first choice was the Hobie Revolution. I ended up buying the Hobie Outback for the stableness it provides. Just months later having the Outback, a very good friend of mine HobieDave bought that yak from me in exchange for a new Revolution. I have been a happy camper since. Then I bought the Ocean Kayak T13 for the not so friendly launch and landing. I love this kayak too for paddling. The rod Pod is a big bonus to save your rods from breaking in half in case of a mishap in landing on the beach. As long as you do your part of taking care of your yak, they should last you a long time. Both of those yak I mentioned I purchased in 2008 and have not had any problem with them. Now it's time to make a trip to Home Depot and build a kayak storage rack with casters.

Jedmo

Grew up fishing and hunting the San Pablo Bay.  Owned a PB for a while but trading it in for a wife, 3 kids, and a mortgage.  Move the clock forward, kids now adults, almost, and it was time to get back to the the things that I liked to do.  Read as much info as one could,  and after I was thoroughly confussed decided on a Jackson Cuda 14.  Right or wrong I jumped into the game.  I've had it now a year and a half, had it out, maybe 10 times, and to be embarrassingly honest, have yest to get fish slim on it.  Never the less,  I've enjoyed rigging it with options and addons, paddling off of Benicia, my current location, and reading about possible future experiences posted by all that enjoy this forum.  Right now I'm looking for my next kayak purchase, I guess that's part of the fun too.
TC

Caribbean 14. Sexy.

Did most of you start with a cheaper or smaller kayak before settling on what you have. For myself I went through 3 kayaks before buying what I think will be my last for a long time. I have the trident 4.7 ultra 15.5" with rudder. What do you use or want...

Yes to both of your questions. I think a lot of us started out with smaller & cheaper kayaks. I went from a 11 foot long/50lb paddle kayak that went for $599, to a 12.5 foot/also 50lb paddle kayak for $799, to a Hobie Revo13 13.5 foot/69lb pedal driven kayak for $1649, to the Hobie Adventure 16 foot/75lb pedal driven kayak that used to sell for $1899.

I think a lot of people start off with something inexpensive first to see if they like kayaking & also go with something smaller to make loading/unloading easier. Then after they get those smaller kayaks on the water they realize the trade offs of a smaller kayak vs a longer one. I'm glad we have such a huge range of kayaks to choose from today. Doesn't matter what new or lightly used brand name kayak you buy as long as it gets you out on the water fishing & having fun. After you spend more time kayak fishing you'll be better able to know what you really want in a fishing kayak & you can upgrade then. I'm currently waiting for Hobie to produce the Revo16 so I can upgrade from my 16 foot Adventure.

I jumped in with both feet and bought a Hobie Pro Angler (14') in the summer of 09, at that time the PA's had not been out that long and no one had any demo units so I bought one without a demo run.  Both shoulders had torn rotator cuffs and I was not able to use a paddle yak, don't ask me how I managed to load and off load that pig of a PA all those years mostly by myself and I am not a spring chicken.  I also bought a Hobie OB for my son at around the same time. 

I got my kayak one year ago. Because I'm on a budget I couldn't afford to go get a nice hobie or wilderness system. So I got some cheapo life time from SAMs club and am using that right now. I love everything about it except that it's super slow. I have modified the crap out of it with rod holders, live well, fish finder, and trolling mortor.  I do plan to upgrade to a hobie but u till next year. So basicly price is what made me choose my kayak