A good Tandem for fishing?????

Looking to get a tandem for fishing and maybe some ab diving. Don't own a yak yet, but have fished off  a tarpin140(with Paddle Fish). Any/all advice is appreciated.

Ocean Kayak Zest
http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/tandems/zest_two_exp.html


Cobra Triple
http://www.cobrakayaks.com/kayaks/cobracat5.html

Do you, or anybody else, have personal experience with either one? I've seen tandems at rental places for sale and it seem s they are the last to go. Other than being a tandem are they less comfortable or something else?

Other than being a tandem are they less comfortable or something else?

Not sure what you mean by the statement "other than being a tandem" or what is meant by "comfortable".  You want a tandem b/c you feel its more stable than a single?

Paddling a tandems solo has got to be less efficient relative to paddling a single.  The rather obvious reason being that the tandem is trimmed out for two people.  Sitting solo in the rear seat of a tandem is going create a lot of hull slap in even small to moderate swells - makes for a bumpy ride.  Not trying to be a smartass, but the question is a little vague. 

I've paddled a tandem by myself plenty of times, covering many miles out of moss landing for salmon.  so sure it can be done.  Maybe if you describe your intended application aside from being for ab diving and fishing you can get some better feedback.  My guess is that there is a single that will suit your needs, and you won't be stuck paddling an empty front seat.

I've paddled the zest.  Its whatevers, got me up and down an 11 mile paddle on the Wailua last spring.  Nothing to write home about, but I did end up writing home.  see http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,7984.0.html

What Mooch said times 2. 

I have fished out of a Cobra triple. Great boat for fishing but it is HUGE and heavy. Unless you are a big buff dude like polepole you are going to need help loading it and moving it.

I just got a OK Zest 2. It is much lighter and faster that the Triple but has fewer hatches and access. I have not set it up for fishing yet but I will shortly. I need to add some flush mounts and a FF mount.

My vote get the Zest IF you are fishing with another person.

Get a single if you are fishing single.

Do you, or anybody else, have personal experience with either one? I've seen tandems at rental places for sale and it seem s they are the last to go. Other than being a tandem are they less comfortable or something else?

I've paddled the Zest but not the Triple. The Zest paddles easier - the "sports car" of tandems

As a few others have already suggeted, if you're not planning on taking someone else along and are just looking for a more stable ride there are a few single models out there that might fit the bill better... OK Big Game, Cobra Fish-n-Dive, Malibu X-Factor to name a few.

If you are planning on actually paddling tandem you're mileage may vary depending on how well you and your paddling partner can actually paddle and communicate.  There's a reason they call tandem kayaks "Divorce Boats".

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Divorce+boat&defid=2973007

 I dont currently own a tandem but have had a few in the past with 0 regret and many adventures.
If you have kids that you want to take fishing, I dont think there is a better method. Fishing a stream with angler in front and paddler in back is also a great time. The big boat offers storage room for overnighters and is perfect for strapping an ice chest onto for day trip.
Ive considered them more of a love boat than a "divorce boat". Put her in the front and have her turn around facing you. Let her lay back (small inflatable air mattress helps) and relax with a Malibu/OJ (+lime) while you paddle her around and show her the sights. When she wants to paddle, let her and only then do you bust out the fishing gear and show her your worthiness.
When fishing solo you can put your gear in the front in a recycling crate instead of the standard milk crate ,for a better fit, and it will knock down alot of the hull slap. The weight displacement also helps prevent the wind from having its way with the boat.
If you are just fishing solo then you have already experienced what I believe is the best plastic on the water in the T140.
Here is my old ride we called muther and a tandem that I thought looked interesting but know nothing about.
http://www.kayaks.com.au/bkfluid_leisure.html

Yes I will be fishing withone of my kids or the wife. I can always barrow  my friends T140, he fishes a tandem with his dad. I just wanted to get opinions from more than one guy. Thanks for all the info and keep it coming. Any pics of tandems set up for fishing would be icing on the cake!

You can pick up a Malibu II on craigs list for cheap I see them all the time. its a good solid double and paddles well in the center seat.
I paddle mine with the wife and my dog (80lbs). 

If you go for the Malibu II, look for the Malibu II XL, it has a lot more room and versatility.

I have a Malibu 2XL which I am looking to sell for $300 rigged for fishing. PM me if you are interested.

Scott

I have the Tarpon 130 and the Cobra Triple for my family. I use a solo for myself. I took the family out on Clear Lake and my wife loved the triple. My wife, two daughters and sixty pound dog couldn't turn that thing over if they tried. The triple is a monster out of the water but it is a couch on the water.

My son and friends fish from the Tarpon 130. I love the Tarpon because it is a tandem but has a spot in the middle for a seat if you want to use it solo. We have used it on the river and on Clear Lake when the water was white cap rough. I also like the Tarpon because the foot area up front (cargo area when solo) is very deep and you can put lots of stuff up there in dry bags or a very large fish.

We rented a Malibu II XL before we bought our kayaks. It was very stable and had a high weight capacity. I'm not an experienced kayak fisherman or even kayaker but I think the Tarpon 130 is very good. It's not too bulky, works as tandem or solo and it does quite well speed wise.

PM sent!!!