X-Factor vs. Emotion Fisherman

I'm just gettin into the sport and I'm close to pulling the trigger on my own Kayak.  (my wife has a Tarpon 140).  I seemed to have narrowed my search down to 2 kayaks:  1) Malibu X-Factor 2) Emotion Fisherman.

I will be fishing primarily for largemouth bass in lakes and would love to stand up to cast every once in a while.  

Anyone have any advice, pros, cons, experience fishing from either kayak.  Any words of wisdom would help.

unfortunately, both of those kayak brands are not common in this area (no dealers)

If your looking for stability - look up the Cobra Fish & Dive. I believe you can test paddle this kayak in Kayak Connection / Santa Cruz.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=78

just my 2 cents....

Good luck with your hunt for the perfect fishing platform!

Thanks Hana Pa'a!  I did get to test  out the FnD.  I was able to stand and dance a little but man, was it sloooooow.   My wife had a cobra tourer that day and left me in her wake. I think I actually met  you out at the paddlefest in san mateo and we rapped a little.  Thanks for the advice, I hope it keeps coming.

Just wondering if you have paddled a prowler. That is what most of us paddle. Not that I am pushing you to get a prowler, just wondering...

Yep. I paddled a Prowler at the paddlefest. I remember it being a quick boat.  But I felt kinda cramped like I do in my wifes tarpon.  I dont remember thinking I could stand up and cast in it.  Do you?

Definitely NOT going to keep up with a Tourer in a FND!  Also not going to stand in a Prowler, at least not for long.    I have not seen any Emotion boats other than the Charger.  The Charger was not impressive, but that is their super budget model so I don't think it necessarily represents their product.

As everyone always says, try em all before you buy.

I would never try to stand up in a prowler unless I was planning on falling over. Most people do not stand in kayaks to fish unless they have some pontoons attached. I have seen a couple of people in Florida rig up pontoon kayaks to stalk bone fish on the flats. We really don't do much site casting around here, at least not any that would require that type of elevation. It is mostly trolling, jigging or sitting and waiting. At least for the salt water species, don't ask me about freshwater unless it is stripers. Ask Joel about carp fishing though  

Ask Joel about carp fishing though

As to sight casting, its not too big around here, but in other areas its the whole deal.  If you look at TKF thats all they talk about, and as a result they are into different boats than out here.  E.G. the WS Ride is extremely popular in the Gulf, but uncommon around here.

I tried standing up in mine while I was hanging onto a dock, definitely wouldn't try it on the open water.  I see where you're coming from though, accurate casting is extremely important when fishing cover.  It can be done from a sitting position on the yaks but I'd probably rule out flippin unless your able to stand.  Where you plan on fishing?

Yeah, standing is probably not going to happen.  But I know when I'm fishin the spawn and I am sight fishing, my adrenaline might take over to get that texas rigged craw right on that nest.  But I guess thats when I'll learn my lesson and get wet.  oh well.  When I had the Emotion Fisherman for a while I got pretty good at kneeling and half kneelling and casting which seemed to work ok.  But I have never tried the X Factor in those positions.  
Anyway, I plan to fish alot at bay area lakes.  I live right next to Lake Chabot so I would continue to spend a lot of time there.  But I'm sure I'll get out to the lakes in the central valley (pedro, mcclure, malones,amador,pardee etc.) also the coyote, chesbro,etc.

FKS.com is based out of FL and alot of those guys to the "skinny" water thing there. They have kayak brand forums so you can learn about your particular yak, be it a OC, Hobie, Malibu, Wilderness, etc...

I live right next to Lake Chabot so I would continue to spend a lot of time there. But I'm sure I'll get out to the lakes in the central valley (pedro, mcclure, malones,amador,pardee etc.) also the coyote, chesbro,etc.

Let me know when you plan to fish Chabot - I've fished that lake once (on a float tube) and did pretty good. I caught 8 Bass in ONE spot   Using a spinner bait. Anyway, now that I have a kayak - I'd like to explore the entire lake.

Del Valle is another spot you might wanna try.

Joel, I also use to live near Lake Chabot and fished nearly twice a week.
I've caught bass and countless trout up to 11 lbs.  Let me know when you want to give that lake a try.

How about this Saturday or even Sunday? Unless this is a Sturgeon fishing trip planned on either day?

I can fish both days - basically

Joel,

This tell the truth...You Can Fish All 3 Days!!!!  but, not for Sturgeon!

Live, Fish and Sleep.  I guess there has to be Eating in there someplace.

Ken Kickfish