The Best/Most Popular Fishing Kayak Models?

The best one will be the one that gets you on the water all the time.

imo,      w.s. t-140 is the best

I'm a big fan of the older models such as the scramblers, Scupper Pros and the Prowlers.  The simpler the better. All I need is a hatch that I can access, a flat spot to mount my FF and a paddle. And a kayak at about 50 pounds would be really nice!

Fishing Kayaks these days are getting heavier because of all the added features and all these moving parts....seems like you need a tool box and a spare parts kit just in case things fall a part when you least expect it.

Joel,

Your inner geezer is showing

But yeah - give me simple, but don't try to fulfill all fishing roles with one boat. After all, you don't head out the Golden Gate to fish for Salmon out of a 21' Basscar boat, nor do you want to take your 23' Grady White down the American River.

I personally can see the need for 2 boat designs, 3 if you want to fish Class II-III rivers like they do for smallies back east.

Scott

  Would the sport absorb ANOTHER fishing model? Would anglers leave their tarpons and prowlers for a better boat?  Would they pay a little more?

I think so.    Bring it on!!!!

But yeah - give me simple, but don't try to fulfill all fishing roles with one boat. After all, you don't head out the Golden Gate to fish for Salmon out of a 21' Basscar boat, nor do you want to take your 23' Grady White down the American River.

I personally can see the need for 2 boat designs, 3 if you want to fish Class II-III rivers like they do for smallies back east.

Scott

I'm with both Mooch and Scott: yes give me lighter and faster but I still want deck space and storage. I really need 2 boats (as Scott says): one for lakes, the Delta, and reservoirs and one for the bays and ocean. One mid-size that's maneuverable with decent deck space and storage for the former and one long and fast, with large internal storage for gear and a lot of deck space for the latter.

I like the hatch and deck layout on my Trident 15 but it's more of a pig in the water than my old Prowler 15. Some kind of composite model would be great but the price point is not appealing.

What's the most popular kayak, but don't count Hobie?. Your answer is in the question. 

Actually, the best kayak is your first one. That initial magic and enthusiasm are hard to contain in the beginning.

      American Made kayaks...    IMHO

      American Made kayaks...    IMHO

I agree that its hard to have just one style of kayak in California. Where I live in Lodi you have 1100 of delta in you back yard, Mokelumne, Stan, American rivers all within an hour, Sierra and foot hill lakes, and the bay is only an hour and a half away. If I had so scale back I would just own two styles of fishing kayak, A short one with lots of maneuverability and a fair bit of storage, for fishing and camping on local rivers, and then something long, fast with lots of rigging options for the Delta, the bay, and windy mountain lakes. As far as best brands? Paddle a bunch as see what strikes your fancy. Because I like to do a lot of bass fishing, I like the idea of having a boat stable enough to stand in.

Thanks or all the great replies.  The Tarpon 140 and Hobie Quest were both among my top referrals for years.  I'm sure they will satisfy anglers for a lifetime or I wouldn't have recommended them.  Make that the lifetime of the boat.  But there are a few new kids on the water now and they blow all the models I've recommended to date OUT OF THE WATER!

Kayakfishing.com and my workload took a big turn a few weeks back and I'm now representing RTM Kayaks from France.  For those who don't know me, this is quite a change in direction.  Based on the "Made in USA" comments in this thread, I hope everyone interested in great fishing kayaks will first read this link that explains my decision, beyond the obvious buck, to endorse any brand, foreign or domestic.  http://www.kayakfishing.com/smf/index.php/topic,1450.msg2849.html#new

I can see why that Abaco might be fast.....the catalog says 23.3" wide? Is that correct?

No, that's either a typo or a conversion mistake. I found it in the print catalogue too.  The length and height are correct but the actual width is a bit over 28".  Actually, I was surprised it's only a few inches wider than a scupper classic because you couldn't tip this boat if you were drunk.  The design is as stable as any and better than most.  The speed, quietness and handling are 100% due to the hull design.

The Tempos hull design looks extremely  familiar doesn't it? What does the Abaco do that's so special? How much does it cost? Is the 13 ft model the only length that's offered in that design? Thanks.

What's so familiar about the Tempo Craig?
The cost of the Abaco is about $1150.00 for a sweet fishing package and $1295.00 with the rudder/upgrade and footrest assembly.  That's a few bucks higher or lower than other fishing models and price competative with all.  I pretty well described what is so special about the Abaco (In the link I posted-design, special details and finish, unique features plus extraordinary quality and construction) and for fear of overselling will let the Abaco and the anglers lend testimony to its superiority.  The 13'8" Abaco is the only boat in that model, it fits a wide range of anglers.  The K Largo will satisfy the needs of bigger anglers.

Thanks for the info Dennis! The Tempo's hull looks quite a bit like the scupper pro. The top deck layout and the front bow underneath. Looks almost indentical. Thats not a bad price either for the Abaco. Its not out of line for an upper end quality boat at all really. Are there any dealers local to sonoma county or marin? I would like to paddle the tempo and the abaco. Thanks dude. see you OTW soon I hope.

I was drooling over my boys new abaco @ tiki. I'm planning to paddle it at the crab opener :smt001r. I dig the deck layout. The plastic seems super durable too, a lot like the WS models. Very pretty boat!