Ocean Kayak Drifter?

  first post here, I am new to Kayak Fishing, and was wondering if a Ocean Kayak Drifter is a good choice? It is not rigged at all, but I plan on doing it myself, its a brand new Kayak, and its selling for $450 Good/Bad?

Yes that is a pretty good price as long as you are sure its what you want. you should demo as many different boats as you can before making a purchase but I totally understand the money crunch aspect. If you want to know particulars about the drifter try sending craigh a pm he has a nicely rigged drifter. another choice for a big boy yak is a fishndive they are awsome and thats what I use a little more money but worth saving for. sometimes they end up on craigslist for cheap. Good luck to you.

The Drifter was the first boat I paddled and it is a bit of a pig. Nice and stable but it doesn't exactly cut through the water. Where are you going to be fishing mostly?

Vince - just like Kayakjames had mentioned - demo it before you buy it (if possible). Take your time and and don't settle for the first kayak you can afford. There are many other cheaper / used kayaks that you can score - you just need to keep your eyes open. Try Sacramento Craigslist or if you don't mind driving even further - check out the Kayak fishing forums down South. I know Fred bought a cheap Cobra Fish & Dive (his first Kayak) down South - fully rigged!!

Anyway, good luck and WELCOME TO THE MADNESS 

Most of us will be at Oyster Point in South San Francisco this Saturday for a kayak fishing derby - swing by and I'm sure you'll get a chance to test paddle a few kayaks = we really have a great group of helpfull and friendly people 

Thanks for all your replies guys,  I guess Ill hold off on buying a yak until ive tested a few of them! And Ill probly swing by oyster point this sat, see you guys there!

The Drifter was the first boat I paddled and it is a bit of a pig. Nice and stable but it doesn't exactly cut through the water. Where are you going to be fishing mostly?

Linda Mar since its right by my house!

Venice,

 I like my Drifter, I use it mostly in lakes and rivers. It has a rounded bottom so I can go across flowing water and not get hit by the curret too bad. But I'm also looking at a 2nd yak, a tarpon 140 .

It's is best not to get in a rush, and paddle more than 2 or 3 types.  Don't forget to do your home work on paddles and seats, there important too.

Best of luck

Craigh

It also depends on your budget.  If you only have $450 to spend on a kayak, a new drifter for that price is a good deal and it will suit your needs just fine.  If you do go that route because of budget constraints, don't bother testing other kayaks becuase the only thing that will do is remind you what you can't have.  If money however isn't an issue, then by all means be picky and make sure you get exactly what you want for your money (which will probably be about twice what you'd spend on the drifter).

Brian

Monterey Bay Kayaks is having a demo day on Saturday!!!  Good opportunity to try out some sit on tops.

Buying a kayak I will be satisfied with is real important to me. The drifter is a real good deal for only $450, but the way I see it is, if I am already dishing out all that dough, then why not go for the best! I realy want to go to the derby at oyster point this saturday, but I think my best bet would be to go and check out Monterey bay Kayak's demo day. Thanks for the info

Venice,

 I like my Drifter, I use it mostly in lakes and rivers. It has a rounded bottom so I can go across flowing water and not get hit by the curret too bad. But I'm also looking at a 2nd yak, a tarpon 140 .

It's is best not to get in a rush, and paddle more than 2 or 3 types.  Don't forget to do your home work on paddles and seats, there important too.

Best of luck

Craigh

Craigh, I went on the Wilderness website and checked out the Tarpon 140 Angler. WOW... thats a nice yak, I hope Monterery Bay Kayak has em in stock this sat, id like to try one out!

Vince for demo purposes coming to Oyster point is probably a better bet. I am pretty sure every concievable fishing kayak will be there. MB Kayak is only going to have the brands they carry OK and Wilderness. I know there will be OK boats and Wilderness boats at OP plus Cobra, Malibu and Hobie. I am more than happy to let you paddle my prowler 15 and I know Sean will have Cobra Marauder and Malibu's to demo. I hear rumors of a Hobie Adventure showing up as well.

Alright, sounds good to me, you guys will be at OP around 6am right? See you guys there. BTW, where exactly is the OP bait shop?

Bait shop is right next to the launch, about 200 yards away.

Vince - another advantage of showing up in OP instead of Monterey Bay kayaks is that you'll see first hand all the rigging ideas you can possibly imagine. Bring a camera too - each kayak will have it's own personality - you may want to take pics of the different rigging techniques that would apply to your needs.