Wanted: My first Fishing Kayak $350-$600

Hello,

I have been looking for a Kayak for some time now. I am 5'1 and would be using it in Capitola, the bay, and large lakes like Berryessa. I initially wanted the Hobie Revolution 11 and still do because of the Mirage drive but that would be breaking the bank. So I am looking for something decent, a bonus if it had some extra features like fish finder, Kayak Cart, etc. I would want it to track fast in the water and be stable. It would be going ontop of my little Civic, so weight plays somewhat of a factor. Have been looking for over a year now and I am really itching to get on the water and catch some fishies. Hopefully somone on her can help me out?

Thanks,
Stephanie

Doesn't someone have a prowler 13 for sale here?  (non trident). 

That would be a good one, its fairly light and manageable for a smaller person to load.

Keep an eye on craigslist and also the classifieds section here. If you're looking for something under 45lbs, I'd suggest an OK Prowler 13, Scrambler, Venus, or Caper. The Cobra Navigator is a good option too. Buying used has benefits because it'll often include a paddle, pfd, FF, rodholders, etc. Instead of buying & installing that stuff yourself for another couple hundred dollars.

Another option if you're looking for a used kayak is fomer-rentals from a kayak shop, like Monterey Bay Kayaks or Outback Adventures. Sometimes they'll have a big sale w/great deals on used yaks. I have bought a few used yaks from MBK during their annual sale and it was always a killer deal.

You m/b able to score a sweet deal on a fresh new kayak too. There's something about a brand new yak, and it's not just the peace-of-mind knowing it hasn't been abused/cracked/broken by someone else. Yakhopper has been gracious enough to offer some really good deals to NCKA through Fisherman's Warehouse. And same goes for Dan at Headwaters.

And don't forget to demo a few kayaks before deciding which one to get. Because they all paddle differently for each unique person. And you want to find the one that feels the best to you.
Good luck!

Check out this thread from last week.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=38463.0

I checked the price this morning and it is still on sale for $399. You can have it shipped to the Pittsburg store for free, and use the 10% off coupon code, "AFFWEST". Good luck!

Tim

Thanks for all the feedback. I sent some PMS in regards to the Prowler 13, Venus, and also looking into a Malibu Mini X that just came up for sale. Does anyone know if the Malibu Mini x would be ok in say Captiola area for rockfishing? It's more the size I was looking for about 9 feet, might be slow but since it's my first Kayak wanted something a little light. Your thoughts?

I thought you wanted something fast and tracks well? The Malibu Mini-X's 9'3" length and 33.5" width will paddle like a barge. For the same 40 pounds, you can get an Ocean Kayak Venus 11. It's 10'8" length and 28.5" width will be much faster and better tracking. As others have said, try demoing them first to see how they paddle, and test their stability before you make your decision.

I didn't go with the Mini X, it was an impulse thought because I was just considering the weight. I think I will go ahead and look for a Prowler 13. Or the Venus 11, Pmed about the two hope I get a response. Thanks again guys for your feedback.

Check out theWilderness Systems Tarpon 120 that Dan at Headwaters has. Like new. It's in the classifieds too.

Some solid recommendations have already been given by the others. If you'd like to try paddling a Cobra Navigator, let me know. I'll be fishing Capitola this weekend. And if I can find a deal on a nice Outback or Revo, I'd sell the Nav in your price range. Good luck on your search!

Ben - thanks again for your offer!

Gely, thanks for the offer. This weekend I will be out by Bodega Bay. Hope you find the Outback and Revo you want. I test drove the Revo 11 and I loved it. That would be my dream Kayak lol. But yea, let me know if you wanna sell your Navigator and I could check it out, maybe test drive it? Thanks.

Ben - thanks again for your offer!

Gely, thanks for the offer. This weekend I will be out by Bodega Bay. Hope you find the Outback and Revo you want. I test drove the Revo 11 and I loved it. That would be my dream Kayak lol. But yea, let me know if you wanna sell your Navigator and I could check it out, maybe test drive it? Thanks.

I bought my second new Revo 13 about 3 weeks ago after selling my older one.  From first hand experience some Hobie dealers will cut you deal from the msrp price.  You can also ask if they have overstock 2011 models and will likewise give you a discount.  Talk directly with the owners and call around, CCK gave me the best deal.  I am pretty sure that any new Revo will still be over $1K and well worth it.
Revo's are great boats, last weekend at ARW I told my fishing partner that I trolled all the way to the second wall and back then met up with him at Balena Bay.  He said no way he could done that on his Ocean Kayak and he is the fittest guy I know.

Hey guys any reviews on the Pompano 120 at West Marine? Just curious would it be as good compared to the Prowler 13? I like its options.

Hey guys any reviews on the Pompano 120 at West Marine? Just curious would it be as good compared to the Prowler 13? I like its options.

The West Marine Pompano 120 is the same model as the 2008 Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120, a nice fishing kayak. See this thread:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=38313.0

And for reviews:

http://paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=1073

scupper pro by ocean kayak - light and fast

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=181

scupper pro by ocean kayak - light and fast

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=181

Light & fast great kayak, but pretty long awkward to carry for small person...

Venus is light & small, but if you start rigging up & taking few poles out, you will feel unstable & cluster-f in ocean...

P-13 is light & pretty stable. Paddles pretty well too.  Probably good kayak for you.

I had a mini-x.  Light, easy to carry & very stable boat, but slow & hard to cover the distance.

Got T-11 now & love it.  Very stable & curved (keeled) good.  It surprisingly pretty little quick thing. HT-Patrick was calling it "little Ferrari-yak"  i've been down-rigger trolling on it for past few weeks for 5-7hrs/day no problem. Very good river boat too. I have p-15 for the ocean because I'm fat (5'6" 185lb), but I see bunch of ladies here use them in the ocean (maybe they can chime in).  Only thing I hate about is the stupid cheapo OK foot pad thing.  Other than that it's great kayak!
If you want to test ride it at Berry, let me know.

Make sure to save some money for a good set of wheels. It will make it night & day.

I really recommend it to test ride some if you can.

Hope this help a bit.

Naoaki



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