Help picking my first fishing kayak.

Wow,
I didn't know we had so many "Car Salesmen" on this site!!!

Truth is we all want you to paddle/peddle what we paddle/peddle, but you should really test ALL the above mentioned yaks before you make your final decision. ALL of the above have their advantages and drawbacks. ALL the people mentioned above are reputable and will give you a fair deal and treat you right. But ONLY YOU will know what YOU prefer and what will work best for YOU. 
I am associated with Ocean Kayak and personally prefer Ocean Kayaks, but that doesn't mean it is for everybody..... Remember, YOU are the one that has to live with your final decision and hopefully spend many hours in it .... Take your time and do it right.

Good Luck,
Eric / Yakhopper

Well said Eric.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Wow,
I didn't know we had so many "Car Salesmen" on this site!!!

Truth is we all want you to paddle/peddle what we paddle/peddle, but you should really test ALL the above mentioned yaks before you make your final decision. ALL of the above have their advantages and drawbacks. ALL the people mentioned above are reputable and will give you a fair deal and treat you right. But ONLY YOU will know what YOU prefer and what will work best for YOU. 
I am associated with Ocean Kayak and personally prefer Ocean Kayaks, but that doesn't mean it is for everybody..... Remember, YOU are the one that has to live with your final decision and hopefully spend many hours in it .... Take your time and do it right.

Good Luck,
Eric / Yakhopper

+1 well said,welcome to the madness.you may not know this but it has started(the madness)

   Hahaha,,,    It's like fishing.      Gotta cast your line in...       

I'm new to kayak fishing and after many hours of research I got a Jackson kayak Cuda 12. The seat is super comfortable and it has high and low seating. It's  really stable, I was able to stand up and paddle around on my second time in the water. The rod pod cover is made with thick material to mount anything from fish finders to rod holders. It comes standard with a Ram Mount rod holder in the front and 2 tube style rod holders in the back. I can go forever with all the options. Dan at Headwaters in Lodi was super helpful and answered all my questions. He also does free demos for NCKA members.

+1 on what OhGee just said.


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I'm new to kayak fishing and after many hours of research I got a Jackson kayak Cuda 12. The seat is super comfortable and it has high and low seating. It's  really stable, I was able to stand up and paddle around on my second time in the water. The rod pod cover is made with thick material to mount anything from fish finders to rod holders. It comes standard with a Ram Mount rod holder in the front and 2 tube style rod holders in the back. I can go forever with all the options. Dan at Headwaters in Lodi was super helpful and answered all my questions. He also does free demos for NCKA members.

+100 where is that wire run thats coming thru thru the scupper running drilled thru the side or under the hatch cover?

I'm new to kayak fishing and after many hours of research I got a Jackson kayak Cuda 12. The seat is super comfortable and it has high and low seating. It's  really stable, I was able to stand up and paddle around on my second time in the water. The rod pod cover is made with thick material to mount anything from fish finders to rod holders. It comes standard with a Ram Mount rod holder in the front and 2 tube style rod holders in the back. I can go forever with all the options. Dan at Headwaters in Lodi was super helpful and answered all my questions. He also does free demos for NCKA members.

+100 where is that wire run thats coming thru thru the scupper running drilled thru the side or under the hatch cover?

its under the hatch cover. I went a different direction though. I rigged up a scupper transducer mount out if 1 inch PVC, I'll post pics when I get home from my work trip. I also found a Ram Mount that's for hummingbird fishfinders for 9 bucks! So I'll be installing that as well.

People always say to test a lot of kayaks before you buy. The problem is : if you have haven't kayaked much before, you don't know what to look for from a kayak and you will probably want to buy whatever looks cool,feels the most stable and is affordable. This is not necessarily going to suit your best long term interests. I have no sponsors and am in no way connected to any manufacturer or dealership. I just hate to see you or anyone else buy a kayak that under-performs as your needs and abilities grow. Trust me.  Buy the wilderness systems tarpon 140. If you want to come up this way, PM me and I will let you take one of mine out for a spin.

Late thought,
There is a event this Sunday in Sacramento and if you were to show up I'm pretty sure all the yaks mentioned above will be present and their owners would let you demo them and discuss the pro's and con's with you.
Might be worth it since you live in Sac. 

Late thought,
There is a event this Sunday in Sacramento and if you were to show up I'm pretty sure all the yaks mentioned above will be present and their owners would let you demo them and discuss the pro's and con's with you.
Might be worth it since you live in Sac.

+1 

Not sure if Dan will be bringing a buncha demos or not, but I coulda sworn I read that he will.  But here's the thread so you can read through it.  I'll be there with my newly rigged and tweaked Cuda 12 if you wanna take a look at her.  This will be my first event, but I've heard nothing but awesome things about NCKA gatherings, I'd encourage you to go if you can!

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=42300.0

I'll have a T160 and a Ride there. I'm sure there will be about one of everything.

If weight of the kayak is not an issue:
Hobie Pro Angler 13
Jackson (something don't know the models)
RTM  (something don't know the models)

If weight of the kayak is an issue:
Trident 13
Eddyline Carribean 12 or 14
SC Raptor SOT
Hobie Revo
Tarpon 14.0

If you are stand up - sight fishing, the Hobie PA and SC Raptor SOT would be my choices.

Soo many choices ... So little garage space!