Thinking about getting into Kayak fishing(Sacramento, ca american river area)

There are a couple of Malibu Stealth 14's for sale on the board right now and I think one X-Factor.  The stealths are the same hull as an X-Factor, but have a different cockpit area, intented to be used as a livewell.  Your more than welcome to test out my X-Factor, although I'm not planning on headding through Sac anytime soon.  I'm in the same weight bracket as you, and have always felt comfortable on my X-Factor in all conditions.  Also, I think that Pat/SinCoast's list is dead on for reccomendations. 

good too see another big guy on the boards that can relate to my plight... lol. I am taking everyones suggestions into consideration i am researching every one that is suggested and weeding out the ones that dont seem like they would be ideal. but then again i am as my name states "wet behind the ears" in this sport. so i have to consider the ones that i dont think will work because they just might because i am ignorant when it comes to what each one can offer.

So i finally made the trip out to Adventure Water Sports off of El Camino Blvd... talk about overwhelming they guys there were nice, they gave me a Sh*t ton of information for me to mull over but what was suggested in the end for my size and needs was gong to be the  Ride 135. Looking at pictures online of this vessel gave me a general understanding but man oh man these things are pretty stinking nice up close. I wish there was a few more spots that you could put things just little random holder even a cup holder lol, that can be used for a bunch of different things. Unfortunately they did not have the X-Factor there for me to look at... i was really hoping to get my eyes on that one.

Does anyone know where those might be held so that I could lay my eyes on that one before making a decision.
With the way it is looking i will probably be getting one in the next 2 weeks so it is kinda "coming down to it"... im juiced and ready to start getting back in shape. All of these Jui-jitsu injuries are killing me (knee surgery needed, shoulder surgery the list goes on and on lol)

If you want to get the Ride 135 on the water i will be back after the 7th of May.

So i finally made the trip out to Adventure Water Sports off of El Camino Blvd... talk about overwhelming they guys there were nice, they gave me a Sh*t ton of information for me to mull over but what was suggested in the end for my size and needs was gong to be the  Ride 135. Looking at pictures online of this vessel gave me a general understanding but man oh man these things are pretty stinking nice up close. I wish there was a few more spots that you could put things just little random holder even a cup holder lol, that can be used for a bunch of different things. Unfortunately they did not have the X-Factor there for me to look at... i was really hoping to get my eyes on that one.

Does anyone know where those might be held so that I could lay my eyes on that one before making a decision.
With the way it is looking i will probably be getting one in the next 2 weeks so it is kinda "coming down to it"... im juiced and ready to start getting back in shape. All of these Jui-jitsu injuries are killing me (knee surgery needed, shoulder surgery the list goes on and on lol)

I have seen a few X-Factors at various West Marine stores.  Might check with your local one & see if they have one.

If you want to get the ride on the water i will be back after the 7th of May

Ideally i would love to have a pile of kayaks to try back to back one right after the other... but that requires waiting and I'm not one for patience as far as me having my heart set on something then waiting a long time after i have essentially narrowed it down to what i want. i probably should wait and put my rear in as many yaks as possible before buying...

You should try several out. Talk ATD into grabbing my Ride before i get back and fishing with you. You can try at least two out that day. Cuda and Ride.

yeah i hear that. i really appreciate it. that would be the best way to find out if i like it or not for obvious reasons. my biggest challenge would be getting out and meeting up with you to get out. we just had a brand new baby so that thing is kind of sucking up all my free time...

"but the 160 for a big guy will be a little tippy"

G@d@mnit I wish someone would have told me that before I bought myself my Christmas present... Which I guess I am now going to have to sell...

WBE, I am with you on the vital stats, I sit pretty damn low to the water.. I am looking to get a new fishing kayak for big fellas too, and have a lot less of a budget than you do, but learn from my impatience/lack of common sense... DON'T BUY ANYTHING YOU DON'T TEST DRIVE FIRST...

Even big guys can use a 160 effectively. It just takes practice. Give it a go fora while then decide to sell if it does not work for you.

i have already taken the leap and bought a Ride 135. it is pretty stable, i took it out with Rider to lake Natoma and we messed around with it and rocked around and i even got to standing up on it pretty well to the point where i could cast. we did the whole self rescue drill , tipped it over and self rescued about 10 times a few different ways. i was able to clammer out to the nose of it and get in the hull to retrieve items that i needed then shuffle back to my seat all with no issues. i side sat on it with my legs over and the yak felt pretty stable...the Ride is a very stable vessel all things considered. i just need to get it out in some chop and some waves and get used to keeping my balance because everything that i have been in so far has been glassy waters. so i don't know how it will work as far as me staying up or how difficult it will be when i start hitting rolling swells and the ever treacherous surf launch. but all in all i like my purchas

we just had a brand new baby so that thing is kind of sucking up all my free time...

I just read that 

As a victim **coughcough** FATHER! as a father of three kids, I often like to tell folks like you, as I stand around nervously, unshaven, protecting my coffee like I was in prison, startling at loud noises, eyes darting around, occasionally stopping to listen,,, to nothing,, something that my inlaws told me years ago..

"Two is for quitters!"

PS. When salmon season rolls around, hit me up when you want to fish the Port of West Sac, we can form The FatBoy Fleet!!  Woot! I live about two miles away, will use any excuse to ask my wife if I can go..... And have a decent grasp on the salmon fishing there.. Still working on the Stripers, the Crappie, the Catfish....

I think after the weight capacity issue was solved with me I went with the internal seating area width, then how it looked and how much storage was available.

Yeah I pretty much looked at what I could afford after paying for the things my kids needed,, which amounted to one of those Walmart blowup lounge mats covered in duct tape. Hell I had a fishfinder and some rod holders mounted to the damn thing before I realized,,,, I only really NEED one kidney..