Bit by the bug...

    Been wanting a kayak for a couple years now, so recently I've been watching videos and doing a lot of research, and now i am crazy to get out there and start fishing. I already have my mind set on a Jackson Big tuna, i am a larger dude.  Probably going to commit in the spring just as rock fishing opens.  Cheers!

Welcome justin

Welcome to NCKA Justin.

Consider an X-Factor - great big guy boat.  Be ready for rockfish season - maybe see you at GS8.   

Welcome Justin,
If the trip is doable, might be worth coming to Turner Cut Resort on Sunday. There will be over 120 anglers and kayaks to check out. You could probably rent a yak from Dan at Headwaters and join the fun.
Heck, you might even win a new kayak.

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

Welcome Justin,
If the trip is doable, might be worth coming to Turner Cut Resort on Sunday. There will be over 120 anglers and kayaks to check out. You could probably rent a yak from Dan at Headwaters and join the fun.
Heck, you might even win a new kayak.

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

+1 

Consider an X-Factor - great big guy boat.  Be ready for rockfish season - maybe see you at GS8.   

+1 X-Factor is so stable just love being able to not worry about rough waters. This week it will be holding both my boys and me fishing at the Delta! But watch out Luke says he wants to win the kayak this year.

How big is "big"?  I'm 6'4" and 245lbs.  I currently fish out of a Hobie Pro Angler 14 which would hold you no matter how "big" you are. 

I've paddled a Wilderness Systems Ride 135 and it was plenty stable and held my weight.  If you're buying used and want to look at he Ride 135 make sure it's a new one.  I believe they changed in 2010 or 2011 to the new style which held my weight much better.

I've also paddled the Jackson Cuda 14.  I'm a little more nimble than most folks my size but I could stand and fish from Cuda in flat water.

The Malibu X-Factor, as has already been pointed out, is more than stable enough and has always been considered a big guys boat.

Also, the Native Slayer 14 is a crazy stable boat and would handle a big guy.  I thought it was pretty heavy for being a non-pedal yak but it paddled fairly well when I tried one of the first release boats in South Carolina at the KayakBassFishing.com Invitational last year.

The Big Tuna by Jackson is a sweet boat too.  I liked the boat for fishing from and for it's stability but didn't care for paddling it any kind of long distance.  It's doable, but just not my preference.  I watched Jackson Kayak Pro Staffer Drew Gregory fish solo from a Big Tuna during the Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic in Florida two years ago.  He paddled it solo and had to fight 25-35mph winds.  He made it out and back to the launch at the end of the day.

So it all depends on your size and what you want out of the yak.  I would definitely say try as many as you can before you make up your mind.  This weekends event at the Delta would definitely be a great start to see many brands in one spot.  I know you'd be more than welcome to try out my Hobie Pro Angler 14 even if you weren't interested in spending that much money on your first yak.

   Well, the resort sounds like it would be a lot of fun, sadly i have to work  , I am about 5'10" 300 lbs, so got to lose a little weight. I was consider the Big T because it is a tandem so me and a friend could get loads of fish, but i do like the X factor for a single Kayak, i like the price 
and i do plan on hitting the rock fish hard next year.

    Been wanting a kayak for a couple years now, so recently I've been watching videos and doing a lot of research, and now i am crazy to get out there and start fishing. I already have my mind set on a Jackson Big tuna, i am a larger dude.  Probably going to commit in the spring just as rock fishing opens.  Cheers!

I have 12' Wilderness Commander and a 12' Pro Angler and love them both, but the PA is prefect!! My advice is do some demos first on the ones your thinking about. I did that and it helped eliminate some quickly when I tried them out. The dealers normally have them every so often and in some cases have demo days with many different brands and types of kayak to try!

By the way welcome to the site!!