Good beginners fishing kayak?(Fresno)

Hello I'm looking to get into kayak fishing and have a few questions and hoping I can get some recommendations for a good beginners fishing kayak. I mainly plan to fish slow moving rivers with few Rapids and small lakes, not too much ocean fishing but it's not out of the question. I'm hesitant to go full out and purchase a expensive kayak until I find out how much I will be able to go out. ( plus I'm a poor college student who's also recently engaged and saving for a wedding lol) I've seen that dicks sells a sot field and stream 12' fishing kayak that seems to have good reviews as a starter kayak. Does anyone have any personal experience with this kayak? Price seems right at $600. I do need a kayak that can hold a good amount of weight im 6'3" 240 lbs. I also have a question a bought length is 14" too long for river fishing( wilderness thresher140 is sexy lol)? Sorry for all of the questions, I'm just trying to take in as much as I can before I buy. Thanks

This topic comes up a lot. I believe it's answered a few times throughout the forum. I think the general consensus is to test as many boats as you can and then pick up a very good used boat from Craigslist or even here.

There are a few pontoon options that are pretty good. Especially if fly fishing, get you up out of the water. I haven't thrown any flys off of a kayak. Maybe checkout the predator.

I think MikefromFresno was selling his 12ft Field & Stream yak for $300 in the Classified section.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=63111.0

I'd rent one first for the weekend and try it out.  You cant tell if a kayak is going to work out for you, without being in it on the water.

I'd rent one first for the weekend and try it out.  You cant tell if a kayak is going to work out for you, without being in it on the water.

+1

If you go cheap and end up addicted to the sport like most of us then I can almost guarantee you'll be looking for an upgraded boat soon anyway.

I'd definitely recommend against getting any new Wal-Mart or Dick's boat when you can get a used, way better quality one from here or CL.

Give Dan down at the headwaters in Lodi a call he gets consignment boats often and you are able to demo a wide variety of yaks to see what best suits your needs .. My .02 is demo as many as you can before you buy something you that your not happy with

I think MikefromFresno was selling his 12ft Field & Stream yak for $300 in the Classified section.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=63111.0

Thanks for the heads up I will have to take a look at that.

Give Dan down at the headwaters in Lodi a call he gets consignment boats often and you are able to demo a wide variety of yaks to see what best suits your needs .. My .02 is demo as many as you can before you buy something you that your not happy with

Thanks for the information, I've always heard to demo first but here in Fresno I was not sure where you ever could,  I had heard herb bauers used to do demo days and miller ton lake but I didn't see any info or indication of another one anytime soon.

The consensus here always seems to be, try before you buy. Good advice. Feel free to do a forum search but you're pretty much gonna find the same answer. Best of luck and hope to see you on the water.

-FF

Where are from. In fresno we have a very generous brother there might be able to hook you up some deals if not on demos. Just try some kayak first dont purchase till you find the one you feel comfortable.

Where are from. In fresno we have a very generous brother there might be able to hook you up some deals if not on demos. Just try some kayak first dont purchase till you find the one you feel comfortable.
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Sorry updated the title I am from Kerman, right next to Fresno.

Keep an eye out for a used Ocean Kayak Scrambler XT. Great all-around yaks.

+2 yeah get a better quality used one.  People usually hook u up with extras.  The big boxes just hand you the kayak.

Keep an eye out for a used Ocean Kayak Scrambler XT. Great all-around yaks.

I love these yaks but he m/b too big @ 6'3" and 240lbs. My butt can barely fit and I'm only 6' and 200lbs.

Kerman... I used to collect groundwater samples from the rendering/hide curing facility properties in Kerman and Hanford.

I do not miss that smell at all. You must have olfactories of steel!