Lake Mendo with new Yak!

I picked-up a new Mini-X from Sean last night, so I had to take it out for it's maiden voyage today. I stopped off at the Lake Mendocino General Store and picked up a couple minnows and hit the North side of the lake. I ended up with 4 small bass and a little sun. It was a great first paddle, with may more to come.....

CHEERS!

So... how do you like the Mini-X?
How does it paddle?
I hear it's a fun little boat.

 Good purchase Dan!
Looks like it would be a great creek fishing boat. Im selling my WS RIOT and want to test that boat before I decide on the replacement. Good job getting on the water for this perfect weather and nabbing a few victims.

It's a very stable yak, but it took a few minutes to get used to the way it moves on the water. I find that a hard deep pull on the paddle will send the yak off in the other direction. Then a hard deep pull on the paddle on the other side with send it headed in the other direction. It's real easy to serpentine across the lake. Fortunately, it's easy to figure out that you don't have to pull too hard to get the yak going. I like it so far, but I'd like to take it out a couple more times before I can give it the big thumbs up.

I really like the weight! I can carry it on top of me head without any problem.

CHEERS!

I really like the weight! I can carry it on top of me head without any problem.

CHEERS!

Sounds like the perfect boat to portage for Heart Attack Hill at Elk. 

Yeah, and if you ever fish Ft. Ross you should take that thing and I'll meet you out there....just so my OK Caper won't be the smallest boat for Mr. Whitey to target!

Congrats on your new boat, Mahi Mahi! Aren't toys fun?  And you even christened it with fish slime...woohoo!

Janice aka "Big J"

I was thinking of getting a smaller yak for the rivers and smaller lakes (the back side of Shadow Cliffs has GREAT bass fishing ). I'll be doing some re-search myself.

Sooooo CUTE!!    .....the FISH!!
Nice lil' craft you got.....will it make it through the spots where you get those STEELIES on the RR?

Hi Mahi Mahi,

Welcome to the Mini-X club    This yak is not build for speed, but it tracks and glides very well with little effort (no hard/deep padling)
I really enjoy mine and use it 90% of the time unless I need to paddle long distance then I use my other yak.

Sailfish

seems like a little skeg on the bottom of these shorter yaks would let you paddle them a little harder.

seems like a little skeg on the bottom of these shorter yaks would let you paddle them a little harder.

J I was thinking the opposite don't know too much about bottom design but when drifting rivers with current I think I want a smoother bottom so the current doesn't spin the yak and make it tough to steer. I was going to buy a Mini X but after looking at the bottom I don't know. Any Thoughts?

   Mike is right when concerning streams and J is right when you want it to track straight.
Its challenging to transition from boat to boat especially if one boat is 6' feet shorter than the boat youre used to paddling. When I switch to a creek boat I cant use my super sized paddle. I have to switch to a short playboat paddle and focus on bringing the paddle very close to the boat during a forward stroke. With these small boats or WW boats, if the paddle isnt right next to the boat while paddling you get that serpentine motion going. Another trick is to gently torque the paddle at the end of your forward stroke to correct your track. A shorter paddle will make a world of difference though. Not trying to be the kayak instructor here, its just what works for me.

Thanks Terry that's what I was think any suggestion on a short stable boat fo the river?

 The mini-X has definately got my interest but I cant comment since I dont have any time in it, yet.
If I had to buy a stable, fast, creek fishing boat today, it would be the tarpon 100. I bought one for "her" and I love it. She just keeps reminding me that I bought it for her and its not another one of my boats to thrash. Its fast for a short boat and can take alot of gear without losing alot of performance or stability. It has the room so that the bigger guys can be comfortable too. The big/wide tank well is also a bonus. Alot of these boats that are this size are copy cats of the OK frenzy ,which I believe is the godfather of all short SOT, but the 100 is a whole new level and is actually comfortable.
 Ifish2,
please do not take offense, this is only my opinion, but I wouldnt suggest the yak board or the aloha. I have owned both of these boats and they are meant for another kind of fun.
The aloha design used to belong to a company called islanderkayaks, and I was a big fan of their Hula model for wave riding. These are great boats, but not great creek boats for fishing.  Both of these boats are "wet" boats and neither can handle a strong lateral current without the swamp and swim being a big part of your day.  I did the stanislaus on a trout fishing trip with the hula and it was a nightmare.
The problems are similiar with my current creekboat, hence the upgrade.
here is a picture of the yak board in action on some small surf, so much fun!,
and another of the RIOT and T100 in the background.