Review:OK Big Game

Thanks to scallen, I got the chance to test paddle the Ocean Kayaks Big Game with rudder. I took the kayak out for sand dabs off of Monterey with moderately choppy seas and 3-4 foot swells. Later in the morning there were small wind waves and ~10 knott onshore winds. The fishing was very good with a wide open dab bite. Even with the two barbless hook sabiki squid rig I used, I was able to land as many dabs as I thought my family could eat. The following is my personal assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the BG. Keep in mind that I am 6'2" and 230# and a relatively strong paddler. Your area/target specific needs and personal preferences may vary.

Strengths: First, the BG is EXTREMELY stable. The kayak never felt tippy and handled waves and wind chop very well. With a bit of timing the set waves, I was able to launch through the small shore break with ease and make it out through the surf dry. Even for someone my size, one would have to make a conscious effort to roll the kayak. I could easily slide up to the bow hatch or sit sidesaddle comfortably.
Secondly, the BG has plenty of flat mounting spaces. On the rear of the bow alone, one could easily install two rod holders and a fish finder. There are also flat rails that provide space for more mounts and a nice place to stretch out your legs.
The BG has plenty of storage space. Along with a front “A hatch” the BG has a rectangular center hatch, a large tankwell and a “lunch box” deck hatch (not through hull) for storing a tackle tray or a pound of squid and a water bottle. The BG has a very cool battery shelf mounted inside the hull that is large enough to accommodate a battery box or gel cell. It also has a well placed scupper well for easy installation of a transducer below the hull.
Finally, the BG is a very dry ride. With a nice wide and well draining seat, the BG kept me dry and high out of the water.

Weaknesses: In a word…speed. With a wide 34” beam and a relatively deep hull, the BG displaces a lot of water. The BG is slow, requires more effort to cover long distances and loses much of its momentum riding down the backside of swells. Although it tracks fairly straight, especially with the aid of a rudder, it is not as responsive as other boats I have paddled.
The BG is also HEAVY. While I could still carry and car top the kayak solo, it took a considerable amount of effort. I would not suggest carrying a BG more than a hundred yards without a cart.
The width of the boat affected my paddle stroke more than I expected. Although I consider myself a low angle paddler and I use a 240cm carbon touring paddle, paddling the BG was a stretch. I didn’t feel like the wide beam allowed me to maximize my stroke. This is definitely a “big man” boat. Smaller paddlers would really have to stretch and/or increase their paddle length to paddle the BG comfortably.

Conclusion: For those wanting stability and plenty of storage space or those considering chasing pelagics from a mothership, the Big Game foots the bill. For smaller paddlers or those requiring a “run and gun” boat with the speed to get you off the water quickly when weather conditions change, I would consider other kayaks. Overall, the BG is very seaworthy, dry and stable. While the search continues for the “perfect” angler package, the Big Game certainly has some of the features I can imagine on my fantasy fishing kayak.

been waiting for this....Thanks Aaron! Great review!

Great Review Aaron.

aaron-

I appreciate the review. Good job.  Mostly, glad you got out and caught some fish!!

Allen

Aaron, Thanks for the review of this Yak. You definately were drier than I was:} Frank