What to look for in a kayak.

[Stoof]

I'm looking to pick up a tandem here soon. Fresh water isn't an issue for me but I want to make sure that whatever I go with is appropriate for the coast. I don't know jack squat about salt water fishing but plan on changing that soon. Is there a huge difference in applications or are sit on tops good for both conditions? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
And yes, If I get myself out on the coast I do plan on going with someone who knows what they are doing. I'm a land lover and have allot of respect for the dangers associated.

Cheers.

[matthews1227]

PM sent

[Barrett]

I'm looking to pick up a tandem here soon. Fresh water isn't an issue for me but I want to make sure that whatever I go with is appropriate for the coast. I don't know jack squat about salt water fishing but plan on changing that soon. Is there a huge difference in applications or are sit on tops good for both conditions? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
And yes, If I get myself out on the coast I do plan on going with someone who knows what they are doing. I'm a land lover and have allot of respect for the dangers associated.

Cheers.

Never owned a tandem but a sit on top is nice for both situations. Especially when paddling through some chop and the wave are lapping into the boat. Ocean Kayak, Wilderness Systems, and Native all make nice tandems. Having a rudder is also nice in the big open water.

[bowhunterchris]

Sit on top is almost a must for fishing. The pescador from academy have good tandems, they are made by wilderness systems.

[Stoof]

Sit on top for sure.
Might be a stupid question but is there a difference between salt and fresh yaks. Anything to steer clear of?

[HoustonR6ryda]

just remember longer gets better tracking-post pic of what you decide-good luck

[Hawkpuppy 1]

Sit on top is best bet. If fishing salt, bays and back water anything in the 12-13' range is fine. Offshore BTB you're gonna want 13'+. Get a boat that will have as much carrying weight as possible, you can never have too much load capacity weight.

[BrandonH]

It wasn't a tandem but I had a Wilderness Systems 140 and our was great. I took it out to the first rig out from Surfside and had a blast. It isn't the best suited for BTB, but did just fine. At 14' with a rudder I could make good time cutting through slight chop in the bays. You'll definitely want a rudder, you can add anchor trolley, drift sock, and plenty of other accessories once you get the yak.

[MesquiteBean]

Sit on top is almost a must for fishing. A buddy if mine has a sir in and uses it for river fishing. I fish at the coast, and I like to be able to get in and out with ease plus I like to stand in mine for sight casting.

[fishfeeder01]

If u can visit a shop n demo a few yaks, that's best to see how they track. I went n bought a nu canoe. Its a hybrid, kinda canoe, kinda kayak. I have 41 inches wide at the waterline but its stable as heck. I can stand n cast in it. So look around for demo days n see what u like best.

[Yelladog]

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If your in Austin check out austin canoe and kayak. I've heard you can demo there.

[dac6933]

The Hobie Pro Angler 17 is expensive but looks awesome.

[fishingsetx]

Paddle before you buy!!!!!!!! Can't stress that enough!

Why a tandem? Unless you plan on taking a young child along with you, a tandem is not a good idea!!!!!!!!!!! They don't paddle nearly as good as a single and paddle horrible with only one person! Been heavy into kayak fishing for 10 years now and we've always called tandems divorce makers because if you take your significant other out with you, one of you will be headed to the ER for hook removal! Much better to get 2 cheaper kayaks!

Stick with the major brands. Hobie, wilderness, Malibu, Jackson, native, etc. Avoid the pelican kayaks unless that's all you can afford.

12'+ kayak! Longer kayaks are faster (read that more efficient). Shorter kayaks are more maneuverable. Everything is a trade off. A long narrow kayak is faster and tracks much better. A shorter wider kayak is much more stable and easier to turn. If you want better stability, you sacrifice some speed/tracking and vice versa. A good middle of the road is 14'. Plenty of length for the wide open areas of the coast and larger lakes and still maneuverable in the rivers.

Buy the rudder!!! Makes everything MUCH easier!! I have a 12' boat and still installed a rudder. On long drifts, you can steer with your feet. The more the rod is in your hands and not the paddle, the better your chance to catch some fish.

I don't recommend the "angler" editions of any kayak. Its cheaper to add the rod holders and other crap yourself and you can decide where you want it instead of having to move it later anyway!

Learn to paddle while you feather your paddle. There is a reason you can angle one blade from the other. While one blade is perpendicular to the yak in the water, the other is parallel to the wind slicing through it instead of fighting it. Doesnt seem like much but in a yak, you feel every bit of drag no matter how small!!!! I can tell if I have the end of a 1/4" rope dragging the water or not!

Buy a good paddle. Every oz counts!!! You will take an average of 500 paddle strokes a mile. One oz difference is 500 oz per mile you have to lift! Imagine if the difference is 10 oz (cheap paddle vs a good one). That's 5000 oz or 312 lbs every mile!

I second the Austin canoe and kayak recommendation. Great folks and they'll help you out as well as let you demo them on the water!

[fishingsetx]

If your in Austin check out austin canoe and kayak. I've heard you can demo there.

They also have locations in Houston as well

[fishingsetx]

Not sure if links are allowed and if not, mods please remove this post.

Check out www.Texaskayakfisherman.com all the info you need with tons 10k+ of very helpful folks. Been a member there for 10+ years. Joined when I was in the same boat as you