Kayaks

[dh.hamilton1]

With spring turkey season coming to an end soon or already over for some of us, I'm entertaining the wife's idea of getting some kayaks for this summer.

I will most likely get her a cheaper but decent recreation sit in kayak. However, for myself I'm looking at getting a sit on top fishing kayak, as I've gotten the urge to add fishing to my list of hobbies.

For those of you who kayak fish, what's a good sub $500, don't break the bank, fishing kayak that could be used on lakes and rivers/streams?

Looking to possibly use for water access when fall bow hunting too.


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[GunsAreFun]

What is your height and weight? It matters when selecting a boat.

 

[dh.hamilton1]

What is your height and weight? It matters when selecting a boat.

5’-7” / 145-150 pounds


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[Speaks]

I have owned Kayaks but generally I pprefer canoes, you can also get a much lighter boat that way. My northstar solo canoe is over your price range but weighs in at 21lbs, my old towne pack canoe is right in your target price used and weighs in at 30-33lbs. Similar size kayaks weigh double that and are less versatile.

 

[Crowmangler]

I'd suggest looking on Craigslist / FB marketplace for a used Jackson Coosa.

 

[Ferrulewax]

Definitely look used, the post covid kayak use falloff is real. Should be able to find a pretty good used jackson/feelfree/nucanoe/bonafide/etc for around that price point

 

[svivian]

I would look used, lots of great kayaks out there. I just picked up a Ocean Kayak scupper pro for $250

 

[Macintosh]

Some sit on top boats dont have a lot of room for stuff. If you want to use it for hunting access for deer, you’ll want at least a 12’ kayak, and even some of those will be tight. A 12’ canoe that you sit in and paddle like a kayak will have a lot more room (old town discovery, etc), but wont be as stable for fishing. Some open-topped kayaks are kind of a hybrid design as well and carry more stuff. Nucanoe, native, cabelas, old town have options that are popular.
I got a pair of 10’ tractor supply kayaks last year for the wife and I (lifetime?). She LOVES it, and really prefers the sit on top as opposed to sit-in. For hunting the 10’ is too small. I make due with a dozen small duck decoys and duck hunting stuff, but if I tried to carry a deer Id end up sitting on it—I have some other boats I use for that. Not sure a 10’ would even work. But, they are short and easily tossed in a small truck bed, and I got them on sale, pretty sure I only paid about $500 for the both.
For sure Id look used. Craigslist, fb marketplace, etc. some of the nicer, more stable fishing boats are a LOT more $$.

 

[justinspicher]

I want to get rid of all my kayaks. They are 11’ lake style kayaks that sit in my garage. I don’t fish, don’t plan on it and the kids are older and moving out.

 

[johnw3474]

FYI - You are not going to get much for $500 unless you buy used.
I had a Jackson cuda that I got a really good deal used. It was a good dedicated fishing kayak, but not good for much else because there wasn't a lot of storage and it was heavy. I ended up selling it and getting a Native Ultimate. It has been an awesome boat for duck hunting, deer hunting, and fishing. They call it a hybrid kayak because it is open like a canoe. The hull is catamaran style. It is stable enough to stand in and to cast a fly rod. The seat is removable so it makes a good sand bar chair too. I think they have changed the ultimates some now, but mine is the 14.5 ft and only weighs 50sh pounds. Can be used single or double.

 

[GunsAreFun]

I have owned Kayaks but generally I pprefer canoes, you can also get a much lighter boat that way. My northstar solo canoe is over your price range but weighs in at 21lbs, my old towne pack canoe is right in your target price used and weighs in at 30-33lbs. Similar size kayaks weigh double that and are less versatile.

Yes, but it’s damn near a unicorn to find a good solo canoe like a Pack. The current old town solo canoes aren’t very good and are heavy. With Royalex being out of production, the options are limited.

I looked for years for a Royalex solo canoe and never found one.

 

[GunsAreFun]

For $500, I would look for a used Vibe Seaghost 110 or Yellowfin 100, Jackson Coosa or Cuda, Old Town Predator MX, Native Ultimate 12, and maybe a handful of others.

I would not buy any Ascend crap. There stuff is heavy and doesn’t track well.

 

[GunsAreFun]

For $500, I would look for a used Vibe Seaghost 110 or Yellowfin 100, Jackson Coosa or Cuda, Old Town Predator MX, Native Ultimate 12, and maybe a handful of others.

I would not buy any Ascend crap. There stuff is heavy and doesn’t track well.

 

[rclouse79]

With spring turkey season coming to an end soon or already over for some of us, I'm entertaining the wife's idea of getting some kayaks for this summer.

I will most likely get her a cheaper but decent recreation sit in kayak. However, for myself I'm looking at getting a sit on top fishing kayak, as I've gotten the urge to add fishing to my list of hobbies.

For those of you who kayak fish, what's a good sub $500, don't break the bank, fishing kayak that could be used on lakes and rivers/streams?

Looking to possibly use for water access when fall bow hunting too.


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I currently have a 16.5 touring kayak which has been great for camping trips. They are spendy, but I have often thought about selling it and getting a paddle kayak for fishing. It would be pretty sweet to troll around and have both hands free to fish. I have been tempted by some good deals in the used market.

 

[Speaks]

Yes, but it’s damn near a unicorn to find a good solo canoe like a Pack. The current old town solo canoes aren’t very good and are heavy. With Royalex being out of production, the options are limited.

I looked for years for a Royalex solo canoe and never found one.

Guess it depends on where you are, I see packs pop up for sale on marketplace all the time here. Im near the twin cities MN metro area though so likely an ideal spot. I grabbed one a couple years back for $400 with the tags still on it. Best way to get Kevlar around here is when the BWCA outfitters sell of their inventory every winter, but thats still above OPs price range.

 

[madgrad02]

Little over (retail) your budget, but I picked up a Ascend (Cabelas/ Bass Pro store brand) H10 that I like... sort of a hybrid kayak/canoe. Luckily have family that works there so the 45% discount on house-brands helped there as well. Suggest shopping the used market as well, but all the sporting good stores around here run sales on these cheaper kayaks this time of year.

 

[Boarmaster]

I would look at a better quality yak and as others have said buy used. You will get a yak that works better, more comfortable and it will probably have some better fishing related rigging already on it it might even come with a descent paddle. Try and find one that was kept inside and hasn't been dragged around on the pavement. A new $500 yak isnt going to be a very high quality product and will probably be lacking features you will want for fishing. Its pretty easy to spend hundreds of dollars on rigging.
The Covid Outdoors Folks are getting tired of walking around their outdoor equipment they never use.

 

[Wreckener]

If you happen to have a store that specializes in kayaks that is local, I would go pick their brains. This may not be true for you, but most of the kayak places I've been were locally owned and knew a lot about kayaks. Someone who spends every day around yaks will probably be able to give you more information than you can use.

 

[Gettincloser]

Go used! Lots of them out there lightly used. Friends don't let friends paddle pelicans!

Do not get your wife a sit inside pelican kayak. She will hate it and it will be a waste of $.

Sit on top for stability/balance is the way to go. Many of them have central hatches to access and store any/everything you want.

Focus on the 11' to 13'. (12 to13 is the sweet spot in my opinion.

I have a 15' ocean kayak for fishing blue water to fight wind and waves with a rudder. It is a pain to store, pain to haul and a pain in rivers. It is wonderful in the ocean!

Try to find a Wilderness Tarpon 130 or similar.

If you want to hunt deer and hogs, you will need to have a higher weight limit. I really enjoy my Nucanoe. It is part john boat/kayak/canoe. Even has a spot on the back for battery and trolling motor if you want to register it. I add the 2nd seat for my daughter when we jug-line. It can hold 600 or 650#. Have yet to get a hog with the kayak though....

 

[DrBeetleKill]

If you’re buying new, I think the lifetime kayak is a great option for sub$500. There is a great review from headwaters going over the lifetime kayak. However, I think Crescent kayaks are fantastic yaks and great for personal mods. I have the original crescent lite tackle and really enjoy it.