Retrieval kayak

[judders87]

I’m looking into getting a kayak to retrieve waterfowl that might die in areas a little deep for waders as I don’t have a dog. Lightweight and compact is probably the highest priority as I wanna be able to top it on my truck. Any recommendations?

 

[Chris in TN]

Would a rod and reel and a topwater plug work? I did that a couple times when I was younger.

 

[Kurts86]

A Phoenix Poke Boat Micro would be the best option but they are no longer made. They are 17 lbs.

Any cheap big box plastic boat is fine. They will be in the 35-60 lbs.

 

[E.Shell]

We tried the fishing lure with multiple treble hooks method and while it might be fine for a pond, it's tough to get reliable results in moving water. Ducks dropped at the edge of shotgun range will be hard to reach in any event.

We have some cheap, no-name kayak we use to retrieve ducks in the salt marsh. Works well enough, but I would rather have a 10' flat bottom boat with an electric motor. Safer over cold water and a big difference retrieving cripples.

I'm not a kayak expert, but most of those stripped down, basic models are intended to be handled by individuals and are very lightweight. I'd be more concerned with getting something that will blend in. We painted our kayak and paddle blotchy brown/tan and the ducks don't seem to notice it laying behind the shore blind.

 

[judders87]

Would a rod and reel and a topwater plug work? I did that a couple times when I was younger.

I had one die in a mess of branches this weekend behind a 6ft channel. My cast game wouldn’t be good enough for that lol

 

[C Bow]

Poke boat

 

[ORwaterfowler]

What about a packraft? Several of the spots we hunt are close to a mile or more walk and leaning heavily in buying one for next season. Even with a dog getting decoys out can be an issue at times. A wheel base with a cheap rotomolded kayak works too.

 

[madtinker]

I’d second the “any plastic kayak will do” but check weight capacity. Some of the ones for kids look big enough until they don’t.

 

[CRJR45]

We have Perception Sport kayaks , we bought used for $200 , sit on top so you could do it in waders , weigh 60 pounds and 12 feet long .

 

[judders87]

What about a packraft? Several of the spots we hunt are close to a mile or more walk and leaning heavily in buying one for next season. Even with a dog getting decoys out can be an issue at times. A wheel base with a cheap rotomolded kayak works too.

Packraft might be the key... too bad they're not inexpensive.

 

[Chris in TN]

I’d second the “any plastic kayak will do” but check weight capacity. Some of the ones for kids look big enough until they don’t.

I used to winter kayak (well, in March, water still cold) for smallmouth.

I’ll just say that water has no mercy and being out alone in winter is risky. Wear your pfd. Don’t wear things that hinder self-recovery. Don’t die for a duck.

 

[Macintosh]

I have a tractor supply 10’ sit on top kayak that I duck hunt in. Paid $299 for it brand new a year or two ago including the paddle. I wear waders in it. But its easy to haul around, weighs 52lb, not “light” but its compact so its easy to deal with. Toss it in the bed of the truck, drag it, or use a kayak cart to roll it if you have to hike a ways. Im 6’2” 200lb, its not roomy but it fits me, a backpack, my gun, and a dozen smaller decoys in it without working too hard. I started just clipping a jet sled behind it like a trailer and that makes it roomy. Any comparable kayak should work fine.
If I was going to do it over and spend anything more Id look at a old town discovery 119 canoe, or a native ultimate fx12.

 

[AKG]

Canoes and short recreational kayaks can get sketchy quick on bigger waters if a wind kicks up. That being said between the two for quick duck retrieval duty a short 9' kayak transports well in the bed of a truck, and deploys pretty easily. When I used to hunt out of my 9' kayak, i'd bungee reeds and rushes to the front and back for camo and I rigged up a short burlap screen that I could slouch behind for concealment. I now use my old towne 119 for duck hunting. Decoy bag up front, dog in the back, and a kayak paddle for propulsion. I do have to use the roof rack on my truck rather than the bed for transport as with a short bed and dog boxes in the back it doesn't fit below my camper shell like the smaller kayak will.

 

[hikenhunt]

I bought an inflatable kayak for that purpose about 15 years ago. I was tight on storage at the time so I went with inflatable, but still use it now even though I have room for storing a hard shell now. It is very stable and I will also shoot out of it as well.