Newbie

Newbie

I love the forum. Everyone seems very helpful.

I live in Pacific City. I own a good bay boat, 16 ft, I use for crabbing, clamming and fishing the bays.

I'm an avid salmon and steelhead angler.
 
(If anyone wants to motor out with me for springer season - please let me know.)

HOWEVER, unless I'm a buddy's Dory or feel like scaling Cape Kiwanda - I miss out on bottom fishing. It makes me crazy.

I'd love a little advice.

1) What size kayak should I buy? I'm 6'1" 210 lbs
2) brand? Anyone make one better for fishing  and outside the surf?
3) should I rent one first? They Hobie's here in town at the 'marina'.
4) Used? With a new baby, budget is important.

Thanks everyone !

PS: Again, if anyone wants to get out crabbing or springer fishing the mouth of Nestucca, let me know.

Tule's Papa

Welcome to the forum, and nice fish!  Being new to kayak fishing I hesitate to give too much advice other than try out some different kayaks if you can.  It is alot of fun to fish the ocean on one.  Good luck and hope to see you on the beach sometime -

Alan

Howdy TulesPapa and welcome.

Keep your eyes open on this board for retailers that are having "on-the-water" demos where you can go sit on them and paddle around a little.  There should be a few coming up.

Folks usually post used yaks found on Craigslist on this board.

I'm 6' and 185.  Personally I have 2 Ocean Kayak Scrambler XT's and have had them since about 92 I think.  So, they're durable and nothings broken.  Started using them for SCUBA and Ab diving in CA and they work just fine for lake, stream, river and ocean.  In fact, caught my first steelhead out of one.  http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=7790&l=ad8abd5b34&id=1623365279

I'll take you up on a ride in the PB for some of the coho you'll be getting up there this summer!  The stucca is expected to have an "in-river" non fin clipped fishery this year.  We'll know more June 5th at the commission meeting.

Welcome to NWKA TP. Most SOT kayaks fit into your range. What type of fishing you're going to be doing would be the more important consideration into which yak to buy. Longer and narrower for more distance (less stability), shorter and wider for less distance and more stability. Kayaks come in many shapes and sizes so try before you buy.

Z