NorthWest Kayak Anglers
Kayak Fishing => The Kayak Shack => Topic started by: Ry@n on January 11, 2016, 07:02:49 AM
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Anyone have any experience with the Nucanoe Pursuit? I am wondering how it will perform in the PNW environments. Specifically Columbia River Salmon, Sturgeon, Bass fishing and some offshore? Most of the reviews on this boat come from Eastern bass fishers.
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They're not a real popular NW boat as they are fairly wide and a bit slow. They will do okay for the water you mentioned but wouldn't be your first choice for fighting current or wind, like you will often do on the Columbia or offshore.
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There're are some discussions from owners about durability issues. Do a Google search.
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Thanks guys.
As far as the durability, the only thing that comes up is the screws for the seat. Nothing shocking has turned up. I have been researching this boat and others for a while now. I realize that there are tradeoffs to any boat, the issue I have are with my requirements. I like to stand and sight fish a little as well as troll. The Pursuit is on my short list of boats inbecause of the clean deck (fly casting)its seems like a good "all around" boat.
I am new to kayak fishing and it seems like the boat of Choice in the NW is a 12-14'x30" style.
I could see myself with 2 eventually.
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You may be over-thinking the difficulty of fly-fishing from a kayak, and underestimating the difficulty of fly-fishing from a canoe. Each is going to present it's own unique problems.
It might be best to think about where you'll fish first, find the boat that is best suited to those conditions - wind, current, swell, etc, - rather than decide on a boat and try to figure out how to make it work in conditions for which it may not have been designed.
If you want a Nucanoe, go for it. It's not a kayak, I don't own one, and cannot speak to how suitable they are for fly fishing or for the areas where you plan to fish.
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Ok rethink. My goal is to fish the Columbia for fish, mostly salmon, and paddle across for fish on the other side. It would be nice to sight fish for Bass and Carp with a fly rod. what boat would you suggest??
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What's your budget? Pedal power has a pretty good advantage on the Columbia vs paddle, assuming you're not a long term paddler. PA12 might be a nice ride for what you describe. Or even an outback.
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Might be a little biased, but...
http://NorthWestKayakAnglers.com/index.php?topic=16773.0
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What's your budget? Pedal power has a pretty good advantage on the Columbia vs paddle, assuming you're not a long term paddler. PA12 might be a nice ride for what you describe. Or even an outback.
I have some $ to spend and the Outback was on my short list of kayaks. I know that pedaling may be better for fishing, but for some reason I like the Idea of the paddle? I guess because I ride bikes all the time?
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What's your budget? Pedal power has a pretty good advantage on the Columbia vs paddle, assuming you're not a long term paddler. PA12 might be a nice ride for what you describe. Or even an outback.
I have some $ to spend and the Outback was on my short list of kayaks. I know that pedaling may be better for fishing, but for some reason I like the Idea of the paddle? I guess because I ride bikes all the time?
Get one of each ;D,,then buy a few more >:D it's addicting
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I could be wrong, but I don't think many folks up here stand to fish in their kayak. We rarely have the right combination of wind-water conditions that would allow us to stand safely. It's more of a flat-ass-calm warm water technique, should one turtle or Louganis.
Doesn't mean you shouldn't try it, but it's hard to discuss a kayak for a technique that isn't common in this area.
If you've never owned a kayak before and (or) have no experience in the areas you want to fish, it might be a Really Good Idea to take advantage of one of the excellent boats up for sale by other forum members. They're all going to be great fishing platforms, and you can buy into the madness at a bargain price, get some experience, and form your own ideas about what works for you and what doesn't.
Nothing wrong with asking to test any of the boats being offered for sale.
For some of us, buying a kayak is an evolutionary process, and they get sold or replaced not because they're junk but because we are expanding our horizons. Of course, some of us just like to buy kayaks and run out of places to store them...
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You might look at a boat that was designed to stand in. The Wavewalk is perfect for standing up and fly fishing out of and a lot of people use them in FL and TX on the flats for sight fishing. I can stand up and shoot my 12 gauge shotgun out of it and regularly do (especially when chasing cripples). They are super stable for standing and casting.
The key to any of these boats is to take them on a test paddle and bring your fly rod. I have seen some cool advertising with people fly fishing standing up in their kayaks........... on perfectly calm water, but I just rarely fish that kind of water. lol.
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I could be wrong, but I don't think many folks up here stand to fish in their kayak. We rarely have the right combination of wind-water conditions that would allow us to stand safely. It's more of a flat-ass-calm warm water technique, should one turtle or Louganis.
Doesn't mean you shouldn't try it, but it's hard to discuss a kayak for a technique that isn't common in this area.
I wouldn't say standing isn't useful. The NWKA region covers a lot of water.
If your fishing benefits from seeing through the surface reflection, standing is a big help. One of my 2016 goals is to develop this skill.
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And neither did I say it wasn't useful, only that we don't often enjoy the conditions that make standing practical - and safe.
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I bought a Hobie PA 12 last year, I stand and fly fish in it all the time, again, that's based on current conditions. I have stood in it on the Willamette, not tried the C yet, but probably will this spring. It really is a pretty stable platform. Might try renting one and seeing what you think.
John
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That Nucanoe weighs something like 85 lbs. Depending on how you plan to transport that beast, it could be a real pain in the ass (or more likely a pain in the back). 85 lbs might not sound too crazy, but throw in the awkward shape of a kayak and it can be tough to load on a car top.
My Hobie Outback weighs something like 60-70 lbs, and I just couldn't see buying anything heavier than that.
My vote --> Get an Outback. Yes, I'm biased...
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You may be much stronger than you realize: Hobie Website says the Outback is 81 pounds for the fitted hull weight and 99 pounds fully rigged. Then again the online specs may be wrong.
Although the Pursuit may be easier, I helped a friend load a NuCanoe Frontier on his 4-Runner. there was almost no place that was a secure place to grab it. Felt like a wrestling match. Of course after you own the boat for a while it may get easier to load... maybe.
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The Santa Cruz Kayaks Raptor SOT might be an answer...
http://www.santacruzkayaks.com/raptor-sit-on-top.html
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The Santa Cruz Kayaks Raptor SOT might be an answer...
http://www.santacruzkayaks.com/raptor-sit-on-top.html
Good suggestion. Those are cool looking boats and are made by a guy from NCKA. There is a guy in my neighborhood that has one, I've been wanting to flag him down for a while.
They are also working on a new boat that has a slot for a mirage drive. Might be a pretty good way to get the best of both worlds.
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You may be much stronger than you realize: Hobie Website says the Outback is 81 pounds for the fitted hull weight and 99 pounds fully rigged. Then again the online specs may be wrong.
Although the Pursuit may be easier, I helped a friend load a NuCanoe Frontier on his 4-Runner. there was almost no place that was a secure place to grab it. Felt like a wrestling match. Of course after you own the boat for a while it may get easier to load... maybe.
The new Outbacks are a little heavier. Mine is ~2012.