the same ole questions from the new guy

hey folks -

first, i would like to say thank you to all the members that contribute to this board - its been a wealth of info so far

well, i'm an avid steelhead fisherman looking to expand my horizons, and i can't think of a better expansion plan than kayak fishing

i have been reading and searching this board and the internet for some time now  as well as talking to folks in the "industry"

i plan on fishing with the kayak primarily in lake/estuary/puget sound type environments, with the occasional river thrown where possible - i would imagine emphasis on the sound if this is a do-able goal?

i think i have narrowed my choices to the following:

1. Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120
2. Ocean Kayak Trident 13

additionally, i have a few questions:

1.  how important is color choice - seems like bright for safety ( i like red) and not to worry about spooking fish?

2.  is 12ft long enough based on my use scenarios, or can i go shorter in fact?

3.  do many folks here fish out of a kayak in the sound, is this a realistic goal?

4.  are there other kayak  models in the same general price range i should consider?

5.  am i crazy for thinking about a kayak fishing in the cold waters of the PNW - should i move to mexico or florida instead and then purchase the boat?


Thanks again for your help!

Anthony

1.  how important is color choice - seems like bright for safety ( i like red) and not to worry about spooking fish?

Bright is good.  Safety first.  The majority of my yaks have been yellow.  One has been red.  My current one is orange.  You get the picture.

2.  is 12ft long enough based on my use scenarios, or can i go shorter in fact?

Sure you can go shorter.  Let's of people do.  The OK T11 makes a great "small" boat.  I've fished it in the salt.  It doesn't track as well as a longer boat, but it does a decent job.

3.  do many folks here fish out of a kayak in the sound, is this a realistic goal?

Many people do and it is a realistic goal.

4.  are there other kayak  models in the same general price range i should consider?

...

5.  am i crazy for thinking about a kayak fishing in the cold waters of the PNW - should i move to mexico or florida instead and then purchase the boat?

You are crazy.  Welcome to The Cure.

-Allen

1. Everything looks black when looking up from underwater.  I'd go bright if you're fishing/paddling in anything but electric-only waters.

2. How hard do you want to paddle?  Yak Strong on this board has a Mini-X (~9') and seemed to do just fine in the sound a few weeks ago.

3. Yakfishing in the Sound isn't only possible, it encouraged by many anglers on this board.

4. You might want to check out the Malibu X-factor, Malibu X-13, Cobra Marauder, and Cobra Pro-fisherman.

5. As long as you dress for immersion, you can yakfish wherever your ability and sense of adventure takes you.


Oh... and wlecome to the cure!

fish out of a kayak in the sound, is this a realistic goal?

My favorite place to fish.. Welcome to this madness we call the cure.

Z

Hey Z, how do you like those Kokatat Scout booties?

Hey Z, how do you like those Kokatat Scout booties?

Pretty sweet. Like a pair of slippahs.

Z

hey Z - looks like you do alot of sound fishing - what size boat do you have?

Hi Antpo,

This guy has been advertising this for the past 3 weeks.....

http://portland.craigslist.org/yam/boa/1258985870.html


I'm heading up to Seattle REI's sale on Friday, I may look at that one seriously if I don't find one at the sale.

hey Z - looks like you do alot of sound fishing - what size boat do you have?

Yep, I spend most of my time in the sound. I use a Hobie Adventure (16' X 27.5"). It has a lot of good glide that helps deal with all the nasty conditions that come along. Also helps a lot when trolling.

Z