Looking for suggestions

And that includes telling me there ain't no such thing.

I'm not an experienced kayaker, and the last time I used one was so far back, I'm not telling.

I'd like a kayak that I could use in the smaller rivers where I'd be in-and-out (or on-and-off) all day, but could also go a few hundred feet offshore in (very) calm bays in good weather.

Since I'm new and not sure that kayak fishing is for me, I'd like to get in as cheaply as possible the first time, but I'd like it to be a kayak that works, so it's not a crappy 'yak that turns me off the sport.

So if you wouldn't mind shooting some thoughts, suggestions and recommendations at me, I'd be grateful.

What's your budget?  Are you open to used models?  With your agenda, it won't be hard to find a suitable boat...

I picked this up on craigslist for under $200. I've taken it out on the sounds a few times with no problems, I can load/unload it by myself and it is surprisingly stable. It is a sit in Kayak which is not ideal for getting in and out all day but honestly it doesn't really bother me. Most of the guys on here are far more experienced and knowledgeable about the options out there so I'm curious as to what they have to say.

My Kayak: Equinox 10.4

What size are you?  Height and weight.

-Allen

Budget?  Not sure.  There seems to be a range of new kayaks starting around $300 and up (and up).  I'd like to stay close to $400 for the hull itself.

I search the list classifieds every few days, so sure!  I'm open to used.

My inexperience is a true handicap and I wouldn't know if something I'm looking at is a turkey or something that gives me an honest taste.

polepole, I'm 5'10" and weigh 165 lbs wet and nekkid.

If you are patient you can find a good value in a used kayak. People are getting out of kayaking all the time just like that gym equipment you see at garage sales. Sometimes you get all the extras, too.

Any boat you get would have trade offs between small rivers and offshore. If the small rivers are calm, get a boat that handles the open water. If the small rivers have rapids, get a river kayak and deal with the suck in the open water. Or get two boats.

dont forget to check out rental shops - often they have a bit of variaty and are fairly cheep compared to buying.  Astoria scuba rents fishing Yaks for under $50 a day.

mini-x

mini-x

  I'm really, REALLY ignorant, folks.  Spent a long time in Tucson, Arizona before coming home again to Oregon.  Kayaks?  Might as well be talking esoteric alchemy in Mandarin,.

My main interest is in the rivers, with a few short trials at sea.  If I like it - and I believe I will - I'll upgrade.  What features should I be looking for?  And why are Necky brand kayaks so expensive (there's several on Craig's List at the moment)?  Just curious about the Necky brand but seruous about not knowing what hull design/features I should look for.

Thanks!

P.S.  I'm in Port Orford.

Welcome back to Oregon, Tinker.

Trying different kayaks before buying is a wise idea. The majority, by far, of kayaks used by fishermen are sit-on-tops, or SOT's. I see that Necky does have some, but I think most Necky's are aimed at sea kayakers. and not at fishermen. Look for Hobie, Ocean Kayak, Wilderness, Jackson for more common brands of fishing kayaks. As for expensive, Necky's list prices looked in line with other quality kayaks.

You might try to attend the Oregon Rockfish Classic in Depoe Bay on July 13th to see what setups are commonly used up here. There will be a large variety of kayaks out there on the water. Hang around at the ramp around noon, and you can see people returning, and their kayaks in all their glory.

Thanks!  I'll try to make it on the 13th.

I look at the hundreds of kayaks passing through town every week, and most are long, at least 12 feet, and would appear to the untrained to be marine kayaks - or at least kayaks for quite large rivers.  I'd like to find a compromise that will work on the smaler rivers in my area - no whitewater in the stretches I'm interested-in at the moment - but would still allow me to try going a couple undred yards offshore in our calm waters.

I've read in the forum that a keel can be a problem in the rivers.  I don't know if that was a discussion of good hulls for fast water.  The lower Elk and the Sixes are very shallow this time of year and this is probably a god ime for me to get some experience.

Maybe I should be thinking only of a kayak for those low, slow, rivers and worry about trying a kayak in the close off-shore waters later?  So it's not so complicated (for me)?

Thanks again.

IF you are sticking to low and slow river, almost any fishing kayak will do.  Your skills as a kayaker are probably more important than the kayak you choose.  Therefore it comes down to personal preference.  Demo demo demo.  Find the kayak that fits you and go for it.

-Allen

My main interest is in the rivers, with a few short trials at sea.  If I like it - and I believe I will - I'll upgrade.  What features should I be looking for?  And why are Necky brand kayaks so expensive (there's several on Craig's List at the moment)?  Just curious about the Necky brand but seruous about not knowing what hull design/features I should look for.

Thanks!

P.S.  I'm in Port Orford.

Those Necky kayaks look pretty cool. I saw the Vector 14 at Next Adventure last week. You sit really low in the kayak which helps keep your center of gravity low and helps your stability. Let us know how it handles if you try it out!

PS: I have a Hobie Revo 13 which I like, but it can be a pain in shallow water with turbo fins if you don't pay attention.