Help me make a decision

Hey guys,
I'm new to fishing from a kayak, but very experienced as a kayaker. So let me know if I am being completely ignorant. I noticed no one has mentioned the Perception Triumph 13. This boat paddles very well (pretty fast while still fairly maneuverable, 13'6"). It comes in an angler version, but I have after some research found that it is much more cost effective to purchase non-angler edition and mount you own fittings and rod holders. It retails for around $600 but can be found at REI for less on sale. I may have some insider REI info if you ask  . The angler edition is a couple hundred extra. I paddle this boat and like it a lot and mounted all my own stuff on it for less than $50. I too would love to have a Mirage Drive boat but can't afford it at this time. The Triumph has lots of good surface for mounting accessories on it. Just my 2 cents. I can post pics of my boat if wanted.
-Josh

Edit to this post. Retails for $700 not $600 but can be found at REI on sale for less than $600.

Newprincipal:

I think the first thing you ought to do is decide generally where you want to go fishing.  Lakes, estuaries, and bays?  Large slow-moving rivers?  Small rocky fast-moving rivers?  Launching through the surf and fishing out in the ocean?

Then you ought to talk to kayak anglers and kayak dealers about the categories or kinds of kayaks which are appropriate for that kind of fishing, and your level of experience, so you know what kinds of kayaks to focus on.  For example, kayaks with little or no rocker (i.e. a straight keel when viewed from the side) will be easy to paddle in a straight line, but will turn more slowly.  Kayaks with some rocker, like the Perception Triumph described in the previous couple of postings, will be easier to turn, but will require more attention to keep them going in a straight line.  Long narrow kayaks have a higher hull speed, and will be easier to paddle fast, but may be somewhat tippier.  Wide short kayaks may be pretty stable, to the point where you can stand up in them while fishing, but may be slow and sluggish to paddle.  Some kayaks have seats which are mounted quite low, which makes them very stable.  Other kayaks have "lawn chair" style seats which are very high, which makes them more comfortable for some people, but also makes the kayak tippier.  Mirage Drive kayaks move fast and leave both hands available for fishing, which are advantages in deep water, but they might be a bad choice for shallow rivers, because you could damage the fins and/or the rudder on the bottom, or get jerked around by them in eddies.

Another issue to consider is the kind of fishing you want to do.  If you are interested in fly fishing, or in casting along the shores of lakes for bass, you may not need to mount very much equipment on your kayak.  However, if you want to troll in deep water, you'll want to mount a fish finder, rod holders, a downrigger, and other equipment all over your kayak.  Some kayaks are easier to mount equipment on than others. 

Once you know what kind or category of kayak you're looking for, you can focus on the advantages and disadvantages of kayaks in that category.

Depending on the kind of fishing you want to do, you may want to consider buying something other than a kayak.  For example, if you want to fly fish on fast-moving streams, a kayak with rocker will get you down the stream, but you may need to stop and fish from shore.  There is a reason why most fly fishing on fast-moving streams gets done by pairs of people fishing from rafts and drift boats: one person can focus on controlling the boat, while the other person focuses on fishing.

 

Newprincipal:

I think the first thing you ought to do is decide generally where you want to go fishing.  Lakes, estuaries, and bays?  Large slow-moving rivers?  Small rocky fast-moving rivers?  Launching through the surf and fishing out in the ocean?

Then you ought to talk to kayak anglers and kayak dealers about the categories or kinds of kayaks which are appropriate for that kind of fishing, and your level of experience, so you know what kinds of kayaks to focus on.  For example, kayaks with little or no rocker (i.e. a straight keel when viewed from the side) will be easy to paddle in a straight line, but will turn more slowly.  Kayaks with some rocker, like the Perception Triumph described in the previous couple of postings, will be easier to turn, but will require more attention to keep them going in a straight line.  Long narrow kayaks have a higher hull speed, and will be easier to paddle fast, but may be somewhat tippier.  Wide short kayaks may be pretty stable, to the point where you can stand up in them while fishing, but may be slow and sluggish to paddle.  Some kayaks have seats which are mounted quite low, which makes them very stable.  Other kayaks have "lawn chair" style seats which are very high, which makes them more comfortable for some people, but also makes the kayak tippier.  Mirage Drive kayaks move fast and leave both hands available for fishing, which are advantages in deep water, but they might be a bad choice for shallow rivers, because you could damage the fins and/or the rudder on the bottom, or get jerked around by them in eddies.

Another issue to consider is the kind of fishing you want to do.  If you are interested in fly fishing, or in casting along the shores of lakes for bass, you may not need to mount very much equipment on your kayak.  However, if you want to troll in deep water, you'll want to mount a fish finder, rod holders, a downrigger, and other equipment all over your kayak.  Some kayaks are easier to mount equipment on than others. 

Once you know what kind or category of kayak you're looking for, you can focus on the advantages and disadvantages of kayaks in that category.

Depending on the kind of fishing you want to do, you may want to consider buying something other than a kayak.  For example, if you want to fly fish on fast-moving streams, a kayak with rocker will get you down the stream, but you may need to stop and fish from shore.  There is a reason why most fly fishing on fast-moving streams gets done by pairs of people fishing from rafts and drift boats: one person can focus on controlling the boat, while the other person focuses on fishing.

+1

Newprincipal:

I think the first thing you ought to do is decide generally where you want to go fishing.  Lakes, estuaries, and bays?  Large slow-moving rivers?  Small rocky fast-moving rivers?  Launching through the surf and fishing out in the ocean?

Ummm ... he did.

I plan on mostly fishing the Columbia, and a few of the lakes around SW washington.  I will be fishing the lower N. Fork of the Lewis river as well as the lower Kalama and maybe Cowlitz.  Which means I need to be able to turn the boat.  I also plan on paddling out for crab and bottom fish so I need to paddle distance with the ability to break through surf.  I know there is no perfect boat, but I want to be able to understand the compromises. Since you might ask.  I have paddled before, but would not say I am an experianced kayaker.

And yes, we kind of went off topic with discussions of river kayaking in waters well beyond what he describes above.   

-Allen

Newprincipal:

I think the first thing you ought to do is decide generally where you want to go fishing.  Lakes, estuaries, and bays?  Large slow-moving rivers?  Small rocky fast-moving rivers?  Launching through the surf and fishing out in the ocean?

Then you ought to talk to kayak anglers and kayak dealers about the categories or kinds of kayaks which are appropriate for that kind of fishing, and your level of experience, so you know what kinds of kayaks to focus on.  For example, kayaks with little or no rocker (i.e. a straight keel when viewed from the side) will be easy to paddle in a straight line, but will turn more slowly.  Kayaks with some rocker, like the Perception Triumph described in the previous couple of postings, will be easier to turn, but will require more attention to keep them going in a straight line.  Long narrow kayaks have a higher hull speed, and will be easier to paddle fast, but may be somewhat tippier.  Wide short kayaks may be pretty stable, to the point where you can stand up in them while fishing, but may be slow and sluggish to paddle.  Some kayaks have seats which are mounted quite low, which makes them very stable.  Other kayaks have "lawn chair" style seats which are very high, which makes them more comfortable for some people, but also makes the kayak tippier.  Mirage Drive kayaks move fast and leave both hands available for fishing, which are advantages in deep water, but they might be a bad choice for shallow rivers, because you could damage the fins and/or the rudder on the bottom, or get jerked around by them in eddies.

Another issue to consider is the kind of fishing you want to do.  If you are interested in fly fishing, or in casting along the shores of lakes for bass, you may not need to mount very much equipment on your kayak.  However, if you want to troll in deep water, you'll want to mount a fish finder, rod holders, a downrigger, and other equipment all over your kayak.  Some kayaks are easier to mount equipment on than others. 

Once you know what kind or category of kayak you're looking for, you can focus on the advantages and disadvantages of kayaks in that category.

Depending on the kind of fishing you want to do, you may want to consider buying something other than a kayak.  For example, if you want to fly fish on fast-moving streams, a kayak with rocker will get you down the stream, but you may need to stop and fish from shore.  There is a reason why most fly fishing on fast-moving streams gets done by pairs of people fishing from rafts and drift boats: one person can focus on controlling the boat, while the other person focuses on fishing.

Right.  I have most of this stuff all figured out.  I know that he original question was fairly open-ended.  I am not going to be doing any serious white water.  I guess what I should have asked was which kayak would be better for an ocean boat that could handle a smaller river.   I see the same sleds fishing outside three arches that fish the Lewis.  That's what I'm looking for.  Id rather have a boat that is not ideal for a small river, and have to push it around every once in a while as opposed to a great river boat that I have to fight in the ocean...  I like the Trident.  I will research the Triumph, and try to find someone who has a Moken.  Thanks Guys.  Tight lines.

-P

I don't think you can go wrong with the Trident. 

Ok....so I was all set on the OK Trident 13...now I seem to be eyeballing the OTC Predator 13.  4 inches wider, more stable, but clearly more difficult to paddle.  Thoughts on a surf launch in the Predator?  Anyone done it?

If you want an ocean boat get a trident. If you want a swamp water river boat get a predator.

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

I've never surfed launched a predator, but I've used one, and anyone in their right mind wouldn't attempt it on anything more than wind chop.

I have to agree with Bill.  BTW, it also makes a great duck hunting boat  ;-)

If you want some seat time on a few different rigs just shoot me a PM. I've got a Predator, Coosa, Hobie Revo & Addy, Malibu X-13, and a Cobra Fish'n'Dive. I also have a few friends that would let me get ahold of a PT13 for the day too.

Predator makes a REALLY solid duck rig! I'll be damned if I'm gonna push it through the surf or do any epic open water paddles though!

I'll add a Prowler 13 or Trident 13 to the list if you want to paddle one.

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

Clear nuff.  Thanks gang.

While I agree to get a Trident 13 over a Predator for a better overall well rounded boat, I think you guys may be shortchanging the Predator a little.  After paddling it for most of the summer, I've come to appreciate it somewhat.  Yes it is bigger, heavier, and slower ... but I wouldn't call it big, heavy, and slow, if you know what I mean, all things being relative.  OK, maybe it is a bit big and heavy, but I don't think it is slow.  I keep wanting to find fault with it, but I just keep coming up with praise.

I'll add that the MX is a bit of a hidden jewel, getting overshadowed by its big brother, the 13.

-Allen

If you want some seat time on a few different rigs just shoot me a PM. I've got a Predator, Coosa, Hobie Revo & Addy, Malibu X-13, and a Cobra Fish'n'Dive.

Wow.  Somebody ought to start a new thread named "who owns (or has owned) the most kayaks."

Allen, I don't think anyone disagrees with you, we just said it differently.  If I had room in my garage, I'd be plotting how to get one right now.