Newbie Toobe

Hello from Idaho-
I am as green as it gets when it comes to kayaking, and specifically interested in fishing yaks. The problem is…where to start?
For background…I am not new to paddling. I have been in a canoe several times; used to whitewater guide 18’ rafts back in the day, and had a drift boat for several years. The majority of my fishing has been (and will be) on big rivers & reservoirs to small mountain lakes and streams (what Idaho and surrounding areas have to offer).
So, back to “where to start?” I have been looking online and reading reviews on several yaks. I have a budget of $1k to spend on ALL equipment. I have looked at the Emotion Temptation 11 & Spitfire 9, the Pelican Strikes, and the Old Town Predator (which was way out of my price range). I have looked at Hobie craft a year ago at a sports show (once again above budget). I am still wavering between sit-on-tops and sit ins, but see a lot of anglers choose sot’s.
 I’m also looking to get input on base layers, but will use my neoprene waders as a “dry suit” until hotter days.  I may get a shorts/short sleeve wet suit, some “frog togs” to keep dry, ect, and a good PFD (I like the ones from NRS).
All input welcome to help me on my way to maximize my days on the water 
-Scott

Wow, no replies? Well, welcome!!!

If you ask 10 guys those questions you'll get 10 sets of answers. There's a lot of good discussion on the site if you use the search feature to dredge up previous threads on these types of topics.

That said, here's my opinions, based on what you said:

A lot of guys prefer SOTs in general if they can only have 1 fishing kayak, but there's guys (some of the best fishermen on the forum) who use SinKs to great effect. If I were in your situation with your budget my primary decision dimension for SOT vs. SinK would be safety. I would not feel as safe in a SinK because I don't have as much experience with them and I'm not confident I could solve my own problems on the water if I flipped and took on water. If you're comfortable with a SinK then you might reach a difference decision. There are other factors too, of course.

There are lots of threads on drysuit vs. wetsuit vs. waders w/dry-top. In general waders with no dry-top aren't considered in the top-tier of safety, because if you get in the water they are likely to take on significant water. Depending on where you're fishing this may be simply a nuisance or it could be a serious safety factor. Again, your abilities, limits, and goals are the important part.

Of the kayaks you mentioned in your budget I would lean towards the Temptation 11 just based on size. I fish mostly lakes, medium-to-large rivers, and the ocean and I would want 12' or longer if possible. If you're fishing streams with whitewater that might affect your decision away from longer boats. I don't have any experience kayaking white water.

Hope more people weigh in. Welcome to the forums! Grass is always greener but you have some great fishing in your neck of the woods. Looking forward to pictures!

Thanks for the replay Cap'n...

I posted similar in the Idaho forum and got some good feedback. Most saying a SOT would suit my needs better. Decided against a drive system (pedal) yak as I will be in shallows in 1/2 my fishing, so why go the extra expense (most are out of my budget anyways).

I'll be looking for an Emotion Stealth or Temptation or similar yak. I looked at the 11' and just seems like the best fit for my all around. I don't plan on going thru anything more than a class 1 (maybe 2) rapid, and will be in summer months where if I get flipped I can recover easy with warmer water temps and a good PFD. I am no stranger to going thru big class 4's & 5's in nothing but a PFD after a flipped raft. From drift boating you learn to avoid the rollers by skirting, or even getting out and walking around big water.

I will be looking to layer accordingly, and I have float tubed in my neoprene waders a lot. I use a belt across the chest area, and even tested it by going full submerged once where the belt prevented any water from going in. Neoprene's tend to "hug" well anyways and are pretty boyant. I wouldn't use rubber or cloth waders as they do fill easy. If I get into colder climate yak fishing I will look at a good dry suit.

With the emotion brand or similar, 1/2 my budget will go into a kayak leaving the other half for a good pdf, gear, etc. Found some great DIY ideas for fishing rigs on kayaks on the web as well, so shouldn't be long before I am on the water :-)

 

Right on. It sounds like you've thought through and tested what you're going to do, and you have experience. Sounds like you're going to be set. Again, looking forward to pictures!

Welcome to one of the best ways to fish.  SOT yaks are my favorite and the preference of most.  Access to your gear is very simple with a SOT boat.  As for clothing options, I have used wetsuits, waders w and w/o drytop never tried a drysuit on the yak though.  wetsuit is not very comfortable.  The day I flipped 2 mi from shore I was wearing waders and no drytop without my PFD on, not my brightest moment.  There was plenty of time to recover grab a couple wayward items and get back to the side of the boat with no worries about drowning, I do have an extensive watersports and rescue background. 

Picked up a 11ft Ocean Caper, NRS Kayak Angler PFD, Carlisle paddle, and a few other accessories this weekend. Can't wait to hit the water :-)