FNG

Hey, new guy here checking in. I live in Graham Washington , but also just bought a vacation home on Lake Mayfield.

I have never tried kayaking, let alone fishing from one. I had my boat out on the lake and seen a guy fishing from one and it something I want to try. I have a small kayak a friend gave me, but it is not a sit on top type or set up for fishing.

What do I need to get started and what is the best SOT kayak for under 1K? I am 5' 11" 225lbs. I do like the  Trident 11' Angler reveiws.


      

If you are sticking to lake fishing you may want to try fishing out of the SIK just to see if it's something you want to pursue further.  After I bought my kayak I outfitted the rest of the family with sit it kayaks and they make a decent fishing platform.  All they have for accessories is a scotty rod holder so they are best suited trolling or bass fishing but they work pretty good.  I'm not trying to discourage you from buying a new fishing yak just suggesting you may already have one suitable to start out to see if paddling is right for you.

P.S. nobody will tell you which kayak is best they'll just give you some line about trying out as many as you can and finding the one that's right for you

Welcome HenDog.  My buddy fishes from a SINK and does pretty well, though he is more limited in his options than I am on my SOT.  Just like EOBasser said, my bud just has a deck mounted rod holder slightly forward of the cockpit.  He throws his fish in the cockpit, unless we are fishing together when either I carry them or I throw them in his rear hatch.  So when fishing a SINK having a fishing partner, whether in a SOT or SINK, is an advantage. 

Lots of opinions on SOTs.  One decision you should make up front is pedal or paddle?  I paddle and yet have come to appreciate the utility and value of pedaling, particularly since I am prone to elbow problems.  Obviously one can also paddle a pedal boat. 

Expect lots of good advice from this site. 

  Welcome hendog.

  I sent a couple of summers borrowing friends sik's and sit's whenever I could and fished out of them. All I had was a PFD and a fishing rod, yee haw! I'm kayak fishing! If it floats you can fish off it.
 
  Before getting anywhere near fishing though you really want to spend some time in a kayak. Any kayak. ( O.K., maybe not a surf ski, you'd spend most of your time UNDER it). Get out in the boat you have available and see what it's like. Borrow or rent or test others from friends, family, and dealers. I really don't think there is a BEST boat out there, no matter what yak you end up choosing there will be trade offs. Find one YOU like! Have fun, be safe, then FISH!

Welcome Hendog,
Here is the best location for information, laughs, and living vicariously through others! Just make sure to share your adventures with pics and all will be well with the Universe!  As far as picking your kayak...yeah, what them said.

I had a two person sink for years.  Then two years ago my buddy acquired his first kayak, a SOT OK.  He joined me on two fishing trips- one at Prineville Res and the other on the Columbia.  I sold my Aquaterra sink on Craigslist to the first buyer, and bought my current SOT the same week. 

I thought I would lose the ability to go overnight or stow gear...WRONG.  I never would have taken my SINK out for a surf launch (it's possible with the right gear & training, but not for me).  I feel safe, comfortable, and have been absolutely loving my trips out on rivers and lakes.  Get the boat youwant and have fun. 

-Scott

When did you see the kayaker?  Might have been me in my yellow/orange Tarpon

Hey, new guy here checking in. I live in Graham Washington , but also just bought a vacation home on Lake Mayfield.

I have never tried kayaking, let alone fishing from one. I had my boat out on the lake and seen a guy fishing from one and it something I want to try. I have a small kayak a friend gave me, but it is not a sit on top type or set up for fishing.

What do I need to get started and what is the best SOT kayak for under 1K? I am 5' 11" 225lbs. I do like the  Trident 11' Angler reveiws.


      

I think the Trident 13 would be a bit better suited to you. Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 would be good too. If weight is your concern, check out the Hurricane Pheonix 140

I'd just get out there and start playing with as many toys as you can. Your opinions on boats and what you need it to do will most likely change with time any way.

  HEY! another resident of the growing little unincorporated whistle stop of south pierce county!!

HenDog, i live off 70th and Mathias. how far away are you?

depending on what body of water you were on, it could have been me, too. especially if you were anywheres near Rapjon, Harrts, or maybe even Alder Lakes. never been to Mayfield, tho.

and, welcome, your gonna love being part of this group..

[WR]

Hendog, I peddle, let me know and I'll be glad to be  available for you to peddle about.  My bride and I live in Lacey.
Holt

Hendog.. as WR said. we both live in the graham area. i have a OK T-13 and he has a OK T-15 Your more then welcome to hit us up for a test drive of both. and Dont hesitate to ask questions here and where ever. I am new also to fishing from a boat and kayaking. WR has been in it longer.

Again. welcome neighbor to a great group of people with a the cure for fun.

SG

"When did you see the kayaker?  Might have been me in my yellow/orange Tarpon"

It was 2 Sundays ago near Ike Kinswa state park. It looked like a Husband & Wife in two seperate yaks. Dont remember what color.

Hendog

" We have a OK T-13 and he has a OK T-15 Your more then welcome to hit us up for a test drive of both"

Thanks, I may just do that.

Another reason I want to buy another yak is my wife wants to tag along.

Hendog

Hendog.. i paddle the T13 and really like it. Let us know .. I have found that Rapjohn lake is a good lake to take and do test paddles on cause its a small lake and quiet

Marilyn (SG)

and thats totally ok that your wife wants to join you. if she's not the fishing type, she can take a camera and have fun exploring too..

nope wasn't me at kinswa.. never been there.

if you're going to do a lot of large lake fishing, 13-15 ft long will get you covered in those waters and even in saltwater.

small bodies of water and streams to medium rivers, a 12-14 footer will be your best bet. that gives you a shorter hull line, but it allows you to do a few things a slightly larger boat can't

whatever you decide to do, do lots of homework before you make your decision.

Welcome aboard!! MSgt I see. Are you still active on McChord? I'm an aircraft electrician out in AMXS (blue AMU). I paddle a Cobra Fish 'N' Dive, and really like it. She's a bit of a pig, but I think you would be hard pressed to find a more stable boat. You are more than welcome to take it for a spin some time. Just shoot me a PM to set something up.