Stream and Small Lake Kayaking

As I mentioned in my first post on this board, I've really taken an interest in Kayak Fishing.

Near where I live in Rochester, NY, I'm limited pretty much to smaller rivers and streams, as well as small lakes (not that a good walleye chop can't blow up on them...)

Do you have any suggestions on a good "starter" kayak for these conditions?  Also, some sources for the gear I'll need to accompany the kayak (tackle, rod holders, etc...)

Thanks guys.  Looking forward to getting into this this summer....

Do you think there is the possibility of taking it out in rougher water or saltwater?  How much kayaking experience do you have?

-Allen

Small chance that I would take it out in the Great Lakes.  Almost zero chance of saltwater...

Oh ... and how much money are you willing to spend?

-Allen

As much as it takes to be safe and practical.  I want a well built kayak that is... Modular?  I prefer fly fishing if that makes a difference...

same here,
 After a year of my OK prowler, I want to purchase a smaller boat for in the local rivers. I love the prowler but shes too long for tight turns in fast water.
 Any suggestions on which model to try first?
 Would like enough room for overnight stay so a hatch is a must!
 I will keep the prowler for the ocean and lakes. 

Check out malibus new Mini-X, its only 9' long. looks like it might be a good lake and pond yak. 

Thanks floatin,
 With the weather starting to clear and a few windless days lately, I think I'll rent a new mini-x from my dealer if they have any yet. (we are kinda rural here). 9' sounds about right for me. Is there a hatch in the mini?
 Cutthroat season opened last weekend and I haven't been yet. I have heard of a 5# cutty caught, but did not see it to verify. That would be a very good sized fish for our rivers.
Plan on taking the boat up river and paddling into the gorge for a weekend camp trip. we should be eating lots of trout and crawfish!

That looks like a great Yak.  I have an email into Malibu, since the nearest listed dealer is 8 hours from me

A couple other yaks come to mind.  I'm thinking shorter with more rocker.  More rocker lets you turn easier, but it comes at the expense of tracking.  The Ocean Kayak Caper at 11' fits this bill.  THe WS Tarpon 100 fits the short yak, but doesn't look like it has much rocker at all.  I'm not tried the Mini-X, but personally I'm hesitant to get on a 9 foot boat.  It just seems small for me.  The Hobie Mirage at 9'7" fits into this category as well.  Of course you can go up to the 11-13 foot range and find boats that you can make work.  My advise, try as many as you can in the conditions you plan on paddling in and find the right boat for you.  Oh, and there are some sit-inside kayaks that may fit this bill as well, but I won't go there as I know nothing about it.

FishGator, what are your streams like out there?
boxofrain, your streams are like what?

Something in my head keeps telling me perhaps you 2 are targetting different water types ...

Many of these boats have options for rod holders already mounted in them.  If you need more kayak specific gear, check out some of the more kayak fishing specific websites like Hook1 Kayak Fishing Gear or Kayak Fishing Stuff

-Allen

I guess I am looking multi use.  From The Finger Lakes, which can get pretty choppy, to phonebooth sized streams.  Maybe I can't get a "one size fits all solution?  The good news is that most of the "chalk streams" in the area have good shore access, so the yak would be a value add as opposed to a necessity, so maybe I should focus on the larger stream, small lake scenario...

Oh ... did I ask you this already ... what size are you?

-Allen

Boxofrain the mini-x has center hatches, and rod holders. It looks like a nice smaller yak. Although as Allen said it is 9' so I wouldn't recomend it to anyone as big as he is, well over 6' and what, maybe 220. As for me I am 6' even at 255. I think my son would like it though and would give him years of good fun and training. After all thats why we do it right, cause its FUN.
Oh crayfish, what fun. I just made a crayfish trap and want to get out to see if it works. When I lived over on the Snake river we would go crawdaden every summer and cook-em up with the cat fish we caught.(YEHA)

Hey boxofrain how far are you from Eureka CA. I spent some time down in Garberville on the Eel river, lived in a 20'travel trailer on the lost coast.Thats was before my kayak days. Would love to go back to shelter cove and kayak out of there someday.

Matt

2 answers, one for a question you asked way earlier and I never answered, and one most recent.

1.)  I kayaked once in an Ocean bay in Maine.  Had the time of my life...  That's the extent of my kayaking experience...

2.)  5'11, 186 pounds.

floatin,
 I'm about 2 hours north of Eureka, right on the border of Or. and Ca. It's not that many miles but you know how the roads are in this area. Many places on 101 have been washed out with all the rain this year. Never been yaking in Ca., met a man in a SIK 16' touring yak down at the port. Says he goes to Trinidad every sunday or saturday for a paddle off of the head with a group or club of yakers all touring no fishing. He told me its his favorite place to paddle. Maybe have to try it sometime.


On the other note, I don't think I would have a problem with the 9' boat as I am only 5'8" around 140# and with the fast water areas on the Chetco, I think short and easy to turn will be a priority and after paddling the prowler 13 for a while, the 9' boat should be a dream!



polepole,
 If I would just sit down and do it, I have some area pics. so you can see the river conditions on the Chetco. A mix of large deep, slow holes all the way to an off limits section of gorge due to the danger of the rapids smashing rocks as the river narrows way down as it enters the gorge. BEAUTIMUS! I have flown over in small plane to see the section, but only paddle upstream as close  to it as we can from the put in a few miles down stream.