getting started

hey everyone,

I moved up here 3 years ago from south texas. I have a little gear and currently saving to buy all new gear. I have been out fishing a handful of times, and have taken a charter 2 times now. It seems to me the best fishing is by boat. Because I am on a tight budget I am looking into getting a yak. I have done fishing a handful of times in texas a yak, but still not very familiar. I want to know what is the best yak to get thats not expensive, $2000 is my budget for a complete setup, I want to know the most needed accessories for it. Where is the best Yak dealers. Also what is recommended for tackle, what type of reels. Casting or Spinning. Does anybody fish the rivers, or is it all puget sound. The more info I can get, the better I will be.

Dustin

If you are in Portland, come by Alder Creek on Jantzen Beach Wed-Sat and I can get you set up. You can demo whatever you like anytime at the shop. For what we carry, I'd say WS tarpons & OK Tridents are your best bet for saltwater, Feel Free Moken is good for fresh.

Always nice to see a fellow Texan on here!

Jason
http://www.aldercreek.com

well If I get a chance I will come check it out, I live in Lake Stevens, WA so its a little bit of a commute. Thanks for all of the info

This site offers package deals on the most popular SOT fishing yaks.

http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/servlet/StoreFront

It should give you a rough idea of what you can expect to pay for a fully outfitted rig minus a PFD. The Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident 13 is a really popular boat that will do it all. I personally own a Cobra Fish 'n' Dive, and a Malibu X-13, and love them both differently. The cobra is a high and dry ride with all the stability of a small john boat, but a slug on the water at 36" wide and 12'6 long . The X-13 is sleek and fast, but you sacrifice some stability for the more efficient paddle. People always suggest you demo as many boats as you can before you buy, but realistically it's tough to get the chance to paddle more than a couple models before you throw down your $$. once you paddle a boat or two, you can compare their specs against other models, and read reviews written all over the web to get a good idea of what you can expect from a hull before you buy.

Hope this helps. This is how I went about buying both my boats, and they were both almost exactly what I expected. If you are ever in or near Lacey/Olympia and would like to paddle my boats just shoot me a PM.

If it were me I would spend some time on the interweb getting a decent idea what you want/need, maybe even demo a boat or two then hit craigslist.  You will save a ton of money and there is little difference between new and used (within reason of course) other then more cash out of your pocket.

a question that still hasnt been answered, what type of reels is suggested....traditionally I have always used spinning, but that was for different type of fishing, I havnt done fishing up here other than charters, and both trips they were using casting/trolling reels...

also, everyone on here keeps talking about doing a demo on the kayaks...where are there outfitters near me that allow demos on the kayaks

a question that still hasnt been answered, what type of reels is suggested....traditionally I have always used spinning, but that was for different type of fishing, I havnt done fishing up here other than charters, and both trips they were using casting/trolling reels...

The answer to that would have a lot to do with what kind of fish your after and where you plan to pursue them.  For most salmon and bottom fish an Abu 6500 level wind  is a decent place to start.  Paired with a 7.5-8.5 ft med heavy casting rod and you are in the ball game for above species. 

There's a dealer up on Camano Island that has trying to offload some of his Hobies lately on Craigslist, you may want to check them out.  If you head down to the Port of Everett you can check out Popeye's Marine (http://www.popeyesmarine.com/KayakCenter.htm).  Personally, I'd say go with an OK, WS, Hobie, or Malibu.  If you search this site you'll find some great discussions on many of these different models.

With respect to gear, what species are you interested in?  It sounds as though you are primarily looking to hit the salt.  There are plenty of lakes around here you may want to consider as well, especially with our rediculous fishing seasons here in Washington.  Are you a tackle/gear snob or budget minded.  I'm not judging (you're in good company either way), it just gives us a better idea of recommendations.

I dont mind spending money on gear, considering usually it produces better gear. I am more leaning on the salt water side, I have never really been much into freshwater, all I have ever fish was the salts when I lived in Texas, I also think it produces better fishing. I have been really interested the Hobie yaks since they have the mirage drive, it sounds easier to control the kayak and alot less physical.

Hobie Mirage Outback $1550
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/boa/1889771281.html

It looks like the Camano Island guy already sold his other ones that were sub $2K.

I use two setups in the salt for bottomfish, sturgeon, and the rare salmon trip- 8' Diawa Wilderness salmon/steelhead rod w/ Penn 209 and a 6.5' or 7' (can't remember which one) Ugly Stik Tiger w/ Penn 309 reel.  I have been debating getting a spinning setup to change things up a bit in the salt, but it's hard to justify with only a month-long season anywhere I care to drive with any regularity. 

Living on/near Lake Stevens I understand why you might not be a huge fan of freshwater, but there are some great opportunities around and then you can fish yearround.  If the fight isn't enough for you, downsize your gear.

thanks for all of the  great  info. I dont think its the fight between saltwater and freshwater. I think its more of the size of the fish. Nothing is more of a rush than catching a large 20-50lb fish

If you plan on catching 20-50# fish with any kind of regularity you'll be disappointed with the fishing in WA nine months out of the year, unless you plan on travelling quite a bit to the coast (not the Sound) or down to OR.

I contend there's a leviathan in almost every body of (salt or fresh), I just haven't it caught yet 

the 2 trips I have made in the sound have produced 25lb chinooks

You could use a spinning setup no problem - I started out with a midrange shimano steelhead rod and spinning reel, works fine.  I still don't have a very good cast using a conventional, levelwind or low profile baitcasting reel, but they are nice because the setup tends to be more compact than a spinning reel, especially since you do most of your casting from a seated position.

The Hobies require just as much physical activity as a standard kayak, you just get to depend on your legs instead of your arms and upper body - they do make fishing alot easier. 

good luck