Yak fishing noob... in search of a good boat

Hello all...
I am new to Yak fishing, but I am resolved to learn.
currently I own an 11 foot Pontoon boat that I use for fishing and white water, but I want something faster that I can use to break thru the surf and in the Columbia River.

I am leaning towards a Trident 15.
I was looking at the Hobie PA, but I am not sold on a pedal boat as of yet.
I am 6" and 210lbs.

are there any other boats I should try to demo?
what do most of you currently own?
Is the Trident 13 Stable enough for a beginner to punch thru the surf in fairly calm locations like Cape Kiwanda?

I have my Toon for Steelhead/Salmon drifting and floating smaller rivers, this yak would mostly be used in big water and longer distances trips (toon is a pain in the A$$ to paddle on lakes or non moving bodies of water)

Thanks for taking the time to read my questions and hopefully respond.
Cheers,

Is the Trident 13 Stable enough for a beginner to punch thru the surf in fairly calm locations like Cape Kiwanda?

The T13 is every bit as stable as the T15, but quicker response (shorter kayak!).  I'm 6'3" and 220#.  I've owned both.  I prefer the T13 for every day use.  Although I have an Ultra coming so we'll see if if can supplant the T13 as top dog in my stable.

-Allen

Glad to see you made it your way here!

The T13 is a very usable boat.  It'd say its actually more stable than a T15 (it is wider), but just lacks a wee bit in the speed, comparatively. I think you'll find more people here have T13s here and it should be perfectly suitable

Welcome aboard!

The T13 is plenty stable.  In fact, I regularly land bigger fish sitting side saddle.

-Spot-

Hey T_N,
I have been pretty inactive on the boards as of late, but I expect that to change.
Figured this was the best place to pose the question about my new vessel.
I love my pontoon, but its time for something more

Thanks to all for the input.
I just need to find one in the Portland area to demo...
I called Alder Creek, but they don't have any OK demos

The search continues.

Welcome to NWKA!

The T-13 is a very common boat here as you can see.  If you are planning on fishing where you'll be working against currents (i.e. in both rivers and the ocean), Hobies are an awesome way to increase your productivity and also make anchoring in the big rivers much easier IMO.  If the PA seems a little overkill for you, I would suggest looking into the Outback (very stable) or what I use, the Revolution (max versatility).  Both can handle surf easily with minimal practice and are pretty fast.  If you want to try out the Hobies, Next Adventure Paddle Center is a great place to demo boats in Portland.  Let 'em know you're from NWKA if you head in there.

Hope to see you on the water!

Hey T_N,
I have been pretty inactive on the boards as of late, but I expect that to change.
Figured this was the best place to pose the question about my new vessel.
I love my pontoon, but its time for something more

Thanks to all for the input.
I just need to find one in the Portland area to demo...
I called Alder Creek, but they don't have any OK demos

The search continues.

If you're still looking to demo an OK come mid Feb., I'd be happy to let you try one of mine.  My weekends are booked thru the 1st weekend in Feb or my offer would be for sooner.

-Spot- 

Welcome!  I would make sure your getting the one you want, and don't settle for less.  So much time spent in small quarters,  make sure it's just right!
-Scott

The T-13 is a great NW boat. I have a P-13 and it is narrower than the T-13 and it has served me very well up to the biggest stuff I feel comfortable on out on the coast. I am 6'3" 235 and have had no stability issues. Great boats!

This year will be my third year of kayak fishing so I am still a newbie too.  I had never been in any sort of a kayak and I started with a T13 fishing solo.  The boat is easy and felt very stable from the get go and my comfort curve was steep.  The only thing I would definitely change on the T13 was the Rod Pod hatch cover.   I might also redesign the Sonar Shield area as I never used it for my fish finder, though it is very useful as quick storage for little stuff.  I have fished lakes and Puget Sound so I've not dealt with surf nor ocean swell.  If you are new to kayaks and plan to be a fisherman on a kayak rather than a kayaker fishing, get a rudder.

In my second year I got a Hobie Revolution for the mirage pedal drive because of nagging elbow problems from years of racquetball abuse.  While the Revo is a nice boat, IMHO the T13 is of considerably better manufacture.  It's sturdier and stiffer.  The Hobie has better hatches.  The Hobie pedal drive is AWESOME, but you pay for it with less deck space.  If you are going to paddle I don't think you can go wrong with a T13 Angler.  If you want a pedal drive you have got to go with a Hobie. 

I am also a noob to the yaking community and I have been doing a little research here and there. I am intrested in and all around SOT fishing kayak. One that you can take in the river, lake/resivor, and the ocean. I noticed most of you guys recommended the trident t13, and by the sound and research that looks to be the top dog out there. Do you guys have any recomendations on a kayak that is universal? Will the Trident T13 work for these different types of waters?

   Thanks for your time.

Roseburg-  I'd say pretty much any of the 13 footers are going to be your swiss army knives.  I like my OK P13 and have used it pretty much everywhere with good results.  I really like the Malibu's and Hobie's as well.

Hey T_N,
I have been pretty inactive on the boards as of late, but I expect that to change.
Figured this was the best place to pose the question about my new vessel.
I love my pontoon, but its time for something more

Thanks to all for the input.
I just need to find one in the Portland area to demo...
I called Alder Creek, but they don't have any OK demos

The search continues.

Yeah, we only have Wilderness Systems and Jackson SOT's now. We're looking for another option to fill our big dude SOT line out.

Will the Trident T13 work for these different types of waters?

List of venues I've effectively fished from my T13:

Swift flowing Coastal Rivers - Check
Willamette / Columbia - Check
Small Ponds - Check
Reservoirs - Check
Estuaries (including B10) - Check
Rocky ocean headlands - Check
Miles offshore - Check
 

I guess that makes my answer YES.   

-Spot-

As you do more and more looking, you'll notice that most of the big name SOT kayak brands have their "most versatile" model.  Fast, but not their fastest model, stable, but not their most stable model.... etc.  One that is good for several applications.