New kayaker introduction

Hey folks,

I was debating on whether to get a pontoon boat or a kayak. Since I am posting here you can tell I got a kayak (Hobie Outback).

On Saturday the whole family tried it out. Even my son Zach (7) could peddle it around which was pretty cool. I took it out yesterday for the maiden fishing voyage. I caught a handful of smallmouth bass. Attached is a picture of the first fish in my the new 'yak. I wish I could say it was a monster but it was still a blast to catch it. I was fishing on the Willamette river (out of Willamette Park in West Linn) and the Outback was so stable that I (a complete novice to kayaks) sat side saddle and fished a good bit of the time even though the water ski traffic was intense. I probably did about 4 miles total and it was easy. I did a lot of just peddling around to see how it handled and it was great! With a nice steady peddle I would go about 3.5 mph. If I tried to peddle as fast as possible then I could just get up to 4mph (as measured by my GPS). I have ordered the "turbo fins" which should increase its speed. Overall I am really pleased. It was easy to load and get to the water.  I bought the Wheeleez that go in the scupper holes and it was easy to wheel it around. (I had long portages due to the traffic).

I also wanted to give a shout out to Next Adventure for treating me so well during the purchase. The first Outback they brought over from the factory had a pretty big pushed in part on the side. They told me I could take and bring it back if it did not pop out on its own or just wait one more day and that they would bring over a different one from the warehouse the next day. I chose to wait  the one day and got picked up the Outback on Saturday. They were really helpful every step of the purchase.

Finally, I also want to give an extra special thanks to ndogg. I sent him some PMs and he gave me a lot of information that helped me with my purchase.

I can't wait for my next fishing adventure! Hopefully I will be able to meet up and fish with some of you all in the future.

Dude....where's my tail?  Hey PDX, welcome to the NWKA forum and to the wonderful world of kayaking. That lil Smallie looks like he's all body and no tail, but will cut you some slack since its probably due to camera angle. Also, because I'm new as well and haven't even been on the water yet, much less with a fishing rod in hand. I got to meet ndog and Jammer at a fishing seminar last month and both seemed to be very well informed on the sport of Kayak fishing.....peace

Welcome aboard!  I was wonder how long it would be before I saw you on This site. 

Feel free to ask lots of questions.

-Spot-

Welcome.  I forgot how nice and clean they look when they're new...the Outback I mean.  Mine is like Al Bundie's old brown dodge.  We'll just call that "seasoned."  Enjoy the Hobie and we'll see you on the river.

Welcome and congrats on the purchase. You'll wonder why you didn't try it years ago!

Thanks guys. I have been fishing all of my life but I am new to kayak fishing (although I have been reading this site and any other kayak fishing site I can find ravenously for the last month or so while I was deciding what to get). The first day out was a blast. As I go along I will certainly not be shy about asking questions. I plan on starting a new thread on favorite kayak friendly launch sites for fishing the Columbia and Willamette.

Also,  I know it was a bad picture, fish curled away from camera. I am sure it would have looked much bigger otherwise Better a few small smallmouths than a lunker skunk any day

Congrats on your new Kayak, your first fish and welcome to the site.  When I first moved out here I spent a lot of time on the other site.  Now I log onto NWKA several times a day and only check the other one once a week or so. 

Congrats on your new Kayak, your first fish and welcome to the site.  When I first moved out here I spent a lot of time on the other site.  Now I log onto NWKA several times a day and only check the other one once a week or so. 

I like that.  (The other site) 

Welcome aboard PDXFISHER!   

Congrats. I ,too, a year ago was thinking pontoon vs. kayak. I thought I had just bought a kayak to enhance my fishing fun. Did not realize I had joined a movement.  Enjoy.