Trying to get started

I have a Hobie Tandem Island with room for a guest if you want to do some fishing or crabbing before you take the plunge.

iHop


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iHop - That is very generuous.  I may take you up on that offer in the spring when I'm close on the money.  I don't get down by Camas much, but that would be fun!

Wow, you're a long way up there. Maybe we can meet in the middle some time. Do you know any good spots?


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Well...you're heading down a slippery path. No matter what yak you end up with you'll eventually be talking about all sorts of modifications, and probably a second or third specialty boat (the combined expense of several decent fully outfitted fishing yaks won't come close to that of fairly primitive fishing PB).  But whatever happens, fishing from a kayak is extremely economical (even if you buy a Hobie)...and it gets you way more immersed in the fishing.... It's just so damned easy to maintain, transport, launch and operate a kayak compared to a PB (is there any wonder why so many powerboats spend their entire lives sitting on trailers or in boat slips, once the initial purchase excitement wears off?). 

And you can go places a PB fears to tread.  Lakes with no launch ramps, and the intricate shallows protecting the holes where the big boys lurk, unmolested by the PB's as well as the pontoon boats.

As far as inexpensive gift ideas....a decent net, neoprene chest waders with a waist belt (wearing the waist belt is critical) for cold water/weather fishing (you could go breathable, but they're colder, less bouyant, and far more expensive), paddle leashes and lanyards, heavy duty neoprene booties, a breathable windshirt, poly/synthetic clothing, a comfortable PFD that works well as a fishing vest, dry bags and dry cases to protect gear like cameras, radio's, cellphones and spare clothing, A Scotty rodholder setup (depends upon what sort of fishing you do, and how the kayak comes already equipped), a telescoping emergency paddle, good maps/guide books for fishing areas, soft pack for fishing gear, soft-sided cooler, lightweight anchor for your anchor trolley (there are dozens of good youtube demonstrations how to build your own anchor trolley rather than buying a system), and that's about it.

Keep in mind, except for the safety related gear, most of this stuff doesn't need to be purchased before you start kayak fishing. A kayak is so cheap to operate, and so convenient, that you can have plenty of opportunities to 'perfect your game'. That's sorta the fun of it....every trip gives you ideas of what might make the next trip even better.

Another good gift idea is an NRS boat knife to attach to your PFD.

Well...you're heading down a slippery path. No matter what yak you end up with you'll eventually be talking about all sorts of modifications, and probably a second or third specialty boat (the combined expense of several decent fully outfitted fishing yaks won't come close to that of fairly primitive fishing PB).  But whatever happens, fishing from a kayak is extremely economical (even if you buy a Hobie)...and it gets you way more immersed in the fishing.... It's just so damned easy to maintain, transport, launch and operate a kayak compared to a PB (is there any wonder why so many powerboats spend their entire lives sitting on trailers or in boat slips, once the initial purchase excitement wears off?). 

And you can go places a PB fears to tread.  Lakes with no launch ramps, and the intricate shallows protecting the holes where the big boys lurk, unmolested by the PB's as well as the pontoon boats.
......

Keep in mind, except for the safety related gear, most of this stuff doesn't need to be purchased before you start kayak fishing. A kayak is so cheap to operate, and so convenient, that you can have plenty of opportunities to 'perfect your game'. That's sorta the fun of it....every trip gives you ideas of what might make the next trip even better.

What everyone else said especially this!  I have two powerboats both didn't get started this year.  Who cares!  I caught so many more fish than I ever did with a powerboat.  partly bcasue the kayak is a better platform in MANY cases.  But not necessarily for Ocean fish like halibut or salmon.  But the convenience and the fact it didn't break the bank every time I went out meant more time on the water.  That translated into more fish.  And every fish was MUCH more exciting than from a powerboat.

I wanted a cheap entry and bought a $400 mini-x from craigslist.  A $400 drysuit, sonar, yaddi yadda and the kayak was the cheapest thing.  THEN I went out and three months later bought a hobie outback.  It is without a doubt bar NONE the BEST fishing investment EVER in my 40 years of fishing. 

It helps when you think about kayak fishing to think about an annual budget for fishing.  Let's say you get an equally great deal on a nice powerboat.  but then you have launch fees, gasoline, worse gas mileage hauling a 20 foot plus boat around.  This is cheap when all that is considered.  Slowly I am gravitating more to catch and release but its mainly because I still catch enough fish to eat after I switched to my Kayak. 

Good luck to ya and welcome aboard!

Wow, you're a long way up there. Maybe we can meet in the middle some time. Do you know any good spots?


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SWMBO's cousin knows a lot lakes in the area around Yelm.  That might be doable for me.

It helps when you think about kayak fishing to think about an annual budget for fishing.  Let's say you get an equally great deal on a nice powerboat.  but then you have launch fees, gasoline, worse gas mileage hauling a 20 foot plus boat around.  This is cheap when all that is considered.  Slowly I am gravitating more to catch and release but its mainly because I still catch enough fish to eat after I switched to my Kayak. 

Good luck to ya and welcome aboard!

Thanks!  Yeah that was a big part of my decision.  I make decent money, but my wife really wanted this house (~$100k more than I wanted to spend) and she hasn't yet lived up yo her agreement to generate some income.  So cheaper fishing is the only way for me to go.

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Thanks!  Yeah that was a big part of my decision.  I make decent money, but my wife really wanted this house (~$100k more than I wanted to spend) and she hasn't yet lived up yo her agreement to generate some income.  So cheaper fishing is the only way for me to go.
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Dude, that's called 'making lemonade when you've got lemons' and the reason I'm still married to the same wonderful woman after 41 years.  At least she understands you've got to fish...and once you head toward kayaks I highly doubt you'll have any reason to look back on it as a bad decision

I've cut her some slack as she was trying to get the knowledge she needed to open her own home based business (a real one, not one of those TV commercial crap ideas) and then she got pregnant with #3 (as much my idea as anything else).  She was VERY sick for the first 4 -5 months too.  Baby is here now, so she's starting the process up again.  She'll be working and making money by the New Year.  I hope  .