Old Timer/ Newcomer

My name is Jeff. I grew up in Seattle and now live in the San Francisco Bay Area, (Crockett, CA). I began kayak fishing in 2008 and exclusively fished the ocean. I had fairly good luck with rarely a skunk. But after a couple of years doing so I lost interest (getting too old) and went back to my true love, river fishing for salmon and steelhead. I sold my 13' OK Prowler Big Game and now either bank/wade fish or use my 8' pram.
I want to be able to fish with a group of kayak fishing guys that I know and would like info on what kayaks you NW guys like to use and why. I'm a big guy 6'2" and 250lbs so please take that into consideration.
Love to hear from you about fishing around Seattle. I have relatives all around there.
Thanks,
Jeff

Welcome! Good to have you here.
You'll find we use a variety of kayaks in the NW.
I'm about your height and weight and I use a Hobie Outback. It's perfect for a bigger guy and suited for pretty much every type of fishing from lakes to ocean.


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I have both a OK T13 and a mini-x.  Both take my weight well.  I weigh more then you do.

I'm probably as old or older than you.  I love my Hobie Revo 13.  The mirage peddle drive keeps one's hands free for fishing and generally your leg strength is the last to go on an aging frame.  Very stable.  2013 is a pink salmon year.  Great fun!

It comes down to what you want in a kayak. I am a little lighter than you right now, but been up to 245. I'm 6'3".
Do you value speed or stability more?
For paddle kayaks the OK trident 13 is really tough to beat. If you want to go the Hobie direction I suggest you test them out.
I found the outback to slow and the cockpit too short for my liking. I haven't tested the revo but understand the cockpit to be the same length.
I ended up with an Adventure and love it! The speed is awesome and I don't mind s little less stability.

So .... go back to the universal answer for anyone looking for a new kayak. Test drive as many as you can. Don't just do a few circles in a calm lake either. Roll it over ... try to stand ... practice self rescue ... sprint the boat ... test the tracking ... this will give you a good idea of how the boat actually feels for you.

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