Which Kayak for me??

[mcintoshbryce]

Hey all,

I am looking to purchase myself a Kayak.
I have never owned a Kayak before, but as I can not get a boat this has to be the next best thing.. If not better.
I have just read through your forums and got some great tips about mods and a bit of a idea on what I should be looking at but I have a few questions.

I am going to be using this for fishing in both fresh and salt water in inclosed rivers, but I would also like to be able to use it on a open bay which has no waves (Port Stephens - Shoal Bay).

What brand I am best getting?
- I would like it to have good storage room and be stable.
- At the same time I would like it not to be to heavey as I will be lifting on to roof of car or box trailer for transporting it.

Whats should I be looking for when buying one of these?

Now here is the question? Budget?
How much do you think I will need to have a nice setup to be able to fish with, but with out kill the bank / wife?

All advice will be great.

Thanks Bryce

[ChrisN]

this is not serious to fish out of (i wouldn't but some dare devils might) but I found this site on how to make your own kayak in four hours that is dirt cheap! Anyway just check this out and maybe you could think of a way to make it more permanent.
http://www.shelter-systems.com/kayak.html

[yaker]

Now there's a question that will open a can of worms!

I use a Perception Swing sit-on-top, mostly in the estuarine creeks around Brisbane. Plenty of storage with hatches front and rear (plus a small hatch between your legs) and a rear tankwell for carrying gear and fish. I've had it out in 20-25 knot winds a couple of times, and while paddling has been hard work it hasn't felt unsafe.

One of my reasons for choosing a SOT (apart from carrying capacity) was that I figured that in the event of a capsize it would be easier to slide onto rather than get back into a sit-in and bail it out.

As far as the open bay goes, Billybob Watson uses his Swing up at Noosa to head out through the river bar into Laguna Bay chasing mackeral and tuna.

The Swing weighs about 25kg and isn't too difficult to get onto the car roof, but personally I wouldn't want anything much heavier.

The Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro TW is another SOT kayak that is well regarded for fishing.

These are both pretty stable. Don't get too hung up on stability. I've paddled an Aqua 2 that I thought I could probably stand on but it handled like a barge and was a lot slower and harder to paddle than my Swing.

As far a sit-inside-kayaks are concerned, the Australis Bass and Perception Minnows are similar and both appear to be popular but, being short, are probably more suited to sheltered waters than open bays. They are a little lighter - I guess around 18-20kg (someone will correct me).

Perception Arcadia is a sit-in that would be suitable for open bays.

Prices run from around $700 to $1200 new. You don't often see them second-hand, but you may be lucky. Don't forget $80 to $140 for a PFD.

All the above kayaks are rotomolded plastic. I'll leave fibreglass for someone else to discuss!

If you want to look at some of the manufacturers sites you can get to them from the Links page at my site Kayak Fishing in SE Queensland (http://www.aus-kayak-fishing.com/)

Hope that's been some help and look forward to what other have to add.

keep paddlin'
Tony

[mcintoshbryce]

Thanks Tony for you help.
This site you directed me to is great.
It looks like I will have to do some more research before buying.
As I am now very confused on what I should be buying.
I have been to many links on that site plus others and I am seeing such a large range and everythink is differnt.

So if I was to look at buying one for 90% inclosed river use would what would you recomend.
I want one which has storage departments and to be used for fishing...

I know you are in QLD but are there any good places in Sydney that you know of where I could going and check a few of these out.

Thanks Bryce

[shoey]

I echo Tony's views.

I've recently purchased a Scupper Pro TW. It's very stable with a large front hatch(large enough to fit my 4 y/o son in!) and a tank well in the rear. Your big decision is sit-on or sit-in?

I havent been through a winter yet although I have paddled in some unpleasant Melbourne weather and have not been too cold.

At the moment a dealer down here has the Scupper Pro,fibreglass paddle, and PFD for $900 until sold out. I paid $950 for the boat alone. If you want his details let me know.

Regards, Gerard

[mcintoshbryce]

Hey Mate,

This sounds like to go.
If you dont mind sending me his details that will be great.
Do this dealer also have a web site address?
The big question is still with me just like you said sit on or sit in????

Thanks Bryce

[mcintoshbryce]

Hey Gerard,

Does the Scupper Pro TW have a sit in model?
I think a sit in model is more to my needs at the moment.
And when I get more into it I think I would be looking at a sit on model to leave up the coast.

Thanks Bryce

[yaker]

Bryce,
Sorry I can't help you with anywhere in Sydney. A search of the yellowpages web site comes up with 3 pages of addresses - nearly as confusing as choosing a kayak! I know there are a few Sydneysiders into kayak fishing so come on guys, give Bryce some input.

You might find the kayanu (http://www.kayanu.com.au/) site useful as they list a big range of kayaks and you can select 3 at a time and get a comparison of their specs.

Bear in mind that these stores are usually run by kayakers/canoeists, not fishermen, so don't let them distract you into something you don't want. Any decent store should let you hire a kayak to try out then discount the hire fee if you decide to by from them. If they wont then go somewhere else.

The best advice I could give is to select a kayak that has a proven track record as a fishing kayak. What works for others will most probably work for you - of course you may be 6'4" and 120kg or 5'4" and 60kg so that may also have a bearing on your decision (some of the smaller kayaks are only recommended to carry about 80kg).

keep paddlin'
Tony

[Zonker]

Hi Bryce
If you're in Sydney it would be worth checking out kayaks at Waves on Parramatta Rd Ashfield (or thereabouts) or Ocean Planet at Middle Harbour Yacht Club. Better still, see if the gang at OP will let you have a test paddle.
Rather than get bamboozled by the range of kayaks arond I'd try to settle on one or two that will do the job and start shopping and checking out the Trading Post.
The guys I know in Sydney mostly fish off sit on tops. I've got an Ocean Kayak Scrambler and a couple of other guys from the Sydney Flyrodders fish the harbour off a Scupper Pro and Scrambler XT respectively.
All are good fishing boats. Personally I'd go for a sit on top but to each his own :-)
cheers
zonker

[shoey]

Hi Bryce

Cant help you much with any info on sit ins. Like Zonker, my second choice would have been a Scrambler or Scrambler XT.

You may get some help from Lyndsay at Sydney Kayakfishing Club. His email is: pacific@zip.com.au
I believe they hold a social fishing comp on the third Saturday of each month on Sydney's Nthn Beaches?

Good luck

Gerard.

[Christopher]

Hey mate, you mention port stephens, etc., and also sydney. If you live between the two, and you're looking at somewhere to but, I could recommend Ocean Planet at Ettalong (Central Coast), it has a good website you can check out www.oceanplanet.com.au , friendly staff, and a good selection.

No, I am not endorsed by Ocean Planet.

Yes, I do wish I was endorsed by someone. Anyone.

[Christopher]

* buy. who knows, you may want to but also.

[mcintoshbryce]

Hey all,

Thanks for your help.
I am going to start testing some out over the coming weeks.

Does any one know if there is a local Sydney club for Kayaking?
I really mean a crue of guys that get together once a month or so for a group fish. If so if any info will be great, as I really have a lot to learn and wouldn't mind some local tips.

Thanks Bryce

[shoey]

From memory the guys on the northern beaches are called the "Raw Prawn Kayakfishing Club". Check out one of my previous replies to your thread for Lyndsays email address.

As im in Melbourne I dont know any more about them. I spoke with Lyndsay via email and he seemed very keen to help.

Good Luck in getting on the water!

Shoey

[Sandworm]

well from onother side, i'v never use sit on mind you. I fish from a Acadia (perception) and i'm yet to get wet. I fished sunday in port phillip bay till dark and was very happy. enought room, great to fish from, quick, stable and i have lots to store... P.S Dry :)


that said the sit on is prob better to store bits

i love my it in though

[mattiger]

Hey Bryce,

Heres my two pennies worth.

If you are going to hit big fish in unsheltered bays go the sit on top! You can even foam inject to make it unsinkable.

I would only go poly construction as it is tough.

Take a rod with you when you test and simulte some of the fishing you will be doing i.e. next to snags, trolling in chop and drifting.

Cheers
Matt

[john]

Bryce,
Saw your query and registered as a user of this forum.
I use a Sevylor inflatable whitewater kayak for fishing in fresh and reasonably safe salt water areas. While inflatables may sound a bit scarey, I can assure you they are extremely stable, cheap and very easily stored and transported. Mine fits in the back of a ford festiva without putting the rear seats down. Ten minutes is all it takes to get in the water from arriving at the water. OBVIOUSLY, there are precautions that need to be taken with regard to pointy things, like cutting up bait and leaving your filleting knife behind, I use a small 'box cutter' which is retractable for any necessary cutting. I have stood up in this boat on a fairly rough swell at the Spit at Southport with no problems. Out of curiosity I have jumped out (in?) to see how hard it was to get back in, and it took me about fifteen seconds (You must pull the boat under you from the bow or stern rather than try to climb over the side) Inflatables can be found occasionaly in the trading post or weekend shopper, or at goodtime surf at the gabba brisbane. They don't handle as well as the streamlined hard shelled kayaks, but with a bit of serious practise are very friendly I have tried a "real Kayak" and feel a lot more secure in mine. Good luck with your query
Regards John

[GJC]

Bryce,
Having paddled both a sit in and a SOT I can say for Qld conditions the SOT wins hands down. In summer the sit in (a Perception Acadia) was like a sauna. Similarly the SOT means your sitting in water on a chilly morning isn't much fun either. I now fish from a Swing and have bought two scupper hole plugs. I haven't tested them out but they apparently keep your bum dry.

One other point you might want to mention to your wife. Unlike a boat (which I have also owned previously) a kayak onced purchased will cost nothing to maintain, run, register, fix motors etc. This saves you thousands in the long run so you can justify spending a little more to get what you want so it's enjoyable to use.
Good luck
GJC

[Clithy]

I was told when I bought our Scupper Pro TW that a sit on top kayak is a better way to go if you want to fish due to the fact that it will take a rollover or a wave better than a sit in (I havent tried either yet). You do get a wet bum though, but that can be over come by plugging up the scupper holes with those pool noodles. Which ever you get, you'll enjoy it because ther is no noise, which allows you to get really close to the fish and also you can get to some pretty remote places. Best of luck!

Clithy;)

[legless]

I have a Minnow, NZ made sit in kayak that I use for still water, fly casting and SP work. I find it very stable, dry, tracks straight and being poly is almost indestructible. I have even taken it on a commercial plane to Tassie to fish the central lakes. Being in a wheelchair I can't get to the roof of a car so the Minnow fits perfectly inside my VT Commordore wagon. I have fitted Scotty rod holders front and back and, for me it's the perfect kayak for still water. Can't comment on a sit on type as I have never used one.

Phil

[the_hide]

The sit on top is by far the safer option. I fish and dive from my QKayaks Escapade and the SOT is so easy to get in and out of. You can safely use a loaded sit on top in some reasonable swell, I've used mine at venus bay sitting out the back of the surf spinning for Sambo's. Downside is your going to get wet.

[captn' squinty]

im not feeling to great. plus i must go to a mates party on saturday too. tell me where u will be, and ill try my best... good luck if i dont see u out there.
squinty